Inhibition of norepinephrine and acetylcholine release from human neocortex by omega-conotoxin GVIA

Superfused slices of human neocortex, prepared from surgically removed tissue (to gain access to subcortical tumors) and prelabeled selectively with [3H]norepinephrine (NE) or [3H]choline, were stimulated electrically to evoke tritium overflow. This tritium overflow was abolished by the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin and by withdrawal of extracellular Ca++. Thus, the action potential-induced, exocytotic tritium overflow supports the assumption of a quasiphysiological release of NE from noradrenergic and of acetylcholine (ACh) from cholinergic nerve terminals, respectively. In addition, the modulation of NE release by adrenoceptor ligands displayed the appropriate pharmacology of alpha-2 autoreceptors; ACh release was modulated by muscarinic ligands. Both NE and ACh release decreased with the age of the patients. The effects of drugs on NE and ACh release were not age-related. The peptide modulator of the N-type voltage sensitive Ca++ channel, omega-conotoxin GVIA, inhibited NE release with an IC50 of about 14 nM and ACh release with an IC50 of about 3 nM, whereas L-type modulators were ineffective. The binding of [125I]omega-conotoxin GVIA to human neocortical membranes was of high affinity (KD = 1.3 pM) to one site (nH = 0.97) of substantial density (maximum binding = 878 fmol/mg of protein); the binding of the L-type modulator [3H]isradipine to these membranes was also of high affinity (KD = 89 pM) to one site (nH = 1.03) of lesser density (maximum binding = 429 fmol/mg of protein). In conclusion, Ca++ entry through N-type Ca++ channels, rather then L-type Ca++ channels, predominates in subserving NE and ACh release from noradrenergic and cholinergic nerve terminals, respectively, of human neocortex.     

A comparison of N-methyl-D-aspartate-evoked release of adenosine and [3H]norepinephrine from rat cortical slices

Tetrodotoxin reduced N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-evoked release of adenosine by 35% but virtually abolished [3H]norepinephrine release. Although [3H]norepinephrine release from rat cortical slices evoked by 500 microM NMDA was abolished by 1.2 mM Mg++, which produces a voltage-sensitive, uncompetitive block of NMDA-channels, adenosine release was increased in the presence of Mg++. Partial depolarization with 12 mM K+ relieved the Mg++ block of 500 microM NMDA-evoked [3H]norepinephrine release but did not affect adenosine release, indicating that a Mg++ requirement for the adenosine release process per se cannot account for this discrepancy. NMDA was 33 times more potent in releasing adenosine than [3H]norepinephrine. At submaximal concentrations of NMDA (10 and 20 microM), adenosine release was augmented in Mg+(+)-free medium. Although a high concentration of the uncompetitive NMDA antagonist MK-801 [(+)-5-methyl-10,11,dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-10-imine maleate] (3 microM) blocked NMDA-evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine and adenosine, a lower concentration (300 nM) decreased NMDA-evoked [3H]norepinephrine release by 66% without affecting adenosine release. These findings suggest that maximal adenosine release occurs when relatively few NMDA receptors are activated, raising the possibility that spare receptors exist for NMDA-evoked adenosine release. Rather than acting as a protectant against excessive NMDA excitation, released adenosine might provide an inhibitory threshold which must be overcome for NMDA-mediated neurotransmission to proceed.     

N-Type Ca(2+) channels trigger release of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter from nerve endings in canine bronchi.

We set out to characterize the types of Ca(2+) channels that mediate release of the predominant excitatory (acetylcholine) and inhibitory (norepinephrine) neurotransmitters in canine bronchi, using electrically evoked contractions and relaxations, respectively, as indicators of this release. We found that the selective N-type Ca(2+) channel blocker (omega-conotoxin GVIA) eliminated electrically evoked contractions in a dose-dependent fashion (half-maximal inhibition in the presence of 1-5 nM) but had no significant effect on those evoked by exogenously added acetylcholine. Selective blockers of P-type Ca(2+) channels (omega-agatoxin TK; 10(-8) to 10(-7) M) or of L-type Ca(2+) channels (nifedipine; 10(-8) to 10(-6) M) had no significant effect on the responses to neurally released or exogenously added acetylcholine. Likewise, electrically evoked relaxations were blocked by omega-conotoxin GVIA (10(-7) M) but not by omega-agatoxin TK (10(-7) M) or nifedipine (10(-7) M); none of these Ca(2+) channel blockers had a significant inhibitory effect on isoproterenol-triggered relaxations. We conclude that excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in canine bronchi is mediated predominantly by N-type Ca(2+) channels, with little or no contribution from L-, P-, Q-, or T-type channels.     

Nicotinic receptor-evoked release of acetylcholine and somatostatin in the myenteric plexus is coupled to calcium influx via N-type calcium channels.

Entry of extracellular calcium (Ca++) via voltage-gated Ca++ channels is essential for neurotransmitter release. In this study, we examined whether nicotinic receptor-stimulated release of acetylcholine (ACh) and somatostatin (S14) are coupled to calcium influx via distinct calcium channel subtypes in the myenteric plexus. Isolated ganglia from the guinea pig ileal myenteric plexus were prepared and placed in perfusion chambers under standard conditions. The ganglionic agonist dimethylphenylpiperazinium (DMPP, 10(-6) to 10(-3) M) stimulated the release of [3H]ACh in a concentration-dependent manner. This release was blocked by hexamethonium or Ca(++)-free medium containing 1 mM EGTA and was antagonized by omega-conotoxin, a preferential N calcium channel blocker, but was not affected by nifedipine (L channel antagonist) or nickel (T calcium channel antagonist). DMPP-evoked release of somatostatin was also antagonized by omega-conotoxin, but was not affected by nifedipine or nickel. These observations indicate that neurosecretion of ACh and S14 evoked by DMPP is mediated by calcium entry via voltage-sensitive N-type Ca++ channels. To provide additional evidence that nicotinic receptor stimulation is associated with Ca++ entry via the N-type Ca++ channels, we examined the intracellular calcium [Ca++]i concentration of the myenteric plexus neurons using fura-2 microspectrofluorometry. Basal [Ca++]i of single ileal myenteric neurons was 65 +/- 5 nM. Perfusion with DMPP (10(-6) to 10(-3) M) caused a rapid, transient elevation in [Ca++]i which was abolished by Ca(++)-free medium containing 1 mM EGTA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The anticonvulsant MK-801 interacts with peripheral and central nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ion channels.

The effects of MK-801 [( +]-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-di-benzo[a, d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine) on peripheral and central nicotinic receptors were studied using electrophysiological and biochemical techniques. MK-801 depressed the peak amplitude and accelerated the decay of end-plate currents. The drug (1-10 microM) decreased the frequency of activation of acetylcholine (ACh)-induced single-channel currents in addition to shortening the mean open and burst times of channels activated by either ACh or (+)anatoxin-a (AnTX). MK-801 (10-40 microM) depressed the single potentials and trains of ACh and AnTX-induced potentials in chronically denervated rat soleus muscles. MK-801 blocked the twitch responses (20-100 microM) of both frog sartorius and rat diaphragm muscles evoked by stimulation of their respective nerves. Also this drug (less than 1 microM) decreased the frequency of channels activated by AnTX or ACh in outside-out patch membranes of rat retinal ganglion cells with minimal changes in the channel open time. MK-801 (10-25 microM) depressed (-)nicotine-evoked gamma-amino[2,3-3H]butyric acid release from rat hippocampal synaptosomes; however, it failed to affect the binding of [3H](-)nicotine to brain membranes and also failed to interfere with the binding of [125I]alpha-bungarotoxin to either frog muscle or Torpedo membranes. On the other hand, MK-801 inhibited the binding of [3H]perhydrohistrionicotoxin to Torpedo membranes and such an effect was more pronounced in the presence of carbamylcholine. Neither AnTX nor any other nicotinic agonist increased the binding of [3H]MK-801 to the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor ion channel complex. The actions of MK-801 were evident at concentrations comparable with those needed to block N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. These results demonstrate the existence of at least three different types of nicotinic AChR, all of which were blocked noncompetitively by MK-801.     

N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptors regulating hippocampal norepinephrine release. II. Evidence for functional cooperation and for coexistence on the same axon terminal.

The possible interactions between activation of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors and non-NMDA receptors regulating the release of [3H]norepinephrine [( 3H]NE) have been investigated in superfused synaptosomes from rat hippocampus. NMDA--at a concentration (100 microM) which, in a medium containing 1.2 mM Mg++ ions, did not evoke [3H]NE release--acquired releasing activity in the presence of equimolar concentrations of quisqualic acid (QA), (RS)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) or kainic acid. The [3H] NE release evoked by NMDA plus QA in the presence of Mg++ ions was Ca(++)-dependent, partly tetrodotoxin-sensitive, inhibited by clonidine but insensitive to desipramine. The NMDA receptor antagonists D-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (D-AP5) and (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5-H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloepten-5,10-imine (MK-801) antagonized the NMDA-induced [3H]NE release in Mg(++)-free medium; the IC50 values amounted, respectively, to 81.4 microM and to 1.11 microM. When NMDA was tested in the presence of QA and Mg++ ions, the affinity of D-AP5 was enormously increased (IC50 = 40 nM; i.e., more than 6 orders of magnitude); the affinity of MK-801 was found to be augmented by 350-fold.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Heterogeneity of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor ionophore complex in rat brain, as revealed by ligand binding techniques.

The polyamine spermidine markedly potentiated the binding of (+)-[3H]5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imi ne (MK-801) to open ion channels associated with an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-sensitive subclass of brain excitatory amino acid receptors, in the presence of a maximally effective concentration of L-glutamic acid (Glu) and glycine (Gly), in Triton-treated preparations of synaptic membranes from the cerebral cortex as well as hippocampus of rat brain, without significantly affecting that in cerebellar synaptic membranes. Among several ligands for the binding sites of [3H]MK-801, the binding was most potently displaced by (+)-MK-801, followed by N-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine, (-)-MK-801, phencyclidine, cyclazocine, ketamine, ketocyclazocine, N-allylnormetazocine and pentazocine, in a rank order of decreasing potency, in hippocampal synaptic membranes. However, the abilities of these ligands to displace the binding were much lower in cerebellar membranes than in hippocampal membranes. Competitive NMDA antagonists induced a much more potent inhibition of [3H] MK-801 binding in the hippocampus than in the cerebellum, whereas competitive Gly antagonists elicited a similarly potent inhibition of the binding in both structures. Moreover, NMDA antagonists caused a greater than 10 times more potent displacement of [3H]Glu binding to the NMDA recognition site in hippocampal membranes than in cerebellar membranes, whereas NMDA agonists similarly displaced [3H]Glu binding in both central regions. Gly agonists elicited an equivalent displacement of strychnine-insensitive [3H]Gly binding in both membrane preparations, whereas Gly antagonists more potently displaced [3H]Gly binding in the hippocampus than in the cerebellum. These results suggest possible heterogeneity of the respective domains within the NMDA receptor ionophore complex, in terms of differential sensitivity to isosteric and allosteric ligands.     

Pharmacological properties of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor system coupled to the evoked release of gamma-[3H] aminobutyric acid from striatal neurons in primary culture

The actions of a series of endogenous excitatory amino acid (EAA) agonists and synthetic antagonists at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor system coupled to the evoked release of gamma-[3H]aminobutyric acid (GABA) from purified populations of striatal neurons in primary culture were examined. EAA agonists displayed the following rank order of potency in evoking [3H]GABA release: glutamate greater than homocysteate greater than aspartate, NMDA greater than cysteine sulfinate. Glutamate, homocysteate and cysteine sulfinate were equieffective, whereas at saturating concentrations, aspartate and NMDA reached 75 and 65%, respectively, of the maximum efficacy of the former three agonists. The release of [3H]GABA evoked by 100 microM NMDA was attenuated in a dose-dependent manner by the following antagonists (IC50, micromolar): MK-801 (0.067), phencyclidine (0.151), CGS-19755 (3.31), 2-aminophosphonovalerate (18.8), kynurenate (100) and gamma-D-glutamylglycine (100). The antagonist properties of MK-801 and phencyclidine were not competitive with NMDA, whereas NMDA dose-response curves performed in the absence and presence of increasing concentrations of CGS-19755 resulted in parallel rightward shifts (pA2 = 5.95). CGS-19755 produced similar rightward shifts of the homocysteate dose-response curve (pA2 = 5.89). At glutamate concentrations less than 100 microM, CGS-19755 and 2-aminophosphonovalerate were potent antagonists of glutamate-evoked release; however, at glutamate concentrations greater than 100 microM these agents were ineffective blockers. The blockade of NMDA-evoked release of [3H]GABA by kynurenate was not competitive in nature.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Interactions of MK-801 with glutamate-, glutamine- and methamphetamine-evoked release of [3H]dopamine from striatal slices.

The interactions of MK-801 [(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d] cyclohepten-5,10-imine], glutamate and glutamine with methamphetamine (METH)-evoked release of [3H]dopamine were assessed in vitro to determine whether MK-801 inhibition of METH neurotoxicity might be mediated presynaptically, and to evaluate the effects of glutamatergic stimulation on METH-evoked dopamine release. MK-801 inhibition of glutamate- or METH-evoked dopamine release might reduce synaptic dopamine levels during METH exposure and decrease the formation of 6-hydroxydopamine or other related neurotoxins. Without Mg++ present, 40 microM and 1 mM glutamate evoked a N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated [3H]dopamine and [3H]metabolite (tritium) release of 3 to 6 and 12 to 16% of total tritium stores, respectively, from striatal slices. With 1.50 mM Mg++ present, 10 mM glutamate alone or in combination with the dopamine uptake blocker nomifensine released only 2.1 or 4.2%, respectively, of total tritium stores, and release was only partially dependent on N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptors. With or without 1.50 mM Mg++ present, 0.5 or 5 microM METH evoked a substantial release of tritium (5-8 or 12-21% of total stores, respectively). METH-evoked dopamine release was not affected by 5 microM MK-801 but METH-evoked release was additive with glutamate-evoked release. Without Mg++ present, 1 mM glutamine increased glutamate release and induced the release of [3H]dopamine and metabolites. Both 0.5 and 5 microM METH also increased tritium release with 1 mM glutamine present. When striatal slices were exposed to 5 microM METH this glutamine-evoked release of glutamate was increased more than 50%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Structure-activity relationship between guanidine alkyl derivatives and norepinephrine release: site(s) and mechanism(s) of action

The effect of guanidine alkyl derivatives on the evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine [( 3H]NE) from spleen strips was examined. Guanidine, methyl guanidine and N,N-dimethyl guanidine all enhanced the field-stimulated release of [3H]NE 2- to 3-fold, whereas N,N'-dimethyl guanidine and propyl guanidine were without effect. The latter compound blocked the stimulatory effect of an equimolor concentration (4 mM) of guanidine. Guanidine enhanced moderately the field-stimulated release of [3H]NE from spleen strips pretreated with phenoxybenzamine. The efflux of [3H]NE from spleen slices induced by calcium ionophore A-23187 was not altered by guanidine incubation. The effect of guanidine on intracellular calcium movement was also tested by monitoring the effect of the drug on evoked secretion of ATP from human platelets. Guanidine did not modify this release. It is concluded that guanidine and its active structural derivatives augment [3H]NE release by increasing the influx of calcium through the voltage-sensitive calcium channels, but not by the mobilization of intracellular calcium pools. The biochemical basis for the action of the guanidinium cation is discussed.     

Signaling mechanisms coupled to presynaptic A(1)- and H(3)-receptors in the inhibition of cholinergic contractile responses of the guinea pig ileum

The mechanisms coupled to adenosine A(1)- and histamine H(3)-receptors have been examined in the presynaptic inhibition of acetylcholine (ACh) release from the guinea pig ileum. Electrically evoked twitch contractions were used as a measure of neuronal ACh release. A(1)- and H(3)-receptors were activated by adenosine and R-(alpha)-methylhistamine (RAMH), respectively. The neuroinhibitory effect of adenosine and RAMH was augmented in the presence of the N-type Ca(2+) channel blocker, omega-conotoxin GVIA but unaffected by the L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker, nifedipine. The irreversible adenylyl cyclase inhibitor, MDL-12330A, potentiated the action of both adenosine and RAMH. Conversely, neither agonist was affected by the cAMP phosphodiesterase III and IV inhibitors, SKF-95654 and Ro-20-1724, respectively, or the cAMP antagonist, (R(p))-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate triethylamine. The neuromodulatory effect of adenosine, only, was potentiated by the cGMP phosphodiesterase V inhibitors, SKF-96231 and 1,3-dimethyl-6-(2-propoxy-5-methanesulfonylamidophenyl)- pyrazolo[3, 4-d]pyrimidin-4-(5H)-one but was unmodified by the cGMP analog, 8-bromo-cGMP or the guanylyl cyclase inhibitors, N-methylhydroxylamine and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4, 3-a]quinoxaline-1-one (ODQ). N-Methylhydroxylamine reduced, and ODQ potentiated, the inhibitory action of H(3)-receptor activation, but 8-bromo-cGMP was without effect. The study suggests that presynaptic A(1)- and H(3)-receptors inhibit cholinergic neurotransmission in the guinea pig ileum by limiting the availability of intraneuronal Ca(2+) via inhibition of N-type Ca(2+) channels. The balance of evidence does not support the involvement of the adenylyl cyclase/cAMP or guanylyl cyclase/cGMP systems.     

Structure-activity relationships of philanthotoxin analogs and polyamines on N-methyl-D-aspartate and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

The effects of varying the structure of philanthotoxin (PhTX) were investigated on binding of the channel blockers: [3H]perhydrohistrionicotoxin (H12-HTX) to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nACh-R) of Torpedo electric organ and [3H]MK-801 [( 3H]-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzocyclo-hepten-5,10-imine maleate) to the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) of rat brain cortex. The four moieties of PhTX (tyrosine, butyrate, spermine and the terminal amino group) were modified or conjugated resulting in 36 compounds. Although the potencies of the PhTX analogs on both receptors were higher with increasing lipophilicity and the polyamine chain length, there was considerable divergence between the two receptors' channels in the structural activity requirements for blockade by PhTX analogs. A major difference was the more critical role of the amine terminal for inhibition of the nACh-R than the NMDA-R, whereas the reverse might be true for the tyrosine moiety. The potency range of PhTX analogs on [3H]H12-HTX binding was 1070, but only 21 on [3H]MK-801 binding. Adding a lysine or arginine onto the spermine moiety increased the compound's potency on the nACh-R with little effect on the NMDA-R. Because spermine is a component of PhTX, the effects of five polyamines were also studied. Spermine and spermidine potentiated [3H]MK-801 binding, whereas putrescine, cadeverine and agmatine inhibited it. In presence of glutamate, higher concentrations of all polyamines inhibited [3H]MK-801 binding. On the nACh-R, spermine, spermidine and agmatine inhibited [125I]alpha-bungarotoxin and also [3H]H12-HTX binding in presence of carbamylcholine. The complex nature of PhTX interactions with the two receptors suggests that PhTX may bind to two sites: an external polyamine binding site and a channel binding site.     

Inhibition of carbachol-induced inositol phosphate accumulation by phencyclidine, phencyclidine-like ligands and sigma agonists involves blockade of the muscarinic cholinergic receptor: a novel dioxadrol-preferring interaction

The effect of phencyclidine (PCP) on carbachol-induced phosphoinositol hydrolysis was examined in rat brain slices taken from cortex, caudate-putamen and hippocampus. In all three regions studied, PCP significantly inhibited carbachol-induced [3H]inositol phosphate accumulation working as low as 10(-6) M in the cerebral cortex. Because PCP has been shown to act at two sites, a PCP-site and a sigma site, various PCP-like agonists [levoxadrol (Lev), dexoxadrol (Dex) and MK-801 [(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro- 5H-dibenzo(a,b)cyclo-hepaten-5, 10-imine maleate]] as well as sigma agonists [(+)-SKF10047 and 1,3-di(2-toly)guanidine (DTG) were examined for their effects on carbachol-induced phosphoinositol hydrolysis. All but MK-801 significantly inhibited the carbachol action; however, their order of potencies, Lev greater than or equal to Dex much greater than PCP greater than or equal to DTG greater than or equal to (+)-SKF10047 differed from those of other known PCP interactions at PCP and sigma sites. Inasmuch as it is known that PCP competes for binding at muscarinic sites, we examined the effects of PCP, Lev, Dex, DTG and MK-801 on the binding of L-[3H]-3-quinuclidinyl benzilate to its muscarinic site. All blocked L-[3H]-3-quinuclidinyl benzilate binding and exhibited a rank order of potency almost identical to that obtained in the inositol studies with Lev greater than Dex much much greater than DTG much greater than PCP MK-801. In addition, the IC50 values obtained from both studies were very similar. It is concluded that PCP, PCP-like compounds and sigma agonists block carbachol-induced inositol-phosphate accumulation by blockade of muscarinic receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

An antagonist/partial agonist at the polyamine recognition site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor that alters the properties of the glutamate recognition site.

The effects of N-(3-aminopropyl)-1,10-diaminodecane (APDA10) on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor/ion channel complex were investigated. In the presence of 100 microM glutamate and 100 microM glycine, APDA10 had biphasic effects on the binding of [3H](+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten5,10-imin e (MK-801) to NMDA receptors on well washed synaptic plasma membranes. The maximal stimulation of binding by APDA10 was less than that seen with spermine. In the presence of glutamate and glycine, APDA10 attenuated the stimulatory effect of spermine and the inhibitory effect of 1,10-diaminodecane. In the nominal absence of glutamate and glycine, APDA10 had no effect on the binding of [3H]MK-801, but antagonized the stimulatory effect of spermine on the binding of [3H] MK-801. These data suggest that APDA10 acts as a mixed antagonist/partial agonist at the polyamine recognition site, and that the partial agonist properties of APDA10 are dependent on the activation state of the receptor complex. An increase in the potency of the glutamate site antagonists D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid and 3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid for inhibiting the binding of [3H]MK-801 was seen in the presence of APDA10. APDA10 also increased the affinity of binding of [3H]3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid to the NMDA receptor complex but had no effect on the binding of [3H]glycine. These data suggest that the polyamine APDA10 may alter the properties of the glutamate recognition site on the NMDA receptor complex.     

Quantitative autoradiographic characterization of the binding of (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5, 10-imine ([3H]MK-801) in rat brain: regional effects of polyamines.

The distribution and properties of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, labeled with [3H](+)-5-methyl-10, 11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5 5,10-imine (MK-801), were examined in rat brain. In sections of brain mash, the kinetics of association and dissociation of [3H]MK-801 were monophasic in the presence of 100 microM glutamate and glycine, and Scatchard transformations of saturation isotherms resulted in linear plots. Inhibition of the binding of [3H]MK-801 by other noncompetitive antagonists produced competition curves with Hill coefficients close to 1.0, consistent with a simple bimolecular interaction between the radioligand and the receptor. Scatchard plots based upon densitometric measurements of [3H]MK-801 binding in serial sections of rat brain were also linear, with dissociation constant values ranging from 5.0 to 8.4 nM in different regions at the level of the hippocampus. The distribution of [3H]MK-801 binding sites paralleled the distribution of NMDA displaceable L-[3H]glutamate binding sites. One exception was the cerebellar granule cell layer, where the density of binding sites for [3H]MK-801 was extremely low. The relative density of [3H]MK-801 to NMDA displaceable L-[3H]glutamate binding sites was approximately 1 to 2, consistent with the existence of two transmitter recognition sites per NMDA receptor. The modulatory effects of polyamines on [3H]MK-801 binding were studied in washed brain sections. The polyamine agonists spermine and spermidine enhanced [3H]MK-801 binding in all regions studied, with increases ranging from 18% in the thalamus to 106% in the ventromedial striatum. The effects of spermine and spermidine in these regions were highly correlated. Diethylenetriamine, which blocks the effects of spermidine, by itself produced decreases in the binding of [3H]MK-801 in most regions ranging from 5 to 21% but increased binding in parts of the striatum by 3 to 22%. The decrease in binding produced by diethylenetriamine in different brain regions was negatively correlated with the increase in binding produced by the agonists, suggesting that variability in the residual concentration of endogenous polyamines contributes to the regional variability of agonist effects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of naftidrofuryl on adrenergic nerves, endothelium and smooth muscle in isolated canine blood vessels

Experiments were designed to determine the effects of the vasoactive drug naftidrofuryl on vascular smooth muscle, endothelial cells and adrenergic nerves in isolated canine blood vessels. Naftidrofuryl inhibited contractions of basilar arteries (in a decreasing order of potency), evoked by 5-hydroxytryptamine greater than KCl = anoxia (in rings with endothelium) greater than prostaglandin F2 alpha = uridine-5'-triphosphate. Naftidrofuryl antagonized competitively the contractions evoked by 5-hydroxytryptamine in the femoral artery and the saphenous vein. Naftidrofuryl caused the release of an endothelium-derived relaxing factor(s) from the endothelium of femoral arteries. The compound depressed contractions of saphenous veins evoked by electrical stimulation of the adrenergic nerve endings, but not those caused by the indirect sympathomimetic amine tyramine or exogenous norepinephrine. In saphenous veins incubated previously with [3H]norepinephrine, the drug inhibited the contractions and the release of transmitter evoked by electrical stimulation. Thus, naftidrofuryl acts at different levels in the blood vessel wall to cause: release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor(s); inhibition of S2-serotonergic receptors on vascular smooth muscle; prejunctional inhibition of adrenergic neurotransmission; and nonselective inhibition of the contractile process in vascular smooth muscle, which is particularly pronounced in cerebral arteries.     

Ethanol inhibits N-methyl-D-aspartate-stimulated [3H]norepinephrine release from rat cortical slices

The effects of ethanol on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-stimulated [3H]norepinephrine (NE) release from rat cortical slices was studied. NMDA-stimulated [3H]NE release was inhibited by tetrodotoxin, Mg++ and 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, indicating that NMDA receptors in the cortex have characteristics similar to those observed using electrophysiological studies. Ethanol (60-200 mM) decreased the release of [3H]NE evoked by 100 microM NMDA in a concentration-dependent manner (32-52% inhibition), but it did not significantly alter the basal release. The inhibitory effect of 100 mM ethanol was due to a reduction in the maximal response with no significant change in the EC50 for NMDA. Pretreatment of the slices with 100 mM ethanol up to 6 min did not alter the magnitude of inhibition. The inhibition of NMDA-stimulated [3H]NE release due to ethanol was reversible after a 13-min recovery period. The presence of ethanol did not significantly affect the IC50 for Mg++ inhibition of NMDA-stimulated [3H]NE release (23 +/- 3 microM). Glycine (10-300 microM) potentiated the release of [3H]NE stimulated by 250 microM NMDA, and 60 mM ethanol did not alter this effect of glycine. Ethanol (100 mM) inhibited the release of [3H]NE evoked by 18.9 mM KCl in the presence or absence of 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, but had no effect on release induced by 49.1 mM KCl. Tetrodotoxin (0.3 mM) significantly decreased the release of [3H] NE evoked by 23.2 mM KCl, and 60 to 200 mM ethanol did not alter this release. These results suggest that NMDA receptors in rat cortical slices are located on nerve cell bodies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated contractions of the guinea pig ileum longitudinal muscle/myenteric plexus preparation: modulation by phencyclidine and glycine receptors.

Glutamate evoked contractions of the longitudinal muscle/myenteric plexus (LMMP) preparation by an action at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Other agonists at the NMDA recognition site, but not quisquilate or kainate, also contracted the LMMP, and glutamate-evoked contractions were competitively inhibited by selective NMDA receptor antagonists. Glutamate-evoked contractions were noncompetitively inhibited by MK-801 [(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo-[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine moleate], phencyclidine (PCP) and other compounds that bind to the PCP receptor, which is a binding site on the NMDA channel complex. Their potencies for this effect were highly correlated with their affinities for the PCP receptor. Glycine significantly shifted the glutamate concentration-response curve to the left. Glycine site antagonists caused a glycine-sensitive, noncompetitive inhibition of glutamate-evoked contractions, and their potencies for this effect were highly correlated with their affinities for the glycine binding site of the NMDA channel complex. Mg++ and Zn++ also noncompetitively inhibited glutamate-evoked contractions. The modulatory effects of glycine, Mg++, Zn++ and PCP receptor ligands were specific to glutamate-evoked contractions. MK-801 was highly selective for inhibition of glutamate-evoked contractions; MK-801 also inhibited nicotinic responses at a 500-fold lower potency. Two novel compounds are described that bind to the PCP receptor with high affinity and selectively inhibit glutamate-evoked contractions in the LMMP.     

Inhibition by 5,6-dihydroxy-2-dimethylaminotetralin (M7) of noradrenergic neurotransmission in the rabbit hypothalamus: role of alpha-2 adrenoceptors and of dopamine receptors

Rabbit hypothalamic slices were prelabeled with [3H]norepinephrine and transmitter release elicited by electrical stimulation. In the presence of 10 microM cocaine and in a low Ca++ medium (0.65 mM), exposure for 8 min to exogenous dopamine (0.01-1 microM) inhibited, in a concentration-dependent manner, the electrically evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine. This inhibitory effect of dopamine on [3H]norepinephrine release was antagonized by the dopamine receptor antagonist S-sulpiride (1 microM), but remained unchanged in the presence of the alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonists idazoxan (1 microM) or yohimbine (0.1 microM). These results indicate that, in a low Ca++ medium, exposure to dopamine decreased [3H]norepinephrine overflow in rabbit hypothalamic slices through the exclusive activation of presynaptic inhibitory dopamine receptors. M7 (5,6-dihydroxy-2-dimethylaminotetralin) is a potent agonist at central presynaptic dopamine autoreceptors and at peripheral alpha-2 adrenoceptors. Exposure to M7 in a normal Ca++ medium, inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner the electrically evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine without affecting the spontaneous outflow of radioactivity. The slope of the concentration-effect curve for these inhibitory effects of M7 was rather flat and the maximal inhibition obtained was 80%. The selective D2 receptor antagonist S-sulpiride (1 microM) failed to produce a significant shift to the right in the concentration-effect curve for the inhibitory effects of M7 on [3H]norepinephrine release. The preferential alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine (0.1 microM) significantly antagonized the inhibition of [3H]norepinephrine release elicited by 0.01 microM M7, but not for higher concentrations of this aminotetraline.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)