Effect of some drugs on central monoamine nerve terminals lacking nerve impulse flow

Modulation of catecholamine turnover rate in brain regions of rats exposed prenatally to morphine

The concentration and turnover rate of brain catecholamines were measured in the hypothalamus, preoptic area (POA), frontal cortex, striatum and cerebellum of adult male and female rats exposed in utero to morphine (5-10 mg/kg/twice a day) during gestation days 11-18. Norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) turnover rates were estimated following alpha-methylparatyrosine (AMPT) administration. Prenatal morphine altered NE content and turnover in male and female rats in a regionally specific, sexually dimorphic manner. Basal NE content increased approximately 60% in the hypothalamus of male rats, but it decreased about 30% in the hypothalamus of female rats. NE turnover in the hypothalamus of morphine-exposed rats increased 50% in males and decreased 50% in females. Prenatal morphine had no effects on NE turnover in the male POA, but in female rats NE turnover decreased approximately 60%. Alterations in the frontal cortex of morphine-exposed male and female rats resembled the pattern in the hypothalamus; however, the differences did not reach statistical significance. In addition, prenatal morphine had no effect on striatal or cerebellar NE or on basal levels or turnover of DA in any brain regions. These results demonstrate that prenatal morphine alters the content and turnover of NE in a sexually dimorphic manner in specific brain regions of male and female rats, suggesting alterations in the density of terminals and/or utilization of NE. These sexually dimorphic alterations in hypothalamic NE induced by prenatal morphine may be related to the changes observed in adult male and female sexual behavior in our previous work.

Effect of barbitone sodium and thiopental sodium on brain dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid content in Arvicanthis niloticus

The quantitative estimation of total dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NE), serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) content in the whole brain tissue of normal Nile grass rat, Arvicanthis niloticus, gives and average of 631 +/- 12 ng DA/g, 366 +/- 12 ng NE/g, 617 +/- 15 ng 5-HT/g and 431 +/- 10 ng 5-HIAA/g fresh brain tissue. The effect of barbitone sodium and thiopental sodium on the total DA, NE, 5-HT and 5-HIAA content in the brain tissue of the Nile grass rat, Arvicanthis niloticus, was studied. The total DA, NE, 5-HT and 5-HIAA contents were determined 5 hr after i.p. injection of different doses of barbitone sodium (20, 40 and 80 mg/ml/100 g body wt) and thiopental sodium (5, 10 and 20 mg/ml/100 g body wt). The effect of different time intervals (1, 10, 30 min, 1, 2.5, 5, 8, 16, 24 and 48 hr) on the total brain DA, NE, 5-HT and 5-HIAA content was investigated after i.p. injection of 40 mg of barbitone sodium and 10 mg of thiopental sodium/ml/100 g body wt. Both barbitone sodium and thiopental sodium caused an increase in DA, NE and 5-HT content and a decrease in 5-HIAA content in the brain tissue of Arvicanthis niloticus. The increase in the whole brain contents of DA, NE and 5-HT after the administration of barbitone sodium and thiopental sodium may be due either to inhibition of transmitter release by an action at the monoamine nerve terminal or to effects causing a decrease in nerve impulse flow. On the other hand, the decrease in 5-HIAA may be due to the decrease in the turnover of 5-HT.

Prenatal exposure to diazepam alters central and peripheral responses to stress in adult rat offspring

Central and peripheral responses to restraint stress were evaluated in 90-day-old rats exposed prenatally to diazepam (1.0, 2.5, or 10.0 mg/kg/day) over gestational days 13-20. As a measure of a central response to stress, the utilization of norepinephrine (NE) by hypothalamic NE neurons was assessed by determining the effect of stress on the loss of NE after synthesis inhibition. The stress-induced changes in plasma corticosterone and prolactin levels were evaluated as a physiologic index of stress. While stress increased the loss of NE after synthesis inhibition in the non-exposed control animals, it totally prevented any loss of NE after synthesis inhibition in offspring prenatally exposed to DZ. Additionally, the stress-induced change in plasma corticosterone was attenuated in a dose-related manner by prenatal exposure to DZ. The stress-induced change in plasma prolactin was also altered in a dose-related manner by the prenatal exposure. Both the altered response to stress within hypothalamic NE neurons and the attenuated change in plasma corticosterone induced by prenatal exposure to DZ (2.5 mg/kg) were prevented by concurrent administration of the centrally acting benzodiazepine antagonist Ro15-1788 to the pregnant dam, indicating that the effects of DZ were mediated via binding of the drug to central sites during gestation. These results indicate that activation of specific binding sites during early development can induce neural alterations in the adult offspring which can be reflected in functional changes which may compromise the organism.

Prenatal diazepam exposure in rats: long-lasting, receptor-mediated effects on hypothalamic norepinephrine-containing neurons

The concentration and turnover of catecholamines (CAs) were measured in the cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus of rats exposed in utero to diazepam (DZ, 1.0, 2.5, or 10.0 mg/kg/day) over gestational days 13-20. Prenatal DZ induced a regionally specific, dose-related decrease in the level of norepinephrine (NE) (maximum decrease, 65%) and turnover rate of NE (maximum decrease, 85%) in the hypothalamus of 90-day-old adult rats. Dopamine levels were not altered in this region and neither of the CAs were altered in the other regions. Dividing the prenatal exposure period into two shorter periods revealed that late gestation (days 17-20) was the period when factors influencing NE function in the hypothalamus were most sensitive to DZ. Analysis of the development of the CA in the hypothalamus demonstrated that the effect of the prenatal exposure on NE levels did not become apparent until after 28 days of age. However, at 28 days, there was a dose-related increase in turnover rate of NE (maximum increase, 52%). Concurrent administration of the specific benzodiazepine (BZ) antagonist RO15-1788 with DZ (2.5 mg/kg) to pregnant rats effectively reversed the effects of DZ in the hypothalamus of the adult offspring, suggesting that the effects were mediated via the BZ receptor. These data have provided insight into the intricate processes of neuronal development; in particular the importance of target cell-nerve terminal interactions and the role of early developing receptors.

The role of norepinephrine in feeding behavior

When dopamine-beta-hydroxylase is inhibited with FLA-63 (10 mg/kg) free feeding behavior is disrupted in satiated rats. While the average number of meals taken was not different from vehicle injected controls, meal size was decreased 58% in the first 9 hr after treatment with FLA-63. In starved animals, FLA-63, when given alone, produced little effect on feeding behavior, even though norepinephrine depletion was in excess of 40%. When given in combination with RO4-1284 (5 mg/kg), a vesicular reuptake inhibitor, feeding was reduced to 16% of control intake and norepinephrine was specifically depleted 99%. Feeding was reliably reinstated in animals which received FLA-63 plus RO4-1284 with either dl-threo-DOPs, a metabolic precursor to NE, or direct intrahypothalamic injections of NE. These findings suggest that the feeding inhibition observed after treatment with FLA-63 plus RO4-1284 is due to disruption of transmission in brain NE systems. A non-anorectic dosage of L110-140 (3.73 mg/kg), a specific FLA-63. Taken collectively, these findings suggest that the primary role of NE in feeding is maintenance of the consummatory response and that these effects are expressed in relation to activity in other neurochemical systems.

Effect of gammahydroxybutyric acid on catecholamine synthesis and utilization in the developing rat brain

Gammahydroxybutyric acid (GHBA) was administered subcutaneously, 750 mg/kg, to 1, 4, 14 and 28 days old rats 30 or 90 min before sacrifice. Whole brain and regional brain levels of tyrosine, dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA) were measured. In some experiments the tyrosine hydroxylase activity was studied by measuring the accumulation of dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) after inhibition of aromatic L-aminoacid decarboxylase. GHBA induced an increase in tyrosine and DA levels at the various ages except at 1 day of postnatal age. The effect of GHBA on the accumulation of DOPA after inhibition of aromatic L-aminoacid decarboxylase varied with age. Thus, tyrosine hydroxylase activity seemed to be enhanced in the 4 days old rats after 90 min and after 30 min in the 28 days old rats. Ninety minutes after GHBA administration to the 28 days old animals, DOPA accumulation reached or was slightly below control levels. Brain NA levels were not affected by GHBA administration. Regional analysis of DA and NA after inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylase with alpha-methyltyrosine demonstrated a reduced disappearance of DA after GHBA in the striatum region already from 4 days of postnatal age. GHBA administration did not affect the nerve impulse release of NA in any of the brain regions studied. It may be concluded that GHBA acts inhibitory on brain DA neurons during early postnatal development.

Neonatal lead exposure: effects on development of behavior and striatal dopamine neurons

Rats treated directly with water or lead acetate (25 or 75 mg/kg) on postnatal days 2 through 14 were tested for the development of spontaneous activity and for locomotor responses to d-amphetamine as weanlings. The development of striatal dopamine (DA) levels, uptake, release, and the disappearance of DA after synthesis inhibition were also examined. Blood and brain levels were markedly increased at 15 days in exposed animals; by 35 days blood lead levels had decreased 90% while lead level in neostriatum decreased only 55-60%. The effects of the early lead exposure fell into two classes. Shortly after cessation of lead treatment, changes were observed in exposed animals in the development of motor activity, as well as in the disappearance of DA after synthesis inhibition, accumulation of labelled DA, and endogenous DA levels. As brain lead decreased from 15 to 35 days many of the behavioral and neurochemical abnormalities also dissipated. However, at 35 days, striatal DA levels remained decreased in animals given the higher lead dose with a resultant decrease in turnover rate and alterations were noted in activity responses to d-amphetamine in lead-treated animals.

Neurotensin and its amide analogue [Gln4]-neurotensin: effects on brain monoamine turnover

Intracerebroventricularly administered neurotensin and [Gln4]-neurotensin (50-200 microgram) increased the formation of Dopa in different brain regions of rats after inhibition of the aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase. For both neuropeptides these increases were dose dependent (20-150%). In the corpus striatum [Gln4]-neurotensin was twice as active as neurotensin and it tended to be more active also in other brain regions. The brain tyrosine concentrations were also increased. [Gln4]-neurotensin (100-200 microgram) following inhibition of the aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, increased the accumulation of 5-hydroxytryptophan in all brain regions by 30-60%. In contrast, neurotensin was completely inactive. In both cases the brain tryptophan concentrations were increased. Both neurotensin and [Gln4]-neurotensin also accelerated the disappearance of dopamine, noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine after inhibition of monoamine synthesis. These results show an increased brain monoamine turnover induced by both neuropeptides.

Shortlasting increase in the synthesis and utilization of noradrenaline due to Axotomy-induced irritation

The synthesis and the utilization of noradrenaline in the caudal and cranial part of intact and sectioned rat spinal cords were determined at 20 h or for 30 min--2 h after an operation. The synthesis and the utilization of noradrenaline in the caudal part of spinal cords transected 20 h previously were retarded as compared to those in the cranial part of sectioned cords or in the caudal part of intact cords. The synthesis of noradrenaline was stimulated in the caudal part of the spinal cord when measured for 30 min after a transection. The utilization of noradrenaline in the spinal cord caudal to a transection was not decelerated during 2 h after an operation. Local application of lidocaine to the cord prior to the cut changed the synthesis and the utilization of noradrenaline in both parts of the spinal cord to values similar to those obtained 20 h after the operation. Transection of the spinal cord might stimulate the synthesis and the utilization of noradrenaline by a shortlasting mechanical irritation of neurons cut by the lesion.

In vivo rates of tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylation in regions of rat brain at four times during the light-dark cycle

The in vivo rates of tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylation were studied in three regions of young adult rat brains at 4 times the light-dard cycle. The procedure utilized was to analyze the accumulation of Dopa and 5-HTP after injection of a centrally effective L-amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor, NSD 1015. Monoamine levels were also determined in all control animals and some treated animals. The reate of tyrosine dydrosylation in the telencephalon was significantly higher 7 hrs after dard onset than at the other three times tested. Smaller variations in tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylation rates as a function of time of day were also observed. 5-HT levels were significantly higher during the light phase than the dark in the telencephalon with the same trend occurring in the diencephalon and brainstem. NA was stable in the telencephalon but reached lower levels in the light and higher levels in the dark in the other two regions. In the telencephalon DA reached high levels early in the light and in the dark phases, showing a biphasic variation. Of particular interest was the apparent lack of carrelation between cyclic changes in the monoamine levels and the changes in hydroxylation rates. Rates of hydroxylation can be considered indicative of rates of monoamine synthesis. This observation is discussed in relation to feedback and other mechanisms regulating synthesis and release of monoamines.

A new dopamine- -hydroxylase inhibitor: effects on the noradrenaline concentration and on the action of L-DOPA in the spinal cord

1. The dopamine-beta-hydroxylase inhibitor bis(4-methyl-1-homopiperazinyl-thiocarbonyl) disulphide (FLA-63; 25 mg/kg i.p.) caused within 4 h a 65% loss of noradrenaline throughout the intact rat spinal cord and also cranial to a transection of the cut spinal cord. Caudal to the lesion, there was only an insignificant depletion of 17% indicating the importance of nerve impulses for the disappearance of noradrenaline.2. Dopamine accumulated in the spinal cord after treatment with FLA-63 although the amounts were not sufficient to replace the missing noradrenaline. Even after treatment with L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), the catecholamine store was incompletely replenished by dopamine.3. After a large depletion of the noradrenaline stores, induced by repeated doses of FLA-63 or by reserpine plus FLA-63, the L-DOPA-induced increase in flexor reflex activity of the hind limbs of spinal rats was inhibited much more than after pretreatment with alpha-methyl-tyrosine or reserpine. FLA-63 blocked the formation of noradrenaline but not of dopamine from L-DOPA.4. The increase in flexor reflex activity induced by the noradrenaline receptor stimulating agent clonidine was not changed by FLA-63, indicating that the noradrenaline receptor sensitivity was not influenced.5. After depletion of the noradrenaline stores, the small formation of noradrenaline from L-DOPA may be of greater functional significance for the noradrenaline receptor stimulation than the greater formation of dopamine, but the dopamine formed also has a slight action. With intact noradrenaline stores, displacement of endogenous noradrenaline by newly formed dopamine contributes, at least after monoamine oxidase inhibition, to the increase in the flexor reflex activity caused by L-DOPA.

Peripheral and central components in the hyperthermic effect of desipramine in reserpinized rats

Pithed rats show a decrease of body temperature which is not affected by reserpine, cocaine or desipramine. Noradrenaline decreases the rate of fall of body temperature and this effect is enhanced by pretreatment with cocaine or desipramine. Reserpine with desipramine or with cocaine also produces a decreased rate of fall of body temperature. But if reserpine is given 18 hr before pithing, desipramine is without effect although noradrenaline and 2,4-dinitrophenol produce a calorigenic response. The hyperthermic effect of desipramine in reserpinized rats is also decreased by spinal transection. Lumbar transection is less effective than cervical transection. It is concluded that the integrity of the central nervous system is required for the development of the hyperthermic effect of desipramine in previously reserpinized rats.