N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-coupled glycineB receptors in the pathogenesis and treatment of schizophrenia: a critical review

Glutamatergic pathways, metabotropic receptors, and ionotropic alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-proprionic acid (AMPA), kainate and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are all implicated in the etiology and management of schizophrenia. As concerns NMDA receptors, open channel blockers (OCBs) such as phencyclidine (PCP) elicit psychotic symptoms in human subjects. This observation underpins biochemical studies indicating that a deficit in activity at NMDA receptors may be associated with psychotic states. Inasmuch as agonists at the NMDA recognition site are excitotoxic, drugs acting via the co-agonist, glycine(B) (GLY(B)) site are more promising clinical candidates as antipsychotic agents. Glycine (GLY) itself, a further endogenous agonist, D-Serine, and inhibitors of GLY reuptake are active in certain experimental models predictive of antipsychotic properties. Further, in controlled clinical trials, GLY and D-Serine enhance the ability of conventional neuroleptics such as haloperidol to improve cognitive and negative symptoms. Their actions are mimicked by the partial agonist, D-cycloserine (DCS). However, these agents exert little effect alone and may interfere with therapeutic actions of the atypical antipsychotic, clozapine. An important issue in the interpretation of drug actions at GLY(B) sites is their degree of occupation by endogenous GLY and D-Serine - although they are unlikely to be saturated. Further, distinct "subtypes" of GLY(B) site-bearing NMDA receptor may fulfill differential roles in psychotic states Finally, blockade of certain populations of NMDA receptor may be of use in the management of schizophrenia. This article reviews the complex role of GLY(B) sites/NMDA receptors and their endogenous ligands in the pathogenesis and treatment of psychotic states.     

Selectivity of quinoxalines and kynurenines as antagonists of the glycine site on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors

Xenopus oocytes injected with rat brain mRNA were used to identify and characterize the effects of compounds that are antagonists at both the glycine site on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and the quisqualate/kainate receptor. Oocytes were voltage-clamped at -60 mV and inward currents were measured at equilibrium following perfusion with agonists and antagonists. Application of 7-chlorokynurenic acid (7-Cl-Kyn) or 6,7-dichloro-3-hydroxy-2-quinoxaline carboxylic acid (6,7-diCl-HQC), each at 15 microM, produced a parallel shift to the right of the glycine concentration-response curve. Schild analysis indicated a KB of 300 nM for 6,7-diCl-HQC and 350 nM for 7-Cl-Kyn. The slopes of the Schild plots were 1.01-1.02 in each case, suggesting that both compounds are competitive glycine antagonists. Both compounds also blocked the receptor mediating kainate-induced inward current. Schild analysis of 6,7-diCl-HQC (KB = 3.0 microM, slope = 0.98) indicated competitive antagonism of kainate currents, but with a potency 10-fold lower than at the glycine site. 7-Cl-Kyn antagonized kainate-evoked currents (KB = 14.1 microM), but the slope of the Schild regression was less than 1 (0.72 +/- 0.11; p less than 0.05). Thus, 7-Cl-kyn was approximately 40-fold more potent at the glycine site than at the receptor mediating kainate currents but is probably not entirely competitive at the latter receptor. Omission of the Cl groups from these antagonists drastically reduced activity at both glycine and kainate sites. 6,7-Dinitro- and 6-cyano-7-nitro-quinoxalinedione were both more potent antagonists of kainate than glycine, but substitution of Cl at the 6-position and especially the 6- and 7-positions increased potency at the glycine site. These results suggest that the glycine coagonist site of the NMDA receptor and the agonist binding site of the quisqualate/kainate receptor have some structural similarity. Halogenated derivatives of quinoxalines and kynurenines should be useful in evaluating the function of the glycine site in synaptic transmission mediated by NMDA receptors. In this regard we found that 7-Cl-kyn (5 and 15 microM) selectively attenuated NMDA receptor-mediated epileptiform bursts in the CA1 region of hippocampal slices perfused with zero-Mg medium, without reducing the amplitude of the primary population spike. This block could be overcome by 300 microM D-serine, which alone did not influence bursting. These results together indicate that the glycine site plays a role in epileptiform bursting mediated by NMDA receptors in adult rat hippocampus.     

N-methyl-D-aspartate/glycine and quisqualate/kainate receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes: antagonist pharmacology

Quantitative pharmacological studies were done to determine the properties of excitatory amino acid receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes injected with rat brain mRNA. Smooth currents with properties indicative of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and quisqualate/kainate receptors were observed in mRNA-injected oocytes. Schild analysis of currents evoked by NMDA indicated that the EAA receptor antagonist D-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (D-APV) exerted a competitive block of the oocyte NMDA receptor, because the Schild regression was linear with a slope not significantly different from unity (1.03 +/- 0.025) up to 100 microM D-APV. The pA2 estimated for D-APV antagonism of NMDA currents (5.87 +/- 0.043) was nearly identical to that for D-APV as an L-aspartate antagonist (pA2 = 5.86 +/- 0.073, slope = 0.97 +/- 0.036), suggesting that these two agonists are selective for NMDA receptors in oocytes up to concentrations well above 1 mM. 6-Nitro-7-cyano-quinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) reduced the maximum NMDA response significantly (70% reduction by 15 microM CNQX) but had no effect on the NMDA EC50. CNQX exerted a mixed competitive-noncompetitive block of the glycine site on NMDA receptors; 15 microM CNQX increased the glycine EC50 by 5-fold and reduced the maximum glycine response by 35%. In addition, CNQX exerted a potent and competitive antagonism of currents evoked by kainate. The Schild regression was linear up to 30 microM CNQX with a slope of 1.02 +/- 0.014 and a pA2 of 6.53 +/- 0.029. The block of kainate or NMDA currents by 2 microM CNQX was not voltage dependent. D-APV exerted a weak antagonism of kainate-evoked currents, with a pA2 of 3.39 +/- 0.044, but the slope of the Schild regression was slightly less than 1 (0.90 +/- 0.03). These data demonstrate a clear pharmacological distinction between receptors that mediate the kainate- and NMDA-induced currents and quantify the potency of CNQX and D-APV acting at NMDA/glycine and quisqualate/kainate receptors. The implications of these data for the identification of EAA receptors in oocytes and the classification of neuronal EAA receptors are discussed.     

Structural requirements for activation of the glycine coagonist site of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Five structural features important for activation of the glycine recognition site on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors were identified by structure-activity studies of more than 60 glycine analogues in voltage-clamped Xenopus oocytes injected with rat brain mRNA. First, sterically unhindered and ionized carboxyl and amino termini were essential for action at this site. Second, an increase in the interterminal separation by greater than one carbon (e.g., beta-alanine) markedly attenuated activity at this site. Third, activity at the glycine site was stereoselective. The D-isomers of alanine and serine were approximately 20 and 30 times more potent than the L-isomers. Fourth, only small sterically unobtrusive substitutions at the alpha-carbon could be tolerated. alpha-Methyl (D-alanine) and alpha-cyclopropyl (1-amino-cyclopropane carboxylic acid) (ACC) substitutions were effective as agonists but most larger aliphatic and aromatic alpha-carbon substitutions were simply inactive. Glycine, D-alanine, and ACC probably have only a two-point attachment to the receptor. Finally the alpha-carbon substituent of D-serine is envisioned as binding to a third site on the receptor probably via hydrogen bonding of the omega-terminal hydroxyl group. Thus, serine, an hydroxymethyl substitution of glycine, permitted activation of NMDA receptor-mediated currents, whereas isosteric substitutions incapable of hydrogen bonding (e.g., 2-aminobutyric acid) were inactive. Additionally, the position and size of the hydroxyl-containing group is critical for agonist action; D-threonine, DL-homoserine, and hydroxyphenolic substitutions at the alpha-carbon were all inactive. Halogenated analogs of a size comparable to D-serine but capable only of proton acceptance at the omega-terminus (beta-fluoro-D-alanine and beta-chloro-D-alanine) possessed agonist action, whereas an analog capable of only proton donation (1,2-diaminopropionic acid) was inactive. Full concentration-response curves were constructed for those analogs displaying greater than 25% of the effect of glycine when tested at 3 microM. With the exception of (R)-(+)cycloserine and beta-fluoro-D-alanine, all compounds were nearly full agonists and had Hill coefficients not significantly different from unity. The order of relative potency of the active analogs was ACC greater than glycine greater than D-serine greater than D-alanine greater than beta-fluoro-D-alanine greater than (R)-(+)-cycloserine greater than L-serine greater than L-alanine. Molecular modelling of a series of active and inactive analogs with close structural relation to glycine was undertaken. These results were complementary to those data obtained from the electrophysiological investigation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Pharmacological characteristics of cyclic homologues of glycine at the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-associated glycine site

In Xenopus oocytes, injected with mRNA from the brain of the rat, the characteristics of the cyclic homologues of glycine, ACPC, ACBC and cycloleucine have been examined. 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate was a potent agonist at the NMDA-associated glycine site (EC50 = 0.09 +/- 0.02 microM) and exhibited characteristics consistent with a partial agonist. 1-Aminocyclobutane-1-carboxylate, in addition to its previously described antagonist properties, was found to possess agonist properties of low efficacy. Furthermore, ACBC did not completely block NMDA/glycine-induced currents, which is also consistent with partial agonist characteristics. In addition, small concentrations of glycine (less than 3 microM) did not alter the potency of ACBC, possibly suggesting that it is not simply a competitive glycine antagonist. Cycloleucine was a very weak glycine antagonist. These results suggest that as the size of the ring of cyclic homologues of glycine increases, there is a resulting transition from agonist to mixed agonist/antagonist to antagonist properties.     

Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and endogenous cannabinoid anandamide directly potentiate the function of glycine receptors

Anandamide (AEA) and delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are endogenous and exogenous ligands, respectively, for cannabinoid receptors. Whereas most of the pharmacological actions of cannabinoids are mediated by CB1 receptors, there is also evidence that these compounds can produce effects that are not mediated by the activation of identified cannabinoid receptors. Here, we report that THC and AEA, in a CB1 receptor-independent manner, cause a significant potentiation of the amplitudes of glycine-activated currents (I(Gly)) in acutely isolated neurons from rat ventral tegmental area (VTA) and in Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing human homomeric (alpha1) and heteromeric (alpha1beta1) subunits of glycine receptors (GlyRs). The potentiation of I(Gly) by THC and AEA is concentration-dependent, with respective EC50 values of 86 +/- 9 and 319 +/- 31 nM for alpha1 homomeric receptors, 73 +/- 8 and 318 +/- 24 nM for alpha1beta1 heteromeric receptors, and 115 +/- 13 and 230 +/- 29 nM for native GlyRs in VTA neurons. The effects of THC and AEA are selective for I(Gly), because GABA-activated current in VTA neurons or in X. laevis oocytes expressing alpha2beta3gamma2 GABA(A) receptor subunits were unaffected by these compounds. The maximal potentiation by THC and AEA was observed at the lowest concentration of glycine; with increasing concentrations of glycine, the potentiation significantly decreased. The site for THC and AEA seems to be distinct from that of the alcohol and volatile anesthetics. The results indicate that THC and AEA, in pharmacologically relevant concentrations, directly potentiate the function of GlyRs through an allosteric mechanism.     

Adenosine triphosphate acts as both a competitive antagonist and a positive allosteric modulator at recombinant N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors

ATP and glutamate are fast excitatory neurotransmitters in the central nervous system acting primarily on ionotropic P2X and glutamate [N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA] receptors, respectively. Both neurotransmitters regulate synaptic plasticity and long-term potentiation in hippocampal neurons. NMDA receptors are responsible primarily for the modulatory action of glutamate, but the mechanism underlying the modulatory effect of ATP remains uncertain. In the present study, the effect of ATP on recombinant NR1a + 2A, NR1a + 2B, and NR1a + 2C NMDA receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes was investigated. ATP inhibited NR1a + 2A and NR1a + 2B receptor currents evoked by low concentrations of glutamate but potentiated currents evoked by saturating glutamate concentrations. In contrast, ATP potentiated NR1a + 2C receptor currents evoked by nonsaturating glutamate concentrations. ATP shifted the glutamate concentration-response curve to the right, indicating a competitive interaction at the agonist binding site. ATP inhibition and potentiation of glutamate-evoked currents was voltage-independent, indicating that ATP acts outside the membrane electric field. Other nucleotides, including ADP, GTP, CTP, and UTP, inhibited glutamate-evoked currents with different potencies, revealing that the inhibition is dependent on both the phosphate chain and nucleotide ring structure. At high concentrations, glutamate outcompetes ATP at the agonist binding site, revealing a potentiation of the current. This effect must be caused by ATP binding at a separate site, where it acts as a positive allosteric modulator of channel gating. A simple model of the NMDA receptor, with ATP acting both as a competitive antagonist at the glutamate binding site and as a positive allosteric modulator at a separate site, reproduced the main features of the data.     

N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸受体与抑郁障碍

越来越多研究表明,除单胺神经递质外,谷氨酸及相关受体在抑郁症病因中也扮演了重要的角色,特别是N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸(NMDA)受体,有证据表明NMDA受体的过度激活是抑郁障碍的病理生理机制之一。本文总结了谷氨酸及相关受体与抑郁障碍的关系,对NMDA受体成为潜在抗抑郁药靶点做一简要讨论。     

Characterization of the binding of radioligands to the N-methyl-D-aspartate,phencyclidine, and glycine receptors in buffy coat membranes

Rapid vacuum filtration assays were used to quantitate radioligand binding to phencyclidine (PCP), N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), and strychnine-insensitive glycine receptors in a simple buffy coat preparation of rat cortical membranes. K_D and B_max values for [³H]glycine binding were very similar to those previously reported by workers who used centrifugation for the separation of free and bound [³H]glycine. We also found that this preparation had a high percentage of NMDA-displaceable L-[³H]glutamate binding sites, which demonstrated a pharmacology very similar to that previously observed in more purified synaptic plasma membranes. Hill analysis of the displacement curves indicated that glutamate bound to a single class of sites, but that NMDA and NMDA antagonists may interact with this site in a negatively cooperative fashion. This preparation was also found to be suitable for the study of NMDA and glycine receptor regulation of the associated ion channel, as these effectors, alone and in combination, increased the affinity with which [³H]TCP bound to the PCP receptor believed to be located within the ion channel. Thus, the ability to measure radioligand binding to these three sites in the same simple membrane preparation should greatly facilitate the study of the interaction between them.     

Allosteric modulation of glycine receptors

Inhibitory (or strychnine sensitive) glycine receptors (GlyRs) are anion-selective transmitter-gated ion channels of the cys-loop superfamily, which includes among others also the inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABA(A) receptors). While GABA mediates fast inhibitory neurotransmission throughout the CNS, the action of glycine as a fast inhibitory neurotransmitter is more restricted. This probably explains why GABA(A) receptors constitute a group of extremely successful drug targets in the treatment of a wide variety of CNS diseases, including anxiety, sleep disorders and epilepsy, while drugs specifically targeting GlyRs are virtually lacking. However, the spatially more restricted distribution of glycinergic inhibition may be advantageous in situations when a more localized enhancement of inhibition is sought. Inhibitory GlyRs are particularly relevant for the control of excitability in the mammalian spinal cord, brain stem and a few selected brain areas, such as the cerebellum and the retina. At these sites, GlyRs regulate important physiological functions, including respiratory rhythms, motor control, muscle tone and sensory as well as pain processing. In the hippocampus, RNA-edited high affinity extrasynaptic GlyRs may contribute to the pathology of temporal lobe epilepsy. Although specific modulators have not yet been identified, GlyRs still possess sites for allosteric modulation by a number of structurally diverse molecules, including alcohols, neurosteroids, cannabinoids, tropeines, general anaesthetics, certain neurotransmitters and cations. This review summarizes the present knowledge about this modulation and the molecular bases of the interactions involved.     

Opiate physical dependence and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors

The present review focused the involvement of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in morphine physical dependence. The increased levels of extracellular glutamate, NMDA receptor zeta subunit (NR1) mRNA, NMDA receptor epsilon 1 subunit (NR2A) protein, phosphorylated Ca(2+)/calmodulin kinase II (p-CaMKII) protein, c-fos mRNA, c-Fos protein, are observed in the specific brain areas of mice and/or rats showing signs of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal. In preclinical and clinical studies, a variety of NMDA receptor antagonists and pretreatment with an antisense oligonucleotide of the NR1 have been reported to inhibit the development, expression and/or maintenance of opiate physical dependence. In contrast to data obtained in adult animals, NMDA receptor antagonists are neither effective in blocking the development of opiate dependence nor the expression of opiate withdrawal in neonatal rats. In the NMDA receptor-deficient mice, the NR2A knockout mice show the marked loss of typical withdrawal abstinence behaviors precipitated by naloxone. The rescue of NR2A protein by electroporation into the nucleus accumbens of NR2A knockout mice reverses the loss of abstinence behaviors. The activation of CaMKII and increased expression of c-Fos protein in the brain of animals with naloxone-precipitated withdrawal syndrome are prevented by NMDA receptor antagonists, whereas the increased levels of extracellular glutamate are not prevented by them. These findings indicate that glutamatergic neurotransmission at the NMDA receptor site contributes to the development, expression and maintenance of opiate dependence, and suggest that NMDA receptor antagonists may be a useful adjunct in the treatment of opiate dependence.     

Insulin increases the potency of glycine at ionotropic glycine receptors

The mechanisms by which insulin modulates neuronal plasticity and pain processes remain poorly understood. Here we report that insulin rapidly increases the function of glycine receptors in murine spinal neurons and recombinant human glycine receptors expressed in human embryonic kidney cells. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings showed that insulin reversibly enhanced current evoked by exogenous glycine and increased the amplitude of spontaneous glycinergic miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents recorded in cultured spinal neurons. Insulin (1 microM) also shifted the glycine concentration-response plot to the left and reduced the glycine EC(50) value from 52 to 31 microM. Currents evoked by a submaximal concentration of glycine were increased to approximately 140% of control. The glycine receptor alpha subunit was sufficient for the enhancement by insulin because currents from recombinant homomeric alpha(1) receptors and heteromeric alpha(1)beta receptors were both increased. Insulin acted at the insulin receptor via pathways dependent on tyrosine kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase because the insulin effect was eliminated by the insulin receptor antagonist, hydroxy-2-naphthalenylmethylphosphonic acid trisacetoxymethyl ester, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor lavendustin A, and the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase antagonist wortmannin. Together, these results show that insulin has a novel regulatory action on the potency of glycine for ionotropic glycine receptors.     

Both agonists and antagonists of the strychnine-insensitive glycine site of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors modulate polysynaptic excitations in slices of mouse olfactory cortex

Summary In this study, it is reported that bath application of D-serine and, to a lesser extent glycine, potentiated polysynaptic but not monosynaptic excitations evoked in slices of mouse olfactory cortex perfused with solution containing Mg²⁺ (1 mmol/l), picrotoxin and strychnine (both 25 μmol/l). Effects were largely confined to the longer latency components of the field potentials and occurred at amino acid concentrations of between 0.01 and 1 mmol/l. The effects of D-serine and glycine were antagonized by 7-chlorokynurenate and indole-2-carboxylate, antagonists of the glycine regulatory site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor complex. D-Serine (glycine not tested) also potentiated, and 7-chlorokynurenate partially inhibited the longer latency components of the polysynaptic field potentials evoked in slices perfused in the absence of picrotoxin and strychnine. However, neither D-serine nor glycine potentiated responses evoked by the bath application of NMDA. It is concluded that under the present experimental conditions, the glycine regulatory sites of those NMDA receptor involved in the mediation of polysynaptic excitations in the mouse olfactory cortex are not saturated with endogenous glycine.     

N-palmitoyl glycine, a novel endogenous lipid that acts as a modulator of calcium influx and nitric oxide production in sensory neurons

N-arachidonoyl glycine is an endogenous arachidonoyl amide that activates the orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) GPR18 in a pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive manner and produces antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effects. It is produced by direct conjugation of arachidonic acid to glycine and by oxidative metabolism of the endocannabinoid anandamide. Based on the presence of enzymes that conjugate fatty acids with glycine and the high abundance of palmitic acid in the brain, we hypothesized the endogenous formation of the saturated N-acyl amide N-palmitoyl glycine (PalGly). PalGly was partially purified from rat lipid extracts and identified using nano-high-performance liquid chromatography/hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Here, we show that PalGly is produced after cellular stimulation and that it occurs in high levels in rat skin and spinal cord. PalGly was up-regulated in fatty acid amide hydrolase knockout mice, suggesting a pathway for enzymatic regulation. PalGly potently inhibited heat-evoked firing of nociceptive neurons in rat dorsal horn. In addition, PalGly induced transient calcium influx in native adult dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells and a DRG-like cell line (F-11). The effect of PalGly on the latter cells was characterized by strict structural requirements, PTX sensitivity, and dependence on the presence of extracellular calcium. PalGly-induced calcium influx was blocked by the nonselective calcium channel blockers ruthenium red, 1-(beta-[3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propoxy]-4-methoxyphenethyl)-1H-imidazole (SK&F96365), and La3+. Furthermore, PalGly contributed to the production of NO through calcium-sensitive nitric-oxide synthase enzymes present in F-11 cells and was inhibited by the nitric-oxide synthase inhibitor 7-nitroindazole.     

Striatal N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in haloperidol-induced catalepsy.

Bilateral ablation of the frontal cortex of rats markedly reduced the catalepsy induced by haloperidol (1 mg/kg i.p.). Similarly, the selective antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, D(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (10 micrograms/side), injected bilaterally into the rostral part of the caudate-putamen (CP) reduced haloperidol-induced catalepsy whereas its injection into the intermediate part of the CP was ineffective. The quisqualate receptor antagonist, L-glutamic acid diethyl ester (100 micrograms/side), did not affect haloperidol-induced catalepsy when injected into the rostral part of the CP. On the other hand, NMDA (1 micrograms/side) injected bilaterally into the rostral part of the CP was able to restore haloperidol-induced catalepsy in frontally decorticated rats without any notable cataleptic effect of its own. These findings suggest that a certain degree of tonic stimulatory effect of corticostriatal glutamatergic pathways on NMDA receptors within the rostral part of the CP is a prerequisite for the expression of the cataleptogenic action of haloperidol.     

Modulation of solitarial deglutitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors by dihydropyridines

The ability of the dihydropyridine calcium channel activators, (-)-S-BAY K 8644 and (+)-S-202-791 and the calcium channel inhibitor, (+)-R-BAY K 8644, to modify the differential deglutitive actions of glutamate and muscarine at premotor loci in the nucleus tractus solitarii was investigated in urethane-anaesthetised rats. At subnuclei ventralis and intermedialis loci, pneumophoretic application (20-100 pl) from multibarrelled glass micropipettes (tip diameter 2-5 microns) of glutamate (10-20 pmol) evoked aminophosphonovaleric acid (APV)-insensitive pharyngeal swallows; at sites in the subnucleus centralis of the nucleus tractus solitarii glutamate evoked an APV-sensitive single-wave oesophageal response, whereas muscarine (5-10 pmol) evoked rhythmic oesophageal contractions. Both (-)-S-BAY K 8644 and (+)-S-202-791, applied in prepulses of 10-20 fmol and 100-200 fmol, respectively, either had no effect or selectively and reversibly enhanced or inhibited the glutamate-evoked responses. Identical results were obtained by intravenous administration of (-)-S-BAY K 8644 (10-50 micrograms/kg). Micropneumophoretic (20-50 fmol) or intravenous (10-50 micrograms/kg) administration of (+)-R-BAY K 8644 suppressed the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-mediated oesophageal responses in a reversible and selective manner. The dihydropyridine vehicle produced a transient depression of all types of deglutitive responses. It is concluded that, within the deglutitive subnuclei of the nucleus tractus solitarii, "L"-type voltage-operated calcium channels are associated with NMDA-receptor-mediated deglutitive mechanisms. The inhibition or a lack of effect produced by the dihydropyridine calcium channel activators is explained in part by their actions at other sites e.g. release of inhibitory transmitters.     

Targeting N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors for treatment of neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain remains a major clinical problem and a therapeutic challenge because existing analgesics are often ineffective and can cause serious side effects. Increased N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activity contributes to central sensitization in certain types of neuropathic pain. NMDAR antagonists can reduce hyperalgesia and allodynia in animal models of neuropathic pain induced by nerve injury and diabetic neuropathy. Clinically used NMDAR antagonists, such as ketamine and dextromethorphan, are generally effective in patients with neuropathic pain, such as complex regional pain syndrome and painful diabetic neuropathy. However, patients with postherpetic neuralgia respond poorly to NMDAR antagonists. Recent studies on identifying NMDAR-interacting proteins and molecular mechanisms of increased NMDAR activity in neuropathic pain could facilitate the development of new drugs to attenuate abnormal NMDAR activity with minimal impairment of the physiological function of NMDARs. Combining NMDAR antagonists with other analgesics could also lead to better management of neuropathic pain without causing serious side effects.     

Targeting N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors for treatment of neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain remains a major clinical problem and a therapeutic challenge because existing analgesics are often ineffective and can cause serious side effects. Increased N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activity contributes to central sensitization in certain types of neuropathic pain. NMDAR antagonists can reduce hyperalgesia and allodynia in animal models of neuropathic pain induced by nerve injury and diabetic neuropathy. Clinically used NMDAR antagonists, such as ketamine and dextromethorphan, are generally effective in patients with neuropathic pain, such as complex regional pain syndrome and painful diabetic neuropathy. However, patients with postherpetic neuralgia respond poorly to NMDAR antagonists. Recent studies on identifying NMDAR-interacting proteins and molecular mechanisms of increased NMDAR activity in neuropathic pain could facilitate the development of new drugs to attenuate abnormal NMDAR activity with minimal impairment of the physiological function of NMDARs. Combining NMDAR antagonists with other analgesics could also lead to better management of neuropathic pain without causing serious side effects.     

Benzodiazepines and central glycine receptors.

1 In cats, anaesthetized with pentobarbitone, intravenous diazepam (minimum dose 3.0 mg/kg) enhanced dorsal root potentials but did not significantly diminish the reduction by electrophoretic strychnine of the inhibitory action of electrophoretic glycine on dorsal horn interneurones. 2 In mice, intraperitoneal diazepam (2.5 mg/kg) had no appreciable effect on the potency of strychnine as a convulsant, although providing some protection against bicuculline. 3 These observations, together with the failure of chlordiazepoxide to either inhibit the firing of spinal interneurones or reduce antagonism between strychnine and glycine when administered locally, provide no support for the interaction between benzodiazepines and mammalian central glycine receptors which has been proposed on the basis of in vitro studies of strychnine binding.