The mechanism of the 3H-noradrenaline releasing effect of various substrates of uptake1: role of monoamine oxidase and of vesicularly stored 3H-noradrenaline

Biochemical Assessment of Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma

Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) require prompt consideration and efficient diagnosis and treatment to minimize associated morbidity and mortality. Once considered, appropriate biochemical testing is key to diagnosis. Advances in understanding catecholamine metabolism have clarified why measurements of the O-methylated catecholamine metabolites rather than the catecholamines themselves are important for effective diagnosis. These metabolites, normetanephrine and metanephrine, produced respectively from norepinephrine and epinephrine, can be measured in plasma or urine, with choice according to available methods or presentation of patients. For patients with signs and symptoms of catecholamine excess, either test will invariably establish the diagnosis, whereas the plasma test provides higher sensitivity than urinary metanephrines for patients screened due to an incidentaloma or genetic predisposition, particularly for small tumors or in patients with an asymptomatic presentation. Additional measurements of plasma methoxytyramine can be important for some tumors, such as paragangliomas, and for surveillance of patients at risk of metastatic disease. Avoidance of false-positive test results is best achieved by plasma measurements with appropriate reference intervals and preanalytical precautions, including sampling blood in the fully supine position. Follow-up of positive results, including optimization of preanalytics for repeat tests or whether to proceed directly to anatomic imaging or confirmatory clonidine tests, depends on the test results, which can also suggest likely size, adrenal vs extra-adrenal location, underlying biology, or even metastatic involvement of a suspected tumor. Modern biochemical testing now makes diagnosis of PPGL relatively simple. Integration of artificial intelligence into the process should make it possible to fine-tune these advances.

Bupropion treatment increases epididymal contractility and impairs sperm quality with no effects on the epididymal sperm transit time of male rats

Bupropion is a dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) reuptake inhibitor used as smoking cessation and antidepressant drug with a lower incidence of male sexual dysfunction. We showed previously that sibutramine, a norepinephrine/serotonine reuptake inhibitor, reduced male rat fertility. As there are no studies evaluating the impact of bupropion treatment on spermatic parameters and male fertility, we evaluated the effects of bupropion treatment (15 and 30 mg kg(-1), 30 days) on sexual behavior, spermatic parameters and fertility of male Wistar rats and on the epididymal duct in vitro contractility. Bupropion 15 mg kg(-1) increased the serum luteinizing hormone level and the epididymal duct contractility, but the sperm quality was not affected. At 30 mg kg(-1) bupropion impaired sperm quality increasing the incidence of non-progressive sperm. The male sexual behavior and fertility were not modified at both bupropion doses. These results, in rats, suggest the importance of studies evaluating the effects of bupropion on the human male sperm quality.

Influence of acute treatment with sibutramine on the sympathetic neurotransmission of the young rat vas deferens

The effects of acute treatment with sibutramine on the peripheral sympathetic neurotransmission in vas deferens of young rats were still not evaluated. Therefore, we carried out this study in order to verify the effects of acute sibutramine treatment on the neuronal- and exogenous agonist-induced contractions of the young rat vas deferens. Young 45-day-old male Wistar rats were pretreated with sibutramine 6 mg/kg and after 4h the vas deferens was used for experiment. The acute treatment with sibutramine was able to increase the potency (pD2) of noradrenaline and phenylephrine. Moreover, the efficacy (Emax) of noradrenaline was increased while the efficacy of serotonin and nicotine were decreased. The maximum effect induced by a single concentration of tyramine was diminished in the vas deferens from treated group. Moreover, the leftward shift of the noradrenaline curves promoted by uptake blockers (cocaine and corticosterone) and β-adrenoceptor antagonist (propranolol) was reduced in the vas deferens of treated group. The initial phasic and secondary tonic components of the neuronal-evoked contractions of vas deferens from treated group at the frequencies of 2 Hz were decreased. Moreover, only the initial phasic component at 5 Hz was diminished by the acute treatment with sibutramine. In conclusion, we showed that the acute treatment with sibutramine in young rats was able to affect the peripheral sympathetic nervous system by inhibition of noradrenaline uptake and reduction of the neuronal content of this neurotransmitter, leading to an enhancement of vas deferens sensitivity to noradrenaline.

Update on the pharmacology of selective inhibitors of MAO-A and MAO-B: focus on modulation of CNS monoamine neurotransmitter release

Inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (MAO) were initially used in medicine following the discovery of their antidepressant action. Subsequently their ability to potentiate the effects of an indirectly-acting sympathomimetic amine such as tyramine was discovered, leading to their limitation in clinical use, except for cases of treatment-resistant depression. More recently, the understanding that: a) potentiation of indirectly-acting sympathomimetic amines is caused by inhibitors of MAO-A but not by inhibitors of MAO-B, and b) that reversible inhibitors of MAO-A cause minimal tyramine potentiation, has led to their re-introduction to clinical use for treatment of depression (reversible MAO-A inhibitors and new dose form MAO-B inhibitor) and treatment of Parkinson's disease (MAO-B inhibitors). The profound neuroprotective properties of propargyl-based inhibitors of MAO-B in preclinical experiments have drawn attention to the possibility of employing these drugs for their neuroprotective effect in neurodegenerative diseases, and have raised the question of the involvement of the MAO-mediated reaction as a source of reactive free radicals. Despite the long-standing history of MAO inhibitors in medicine, the way in which they affect neuronal release of monoamine neurotransmitters is still poorly understood. In recent years, the detailed chemical structure of MAO-B and MAO-A has become available, providing new possibilities for synthesis of mechanism-based inhibitors. This review describes the latest advances in understanding the way in which MAO inhibitors affect the release of the monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin (5-HT) in the CNS, with an accent on the importance of these effects for the clinical actions of the drugs.

Slimmer or fertile? Pharmacological mechanisms involved in reduced sperm quality and fertility in rats exposed to the anorexigen sibutramine

Sperm acquire motility and fertility capacity during epididymal transit, under the control of androgens and sympathetic innervations. It is already known that the acceleration of epididymal sperm transit time can lead to lower sperm quality. In a previous work we showed that rats exposed to the anorexigen sibutramine, a non-selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, presented faster sperm transit time, lower epididymal sperm reserves and potentiation of the tension of epididymal duct to norepinephrine exposed acutely in vitro to sibutramine. In the present work we aimed to further investigate pharmacological mechanisms involved in these alterations and the impact on rat sperm quality. For this, adult male Wistar rats were treated with sibutramine (10 mg/kg/day) or vehicle for 30 days. Sibutramine decreased final body, seminal vesicle, ventral prostate and epididymal weights, as well as sperm transit time in the epididymal cauda. On the contrary of the in vitro pharmacological assays, in which sibutramine was added directly to the bath containing strips of distal epididymal cauda, the ductal tension was not altered after in vivo sub-chronic exposure to sibutramine. However, there is pharmacological evidence that the endogenous epididymal norepinephrine reserves were reduced in these animals. It was also shown that the decrease in prostate weight can be related to increased tension developed of the gland, due to sibutramine sympathomimetic effects. In addition, our results showed reduced sperm quality after in utero artificial insemination, a more sensitive procedure to assess fertility in rodents. The epididymal norepinephrine depletion exerted by sibutramine, associated with decreases in sperm transit time, quantity and quality, leading to reduced fertility in this experimental model, reinforces the concerns about the possible impact on fertility of man taking sibutramine as well as other non-selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, especially considering the lower reproductive efficiency of humans compared to males of other species.

The reverse operation of Na(+)/Cl(-)-coupled neurotransmitter transporters--why amphetamines take two to tango

Sodium-chloride coupled neurotransmitter transporters achieve reuptake of their physiological substrate by exploiting the pre-existing sodium-gradient across the cellular membrane. This terminates the action of previously released substrate in the synaptic cleft. However, a change of the transmembrane ionic gradients or specific binding of some psychostimulant drugs to these proteins, like amphetamine and its derivatives, induce reverse operation of neurotransmitter:sodium symporters. This effect eventually leads to an increase in the synaptic concentration of non-exocytotically released neurotransmitters [and - in the case of the norepinephrine transporters, underlies the well-known indirect sympathomimetic activity]. While this action has long been appreciated, the underlying mechanistic details have been surprisingly difficult to understand. Some aspects can be resolved by incorporating insights into the oligomeric nature of transporters, into the nature of the accompanying ion fluxes, and changes in protein kinase activities.

Regulation of cardiac innervation and function via the p75 neurotrophin receptor

Homeostatic regulation of cardiac function is dependent on the balance of inputs from the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. We investigated whether the p75 neurotrophin receptor plays a developmental role in cardiac innervation by analyzing sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers in the atria of p75 knockout and wildtype mice at several stages of postnatal development, and examining the effect on control of heart rate. We found that parasympathetic innervation of the atria in p75-/- mice was similar to wildtype at all time points, but that the density of sympathetic innervation was dynamically regulated. Compared to wildtype mice, the p75-/- mice had less innervation at postnatal day 4, an increase at day 28, and decreased innervation in adult mice. These changes reflect defects in initial fiber in-growth and the timing of the normal developmental decrease in sympathetic innervation density in the atria. Thus, p75 regulates both the growth and stability of cardiac sympathetic fibers. The distribution of sympathetic fibers was also altered, so that many regions lacked innervation. Basal heart rate was depressed in adult p75-/- mice, and these mice exhibited a diminished heart rate response to restraint stress. This resulted from the lack of sympathetic innervation rather than increased parasympathetic transmission or a direct effect of p75 in cardiac cells. Norepinephrine was elevated in p75-/- atria, but stimulating norepinephrine release with tyramine produced less tachycardia in p75-/- mice than wild type mice. This suggests that altered density and distribution of sympathetic fibers in p75-/- atria impairs the control of heart rate.

Intracellular cGMP may promote Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent release of catecholamines from sympathetic nerve terminals

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the hypothesis that intracellular cGMP stimulates the release of catecholamines from sympathetic nerve terminals (SNTs) in conscious rats.

METHODS

Conscious rats were prepared to determine the effects of intravenously-administered agents on heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP).

RESULTS

Bolus intravenous injections of the membrane-permeable cGMP analogue, 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cGMP (8-CPT-cGMP), elicited immediate and pronounced increases in HR before any changes in MAP were observed. In contrast, injections of cGMP did not elicit changes in HR or MAP. The 8-CPT-cGMP-induced tachycardia was markedly diminished by (1) the beta(1,2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, propranolol, (2) the ganglion blocking agent, chlorisondamine, and (3) bretylium, which blocks Ca2+-dependent mobilization of vesicular stores of catecholamines from SNTs. 8-CPT-cGMP also elicited minor falls in MAP in propranolol-treated rats but elicited pronounced falls in MAP in rats treated with chlorisondamine, bretylium, or combined administration of bretylium and the muscarinic receptor antagonist, methyl-atropine.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that (1) intracellular cGMP elicits the release of Ca2+-sensitive and Ca2+-insensitive stores of catecholamines from SNTs in conscious rats, and (2) cGMP-mediated release of catecholamines from SNTs antagonizes cGMP-mediated relaxation of vascular smooth muscle in resistance arteries. Taken together, these findings support the concept that increases in intracellular cGMP levels by atrial natriuretic peptide and endothelium- and cardiac-derived nitric oxide regulate sympathetic control of the heart and the microvasculature of conscious rats via cGMP-dependent release of catecholamines.

Mechanisms of neurotransmitter release by amphetamines: a review

Amphetamine and substituted amphetamines, including methamphetamine, methylphenidate (Ritalin), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), and the herbs khat and ephedra, encompass the only widely administered class of drugs that predominantly release neurotransmitter, in this case principally catecholamines, by a non-exocytic mechanism. These drugs play important medicinal and social roles in many cultures, exert profound effects on mental function and behavior, and can produce neurodegeneration and addiction. Numerous questions remain regarding the unusual molecular mechanisms by which these compounds induce catecholamine release. We review current issues on the two apparent primary mechanisms--the redistribution of catecholamines from synaptic vesicles to the cytosol, and induction of reverse transport of transmitter through plasma membrane uptake carriers--and on additional drug effects that affect extracellular catecholamine levels, including uptake inhibition, effects on exocytosis, neurotransmitter synthesis, and metabolism.

Tyramine-induced endogenous noradrenaline efflux from in situ cardiac sympathetic nerve ending in cats

With the use of dialysis technique, the effects of tyramine on in situ cardiac sympathetic nerve endings were examined in anaesthetized cats. Dialysis probes were implanted in the left ventricular myocardium, and the concentration of dialysate noradrenaline (NA) served as an indicator of NA output at the cardiac sympathetic nerve ending. Locally applied tyramine (600 microM) increased dialysate NA levels from 17 +/- 1 (pg mL-1) to 3466 +/- 209 (pg mL-1). Pretreatment with reserpine (vesicle transport NA blocker 1 microM) did not affect tyramine-induced NA efflux. The tyramine-induced NA efflux was augmented by pretreatment with pargyline (1 mM) but suppressed by pargyline (10 mM). Pretreatment with alpha-methyl-tyrosine suppressed NA efflux evoked by tyramine. These pretreatments did not affect the time course of NA efflux but only altered peak height of NA efflux. The efflux of NA evoked by tyramine was not associated with any reduction of dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG). In contrast, in the pretreatment with reserpine, the efflux of NA was associated with a reduction of DHPG. This result suggests that NA graduation between axoplasm and stored vesicle contributes to maintaining the axoplasmic NA level during carrier-mediated outward NA transport. The tyramine-induced NA efflux provides a close reflection of the NA content at the nerve ending. With the use of dialysis, this experimental model is suitable for studying the mechanism of sympathomimetic amine-induced neurotransmitter efflux.

Effects of 5-HT-releasing agents on the extracellullar hippocampal 5-HT of rats. Implications for the development of novel antidepressants with a short onset of action

The effects of two selective 5-HT-releasing agents, 4-methylthioamphetamine (MTA) and 5-methoxy-6-methyl-2-aminoindan (MMAI), on the extracellular 5-HT concentration in the dorsal hippocampus was determined by microdialysis in anesthetized rats. After i.p. administration of 1 or 5 mg/kg of either compound, a rapid and significant increase of 5-HT basal release was observed. MTA (5 mg/kg) induced a maximal increase of about 2000% over the basal value 40 min after injection, which declined slowly, whereas MMAI (5 mg/kg) induced a maximal response of about 1350% which showed a rapid decline. Monoamine oxidase-A inhibitory properties of MTA, and MMAI's lack of similar properties might account for the difference between the two compounds. In agreement with previous information, a much lower increase in hippocampal 5-HT was observed in response to systemic fluoxetine. This difference in the magnitude of the response after MTA or MMAI and fluoxetine indicates that different mechanisms of action are operating. Based on evidence showing that an acute enhancement of 5-HT neurotransmission might result in the rapid appearance of therapeutic effects of serotonergic antidepressants, we suggest that MTA and MMAI might serve as leads for a novel family of compounds with a short onset of action useful for treating depression.

Effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibition on sympathetically-mediated tachycardia

The aim of the present study was to determine whether inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis directly alters the tachycardia produced by sympathetically-derived norepinephrine. The NO synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 50 micromol/kg, i.v.), produced a marked rise in mean arterial blood pressure. This pressor response was associated with a fall in heart rate which involved the withdrawal of cardiac sympathetic nerve activity. The NO-donor, sodium nitroprusside (5 microg/kg, i.v.), produced a pronounced fall in mean arterial blood pressure but only a minor increase in heart rate. The beta-adrenoceptor agonist, isoproterenol (0.5 micromol/kg, i.v.), and the membrane-permeable cAMP analogue, 8-(4-chlorophenylthiol)-cAMP (10 micromol/kg, i.v.), produced falls in mean arterial blood pressure and pronounced increases in heart rate. The indirectly acting sympathomimetic agent, tyramine (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.), produced a pressor response and a tachycardia. The effects of sodium nitroprusside, tyramine, isoproterenol and 8-(4-chlorophenylthiol)-cAMP on mean arterial blood pressure were not markedly affected by L-NAME. However, the tachycardia produced by these agents was considerably exaggerated in the presence of this NO synthesis inhibitor. These findings suggest that L-NAME potentiates the tachycardia produced by sympathetically-derived norepinephrine. The increased responsiveness to norepinephrine may involve (i) a rapid up-regulation of cardiac beta1-adrenoceptors and cAMP signaling in cardiac pacemaker cells due to the loss of the inhibitory influence of cardiac NO, and (ii) the up-regulation of beta1-adrenoceptor-mediated signal transduction processes in response to the L-NAME-induced withdrawal of cardiac sympathetic nerve activity.

Kinetics of the norepinephrine analog [76Br]-meta-bromobenzylguanidine in isolated working rat heart

A related set of kinetic studies of the norepinephrine analog [76Br]-meta-bromobenzylguanidine (MBBG) were performed with an isolated working rat heart preparation. A series of constant infusion studies over a wide range of MBBG concentrations allowed estimation of the Michaelis-Menten constants for transport by the neuronal norepinephrine transporter (uptake1) and the extraneuronal uptake system (uptake2). Pharmacological blocking studies with inhibitors of uptake1, uptake2 and vesicular uptake were performed to delineate the relative importance of these norepinephrine handling mechanisms on the kinetics of MBBG in the rat heart. Bolus injection studies were done to assess the ability of compartmental modeling techniques to characterize the kinetics of MBBG. These studies demonstrate that MBBG shares many of the same uptake mechanisms as norepinephrine in the rat heart. PET imaging studies with MBBG would be useful for assessing sympathetic nerve status in the living human heart.

Dual effect of DMPP on the resting release of noradrenaline from rat hippocampal slices

The effect of the nicotinic receptor agonist dimethylphenylpiperazinium iodide (DMPP) on the resting release of [3H]noradrenaline from superfused hippocampal slices was studied in rat. Continuous administration of DMPP at a concentration range of 1-100 microM increased the [3H]noradrenaline release in a dose-dependent manner. The response to DMPP was characterized by an immediate steep increase (peak response) followed by a sudden decline to a lower level that was constant with time (tall response) and still was significantly higher than the spontaneous release. Further analysis revealed that the release of noradrenaline in response to DMPP consists of two components. While nicotinic receptor antagonists (mecamylamine 10 microM, pancuronium 10 microM, pipecuronium 10 microM), the nonselective Ca-antagonist Cd2+ (125 microM) and tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 microM) completely abolished the peak response (phase I), they had no effect on the tall response (phase II). Ca(2+)-free medium containing 1 mM EGTA also blocked phase I but in contrast with other drugs enhanced phase II. The release during phase I is subject to presynaptic feedback modulation, since the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist xylazine (3 microM) inhibited the DMPP-evoked stimulation of [3H]noradrenaline release, that inhibition was antagonized by a selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, (+/-)-[7,8-(methylenedioxy)-14-alpha-hydroxyalloberbane hydrochloride [(+/-)-CH-38083] (2 microM). (+/-)-CH-38083 (2 microM) alone significantly enhanced the DMPP-evoked increase of [3H]noradrenaline release. Phase II was not effected by alpha 2-adrenergic drugs. Whereas the noradrenaline uptake blockers despramine (DMI, 1-10 microM), nisoxetine (1-10 microM), and nomifensine (10 microM) inhibited both phases, nomifensine at a concentration of 1 microM selectively blocked only phase II. Our data indicate that DMPP has a dual effect on the hippocampal noradrenaline release: phase I is a transient, nicotinic receptor-mediated exocytotic release, and phase II is a maintained, carrier-mediated process.

Release of noradrenaline from isolated rat tail artery induced by bafilomycin A1

The macrolide antibiotic bafilomycin A1, a selective inhibitor of the vesicular H(+)-transporting ATPase, increased irreversibly the overflow of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylene glycol from isolated segments of the rat tail artery. Maximum increase in the overflow was produced by exposing the tissues to 0.5 mumol/l bafilomycin A1. Unless the Na(+)-dependent neuronal amine carrier (uptake1) was inhibited, overflow of noradrenaline was below the detection limit. The bafilomycin A1-induced increase in overflow of noradrenaline from tissues with inhibited uptake1 was accompanied by a significant decrease in the (noradrenaline overflow:glycol overflow) ratio. Unlike reserpine and tetrabenazine, the antibiotic did not alter the (noradrenaline overflow:glycol overflow) ratio in arteries incubated in Ca(2+)-free, 120 mmol/l K+ medium. Bafilomycin A1 increased overflow of noradrenaline and normetanephrine from tissues with inhibited monoamine oxidase. Inhibitors of extraneuronal catecholamine transport (uptake2), corticosterone, 3-O-methylisoprenaline and 1,1'-diethyl-2,2'-cyanine, suppressed overflow of normetanephrine while increasing that of noradrenaline. Further increase in overflow of noradrenaline was produced by concomitant inhibition of uptake1. A similar effect was observed in tissues previously exposed to phenoxybenzamine. After exposure to bafilomycin A1, tyramine and (+) amphetamine (10 mumol/l) were equally effective in increasing overflow of noradrenaline from tissues with inhibited monoamine oxidase into corticosterone-containing medium. Bafilomycin A1 promotes leakage of noradrenaline from storage vesicles without affecting its conversion to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylene glycol. When uptake1 is inhibited, axoplasmic noradrenaline can be translocated effectively across the axonal membrane by the 'diffusional efflux'. When uptake1 is inhibited, spontaneous quantal release contributes significantly to overflow of noradrenaline into normal media. The 'diffusional efflux' of noradrenaline is unaffected by inhibitors of uptake2. Even at highly elevated concentrations of axoplasmic noradrenaline, the uptake1-mediated influx of noradrenaline exceeds the uptake1-mediated efflux. Enhancement of noradrenaline overflow from tissues with inhibited monoamine oxidase by indirectly acting sympathomimetic amines depends primarily on their ability to induce leakage of the transmitter from storage vesicles rather than its translocation across the axonal membrane.

Contrasting effects of the imidazol(in)e alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists, medetomidine, clonidine and UK 14,304 on extraneuronal levels of noradrenaline in the rat frontal cortex: evaluation using in vivo microdialysis and synaptosomal uptake studies

1. In vivo microdialysis in halothane-anaesthetized rats and synaptosomal [3H]-noradrenaline uptake studies in vitro were used to evaluate the effects of imidazole (medetomidine) and imidazoline (clonidine and UK 14,304) alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists on extraneuronal levels of noradrenaline in the frontal cortex. 2. Levels of noradrenaline in the dialysate were increased by a depolarizing concentration of K+ (60 mM for 20 min) and substantially attenuated by reducing Ca2+ supply in the perfusate. These results suggest that spontaneous efflux of noradrenaline in the cortex is regulated predominantly by cation-dependent exocytotic mechanisms. 3. At a low perfusion concentration (0.5 microM), medetomidine, clonidine and UK 14,304 all reduced the level of noradrenaline in cortical dialysates. Continuous perfusion of the selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, atipamezole (0.5 microM) caused a sustained increase in noradrenaline efflux and reversed the inhibitory effects of medetomidine. All these changes are consistent with drug actions at presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors. 4. Higher concentrations of medetomidine (5-50 microM), but not clonidine or UK 14,304, evoked a non-desensitizing increase in noradrenaline efflux. This effect was not antagonized by 0.5 microM atipamezole. 5. The tricyclic noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, desmethylimipramine (0.5-50 microM), increased noradrenaline efflux in a concentration-dependent manner. 6. The specific uptake of [3H]-noradrenaline into cortical synaptosomes was inhibited by medetomidine and desmethylimipramine with IC50 values of approximately 7 microM and 8 microM respectively. Neither clonidine nor UK 14,304 inhibited [3H]-noradrenaline uptake. 7. These results indicate that micromolar concentrations of the selective alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist,medetomidine, can augment extraneuronal levels of noradrenaline in the rat frontal cortex; this effect seems to involve an inhibition of noradrenaline reuptake rather than an action at alpha2-adrenoceptors.

Methylphenidate treatment following ablation-induced hemiplegia in rat: experience during drug action alters effects on recovery of function

Two experiments examined the effects of single or multiple administrations of methylphenidate (MPH; Ritalin) and differing amounts of beam-walking trials (symptom relevant experience) during the period of drug action on recovery from hemiplegia following unilateral sensorimotor cortex ablation in rat. The first study tested multiple doses of MPH (10 mg/kg) or sterile saline given once daily, followed by four beam-walk (BW) trials at 1, 2, 3, and 6 h on 3 consecutive days. A significant and enduring enhancement of recovery was only observed 24 h after the third administration of MPH, compared to saline controls. In the second study, a single dose of MPH (10 mg/kg) or saline was administered 24 h after ablation, followed by 12 BW trials beginning 1 h and continuing at 15-min intervals until 3 h after MPH or saline administration. A significant and enduring facilitation of BW ability was produced by this single MPH treatment regimen. These data further support the importance of an interaction between symptom-relevant experience and drugs that increase norepinephrine transmission to enhance functional recovery after brain damage.

Dopamine releasing effect of phenylbiguanide in rat striatal slices

The present study explored the mechanisms underlying the dopamine releasing effect of phenylbiguanide, a compound commonly used as a 5-HT3 receptor agonist. Phenylbiguanide, and also serotonin and 2-methyl-serotonin, enhanced the outflow of radioactivity from superfused rat striatal slices preloaded with [3H]dopamine. The presence of the dopamine uptake blocker nomifensin prevented the increase in outflow. The effect of phenylbiguanide was not antagonized by 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, did not require the presence of Ca2+ in the superfusion buffer, and also occurred in reserpinized preparations with depleted dopamine stores. Phenylbiguanide caused a greater shift in the distribution of superfusate radioactivity from DOPAC to dopamine than did nomifensin. All these results are in agreement with an exchange mechanism by which phenylbiguanide promotes the efflux of dopamine by operation of the uptake carrier in the reversed direction. In consonance, phenylbiguanide, and also serotonin and 2-methyl-serotonin, inhibited the binding of [3H]CFT to dopamine uptake sites, although the rank order for promoting outflow, serotonin greater than phenylbiguanide greater than 2-methyl-serotonin, differed from that for inhibiting [3H]CFT binding to dopamine uptake sites, 2-methylserotonin approximately serotonin greater than phenylbiguanide. The present results raised the possibility that phenylbiguanide has an additional activity in releasing vesicular dopamine into the cytoplasmic pool.

The TiPS lecture: functional aspects of the neuronal uptake of noradrenaline

For various amine transmitters (noradrenaline, dopamine, 5-HT) re-uptake into the releasing varicosity limits the transmitter's life span in the biophase. In the second TiPS Lecture, given at this year's FASEB meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, Ullrich Trendelenburg summarized the evidence relating to the function of the neuronal noradrenaline carrier (uptake1), why it is absolutely dependent on Na+ and Cl- and how it functions as a metabolizing system, hand in hand with intraneuronal monoamine oxidase and vesicular storage. This carrier clears noradrenaline from the extracellular space very efficiently. Hence, loading of incubated organs with exogenous substrates of uptake1 results in a very heterogeneous distribution of the amine. Moreover, under certain experimental and pathophysiological conditions the carrier is able to transport axoplasmic noradrenaline out of the varicosity, a 'release' mechanism operating, for instance, in cardiac ischaemia.

New directions in monoamine oxidase A and B selective inhibitors and substrates

Identification, cellular localization, and cDNA cloning of MAO subtypes A and B have increased the insight into the pharmacology of these enzymes, whose primary functions are intra- and extraneuronal inactivation of neurotransmitter (dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin) and other biogenic amines. In addition, MAO oxidizes the inert uncharacteristic tertiary amine, MPTP, to the parkinson inducing dopaminergic neurotoxin, MPP+, and the novel secondary amine anticonvulsant milacemide to the inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitter, glycine. These recent developments have provided new therapeutic perspectives for the management of Parkinson's disease and seizure disorders via the use of selective inhibitors and amino acid amine prodrug substrates of MAO-B.

The heterogeneity of the neuronal distribution of exogenous noradrenaline in the rat vas deferens

After loading of the incubated rat vas deferens with 0.2 mumol/l 3H-noradrenaline (followed by 100 min of wash-out with amine-free solution), the efflux of endogenous and exogenous compounds was determined by HPLC with electrochemical detection and by column chromatography with scintillation counting. Two different types of heterogeneity of labelling were found. The first one is due to the preferential labelling of varicosities close to the surface of the tissue, the second one to the preferential labelling of vesicles close to the surface of loaded varicosities. As diffusion distances within the tissue and within varicosities are then longer for endogenous than for exogenous amine and metabolites, the composition of spontaneous efflux of exogenous compounds differed from that for endogenous compounds. Because of preferential neuronal and vesicular re-uptake of endogenous noradrenaline, the percentage contribution by noradrenaline to overall efflux was: endogenous less than exogenous. While 3H-DOPEG was the predominant exogenous metabolite, DOPEG and MOPEG equally contributed to the "endogenous" efflux. Desipramine abolished the consequences of the first heterogeneity of labelling, i.e., it increased the efflux more for endogenous than for exogenous noradrenaline; moreover it decreased the efflux of 3H-DOPEG, but increased that of 3H-MOPEG. The reserpine-like compound Ro 4-1284, on the other hand, abolished the consequences of the second type of heterogeneity; it reduced the specific activity of "total efflux" (i.e., of the sum of noradrenaline + DOPEG + MOPEG) to the specific activity of the tissue noradrenaline. The degree of heterogeneity of labelling was reduced after inhibition of monoamine oxidase and also when the tissues were loaded with 2 or 20 mumol/l 3H-noradrenaline. It is proposed that the various "compartments" and "pools" of noradrenaline described in the literature reflect the two heterogeneities described here.

Differential distribution in, and release from, sympathetic nerve endings of endogenous noradrenaline and recently incorporated catecholamines

Guinea-pig vasa deferentia or hypogastric nerve-vas deferens preparations, preincubated with pargyline (to irreversibly inhibit monoamine oxidase), were exposed to 2.3 mumol/l of unlabelled adrenaline or of 3H-7-(-)-noradrenaline in the presence of hydrocortisone (to inhibit extraneuronal uptake). The vasa deferentia were then mounted in perifusion chambers and subjected to transmural electrical stimulation, electrical stimulation of the nerve, depolarization by potassium (50 mmol/l), or addition of tyramine (40 mumol/l). The evoked overflow of tritium and of unlabelled catecholamines was expressed as a fraction of their tissue content. For all stimuli, the fractional release of the exogenous amines was higher than that of endogenous noradrenaline. Thus, recently incorporated amines are preferentially mobilized irrespective of the particular type of releasing mechanism or the chemical nature of the amine. In vasa deferentia which had been loaded with increasing amounts of adrenaline (by incubating the tissues with adrenaline at concentrations ranging from 0.6 to 160 mumol/l), the fractional release of adrenaline decreased and became closer to that of endogenous noradrenaline. Hence, the access of exogenous catecholamines to the deepest storage sites requires higher concentrations of amines than those needed to reach the more easily releasable pools. Light microscope autoradiographs obtained from slices of vasa deferentia previously loaded with 2.3 mumol/l 3H-(-)-noradrenaline showed that the outer layers were strongly labelled with silver grains whereas the inner layers were poorly marked. It is concluded that recently incorporated amines are preferentially stored in varicosities close to the surface of the tissue and, in comparison with endogenous noradrenaline, are preferentially released from sympathetically innervated organs.

Combined electrochemical and electrophysiological studies of monoamine overflow in rat hippocampal slices

In vivo electrochemical measurements of chronoamperometric recordings from Nafion-coated electrodes were used to investigate monoamine overflow from selected regions of the rat hippocampal slice. Concurrent electrophysiological measurements of evoked CA1 pyramidal cell population spike responses were used to characterize changes in the electrical activity in the slices that occur during potassium-induced neurotransmitter overflow. Superfusion with elevated K+ (10-50 mM, 5 min) elicited consistent concentration-dependent increases in the electrochemical responses recorded from the dentate gyrus. At the onset of K+ perfusion, there was an initial increase in the population spike response, followed by electrical silence, which usually lasted 5-10 min following the return to normal medium, and required 20-30 min for complete recovery of the response. The potassium-induced electrochemical signal always increased following the decline in the electrophysiological response. Although the electrochemical signal usually returned to baseline much before the electrophysiological response (usually within 5 min), both signals remained refractory for some time. Cocaine pretreatment (10-50 microM) caused a dose-dependent augmentation of the electrochemical responses. Local pressure ejection of K+ via a micropipette elicited dose-dependent increases in the electrochemical signals that were of relativity brief duration as compared to superfusion with K+. Such potassium-evoked responses were highly localized, and were attenuated in amplitude in animals that had been previously treated with the selective noradrenergic neurotoxin, DSP-4. In addition to K+, local applications of methyl-amphetamine, tyramine and veratridine also elicited electrochemical signals, and the time courses of these responses were specific to the releasing agent that was used. Preliminary data obtained using high-speed electrochemical recordings of both oxidation and reduction current suggested that tyramine ejections evoked primarily norepinephrine overflow, while K+ evoked the overflow of both norepinephrine and serotonin. The present experiments demonstrate that simultaneous electrophysiological and electrochemical experiments can be used in an isolated preparation of brain such as the hippocampal slice to characterize the electrophysiological events that occur during stimulated transmitter release.

The interaction of transport mechanisms and intracellular enzymes in metabolizing systems

The life span of extracellular catecholamines is limited by the combination of uptake and subsequent intracellular metabolism by either monoamine oxidase (MAO) and/or catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT). Three such "metabolizing systems" are involved in the inactivation of noradrenaline: 1) Neuronal uptake (high-affinity uptake1) in association with neuronal MAO (and vesicular uptake), 2) extraneuronal uptake (low affinity uptake2) in association with intracellular COMT and MAO (in smooth muscles, myocardial cells, glands), and 3) uptake1 of non-neuronal cells in association with intracellular COMT and/or MAO (in vascular endothelium of rat lung). Such systems function as "pump and leak systems with enzyme(s) inside". The analysis of either uptake or enzyme fails to reveal the characteristics of such systems; they are determined by the interaction of both components. Because of the high activity of these intracellular enzymes, it is unlikely that either COMT or MAO is ever saturated in vivo. However, in vitro saturation of extraneuronal COMT and MAO reveals that extraneuronal COMT is a high-affinity, but extraneuronal MAO a low-affinity enzyme. Hence, membrane-bound COMT appears to be responsible for the extraneuronal O-methylation of noradrenaline. If intracellular enzymes remain unsaturated, the determination of the rate constants describing the unsaturated enzyme (KENZYME = Vmax/Km) is of particular interest. KENZYME can be determined for metabolizing systems, since this rate constant is not affected by the (usually unknown) fractional size of the metabolizing system.

The release of 3H-noradrenaline by p- and m-tyramines and -octopamines, and the effect of deuterium substitution in alpha-position

The 3H-noradrenaline-releasing effects of p- and m-tyramines and -octopamines, either deuterated or not, were studied in isolated vasa deferentia of the rat (COMT inhibited and calcium-free solution in all experiments). Km for uptake1 was higher for octopamines than for tyramines, but not increased by the introduction of deuterium in alpha-position, except for (probably contaminated) deuterated p-octopamine. Other tissues were preloaded with 3H-noradrenaline. After inhibition of vesicular uptake and MAO equi-releasing concentrations of the eight amines were strictly correlated with Km, they were 6 to 7 times higher for unsubstituted octopamines than for corresponding tyramines. When only MAO (but not vesicular uptake) was inhibited, this difference decreased to about 4-fold, but the releasing potency of the deuterated amines (relative to their parent amines) remained unchanged (except for p-octopamine). When vesicular uptake and MAO were intact, unsubstituted octopamines were only 1.5 to 2.2 times less potent than the corresponding tyramines. Analysis of the efflux of 3H-DOPEG confirmed that this gain in the relative potencies of octopamines is due to their increased ability to mobilize vesicular 3H-noradrenaline; moreover, deuterated amines as well were then better mobilizers than were their parent amines. It is concluded that, provided vesicular uptake is intact, the introduction of a beta-OH-group enhances the ability of indirectly acting sympathomimetic amines to mobilize vesicular noradrenaline; the introduction of deuterium in alpha-position, on the other hand, enhances this mobilizing effect exclusively when MAO is intact.

The effect of (+/-)-dobutamine on adrenergic nerve endings

Possible effects of (+/-)-dobutamine on adrenergic nerve endings were determined in experiments with ghosts of bovine chromaffin granules, with rat phaeochromocytoma (PC-12) cells and with the rat vas deferens. Dobutamine inhibited the vesicular uptake of a mixture of 70% adrenaline + 30% 3H-noradrenaline into ghosts, with an IC50 of 1.7 mumol/l. Dobutamine inhibited uptake1 of 3H-noradrenaline in PC-12 cells (with an IC50 of 0.38 mumol/l) without being a substrate. However, dobutamine easily entered PC-12 cells by diffusion. After inhibition of MAO, COMT and vesicular uptake dobutamine (15 and 45 mumol/l) released tritium from rat vasa deferentia preloaded with 3H-noradrenaline. Equi-inhibitory concentrations of dobutamine and desipramine (against uptake1) were equi-releasing. On the other hand, when MAO and vesicular uptake were intact, dobutamine (15 mumol/l) increased the efflux of tritium from preloaded vasa deferentia much more than did an equi-inhibitory concentration of desipramine. Most of the released tritium was then 3H-DOPEG. Dobutamine is a potent inhibitor of uptake1 as well as of vesicular uptake; moreover, it easily diffuses into adrenergic nerve endings. Hence, it blocks the neuronal and the vesicular re-uptake of noradrenaline; consequently, when MAO and vesicular uptake are intact, dobutamine increases the net leakage of noradrenaline from the storage vesicles, thereby leading to an efflux of deaminated metabolites. However, dobutamine is virtually unable to release noradrenaline into the extracellular space.

The mechanism of the 3H-noradrenaline releasing effect of various substrates of uptake1: multifactorial induction of outward transport

The mechanism of action of indirectly acting sympathomimetic amines was studied in the rat vas deferens, after inhibition of vesicular uptake (by reserpine), of MAO (by pargyline) and of COMT (by U-0521). 1. Km-values for the neuronal uptake of 12 substrates were determined as the IC50 of the unlabelled substrate inhibiting the initial rate of neuronal uptake of 0.2 mumol/l 3H-(-)-noradrenaline. The IC50 ranged from 0.35 mumol/l (for(+)-amphetamine) to 44.3 mumol/l (for 5-HT). The Vmax (determined for 8 substrates) was substrate-dependent. 2. Tissues were loaded with 0.2 mumol/l 3H-(-)-noradrenaline and then washed out with amine-free solution. All 12 substrates of uptake1 induced an outward transport of 3H-noradrenaline, and equieffective concentrations were positively correlated with Km. Moreover, the EC50 for release greatly exceeded Km. It is proposed that this discrepancy between EC50 and Km is indicative of the fact that at least four factors (each one in strict dependence on Km) contribute to the initiation of outward transport of 3H-noradreanline: a) the appearance of the carrier on the inside of the axonal membrane (facilitated exchange diffusion), b) the co-transport of Na+, c) the co-transport of Cl- (both lowering the Km for 3H-noradrenaline at the inside carrier), and d) inhibition of the re-uptake of released 3H-noradrenaline (through competition for the outside carrier). 3. At least for amezinium, Vmax appears to limit the maximum rate of outward transport. 4. For some substrates (especially for the highly lipophilic ones) bell-shaped concentration-release curves were obtained.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Simulation of outward transport of neuronal 3H-noradrenaline with the help of a two-compartment model

In order to simulate the outward transport of 3H-noradrenaline induced by veratridine from adrenergic varicosities, a mathematical two-compartment model was developed in which the two compartments (representing axoplasm and storage vesicles) are arranged in series. Simulated results were compared with experimental results obtained with 100 mumol/l veratridine + 1 mmol/l ouabain and rat vasa deferentia kept in calcium-free solution (Bönisch and Trendelenburg 1987). As in experiments, the time course of efflux of 3H-noradrenaline had a pronounced and early peak under RPU-conditions, a minor peak under PU-conditions, and solely a plateau under U-conditions (where R stands for pretreatment with reserpine, P for pretreatment with pargyline, and U for inhibition of COMT by U-0521). From the width of the peak of release, it was deduced that--under RPU-conditions--about 40% of neuronal 3H-noradrenaline are distributed into the axoplasm, about 60% into the storage vesicle. However, this estimate represents an average value; the results are compatible with the view that the ratio "axoplasmic/vesicular 3H-noradrenaline" is quite variable from rat to rat. Under U-conditions, calculations confirm that reserpine-like compounds induce an efflux of tritium that consists predominantly of deaminated 3H-metabolites. The stimulation of outward transport, on the other hand, causes an efflux of tritium that consists predominantly of 3H-noradrenaline; indeed, the efflux of deaminated 3H-metabolites declines (as it did in experiments). Simulations showed further that the highest rates of outward transport of 3H-noradrenaline were achieved when there was a simultaneous induction of outward transport of 3H-noradrenaline and a reserpine-like effect (as it is known to occur when tissues are exposed to veratridine; Bönisch and Trendelenburg 1987). While there was satisfactory agreement between simulated and experimental results under various conditions, there were also two discrepancies that may be caused by a) inhomogeneous labelling of the storage vesicles in individual varicosities (RPU less than PU less than U) and b) saturation of outward transport of 3H-noradrenaline when a reserpine-like compound greatly increases the axoplasmic level of total noradrenaline (under U-conditions).