In vivo modulation of histamine release by autoreceptors and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the rat anterior hypothalamus

The modulation of histamine release by histamine and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors was investigated by using the push-pull technique. The anterior hypothalamic area of the conscious, freely moving rat was superfused through the push-pull cannula with CSF or with CSF containing drugs and the release of endogenous histamine was determined in the superfusate.Hypothalamic superfusion with tetrodotoxin (10 mol/1) led to a pronounced and sustained decrease in the histamine release rate. Superfusion with compound 48/80 (100 mg/1) was ineffective. Hypothalamic superfusion with the H₃ agonist (R)--methylhistamine inhibited, while superfusion with the H₃ antagonist thioperamide enhanced the release of histamine. The release of histamine was inhibited on hypothalamic superfusion with the muscarinic receptor agonists carbachol or oxotremorine. Histamine release was enhanced by atropine, and this release-enhancing effect was abolished by oxotremorine. The selective M₁ antagonist pirenzepine (100 mol/I) and 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine (4-DAMP, 10 ol/1), which blocks M₁ and M₃ receptors, also enhanced the release rate of histamine. On the other hand, 50 and 100 moI/I methoctramine (M₂ receptor antagonist) 10 and 100 moI/l p-fluoro-hexahydro-siladifenidol (p-F-HHSiD, a M₃ receptor antagonist) were ineffective.It is concluded that histamine released in the hypothalamus originates predominantly from neurons. The release of histamine is modulated by H₃ autoreceptors. The histamine release is also modulated by cholinergic neurons which modify histamine release from histaminergic neurons by stimulating M₁ muscarinic acetylcholine heteroreceptors probably located on histaminergic neurons.Supported by the Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung Correspondence to: H. Prast at the above address     

Histaminergic neurons modulate acetylcholine release in the ventral striatum: role of H3 histamine receptors

To investigate whether histaminergic neurons influence the activity of cholinergic neurons, the ventral striatum was superfused through a push-pull cannula and the release of endogenous acetylcholine was determined in the superfusate. Local inhibition of histamine synthesis by superfusion with alpha-fluoromethylhistidine (FMH) gradually decreased the release rate of acetylcholine. Superfusion with histamine increased the release of acetylcholine. The releasing effect of histamine was greatly inhibited when the striatum was simultaneously superfused with the D2/D3 agonist quinpirole and the D1 antagonist (+/-)-7-bromo-1-(fluoresceinylthioureido)phenyl-8-hydroxy-3-methyl -2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzapine (SKF 83566). The effect of histamine on acetylcholine release was abolished by the GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline. Superfusion with the H3 receptor agonists imetit or immepip increased acetylcholine release rate in the striatum. The releasing effects of the two H3 agonists were FMH resistant, while superfusion with quinpirole and SKF 83566 abolished the H3 receptor agonist-induced acetylcholine release. Superfusion with the H3 receptor antagonist thioperamide enhanced acetylcholine release rate. The releasing effect of thioperamide was abolished after inhibition of histamine synthesis by FMH. The release of acetylcholine by thioperamide was also abolished on simultaneous superfusion with quinpirole and SKF 83566. The findings show that, in the striatum, the activity of cholinergic neurons is permanently modulated by neighbouring histaminergic nerve terminals and axons. The release of acetylcholine is also permanently inhibited by neighbouring GABAergic neurons. The enhanced release of acetylcholine by the H3 receptor agonists imetit and immepip is due to stimulation of H3 heteroreceptors, while the increase of acetylcholine release by the H3 receptor antagonist thioperamide is elicited via blockade of H3 autoreceptors. Histamine released from histaminergic nerve terminals increases the release of acetylcholine in part by inhibition of dopamine release which, in turn, decreases GABAergic transmission. A dopamine-independent way seems also to be involved in the histamine-evoked acetylcholine release.     

The release of catecholamines in hypothalamus and locus coeruleus is modulated by peripheral chemoreceptors

To investigate whether impulses from chemoreceptors influence the release of catecholamines in the hypothalamus and the locus coeruleus, the two brain areas were superfused simultaneously and bilaterally with artificial cerebrospinal fluid through push-pull cannulae. The release of catecholamines was determined in the superfusate before and during chemoreceptor stimulation by bicarbonate solution saturated with carbon dioxide (CO2-NaHCO3) or KCN. Experiments were carried out on intact cats after carotid body denervation (CD). Intracarotid infusion of CO2-NaHCO3 increased arterial blood pressure and enhanced the release of noradrenaline but not dopamine in the posterior hypothalamus and the locus coeruleus. Following CD, the enhancing effect of CO2-NaHCO3 on the noradrenaline release in the posterior hypothalamus was abolished, while the effect on blood pressure was slightly enhanced. CD reversed the NaHCO3-induced release of noradrenaline in the locus coeruleus to a decreased noradrenaline outflow. Intracarotid infusion of KCN led to a fall in blood pressure. KCN increased the release rates of noradrenaline and, to a lesser extent, that of dopamine in the posterior hypothalamus, as well as the release of noradrenaline in the locus coeruleus. CD abolished the KCN-induced fall of blood pressure and the increased release of noradrenaline and dopamine in the posterior hypothalamus. Similar to CO2-NaHCO3, the enhancing effect of KCN on the noradrenaline release in the locus coeruleus was reversed following CD to a reduced noradrenaline outflow. Superfusion of the posterior hypothalamus and the locus coeruleus with KCN did not influence either blood pressure or the release rates of noradrenaline and dopamine in these brain areas. The findings show that impulses originating from chemoreceptors of the carotid body increase the release rates of the catecholamines in the posterior hypothalamus and the locus coeruleus, thus underlining the importance of catecholaminergic neurons of these brain areas in cardiovascular control.     

Release of endogenous catecholamines in the nucleus tractus solitarii during experimentally induced blood pressure changes

Summary The nucleus tractus solitarii (subnucleus medialis) of anaesthetized cats was bilaterally superfused through push-pull cannulae and the release of endogenous catecholamines (dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline) determined in the superfusates. A moderate increase in blood pressure elicited by intravenously injected noradrenaline (0.3 g per kg body weight) reduced the rate of release of endogenous adrenaline, while a pronounced rise in blood pressure (at least 47 mm Hg) evoked by noradrenaline (3 g per kg) or blood injection inhibited the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline in the nucleus tractus solitarii. Bilateral carotid occlusion also diminished the release rates of adrenaline and noradrenaline. Decreases in blood pressure induced by controlled bleeding, intravenous injection of chlorisondamine or nitroprusside did not alter the rates of release of adrenaline or noradrenaline, but the rate of release of endogenous dopamine seemed to be reduced. The decreased adrenaline and noradrenaline release elicited by increases in blood pressure and the reduced release of dopamine induced by decreases in blood pressure may reflect a counteracting mechanism in the nucleus tractus solitarii so as to normalize alterations in blood pressure. The results suggest a hypertensive function of noradrenaline, and possibly a hypotensive role of dopamine at the level of the nucleus tractus solitarii.This work was supported by the Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung (P 5750) Send offprint requests to C. Kobilansky     

Release of endogenous acetylcholine in the hypothalamus of conscious rats

Summary The release of endogenous acetylcholine was investigated by the push-pull technique. The posterior hypothalamus of conscious rats was superfused through a push-pull cannula with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) which contained 1 mol/l neostigmine. Acetylcholine was determined in the superfusate by high pressure liquid chromatography and electrochemical detection. Hypothalamic superfusion with potassium-rich (100 mmol/l) ACSF led to a pronounced increase in the release rate of acetylcholine. Tetrodotoxin (1 mol/l) almost abolished the basal release of the neurotransmitter. Superfusion of the hypothalamus with atropine (10 or 50 mol/l) led to a concentration-dependent increase, whereas superfusion with oxotremorine (50 mol/l) inhibited the release rate of acetylcholine. It is concluded that acetylcholine released into the superfusate of the hypothalamus originates from cholinergic neurons. Furthermore, the release of acetylcholine seems to be modulated by muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, probably located on cholinergic neurons of the hypothalamus.This work was supported by the Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung Send offprint requests to H. Prast at the above address     

Die Bedeutung divalenter Kationen für die Speicherung der Nebennierenmark-Hormone in den chromaffinen Granula.

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Olfactory social memory in rats is facilitated by histamine

Inflammation Research -     

Dependence of serotonin release in the locus coeruleus on dorsal raphe neuronal activity

The serotonergic innervation of the locus coeruleus paetly derives from the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). Using the push-pull superfusion technique, we investigated whether and to what extent the release of serotonin and the extracellular concentration of its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the locus coeruleus are influenced by the neuronal activity of the DRN. In anaesthetized rats, a push-pull cannula was inserted into the locus coeruleus, which was continuously superfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF). Serotonin and 5-HIAA levels in the superfusate were determined by HPLC combined with electrochemical detection. Electrical stimulation (5 Hz, 300 μA, 1 ms) of the DRN for 5 min, or its chemical stimulation by microinjection of glutamate (3.5 nmol, 50 nl), led to an increased release of serotonin in the locus coeruleus and to a slight (2 mmHg) decrease in blood pressure. Superfusion of the locus coeruleus with tetrodotoxin (1 μM) abolished the increase in the release rate of serotonin evoked by electrical stimulation of the DRN, while the slight fall in blood pressure was not influenced. Thermic lesion (75 °C, 1 min) of the DRN elicited a pronounced decline in serotonin release rate within the locus coeruleus, the maximum decrease being 52%. The decrease in the release of serotonin was associated with a long-lasting rise in blood pressure. Microinjection of the serotonin neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5 μg, 250 nl) into the DRN led to an initial increase in the serotonin release rate that coincided with a short-lasting fall in blood pressure. Subsequently, the release of serotonin was permanently reduced and was associated with hypertension. Microinjection of the 5-HT_1A receptor agonist (±)-8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT; 7.5 nmol, 50 nl) into the DRN led to a long-lasting reduction of the release rate of serotonin in the locus coeruleus. Microinjection of 8-OH-DPAT into the DRN also slightly lowered blood pressure (3 mmHg). Neither stimulations nor lesion of the DRN, nor microinjection of 8-OH-DPAT into this raphe nucleus, altered the extracellular concentration of 5-HIAA. Judging from the present biochemical results it appears that the serotonergic afferents to the locus coeruleus originate to more than 50% from cell bodies located in the DRN. The neuronal serotonin release in the locus coeruleus is modulated by 5-HT_1A receptors lying within the DRN. Changes in blood pressure and release of serotonin elicited by stimulating or lesioning the DRN point to the importance of serotonergic neurons extending between this raphe nucleus and the locus coeruleus in central cardiovascular control. Received: 5 November 1998 / Accepted: 21 February 1999     

Nitric oxide modulates the release of acetylcholine in the ventral striatum of the freely moving rat

The influence of nitric oxide on acetylcholine release in the ventral striatum was investigated by the push-pull superfusion technique in the conscious, freely moving rat. Superfusion with the nitric oxide donors S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine or with 3-morpholino-sydnonimine caused a pronounced increase in striatal acetylcholine release. This effect was prevented by superfusion with tetrodotoxin. Pre-superfusion with the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor methylene blue abolished the effect of 3-morpholino-sydnonimine. Superfusion of the ventral striatum with the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor LY83583 decreased acetylcholine release by 60% of basal release, whereas the less specific guanylyl cyclase inhibitor methylene blue was ineffective in this respect. Superfusion of the ventral striatum with inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase also led to different effects on basal acetylcholine release. Superfusion with L-N^G-methylarginine did not influence basal acetylcholine release, whereas superfusion with L-N^G-nitroarginine or with L-N^G-nitroarginine methyl ester led to a substantial decrease in acetylcholine output, the latter compound being more effective. The effect of L-N^G-nitroarginine was abolished by simultaneous superfusion with L-arginine.The effects of NO donors and of LY83583 suggest that NO increases acetylcholine release, probably by a cGMP-dependent mechanism. The effectiveness of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors shows that the activity of striatal neurons is under the permanent influence of nitric oxide, that leads, via a direct or indirect mechanism, to continuous enhancement of acetylcholine release.In conclusion, our findings suggest that NO synthesized in the ventral striatum acts as an intercellular messenger which modulates acetylcholine release.     

Uptake of serotonin,gamma-aminobutyric acid and histamine into synaptic vesicles of the pig caudate nucleus

Summary Dopamine-containing vesicles were isolated from the caudate nucleus of the pig by differential centrifugation and incubated with ¹⁴C-serotonin (¹⁴C-5-HT), ¹⁴C-gamma-aminobutyric acid (¹⁴C-GABA), ¹⁴C-dopamine or ¹⁴C-histamine. At 25°C the uptake of ¹⁴C-5-HT and ¹⁴C-GABA was enhanced by ATP and magnesium. The Km for the uptake of ¹⁴C-5-HT in the presence of ATP and magnesium was 0.67×10^–6 M, that of ¹⁴C-GABA 1.33×10^–4 M. ¹⁴C-Histamine was also taken up into the vesicles but its uptake was not influenced by ATP and magnesim. The ATP-magnesium-dependent uptake of ¹⁴C-5-HT and ¹⁴C-GABA was abolished at 0°C. At 37°C the accumulation of ¹⁴C-GABA in the presence of ATP and magnesium reached a steady state after 20 min, while the accumulation of ¹⁴C-5-HT reached a maximum after 2.5 min of incubation and then gradually declined. Osmotic lysis of the vesicles followed by sonication abolished the enhanced uptake of ¹⁴C-GABA, ¹⁴C-5-HT and ¹⁴C-dopamine in the presence of ATP and magnesium. Determination of the endogenous contents of the vesicles revealed 14.6 pmoles per mg protein for 5-HT and 22.7 nmoles per mg protein for GABA. It is concluded that the caudate nucles preparation used in this study contains not only dopamine-storing vesicles able to take up biogenic amines but also GABA-containing vesicles which take up GABA by an ATP-magnesium-dependent process.This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the Stiftung Volkswagenwerk.