Nitric oxide induces calcium-dependent [3H]dopamine release from striatal slices

Nitric oxide and cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate do not alter neuropeptide release from rat sensory neurons grown in culture

Recent studies demonstrate that nitric oxide and cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate may mediate hyperalgesia induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate at the level of the spinal cord. One possible mechanism for this action is that nitric oxide increases transmitter release from the primary afferent nociceptors that synapse in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. To address this possibility, we investigated whether various nitric oxide donors and cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate could alter the release of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide from rat sensory neurons in culture. Sodium nitroprusside (100 nM to 100 microM) had little effect on basal release of either peptide, but it significantly increased the release of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide induced by 50 nM capsaicin. In contrast, sodium nitroprusside did not alter release evoked by 100 nM bradykinin or 30 mM KCl. Two other nitric oxide-donating compounds, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine and 3-morpholinosydnonimine did not enhance resting or capsaicin-evoked peptide release, although they induced a marked elevation in the intracellular cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate levels. Pretreating the cultures with 8-bromo-cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate, (0.5 or 0.1 mM for 30 or 60 min) did not result in the enhancement of capsaicin-induced release from sensory neurons. Moreover, pretreating the cells with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine (100 microM), abolished the rise in cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate induced by capsaicin without altering capsaicin-stimulated release of either peptide.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Presynaptic control of dopamine synthesis and release by excitatory amino acids in rat striatal synaptosomes

Purified striatal synaptosomes were continuously superfused with L,3,5[3H]tyrosine in order to estimate the synthesis ([3H]water) and release of newly formed [3H]dopamine. In the presence of magnesium, L-glutamate, D,L-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) and kainate, but not N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and 1-aminocyclopentane-1S,3R-dicarboxylate (t-ACPD), stimulated the release of [3H]dopamine, in a dose-dependent manner. When magnesium was omitted or in the presence of AMPA, NMDA also increased the release of [3H]dopamine. The effects of AMPA and kainate were competitively inhibited by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) or 6,7-dinitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX), whereas those of NMDA were reduced by 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV) or (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5-H-dibenzo(a,d)cyclo-hepten-5,10-imine maleate (MK801). The stimulation of [3H]dopamine release by a high concentration of glutamate resulted from the concomitant activation of AMPA and NMDA receptors since this effect was potentiated by glycine and reduced by 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate or MK801. This reduction was almost complete in the combined presence of DNQX and MK801. Surprisingly, glutamate and NMDA (in the absence of magnesium) reduced the efflux of [3H]water. The reduction of [3H]dopamine synthesis was blocked by 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate indicating the involvement of NMDA receptors. Neither AMPA nor kainate affected dopamine synthesis. The inhibition of [3H]dopamine synthesis resulting from the stimulation of NMDA receptors was prevented when synaptosomes were continuously superfused with adenosine deaminase and quinpirole, a combined treatment known to markedly reduce the phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The opposite effects of a high concentration of glutamate on [3H]dopamine synthesis and release were mimicked by ionomycin. As a working hypothesis, it is proposed that the NMDA-triggered calcium influx could lead to a reduction of tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation, possibly through an activation of calcineurin.

Multiple-unit activity from rabbit cerebellar cortex and interpositus nucleus during classical discrimination/reversal eyelid conditioning

Multiple-unit activity was monitored in the hemispheric lobule VI (HVI) and the interpositus nucleus of the cerebellum during classical discrimination and reversal eyelid conditioning in rabbits. During both phases of conditioning similar patterns of activity were observed in lobule HVI: conditioned response (CR)-related activity was present on conditioned stimulus (CS)+trials but not on CS-trials. Activity in the interpositus nucleus differed during the two phases of conditioning. After discrimination training, CR-related activity was present on CS+but not CS-trials. After reversal training, however, only a weak activation of the interpositus nucleus was seen on CS+trials with no activation present on CS-trials. These data suggest that lobule HVI and the interpositus nucleus may play different roles in classical eyelid conditioning.

Acute and chronic behavioural sequelae resulting from intrastriatal injection of an NMDA agonist

Unilateral and bilateral injections of cis-2,4-methanoglutamate, a potent and selective NMDA agonist, were made into the striatum of rats. Unilateral injections elicited MK-801-sensitive dose-related increases in contralateral turning, beginning 10-15 min after injection. Bilateral injections elicited typical seizure-like behaviours commencing approximately 80 min postinjection. Forty-eight hours after unilateral injection, and presumably after lesion development, no spontaneous preference for turning was seen. Upon challenge with apomorphine (1 mg/kg SC), ipsilateral turning lasting approximately 60 min was seen. Correlates are drawn between this model and some of the features of Huntington's disease.

Blockade of sensitization to the toxic effects of cocaine in mice by nitric oxide synthase inhibitors

Repeated administration of cocaine to animals results in sensitization to several reactions to the drug, including seizures and mortality. These consequences are thought to be related to the pathology that develops in humans abusing cocaine. Previous studies implied the involvement of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type of glutamate receptors in cocaine-induced toxicity, and recent studies documented a role for nitric oxide in NMDA-receptor mediated neurotoxicity. The present study was undertaken to determine whether nitric oxide synthase inhibitors block the development of sensitization to the toxic effects of cocaine in mice. Repeated administration of cocaine (45 mg/kg/day; intraperitoneally) to Swiss Webster mice, for 7 days, resulted in a progressive increase in the duration of the convulsive response to cocaine, an increase in the number of animals that had seizures, and augmentation in lethality rate. Pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 100 mg/kg/day; intraperitoneally) or NG-nitro-L-arginine (NO-Arg; 25 mg/kg/day; intraperitoneally) completely abolished the sensitization to the convulsive and lethal responses to cocaine. Receptor binding assays indicated first, that pretreatment with L-NAME apparently diminished cocaine-induced upregulation of cortical NMDA receptors, and second, that the effects of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitors tested are not mediated via a direct interaction of the drugs with the phencyclidine/NMDA receptor complex. Taken together, the present study suggests an important role for nitric oxide in the development of sensitization to the toxic effects of cocaine, and further supports the relationship between NMDA-receptor mediated neurotoxicity and nitric oxide.