Bicuculline-insensitive GABA receptors on peripheral autonomic nerve terminals

Steroid modulation of the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor-linked chloride ionophore

Recent findings suggest that steroids with sedative-hypnotic properties interact specifically with the gamma-aminobutyric acidA/benzodiazepine receptor-chloride ionophore complex (GBRC). They show positive heterotropic cooperativity by allosterically enhancing the binding of GABA agonists and the clinically useful benzodiazepines (BZs) to their respective recognition sites. These steroids have stringent structural requirements for activity at the GBRC, with the essential requirements for high potency being a 3 alpha-hydroxyl group and a 5 alpha-reduced A-ring. Some of these steroids are naturally occurring metabolites of progesterone and deoxycorticosterone and have nanomolar potencies as potentiators of chloride channel conductance. These 3 alpha-hydroxylated, 5 alpha-reduced steroids do not act through any known sites on the GBRC. Thus, the exact site and mechanism of action remain to be determined. Together with the observation that physiological levels of these metabolites are sufficient to influence the function of the GBRC, the evidence clearly suggests a role for these steroids in the normal regulation of brain excitability by potentiating the postsynaptic effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Pharmacological studies of the GBRC-active steroids show that they possess anxiolytic and anticonvulsant activities. The potential therapeutic application of these steroids in the treatment of mood disorders and catamenial exacerbation of seizures associated with the menstrual cycle is discussed. Collectively, the evidence from the studies of these steroids imply that another mechanism by which the endocrine system influences brain function has been identified. Its characterization will provide important insight into how steroids modulate brain excitability under normal and pathophysiological states.

Paradoxical antagonism by bicuculline of the inhibition by baclofen of the electrically evoked release of [3H]GABA from rat cerebral cortex slices

The presynaptic regulation of the electrically evoked release of [3H]GABA was studied in the rat cerebral cortex. Among the GABA receptor agonists tested (GABA, SL 75102, muscimol, THIP, isoguvacine, (+/-)-baclofen), only (+/-)-baclofen inhibited the stimulation-evoked release of [3H]GABA. This effect of baclofen was stereoselective in favor of the (-) enantiomer. The inhibition by (+/-)-baclofen of the electrically evoked release of [3H]GABA was antagonized by bicuculline and picrotoxin. Our results suggest that the release of [3H]GABA in vitro can be modulated by a receptor-mediated mechanism which is sensitive to baclofen, bicuculline and picrotoxin but not to GABA, muscimol or THIP.

Classification of GABA receptors in snail neurones

The present study aimed to elucidate the pharmacological features of GABA receptors on identifiable neurones of Achatina fulica Férussac by testing the effects of GABA analogues, muscimol, (+/-)-baclofen, (-)-beta-hydroxy GABA and those conformationally fixed in either the extended or folded form of carbon chain, such as trans- and cis-isomers of (+/-)-2-(aminomethyl)cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid [+/-)-cyclo-GABA-extended and (+/-)-cyclo-GABA-folded) and trans-4-amino-crotonic acid (GABA-extended). The giant neurones used were TAN, d-LPeLN, v-VNAN, v-LCDN and RPeNLN. The minimum effective concentrations (MEC) of these compounds to produce hyper- or depolarization of the membrane potentials of the neurones were determined, and the effective potency quotient (EPQ) of each compound vis-à-vis that of GABA was calculated for each neurone. The GABA receptors in these neurones were classified into the muscimol I, muscimol II and baclofen types. The muscimol I (TAN and d-LPeLN) and muscimol II (v-VNAN and v-LCDN) receptors were respectively hyperpolarized and depolarized by GABA and muscimol but were insensitive to (+/-)-baclofen. These muscimol receptors are inferred to accept GABA in an extended form of its carbon chain, since muscimol, conformationally fixed in this form from C-1 to C-4, was quite effective. Muscimol was more potent on the muscimol II receptors (MEC: 3 X 10(-7)-3 X 10(-6) M; EPQ: 30-10) than on the muscimol I type (MEC: 3 X 10(-5)-10(-4) M; EPQ: 1-0.3).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

GABAA-receptor-mediated inhibition of the delayed increase in intragastric pressure to stimulation of vagal afferent fibres in cats

1. The possible involvement of gamma-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA)- and GABAB-receptors in the inhibitory effects of GABA on the delayed increase in intragastric pressure of the stomach to stimulation of vagal afferent fibres in cats was studied. 2. Cats were anaesthetized with pentobarbitone-gallamine and pretreated with hexamethonium. GABA inhibited the hexamethonium-resistant delayed contraction of the stomach in a dose-dependent manner. Such effects of GABA were antagonized by both bicuculline and picrotoxin. 3. Muscimol, a GABAA-receptor agonist, mimicked the inhibitory effects of GABA and the effects of muscimol were antagonized by bicuculline and picrotoxin. The ID50 of muscimol was 10 times less than that of GABA. 4. In contrast to muscimol, baclofen, a GABAB-receptor agonist did not mimic the inhibitory effects of GABA. 5. The present experiments demonstrate that GABAA-receptors are involved in the inhibitory action of GABA on the delayed contraction of the stomach to vagal afferent stimulation.

Decreased response to GABA-B agonists in longitudinal smooth muscle-myenteric plexus preparations from morphine-tolerant guinea-pigs

1) Responsiveness of guinea-pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle-myenteric plexus preparations to drugs activating GABA-B receptors was studied in morphine-tolerant animals. For this purpose morphine pellets (75 mg each) were implanted subcutaneously in guinea-pigs and experiments were performed three days later in electrically-stimulated ileal strips. 2) Activation of GABA-B receptors with GABA (10(-6) -10(-3) M) or (-)-baclofen (10(-6)-10(-3) M) caused a dose-related inhibition of twitch response that was about 80% lower in preparations from morphine-tolerant animals than in controls. This was found both in preparations maintained in the presence of morphine (10(-6) M) and in morphine-free Krebs. The effect was evident also in ileal preparations from morphine-tolerant animals in which a withdrawal syndrome was induced by the administration of naloxone before sacrifice. 3) The phenomenon was specific since the dose-response curve of the adenosine-inhibitory effect was comparable in preparations from tolerant animals and controls. 4) The hyporesponsiveness to GABA-B receptor activation began 12 h after pellet implantation and was maximal on the third day. 5) It is concluded that during tolerance to and withdrawal from morphine there is a hyporesponsiveness of GABA-B receptors in "in vitro" guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus preparations.

Effects of GABA and baclofen on pyramidal cells in the developing rabbit hippocampus: an 'in vitro' study

Using the in vitro hippocampal slice preparation, we have investigated the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and its analogue beta-(p-chlorophenyl)-GABA (baclofen) on CA1 and CA3 pyramidal cells in the developing rabbit hippocampus. Somatic applications: both GABA and baclofen, when applied to CA1 pyramidal cells from immature tissue, led to cell depolarization from resting membrane potential; this baclofen depolarization may be indirectly mediated. In contrast, CA3 pyramidal cells at the same age were primarily hyperpolarized by both drugs. In mature tissue, both GABA and baclofen applied at the soma induce cell hyperpolarizations. Dendritic applications: immature CA1 cells responded to dendritic GABA and baclofen application with depolarizations associated with increased cell excitability; here, too, the baclofen depolarization may be due to indirect 'disinhibition'. Both depolarizing and hyperpolarizing responses were recorded in immature tissue when GABA was applied to CA3 pyramidal cell dendrites: baclofen produced only hyperpolarizations. In mature CA1 cells, dendritic GABA application produced membrane depolarization, but dendritic baclofen application produced hyperpolarizations. In mature CA3 cells, dendritic GABA and baclofen application produced predominant hyperpolarizations. Mature CA1 pyramidal cells appear to retain some of the GABA-induced depolarizations characteristic of immature tissue. In contrast, mature CA3 neurons show only hyperpolarizing responses to GABA and baclofen application. In all cases, responses to GABA and baclofen are associated with a decrease in cell input resistance. We conclude that the GABAergic receptor/channel complexes mature differently in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus.

Central and peripheral action of GABAA and GABAB agonists on small intestine motility in rats

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is known as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and in the enteric nervous system. The effects and the sites of action of GABA and of its GABAA (muscimol) and GABAB (baclofen) agonists were determined on intestinal motility of unanesthetized rats chronically fitted with intraparietal electrodes in the duodeno-jejunum and fasted for 8 h. GABA (6 mg/kg i.p.) induced a biphasic response i.e. a primary inhibition followed by a period of irregular spiking activity. Muscimol (4 mg/kg i.p.) inhibited the cyclic motor profile while baclofen (4 mg/kg i.p.) had a stimulatory effect chiefly at the duodenal level. Only baclofen intracerebroventricularly administered (1 microgram i.c.v.) was able to reproduce the intestinal motor effects observed after systemic injections. Bicuculline (a specific GABAA antagonist) blocked the inhibition induced by GABA and muscimol; atropine (i.p. and i.c.v.) antagonized the irregular spiking activity induced by GABA and baclofen. It is concluded that the dual effect of GABA can be explained by an action at 2 subtypes of receptors: GABAA and GABAB. Stimulation of GABAA receptors induced peripherally mediated inhibition of the duodeno-jejunal motility. On the contrary stimulation of the GABAB receptors increased and disrupted duodenal cyclic motility by a central action involving central and peripheral muscarinic receptors.

Neural interactions mediating the detection of motion in the retina of the tiger salamander

The neural circuitry underlying movement detection was inferred from studies of amacrine cells under whole-cell patch clamp in retinal slices. Cells were identified by Lucifer yellow staining. Synaptic inputs were driven by "puffing" transmitter substances at the dendrites of presynaptic cells. Spatial sensitivity profiles for amacrine cells were measured by puffing transmitter substances along the lateral spread of their processes. Synaptic pathways were separated and identified with appropriate pre- and postsynaptic pharmacological blocking agents. Two distinct amacrine cell types were found: one with narrow spread of processes that received sustained excitatory synaptic current, the other with very wide spread of processes that received transient excitatory synaptic currents. The transient currents found only in the wide-field amacrine cell were formed presynaptically at GABAB receptors. They could be blocked with baclofen, a GABAB agonist, and their time course was extended by AVA, a GABAB antagonist. Baclofen and AVA had no direct affect upon the wide-field amacrine cell, but picrotoxin blocked a separate, direct GABA input to this cell. The narrow-field amacrine cell was shown to be GABAergic by counterstaining with anti-GABA antiserum after it was filled with Lucifer yellow. Its narrow, spatial profile and sustained synaptic input are properties that closely match those of the GABAergic antagonistic signal that forms transient activity (described above), suggesting that the narrow-field amacrine cell itself is the source of the GABAergic interaction mediating transient activity in the inner plexiform layer (IPL). Other work has shown a GABAB sensitivity at some bipolar terminals, suggesting a population of bipolars as the probable site of interaction mediating transient action. The results suggest that two local populations of amacrine cell types (sustained and transient) interact with the two populations of bipolar cell types (transient forming and nontransient forming). These interactions underlie the formation of the change-detecting subunits. We suggest that local populations of these subunits converge to form the receptive fields of movement-detecting ganglion cells.

GABAB receptor antagonist and GABAA receptor agonist properties of a delta-aminovaleric acid derivative, Z-5-aminopent-2-enoic acid

The activity of Z-5-aminopent-2-enoic acid (A), a conformationally restricted analogue of delta-aminovaleric acid, was investigated in vitro in the guinea pig isolated ileum and vas deferens. A was found to be a relatively potent GABAB-receptor antagonist and a relatively weak GABAA-receptor agonist. The GABAB-receptor antagonist activity of A was at least 5 times greater than that of phaclofen, a selective GABAB-receptor antagonist. A may therefore be an important lead for the development of new potent and selective GABAB-antagonists.

Baclofen increases the potassium conductance of rat locus coeruleus neurons recorded in brain slices

Baclofen causes a concentration-dependent inhibition of spontaneous firing, hyperpolarization and resistance decrease in locus coeruleus (LC) neurons recorded intracellularly in a brain slice preparation. The (-) isomer is active while the (+) isomer has little or no activity which indicates that the baclofen effect is stereoselective. Baclofen action on LC neurons is a direct postsynaptic effect since it remains in low Ca2+, high Mg2+ media. Baclofen actions on LC neurons are resistant to the GABAA antagonist bicuculline. The baclofen-induced hyperpolarization reverses at the K+ equilibrium potential, as estimated by the reversal potential of the post-stimulus hyperpolarization which follows an evoked train of action potentials. When the K+ concentration in the superfusion media is increased, the reversal potential for the baclofen-induced hyperpolarization shifts linearly with a slope of 61 mV per 10-fold change as predicted by the Nernst equation for a pure K+ conductance. The baclofen-induced K+ conductance increase is prevented by addition of the K+-channel blocker Ba2+ to the external media. Taken together, these data suggest that baclofen directly hyperpolarizes LC neurons by activation of GABAB receptors which leads to an increase in K+ conductance.

GABAA-antagonists and baclofen analgesia

1. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of different doses of baclofen (5, 7.5 and 10 mg/kg) induced analgesia in tail-flick test. The effect was dose-dependent. 2. The antinociception induced by baclofen (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was decreased in animals pretreated with bicuculline (1.5 mg/kg, i.p., 30 min), but not with naloxone (1.5 mg/kg, i.p., 30 min). 3. In picrotoxin (1 mg/kg, i.p., 15 min) pretreated mice, baclofen (5 mg/kg, i.p.) showed a significant analgesic effect. 4. Morphine (6 mg/kg, s.c.) induced analgesia which was antagonized by naloxone pretreatment (1.5 mg/kg, i.p.), while bicuculline or picrotoxin did not alter the morphine response. 5. These data suggest that a part of analgesic effect of baclofen may be mediated through GABAA receptor sites, and differs from that of morphine.

GABAA and GABAB receptor sites involvement in rat thermoregulation

1. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of muscimol (MUS, 2-8 mg kg-1) decreased the core body temperature (BT) of the rats dose-dependently. 2. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of MUS (1 microgram/microliter/rat) also caused a fall in BT. 3. The hypothermia induced by MUS was inhibited by pretreatment of the animals with either bicuculline (BIC) or picrotoxin (PIC). 4. i.p. Injection of baclofen (BAC, 2.5-10 mg kg-1) induced hypothermia. Higher dose of the drug (20 mg kg-1) caused an initial fall followed by a marked increase in BT. 5. i.c.v. Injection of BAC produced a rise in BT. 6. The hypothermic effect of BAC was antagonized in animals pretreated with either BIC or PIC, while hyperthermic effect of the drug was potentiated with PIC pretreatment. 7. i.c.v. Injection of isoguvacine (ISO) induced hypothermia, which was attenuated in rats pretreated with either BIC or PIC. 8. It can be concluded that: activation of GABAA or GABAB receptor sites respectively may induce hypothermia or hyperthermia in rats.

Is the hypotension of cirrhosis a GABA-mediated process?

Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were recorded in 176 ambulant patients with chronic liver disease, including 36 patients with compensated cirrhosis (Group I), 119 patients with noncirrhotic chronic liver disease (Group II) and 21 patients with benign structural or functional liver disease (Group III). Group I patients had significantly lower systolic (113.0 +/- 2.2 mm Hg, mean +/- S.E.) and diastolic (65.3 +/- 1.7 mm Hg) pressures than Group II patients (125.8 +/- 3.5 and 76.6 +/- 1.5 mm Hg, respectively (p less than 0.0001) or Group III patients (125.1 +/- 3.4 and 77.5 +/- 2.4 mm Hg, respectively) (p less than 0.0001). Serum levels of GABA, a potent amino acid neurotransmitter with known vasodilatory effects in vitro, were higher in Group I patients (1.12 +/- 0.26 microM, mean +/- S.E.) than in Group II patients (0.41 +/- 0.05 microM) (p less than 0.005) or Group III patients (0.34 +/- 0.03 mM) (p less than 0.05). A constant infusion of GABA into the systemic circulation of six adult dogs, at rates required to achieve serum GABA levels within one order of magnitude of those observed in humans with cirrhosis, resulted in a 17.0 +/- 4.3 mm Hg decrease in systolic pressure (p less than 0.05) and a 10.8 +/- 3.7 mm Hg decrease in diastolic pressure (p less than 0.05). Control amino acids were not vasoactive. The results of this study suggest that, in addition to other vasoactive compounds, a GABA-mediated process might contribute to the hypotension observed in patients with compensated cirrhosis.

The ontogeny of [3H]muscimol binding sites in the C57BL/6J mouse cerebellum

The characteristics of [3H]muscimol binding were investigated in cerebellar sections from 7-day-old mice. The binding sites were found to possess the kinetic properties and pharmacological specificity characteristic of high-affinity GABAA receptors. [3H]Muscimol binding sites in the developing C57BL/6J mouse cerebellum were visualized by light microscopic autoradiography. A distinct band of labeling situated over the molecular layer was apparent from day 1 to day 7. The external granule cell layer remained unlabeled throughout development. Labeling over the internal granule cell layer gradually increased from birth; it became more dense and well defined until adult levels of grain density were reached at 35-42 days of age. The deep cerebellar nuclei were moderately labeled at birth and gradually decreased in density thereafter. The observed ontogeny of granule cell [3H]muscimol binding sites suggests that the synthesis of receptors is initiated at a time immediately after cessation of cell division, coinciding with the beginning of granule cell translocation across the molecular layer. Since, at this time, granule cells have not yet formed synapses with the GABAergic Golgi II cells, nor have they, in turn, formed the vast majority of synaptic contacts with Purkinje cells, it follows that receptor appearance precedes the formation of afferent connections, and may also precede efferent synaptic contacts. The timing of the appearance of [3H]muscimol binding sites raises the possibility that their initial acquisition may be related to developmental events other than the interaction of the granule cell with its pre- or postsynaptic neuronal partners.

GABA suppresses stimulation-induced release of [3H]-noradrenaline from sympathetic nerve fibres in bovine ovarian follicles

1 Strips from the bovine ovarian follicle wall were incubated in Krebs-Ringer solution containing [3H]-noradrenaline in order to saturate sympathetic nerve fibres with radiolabelled transmitter. This allowed the study of field stimulation-evoked transmitter release. 80.3 +/- 3.9% of the tritium released upon stimulation (10 Hz, pulse duration 1 ms, 10 V between the electrodes) was noradrenaline. 2 The stimulated release of tritium was totally blocked in calcium-free, EGTA (1 mM) containing medium or by 1 microM tetrodotoxin. Chemical sympathectomy (6-hydroxydopamine treatment) in vitro reduced the tritium content of the strip by 85%. The neuronal amine uptake blocker desipramine (0.6 microM) was almost equally effective in inhibiting the incorporation of tritium. The extraneuronal amine uptake blocker normetanephrine (10 microM) reduced the tritium content by 30%. Together, the results suggest that the electrically evoked release of tritium reflects the release of [3H]-noradrenaline from sympathetic nerve fibres. 3 gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration-dependently reduced the electrically evoked tritium release. Also the GABAB-receptor agonist baclofen (30 microM) reduced the stimulated tritium release whereas muscimol (100 microM), a GABAA-receptor agonist, failed to affect the release. 4 The selective GABAA-receptor antagonist bicuculline (3 and 100 microM) did not block the effect of GABA, while 3-amino-1-propanesulphonic acid (3-APA), a blocker of GABAB-receptors reversed the inhibitory effect of GABA. The results suggest that neuronal GABAB-receptors are involved in the GABA-evoked suppression of stimulated noradrenaline release.

Cortisol: a potent biphasic modulator at GABAA-receptor complexes in the guinea pig isolated ileum

Cortisol had a biphasic action on GABAA-receptor-mediated contractile responses, enhancing at picomolar concentrations (1-10 pM) and inhibiting at higher concentrations (10-1000 nM). There was a sinistral shift of the GABA dose-response curve in the presence of 10 pM cortisol, with a significant potentiation of the GABA-induced contractions over the lower dose range of GABA (3-30 microM), whereas 100 nM cortisol caused a non-parallel dextral shift of the GABA dose-response curve, with a depression of the maximum GABA response indicative of non-competitive antagonism. Cortisol at various concentrations did not affect GABAB-receptor-mediated ileal relaxations, or the baclofen-induced depression of twitch contractions to transmural stimulation. Such concentrations of cortisol also did not affect ileal responses to exogenously applied acetylcholine or cholinergic twitch contractions themselves. These results suggest that cortisol is a specific, and very potent modulator at GABAA-receptor complexes in the guinea pig ileum.

GABAA and GABAB receptor-mediated inhibition of release of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland

Isolated neurointermediate lobes or neural lobes of the rat pituitary gland attached to the pituitary stalk were incubated in vitro and the spontaneous or electrically (pituitary stalk stimulation, 5 Hz, 1,500 pulses) evoked release of 5-hydroxytryptamine was determined. The evoked release of 5-hydroxytryptamine from the neurointermediate lobe was increased fivefold in the presence of the dopamine receptor antagonist (-)-sulpiride (1 microM). The evoked release of 5-hydroxytryptamine from the isolated neural lobe was not altered by (-)-sulpiride. The evoked release of 5-hydroxytryptamine from the isolated neural lobe in the presence of (-)-sulpiride was less than 5% of that from the combined neurointermediate lobe showing that most of the 5-hydroxytryptamine released from the combined neurointermediate lobe originated in the intermediate lobe. The evoked release of 5-hydroxytryptamine from the neurointermediate lobe in the presence of (-)-sulpiride showed a diurnal variation. It was three to five times higher between 9.30 and 14.00 h than between 8.30 and 9.30 h or between 14.00 and 16.00 h. The 5-hydroxytryptamine tissue content at the end of the incubation experiments also showed similar variations which were, however, less pronounced. The evoked release of 5-hydroxytryptamine from the neurointermediate lobe, in the presence of (-)-sulpiride, was reduced by the preferential GABAA receptor agonist muscimol or the selective GABAB receptor agonist (-)-baclofen in a concentration-dependent manner. Bicuculline, a selective GABAA receptor antagonist inhibited the effect of muscimol, but not that of (-)-baclofen. Bicuculline alone did not affect the release of 5-hydroxytryptamine from the gland. It is concluded that the release of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the intermediate lobe is influenced by both dopaminergic and GABAergic mechanisms.

GABA-related actions in isolated in vitro preparations of the rat small intestine

Longitudinal organ bath preparations of the rat duodenum, jejunum and ileum were tested for their responsiveness to GABA-receptor agonists. The GABAA-receptor agonists, GABA and 3APS, induced non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic relaxations and/or contractions, although the magnitude and type of response varied depending upon the region tested. All regions relaxed to applied GABA or 3APS, however the jejunum and ileum also responded with cholinergic contractions. These relaxant and contractile actions were neurogenic and sensitive to blockade by the GABA antagonists bicuculline or picrotoxinin, and desensitization to either agonist. The GABAB-receptor agonist baclofen, caused a reduction in electrically evoked cholinergic contractions. These inhibitory actions of baclofen were insensitive to bicuculline or picrotoxinin. Taken together, these results show that GABA-ergic actions in the rat small intestine are mediated by two pharmacologically distinct neural receptor populations, the GABAA and GABAB sites, the distribution and sensitivity of which differ along the length of the small intestine.

The effects of baclofen on spinal and supraspinal micturition reflexes in rats

1. The effect of (+/-)-baclofen on micturition reflexes was investigated in urethane-anaesthetized rats. A 'low' dose of (+/-)-baclofen (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) barely affected the early phase of the transurethral cystometrogram (CMG) which involves activation of a spinal vesico-vesical excitatory reflex. 2. At a higher dose (2.5 mg/kg i.v.) (+/-)-baclofen suppressed both the spinal and supraspinal components of the bladder response to transurethral saline filling. 3. When the bladder was filled by the transvesical route a series of regular voiding cycles was obtained which are due to activation of a supraspinal vesico-vesical excitatory reflex. In this model, voiding efficiency of the rat bladder was markedly reduced even after a low dose of (+/-)-baclofen (0.5 mg/kg) and almost suppressed at 2.5 mg/kg. 4. (+/)-Baclofen reduction of voiding efficiency was mainly ascribable to an inhibitory effect on the expulsive phase of the voiding cycle which, in rats, depends critically upon the activation of a reflex which induces a twitch-like contraction of urethral/periurethral skeletal muscles. 5. (+/-)-Baclofen produced a small inhibition of the pinching-induced somatovesical excitatory reflex. (+/-)-Baclofen (2.5 mg/kg i.v.) produced also a marked but transient inhibition of bladder contractions induced by preganglionic nerve stimulation. However the time course of this effect was markedly shorter as compared to the long lasting suppression of voiding cycle observed with this same dose of the drug.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Differing actions of beta-phenyl-GABA and baclofen in the guinea pig isolated ileum

In the guinea-pig isolated ileum, both gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and baclofen induced a dose-dependent depression of cholinergic twitch contractions to transmural stimulation, sensitive to delta-aminovaleric acid (DAVA) and phosphonobaclofen (phaclofen). beta-Phenyl-GABA (BPG) antagonised this depressant action of baclofen and GABA, whilst itself weakly depressing ileal twitch contractions, an effect insensitive to DAVA or phaclofen, and thus unrelated to any GABAB-receptor-mediated effects. These results suggest that the baclofen receptors in the ileum that are antagonised by BPG differ from either of baclofen receptors in the spinal cord, where the presynaptic receptors are blocked by phaclofen and the postsynaptic receptors are insensitive to phaclofen, with BPG having baclofen-like actions at both sites. Interaction of BPG and baclofen with different receptor populations may explain the differing therapeutic actions of these compounds.

GABAergic modulation of a substance P-mediated reflex of slow time course in the isolated rat spinal cord

The effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and other drugs which interact with GABA receptors were studied on a reflex of slow time course in the spinal cord preparation isolated from the neonatal rat. A single shock to a dorsal root (L3-L5) elicited a stereotyped series of reflexes, consisting of fast and slow components, recorded from the contralateral ventral root of the corresponding segment. The slow component, i.e. the contralateral slow ventral root potential (v.r.p.) had a time-to-peak of 2-5 s and lasted 20-30 s. Bath-application of GABA (5-20 microM) or muscimol (0.05-0.5 microM) caused a decrease in the amplitude of the contralateral slow v.r.p. without producing any change in the d.c. potential recorded from the ventral root. The monosynaptic reflex recorded from the ipsilateral ventral root was not changed by the drugs at these concentrations. Diazepam (0.1-1 microM) potentiated the depolarizing response of the dorsal root to GABA and markedly depressed the contralateral slow v.r.p. Neither the d.c. potential of the ventral root nor the dorsal root was changed by diazepam. The monosynaptic reflex was also unaffected by the drug. Bicuculline (1 microM) suppressed the GABA-induced depolarization recorded from the dorsal root whilst it markedly potentiated the contralateral slow v.r.p. Baclofen at concentrations from 0.01 to 0.1 microM reduced the contralateral slow v.r.p. The inhibitory action of baclofen on the contralateral slow v.r.p. was more marked than on the monosynaptic reflex. 7 The depolarization of the ventral root induced by a brief application of substance P (SP) was depressed by muscimol, diazepam and baclofen, whereas the depolarization was potentiated by bicuculline. 8 The present results suggest that an intraspinal GABAergic inhibitory mechanism plays a role in the modulation of certain slow spinal reflexes. They also support the hypothesis that SP released from certain primary afferent fibres is a neurotransmitter involved in the contralateral slow v.r.p.

Localization of L-glutamate decarboxylase and GABA transaminase immunoreactivity in the sympathetic ganglia of the rat

The location of L-glutamate decarboxylase and gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA)-transaminase immunoreactivity in the superior cervical ganglion and in the coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex of the rat was studied by an indirect immunofluorescence method and by immunoelectron microscopy, with specific antisera raised in rabbits against the corresponding enzymes. In light microscopy, several glutamate decarboxylase- or GABA-transaminase-immunoreactive principal nerve cells were detected in the superior cervical ganglion and coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex. In addition, numerous small cells in both the superior cervical ganglion and coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex showed intense immunoreactivity to glutamate decarboxylase or GABA-transaminase. The small cells were 10-20 micron in diameter and resembled in size and morphology the small intensely fluorescent cells. In consecutive sections, the small glutamate decarboxylase-immunoreactive cell clusters also showed immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase, suggesting that these cells contain the enzymes for both GABA and catecholamine synthesis. In the superior cervical ganglion and in the coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex, GABA-transaminase immunoreactivity was also localized in fibre-like processes around and between the principal nerve cells, in nerve trunks traversing the ganglia, and around or in close contact with ganglionic blood vessels. Furthermore, GABA-transaminase immunoreactivity was observed in fibre-like structures close to the capsule of the ganglia. Division of the preganglionic nerve trunk of the superior cervical ganglion caused no detectable change in GABA-transaminase immunoreactivity in the ganglion. In immunoelectron microscopy of the superior cervical ganglion, GABA-transaminase immunoreactivity was localized in nerve fibres in association with neurotubules. A large number of GABA-transaminase labelled principal nerve cells were detected, containing immunoreactivity evenly distributed in their cytoplasm. GABA-transaminase immunoreactivity was also observed in satellite cells and their processes in the superior cervical ganglion. The present immunocytochemical results provide evidence that the rat sympathetic ganglia contain an intrinsic neuronal system showing histochemical markers for GABA synthesis and inactivation, but its functional role in the modulation of ganglionic neurotransmission remains to be established.

Intracellular effectors and modulators of GABA-A and GABA-B receptors: a commentary

The inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA activates two receptor subtypes that can be distinguished by their pharmacology. The GABA-A site is competitively antagonized by bicuculline and exclusively coupled to a chloride channel. The GABA-B receptor, for which baclofen is the only specific agonist, is resistant to bicuculline inhibition and, depending upon its localization, will activate K currents and/or inhibit Ca currents. Both electrophysiological and biochemical approaches have been applied to the study of each receptor. The membrane and intracellular components that to date have been implicated in GABA-B activation are discussed: G proteins, adenylate cyclase and intracellular calcium levels. This latter factor is also discussed with respect to GABA-A receptor action.

Post-tetanic contractile events further support the interaction of multiple neurotransmitters in the neuroeffector junction of the rat vas deferens

Post-tetanic events were recorded in isolated, superfused, epididymal and prostatic halves of the rat vas deferens. Increasing the frequency of nerve stimulation from 0.15 to 15 Hz (1-30 s) and then back to 0.15 Hz produced a post-tetanic potentiation (PTP) of the muscular responses in the epididymal end but a post-tetanic inhibitory response (PTI) in the prostatic half. Both effects were abolished by tetrodotoxin or animal pretreatment with 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OHDA). PTP was markedly reduced by reserpine treatment or tissue incubation with prazosin. PTI was not altered by adrenergic drugs but partially reduced by tissue application of bicuculline or strychnine, revealing that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) may modulate the motor transmission towards the prostatic half of the rat ductus.

Central cardiovascular effects of baclofen in spontaneously hypertensive rats

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of centrally administered baclofen on blood pressure and heart rate in conscious spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Administration of baclofen (1.0 microgram/kg) into the lateral cerebral ventricle (icv) produced an increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in both SHR and WKY rats. The increase in MAP was significantly lower in SHR (13 +/- 3 mmHg) when compared with WKY (27 +/- 5 mmHg). The changes in heart rate (HR) were variable, from no change to a very small increase and did not differ significantly between SHR and WKY rats. The ability of baclofen to interfere with baroreceptor reflexes was also tested in separate experiments. In SHR, icv injection of baclofen (1.0 microgram/kg) significantly suppressed the pressor response and bradycardia evoked by phenylephrine 3.0 micrograms/kg iv, whereas in WKY, the pressor and HR responses to similar injections of phenylephrine were not affected by icv baclofen. Similarly, baclofen treatment modified hypotensive response and reflex tachycardia induced by nitroprusside (10.0 micrograms/kg) iv in SHR but not in WKY rats. Administration of sympathetic ganglionic blocker hexamethonium (HEX; 25 mg/kg) iv produced an equivalent decrease in MAP between SHR and WKY following icv injection of baclofen (1.0 microgram/kg). These results suggest that the effects of baclofen on the baroreceptor reflexes in SHR may not be mediated by a change in peripheral sympathetic tone.

Phaclofen: a peripheral and central baclofen antagonist

Phaclofen, the phosphonic acid derivative of baclofen, reversibly antagonized the depression of the cholinergic twitch response of the guinea pig ileum and distal colon by either baclofen or GABA. When administered microelectrophoretically, phaclofen reversibly blocked the presumed presynaptic reduction by baclofen of the monosynaptic excitation of spinal interneurones by impulses in primary afferent fibres of the cat but did not block the postsynaptic depressant action of baclofen on these neurones. Phaclofen may thus be useful in determining the physiological significance of central and peripheral bicuculline-insensitive receptors with which GABA and (-)-baclofen interact.

Calcium dependence of baclofen- and GABA-induced depression of responses to transmural stimulation in the guinea-pig isolated ileum

Both baclofen and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) induced a dose-dependent depression of cholinergic twitch contractions in the transmurally stimulated guinea-pig isolated ileum. Over a range of 0.6-2.4 mM Ca2+, the degree of depression was inversely related to the Ca2+ concentration, with an increased sensitivity and sinistral shift of the dose-response curve at lower Ca2+ concentrations. Partial occupation of Ca2+ channels by Ruthenium Red (0.1 microM) also potentiated the depressive responses to baclofen and GABA. It is concluded that these agonists, acting through GABAB receptors, limit the availability of Ca2+ required for neurotransmitter release in myenteric motor nerves.

Receptors in the gastrointestinal tract

The receptor concept has been recently evolved and a new science was actually created, namely "receptorology". Receptors are now identified by means of different techniques (binding, agonist-antagonist interaction, autoradiography, etc.). The new techniques allowed the investigators to define new receptors and new subtypes of the "classical" ones. In the gastrointestinal (GI) tract a number of receptors have been identified and localized both on the effector organ and in the nerve terminal where they exert an important modulatory function on the neurotransmitter release. Recent biochemical studies have allowed a better understanding of the post-receptor event involving the second or third messenger regulation. Particular changes of receptors were recognized and they allow us to consider receptors not as static entities but as very dynamic components of the plasma membrane capable of different kinds of alterations, like interconversion, internalization, mobility, up- and downregulation, etc. Together with the "classical" receptors (cholinergic, adrenergic, opioid, etc.) also new receptors were identified: different subtypes of receptors for the tachykinins, for prostaglandin of the E type in the gastric parietal cell and the so-called dihydropyridine (DHP) receptor in the calcium channel of different areas of the gut. It is obvious that the precise knowledge of receptors and of their agonists and antagonists will represent the basis for a more specific and efficacious treatment of various gastrointestinal disorders.

Low concentrations of GABA reduce accommodation in primary afferent neurons by an action at GABAB receptors

The pattern of accommodation of spike activity during sustained membrane depolarization was investigated in primary afferent neurons recorded intracellularly in vitro in the rat. We show that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and baclofen reduce accommodation in some fast conducting dorsal root ganglion neurons. This effect was restricted to those A delta cells with axons displaying a rather fast conduction velocity (15-25 m/s). GABA-induced blockade of accommodation was not observed in large A beta neurons. Pharmacological studies with baclofen, as opposed to isoguvacine, indicate that this effect is due to GABAB receptors activation. The effect is also shown to be resistant to bicuculline antagonism. In slow conducting afferents, GABAB receptor activation is known to shorten the CA2+ component of action potentials. By contrast, no such component was observed in the A delta cells studied. Furthermore, Ca2+-activated K+ conductances are not implicated in the reduction of accommodation caused by GABAB receptor activation. In conjunction with the actual knowledge about the distribution of GABA receptors on primary afferents, our result indicates that GABAA and GABAB receptors coexist on all categories of A delta and C primary afferents in the rat.

GABA binding in bovine adrenal medulla membranes is sensitive to baclofen

1. The data summarized in this report reveals the existence of GABA binding in the bovine adrenal medulla membranes. 2. Since this binding was displaced not only by muscimol and bicuculline but also by baclofen, results suggest the possibility that both types of receptors (GABAA and GABAB) could be present in bovine adrenal membranes.

The location of GABAB receptor binding sites in mammalian spinal cord

GABAB binding sites in rat spinal cord have been detected by receptor autoradiography using 3H-GABA in the presence of isoguvacine. The sites could be demonstrated throughout the spinal cord grey matter. The maximum concentration of GABAB sites occurred in lamina II with substantial amounts in other laminae of the dorsal horn. Much lower levels were detected in the ventral horn. Unilateral rhizotomy reduced the number of GABAB sites in the dorsal horn without affecting levels in the ventral horn. The greatest reduction occurred in lamina II with 18% loss 2 days after surgery, 23% after 4 days, 25% after 6 days, and 48% after 15 days. The change after 15 days was comparable to that produced 4 months after neonatal capsaicin administration (50 mg/kg). The only apparent difference between rhizotomy and capsaicin treatment occurred in lamina IV, where rhizotomy produced a greater reduction than capsaicin. 3H-Neurotensin binding in sections from the same animals was unaltered after rhizotomy, indicating a lack of change in the populations of neurons containing neurotensin-binding sites. This would support the view that up to 50% of GABAB binding sites are located on nerve terminals. The greater reduction in lamina IV after rhizotomy would suggest that GABAB sites may be present on large-diameter afferent fibres that terminate in this region as well as on smaller-diameter C and A delta fibres.

Evidence for GABA involvement in midbrain control of medullary neurons that modulate nociceptive transmission

The effects of GABA-related compounds microinjected into the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) on the tail-flick reflex (TF) and on the activity of tail-flick related neurons in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM), were studied in barbiturate anesthesized rats. Neurons whose activity either decreased (off-cells) or increased (on-cells) immediately prior to TF were examined. Bicuculline and picrotoxin microinjected into the ventrolateral aspect of the caudal PAG inhibited the TF, increased the spontaneous activity of the off-cells and decreased that of the on-cells. Concomitant with the increase in TF latency, the TF-related deceleration of the off-cells and acceleration of the on-cells were reduced. These effects were reversed by a microinjection of muscimol (MUS) into the PAG. The analgesic effect of morphine microinjected into the PAG was also reversed by a MUS microinjection at the same site. These results support the hypothesis that a GABAergic synapse inhibits cells in the PAG which modulate nociceptive transmission at the spinal level through actions on neurons in the RVM.

Availability of chemosensory receptors is down-regulated by habituation of larvae to a morphogenetic signal

Larvae of the gastropod mollusc Haliotis rufescens are induced to settle from the plankton and metamorphose in response to exogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and a number of GABA-mimetic compounds, including a GABA-mimetic inducer uniquely associated with the surfaces of the naturally recruiting algae. Previous evidence has shown that recognition of these inducers is mediated by specialized chemosensory receptors on the larval epithelium and that transduction of the morphogenetic signal then is mediated by cAMP and excitatory depolarization. We demonstrate here the specific and saturable labeling of a population of larval receptors with the GABA analog beta-(p-chlorophenyl)-[3H]GABA ([3H]baclofen); identification of these labeled receptors with those controlling metamorphosis is suggested by four independent criteria: the effectiveness of GABA and its close structural analogs to induce metamorphosis is closely correlated with the effectiveness of these compounds to compete for binding to this receptor; the natural inducer purified from the recruiting algae competes for binding to this receptor; (-)-[3H]baclofen specifically bound to the receptors is shed from the larvae after approximately 20 hr, at the time corresponding to the metamorphic abscission and shedding of sensory cilia and other structures from the larvae; and the availability of the receptors for labeling and the ability of the larvae to respond to GABA and GABA analogs can be down-regulated in parallel by habituation of the larvae early in their development. These down-regulated larvae are fully capable of settlement and metamorphosis in response to agents that elevate intracellular cAMP or depolarize the chemosensory membrane, confirming that down-regulation is confined to the receptors, with no effect on the postreceptor pathway. The results reported here thus suggest that the sensitivity of marine invertebrate larvae to morphogenetic stimuli from the environment can be down-regulated by reduction in the number of chemosensory receptors available for interaction with the molecules that induce settlement and metamorphosis. In this respect, chemosensory receptors for environmental and morphogenetic signals are demonstrated biochemically to respond to habituation in a similar manner to neuronal and hormonal receptors.

GABA-related activities of amino phosphonic acids on guinea-pig ileum longitudinal muscle

The effects of phosphonic analogues of GABA, beta-alanine and glycine on guinea-pig ileum longitudinal muscle were measured. Aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPh) and 2-aminoethylphosphonic acid (2-AEPh) were devoid of any effect both in non-stimulated preparations and in electrically-stimulated preparations. The phosphonic analogue of GABA, 3-aminopropylphosphonic acid (3-APPh) possessed a GABAB agonistic effect (relaxation and inhibition of twitch response) at doses of 10(-3)M. No agonistic effect on GABAA receptors was observed. 3-APPh at doses tested (2 X 10(-4)M and 10(-3)M) also displayed antagonistic action on the effects of GABAB agonists producing a parallel shift of the log dose-effect curves of GABA- and (-)-baclofen-inhibition of twitch responses. In contrast 3-APPh did not antagonize the inhibitory effect of morphine and noradrenaline. The contractile effect of GABA, mediated via GABAA receptors, was unaffected by 3-APPh(10(-3)M). It is concluded that 3-APPh is a partial agonist at the GABAB site in guinea-pig ileum.

Differences in cardiovascular responses to peripherally administered GABA as influenced by basal conditions and type of anaesthesia

The cardiovascular (blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac contractility) effects of i.v. gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were investigated in guinea-pigs anaesthetized with barbitone or urethane. GABA (0.1-10 mg kg-1) produced a transient 'depressive' effect on cardiovascular parameters which in barbitone-anaesthetized animals was followed by a transient 'excitatory' effect. Resting cardiovascular parameters were higher in urethane-as compared to barbitone-anaesthetized animals. Picrotoxin pretreatment (2 mg kg-1, i.v.) barely affected the cardiovascular changes produced by GABA in barbitone-anaesthetized animals. In picrotoxin pretreated animals anaesthetized with urethane, GABA produced an initial depression of cardiovascular parameters followed by an excitatory phase. Hexamethonium (20 mg kg-1, i.v.) suppressed or reduced markedly the GABA-induced cardiovascular changes both in barbitone- or urethane- anaesthetized animals. Reserpine pretreatment lowered resting cardiovascular parameters. In these animals, regardless of type of anaesthesia, the effects of i.v. GABA were of the 'excitatory' type only. Reserpine pretreated animals anaesthetized with barbitone were selected for further experiments. Various GABAA receptor agonists (homotaurine, muscimol, THIP, 5-aminovaleric acid) mimicked the 'excitatory' effect of GABA in reserpine pretreated animals anesthetized with barbitone and prevented the effects of subsequent GABA administration. On the other hand (+/-)-baclofen, a selective GABAB receptor agonist, had a slight depressant effect and did not prevent the 'excitatory' cardiovascular effects of GABA. Neither bicuculline nor picrotoxin pretreatment prevented the 'excitatory' cardiovascular effect of i.v. GABA in reserpine pretreated, guinea-pigs anaesthetized with barbitone. In adrenalectomized guinea-pigs or in preparations receiving i.v. phentolamine plus propranolol, GABA produced only a small 'depressant' effect on cardiovascular parameters. These findings demonstrate that GABA exerts a neuromodulatory effect on cardiovascular function via peripheral actions which is influenced by: type of anaesthesia resting values of cardiovascular parameters degree of activity of the sympathetic nervous system and catecholamine release from the adrenal medulla.

Pressor responses to central injection of H2 antagonists not caused by GABA blockade

In awake rats, ranitidine was more effective than cimetidine in elevating blood pressure following intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection, yet neither drug affected the hypotensive response to subsequent injections of muscimol (8.8 nmol i.c.v.). Bicuculline (0.01 nmol) microinjected into the inferior colliculus of rats caused clonic seizures whereas cimetidine (100 nmol) had no effect. The antihistamines did not prevent GABAB receptor-mediated inhibition of twitch responses in transmurally stimulated guinea-pig ileum. Ranitidine potentiated rather than inhibited GABAA receptor-mediated contractions of ileum longitudinal muscle. Cimetidine had no effect on these responses except at high concentrations (3 X 10(-4) M) which caused a slight dextral shift in the contractile response curve for GABA that may be attributed to antimuscarinic actions of cimetidine. Taken together, these data do not support the concept that the centrally mediated pressor effects of H2 antagonists are caused by GABA receptor blockade.

Autoradiographic study of the distribution of [3H]gamma-aminobutyrate-accumulating neural elements in guinea-pig intestine: evidence for a transmitter function of gamma-aminobutyrate

High affinity uptake, and the distribution of 3H-radiolabelled gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA), cis-3-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid, beta-alanine, proline, and leucine have been examined autoradiographically in laminar preparations of the myenteric plexus from the guinea-pig intestine. Following labelling with [3H]proline and [3H]leucine, which are incorporated into neurons, silver grains were concentrated over recognisable perikarya in the ganglia and meshworks of the plexus, whilst [3H]GABA labelled a smaller proportion of neurons and their processes. Specificity of labelling in the sites of [3H]GABA-uptake was established using combinations of labelled and unlabelled GABA, beta-alanine, and cis-3-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid, substrates for glial or neuronal high affinity GABA uptake systems. Only myenteric neurons and their processes were labelled significantly by [3H]GABA and its analogue cis-3-[3H]aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid. Using autoradiographs of laminar preparations and paraffin sections, [3H]GABA labelling was found over nerve fibre bundles that could be traced from their ganglionic origins through the interconnecting meshworks of the myenteric plexus into the innervation of the deep muscular plexus of the circular muscle layer where GABA is evidently concerned with prejunctional modulation of transmitter release. The extensive but selective distribution of [3H]GABA high affinity uptake sites in neural elements of the guinea-pig myenteric plexus is consistent with GABA being an enteric neurotransmitter.

GABAA and GABAB receptors on porcine pars intermedia cells in primary culture: functional role in modulating peptide release

A primary culture of porcine pars intermedia cells with particularly high yields has been developed. The cells, grown in monolayers, secrete the pro-opiomelanocortin-derived peptide alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone over several weeks. The patch-clamp technique has been used to demonstrate the presence of gamma-aminobutyrateA (GABAA) receptors on the cells. GABA or the selective GABAA receptor agonist isoguvacine produced a depolarizing increase in chloride conductance that desensitized rapidly. The response was antagonized by bicuculline and by the aminopyridazine derivative of GABA (SR 95103), a novel GABAA receptor antagonist. The effects of specific agonists for each receptor were tested on peptide release from cells maintained in a perfusion system. Isoguvacine (10 microM) potentiated Ba2+-evoked release of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, whereas (-)-baclofen (50 microM) decreased both basal and stimulated hormone release. This negative effect on peptide secretion was reproduced when GABA (50 microM) was perfused in the presence of bicuculline (10 microM) to block GABAA receptor activation. The possible mechanisms underlying these GABAA and GABAB effects on stimulus-secretion coupling in this neuroendocrine model are discussed.

Effects of GABA agonists on Herxheimer microshock in guinea pigs

In this paper we describe the first observation of GABA inhibition in an experimental model of asthma in vivo. Guinea-pigs were actively sensitized with ovalbumin i.p. and 20 days later the Herxheimer microshock was performed. GABA and (-)-baclofen injected 20 min previously significantly prevented the development of microshock. Therefore GABAergic drugs appear to modulate in vivo anaphylactic reaction. The value of this observation with regard to the physiopathology and therapy of asthma remains to be elucidated.

Quantitative evaluation of the potencies of GABA-receptor agonists and antagonists using the rat hippocampal slice preparation

CA1 population spikes recorded in the rat hippocampal slice were used to assess quantitatively the potencies of GABA-receptor agonists and antagonists on mammalian CNS neurones. Apart from GABA itself, GABA A-receptor agonists inhibited the CA1 population spikes with potencies that correlated closely (r = 0.96) with their ability to displace [3H]-GABA from GABAA-binding sites. The low potency of GABA in this preparation was attributed to the action of uptake processes as the GABA uptake inhibitor, cis-4-hydroxynipecotic acid (2 X 10(-4) M), produced an approximate 6 fold increase in the potency of GABA whilst having no effect on the potency of 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo [5,4-c] pyridin-3-ol (THIP), a GABAA-receptor agonist which is not a substrate for the GABA uptake system. The inhibitory effects of the selective GABAA-receptor agonists isoguvacine and muscimol were antagonized by bicuculline methochloride, which shifted the dose-response curves to the right in a parallel manner. The Schild plots for bicuculline methochloride against isoguvacine and muscimol had slopes of 1 and gave pA2 values of 6.24 and 6.10, respectively. Picrotoxin also antagonized the inhibitory effects of isoguvacine and produced parallel shifts to the right of the dose-response curve. However, the Schild plot for picrotoxin had a slope significantly less than unity (0.82) and gave a pA2 value of 6.89. The novel GABAA-receptor antagonist, pitrazepin, antagonized the inhibitory effects of isoguvacine in an apparently competitive manner. The Schild plot had a slope of 1 and gave a pA2 of 6.69. 6 The inhibitory effects of baclofen, GABA and kojic amine were not antagonized by GABAAreceptor antagonists and were presumed to be mediated by actions at GABA5-receptors. 7 The inhibitory effects of THIP and isoguvacine were antagonized with the same potency by bicuculline methobromide. These results do not support the suggestion that THIP acts preferentially at a 'synaptic' bicuculline-sensitive, GABA receptor. 8 It is concluded that the CAI population spike in the rat hippocampal slice is a useful test system for the quantitative analysis of both GABAA- and GABAB-receptor agonists and antagonists.

Evidence for prejunctional GABAB receptors mediating inhibition of ovarian follicle contraction induced by nerve stimulation

The motor effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the bovine ovarian follicle were studied in vitro using strips from follicle walls. Electrical field stimulation of nerves in the preparation, secured by tetrodotoxin blockade, caused a contraction that was almost totally abolished by phentolamine and only slightly affected by atropine. This mainly adrenergic neurogenic response was inhibited by GABA in a dose-dependent way. The GABAA-receptor antagonists, bicuculline and picrotoxin, did not affect the GABA action whereas the GABAB-receptor antagonist, homotaurine, significantly inhibited the GABA effect. The GABAA-receptor agonist, muscimol, did not affect the contractile response while the GABAB-receptor agonist, baclofen, imitated the action of GABA. On the other hand, GABA had no direct contractile or relaxing effect on the follicle strips nor did it interfere with the contractile response induced by noradrenaline or acetylcholine. The findings suggest that activation of prejunctional GABAB receptors inhibits transmitter release from mainly adrenergic nerves associated with the follicle, thereby affecting nerve-mediated tension in the follicle wall.

The postganglionic excitatory innervation of the mouse urinary bladder and its modulation by prejunctional GABAB receptors

Field stimulation produced reproducible contractions of the mouse isolated urinary bladder whose amplitude was frequency-related. These contractions were partially sensitive to atropine (3 microM), unaffected by hexamethonium (10 microM) and almost abolished by tetrodotoxin (0.5 microM). Atropine (3 microM) suppressed contractions produced by exogenous acetylcholine thereby indicating atropine-resistance of the nerve-mediated contractions. Nerve-mediated contractions of the mouse urinary bladder were enhanced by physostigmine (0.1-0.5 microM) and inhibited by hemicholinium-3 (0.5 mM) thus confirming the presence of a cholinergic component in the excitatory postganglionic innervation. Atropine (3 microM) inhibition of the nerve-mediated contractions increased with increasing duration and strength of the train of stimulation. The nerve-mediated contractions of the mouse bladder were unaffected by phentolamine (0.2 microM), propranolol (0.3 microM) or indomethacin (5 microM). ATP (1mM) the major candidate for the role of nonadrenergic-noncholinegic (NANC) excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian urinary bladder produced a contraction of the mouse isolated bladder. Exposure to the stable ATP analogue alpha, beta-methylene ATP (APCPP) or beta, gamma-methylene ATP (APPCP) produced a partial desensitization of the nerve-mediated response which, for APCPP, was greater in the presence than in the absence of atropine (3 microM). In the presence of atropine (3 microM) and after APCPP desensitization the amplitude of the response to field stimulation amounted to about 20% of the original response and was sensitive to tetrodotoxin, indicating that it is nerve-mediated. GABA (0.001-0.3 mM) inhibited the amplitude of field stimulation induced contractions of mouse urinary bladder. This effect was mimicked by the selective GABAB receptor agonist, (+/-)-baclofen, but not by the selective GABAA receptor agonist, homotaurine. GABA and (+/-)-baclofen exhibited cross-desensitization. The GABA-or (+/-)-baclofen-induced inhibition of the nerve-mediated contractions were reduced by previous exposure to homotaurine (1 mM) or to 5-aminovaleric acid (2 mM), two GABAB receptor antagonists. On the other hand the inhibitory effects of GABA or (+/-)-baclofen were unaffected by picrotoxin (0.1 mM), a selective GABAA receptor antagonist. The inhibitory effect of GABA on nerve-mediated contractions was reduced in the presence of atropine or hemicholinium-3 as well as following desensitization of P2-purinoreceptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Suitability of urethane anesthesia for physiopharmacological investigations in various systems. Part 1: General considerations

The suitability of urethane anesthesia for physiopharmacological investigations is reviewed. Total dose administered and route of administration are recognized as factors having a great influence on both resting parameters and biological responses to drugs. A peculiar characteristic of urethane is represented by its ability to induce a surgical plane of anesthesia without affecting neurotransmission in various subcortical areas and the peripheral nervous system. This makes urethane a suitable general anesthetic for studying neural function in both central and peripheral nervous systems and accounts for the preservation of a number of reflex responses in urethane-anesthetized animals.

The distribution of GABA-transaminase-dehydrogenase activity in the myenteric plexus of rat small intestine: a histochemical analysis

The presence and distribution of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) degradative enzyme (GABA transaminase-succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase) activity in the rat myenteric plexus was determined histochemically using laminar preparations of the small intestine. Blue-diformazan staining resulting from reduction of the tetrazolium salt, Nitro-BT, during GABA catabolism was present in a scattered population of ileal and jejunal myenteric ganglion cells, including those resembling multipolar type II and unipolar nerve cells. Such staining was almost completely prevented under conditions of GABA-T inhibition. These results indicate that GABA is enzymically degraded at specific sites in the rat enteric nervous system where it is proposed to have a neurotransmitter function.

Distribution of GABA binding site subtypes in rat pituitary gland

GABAA and GABAB binding sites in rat pituitary gland were investigated using equilibrium binding assays in vitro. Specific binding of both [3H]GABA and [3H]muscimol could be detected in both anterior and neurointermediate lobes, with a relative concentration in the anterior lobe. [3H]GABA binding was discriminated into GABAA and GABAB receptor type binding using baclofen. GABAB sites were detectable in the anterior but not in the neurointermediate lobe. Saturation analysis of [3H]muscimol binding to whole pituitary gland membranes demonstrated that the pituitary contains two classes of GABAA sites differing in affinity, as found in the CNS, although the number of sites is considerably lower than in the CNS.