Fluorometric monitoring of the effects of adrenergic agents on oxidative metabolism in intact cerebral cortex

Altered nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) fluorescence in dt sz mutant hamsters reflects differences in striatal metabolism between severe and mild dystonia

The dt(sz) mutant hamster represents a unique rodent model of idiopathic paroxysmal dystonia. Previous data, collected post-mortem or in anesthetized hamsters under basal conditions, indicated the critical involvement of enhanced striatal neuronal activity. To assess the importance of an enhanced striatal neuronal activity directly during a dystonic episode, continuous monitoring of changes in brain metabolism and therefore neuronal activity indirectly in awake, freely moving animals is necessary. Determination of CNS metabolism by NADH measurement by laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy in conscious dt(sz) and nondystonic control hamsters revealed reversible decreased NADH fluorescence during dystonic episodes. The degree of change corresponded to the severity of dystonia. This study represents the first application of this innovative method in freely moving animals exhibiting a movement disorder. Our data clearly confirm that the expression of paroxysmal dystonia in dt(sz) mutant hamsters is associated with enhanced striatal neuronal activity and further underscore the versatile application of NADH fluorescence measurements in neuroscience.

Effects of 8-OH-DPAT on hippocampal NADH fluorescence in vivo in anaesthetized rats

Systemic administration of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT modifies 5-HT neuronal transmission via stimulation of presynaptic and postsynaptic receptors. Compared to the effects of presynaptic receptor stimulation, there are less data on the effects of postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors and the net effects of a stimulation of pre- and postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors available. We measured the neuronal activity in the rat hippocampus after systemic treatment with 8-OH-DPAT in doses (30-300 microg/kg) known to reduce 5-HT release and anxiety-like behavior in rodents. Neuronal activity was assessed by laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy determining changes in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) fluorescence in the ventral hippocampus of anaesthetized rats in vivo. NADH, a co-substrate for energy transfer in the respiratory chain, mirrors mitochondrial activity. Increased NADH fluorescence signals lower consumption of NADH caused by neuronal inhibition. 8-OH-DPAT in a dose of 300 microg/kg, but not 100 microg/kg and 30 microg/kg, increased NADH fluorescence by maximal +27 +/- 3.5%, suggesting a decreased neuronal activity in the ventral hippocampus. The selective 5-HT1A antagonist WAY-100635 (3 mg/kg) prevented the increased NADH fluorescence after 8-OH-DPAT, but had no own effect. The results show that systemic administration of the 5-HT1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT dose-dependently affects neuronal activity in the ventral hippocampus. The dose of 300 microg/kg seemingly activates presynaptic and postsynaptic receptors with dominating inhibitory postsynaptic effects.

The relationship between hyperthermia and glycogenolysis in 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced serotonin depletion in rats

Although the exact mechanisms involved in the serotonergic neurotoxicity produced by substituted amphetamines are not completely known, evidence suggests that oxidative and/or bioenergetic stress may contribute in the mechanism of neurotoxicity of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). It has been postulated that MDMA-induced hyperthermia also contributes to the MDMA-induced neurotoxicity. MDMA produces brain glycogenolysis, and MDMA-induced hyperthermia appears to mediate this effect. The relationship of MDMA-induced hyperthermia and glycogenolysis in the serotonergic neurotoxicity of MDMA was investigated in the present study. The administration of MDMA (20 mg/kg sc) at an ambient temperature of 24 degrees C produced hyperthermia and brain glycogenolysis in Postnatal Day (PND)21 and PND70 rats; however, long-term reductions in serotonin (5-HT) concentrations in the striatum were detected only in the PND70 rats. Treatment of PND21 and PND70 rats with MDMA at 17 degrees C resulted in neither hyperthermia nor glycogenolysis; nevertheless, long-term reductions in 5-HT concentrations were still evident in the PND70 rats treated with MDMA. These results support the conclusion that hyperthermia, as well as glycogenolysis, are neither necessary nor sufficient in the serotonergic neurotoxicity of MDMA.

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine produces glycogenolysis and increases the extracellular concentration of glucose in the rat brain

Oxidative and/or bioenergetic stress is thought to contribute to the mechanism of neurotoxicity of amphetamine derivatives, e.g., 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). In the present study, the effect of MDMA on brain energy regulation was investigated by examining the effect of MDMA on brain glycogen and glucose. A single injection of MDMA (10-40 mg/kg, s.c.) produced a dose-dependent decrease (40%) in brain glycogen, which persisted for at least 1 h. MDMA (10 and 40 mg/kg, s.c.) also produced a significant and sustained increase in the extracellular concentration of glucose in the striatum. Subjecting rats to a cool ambient temperature of 17 degrees C significantly attenuated MDMA-induced hyperthermia and glycogenolysis. MDMA-induced glycogenolysis also was prevented by treatment of rats with the 5-hydroxytryptamine(2) (5-HT(2)) antagonists 6-methyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-ergoline-8 beta-carboxylic acid 2-hydroxy-1 methylprophyl ester maleate (LY-53,857; 3 mg/kg i.p.), desipramine (10 mg/kg i.p.), and iprindole (10 mg/kg i.p.). LY-53,857 also attenuated the MDMA-induced increase in the extracellular concentration of glucose as well as MDMA-induced hyperthermia. Amphetamine analogs (e.g., methamphetamine and parachloroamphetamine) that produce hyperthermia also produced glycogenolysis, whereas fenfluramine, which does not produce hyperthermia, did not alter brain glycogen content. These results support the conclusion that MDMA induces glycogenolysis and that the process involves 5-HT(2) receptor activation. These results are supportive of the view that MDMA promotes energy dysregulation and that hyperthermia may play an important role in MDMA-induced alterations in cellular energetics.

Brain NADH redox state monitored in vivo by fiber optic surface fluorometry

A new approach for the evaluation of brain energy metabolism in awake animals became possible as UV transmitting optical fibers became available. A variety of surface fiber optic fluorometers / reflectometers which were developed during the past decade enabled the monitoring of intramitochondrial NADH redox state in unanesthetized animals. The bundle of flexible fibers was connected to the brain via a cemented light guide holder implanted epidurally. The two signals obtained, 366 nm reflectance and 450 nm fluorescence, are subjected to various artifacts not connected to the intramitochondrial NADH redox state. In our system, the effects of movement artifacts and changes in blood oxygenation are negligible while the effects of tissue absorption or blood volume changes are considerable and could be minimized by subtraction of the two signals (1:1 ratio) providing the corrected fluorescence signal. The brain was exposed to various physiological and pathological conditions which resulted in the increase or decrease in the level of NADH. Under anoxia, hypoxia and ischemia, oxygen availability decreased and the metabolic state of the brain became more reduced (state 4-5 transition). When the brain was activated by seizures, spreading depression of hyperbaric oxygenation NADH became more oxidized (state 4-3 transition).

Nitrous oxide alters oxidative metabolic activities of rat neocortex in situ

Nitrous oxide was shown by dual wavelength reflection spectrophotometry to decrease the ratio of reduction/oxidation of cytochrome a,a3 and to increase local blood volume in the cerebral cortex of rats in situ. These changes were in contrast to the decreased local blood volume and increased reduction of cytochrome a,a3 produced by pentobarbital. These effects of nitrous oxide were similar to those produced by respiration of 95% O2 with 5% CO2 except that such inspiration resulted in hemoglobin oxygenation while N2O produced some disoxygenation of hemoglobin. We conclude that the N2O effect on metabolism is likely due to increased energy demand. These results also provide some indication that changes in oxidative functioning in brain tissues may occur without alteration in the concentrations of high energy phosphate compounds.

Metabolic changes induced in rat hippocampal slices by norepinephrine

The oxidative metabolic activity of restricted regions of hippocampal slices was assessed by a continuous measurement of the fluorescence of intramitochondrial nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NADH). A large increase in NADH fluorescence was triggered by substituting the oxygen supply to the slice by nitrogen gas. A large and transient increase in NADH fluorescence was also produced by superfusion of the the slice with a high (50 mM) potassium-containing medium. Addition of norepinephrine (NE) to the superfusion medium caused a propranolol-inhibited increase in NADH fluorescence. Furthermore, ouabain, which inhibits the Na-K pump, blocked the effects of NE. An analog of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), 8-bromo cAMP, mimicked the effect of NE. Finally, effects of NE could still be produced in a kainic acid-treated hippocampus, where most neurons were previously destroyed by the drug. It is suggested that NE activates a Na-K-ATPase, that this effect might be mediated by cAMP, and that these interrelations may underly the physiological action of NE in the brain.

Temperature coefficients for the oxidative metabolic responses to electrical stimulation in cerebral cortex

Temperature coefficients of both cat and toad brain have been calculated for the active metabolic state induced by electrical stimulation. Values are higher than most of the values previously reported for "rest" metabolism, whether calculated from Arrhenius plots or from linear graphs. Relative rates of oxidative metabolism were obtained by measuring the time course of the transient changes in NADH fluorescence and cytochrome aa3 absorption by reflectance techniques directly from the surface of the exposed cat cerebral cortex in vivo and from the isolated intact toad brain mounted in a cuvet. These findings demonstrate that such optical methods accurately record metabolic processes.

Effects of age on brain oxidative metabolism in vivo

Non-invasive optical techniques were used to monitor the effects of increasing cerebral energy demand on metabolic capabilities and vascular reactivity in young and aged brain. Low level of electrical stimulation of the cortex, in both young (4--7 months) and aged (24--28 months) rat brain, were accompanied by transient oxidations of NADH and cytochrome oxidase (a,a3) as measured by microfluorometry and reflection spectrophotometry respectively. Stimulation sufficient to produce spreading cortical depression was accompanied by an oxidation of both NADH and cytochrome a,a3 in young brain together with an increase in local blood volume. There was either no change or a slight disoxygenation of hemoglobin. In aged brain, however, spreading depression was associated with an oxidation of NADH and a reduction of cytochrome a,a3 together with an increase in local blood volume and an oxygenation of hemoglobin. The present results indicate that the relationship between microcirculation and the terminal oxidase step of the respiratory chain is altered in aged brain when energy demand is high.

Behaviour of the mitochondrial respiratory chain in vivo

The interrelation of neuronal function and oxidative metabolism of the brain is most incisively studied by optical techniques in vivo. When O2 becomes limited the respiratory chain becomes reduced, extracellular potassium activity is increased, the EEG is depressed and excitability declines, all as expected. Under mildly hyperoxic conditions however, the opposite responses occur, which indicate an absence of a critical tissue Po2 and a continuum of dependence on the O2 concentration, including levels well above the limits for maximal activity of the respiratory chain in isolated mitochondria in vivo. The unexpectedly high steady state of reduction of cytochrome a, a3 provides the basis for a new hypothesis of an extra energy conservation site between cytochrome a3 and O2 and leads to a consideration of a reaction mechanism of O2 with four electrons and four H+ ions occurring at an enzymically active centre of cytochrome a, a3. A special function of the cytochrome a, a3 complex is implied in regulating cellular K+ transport and thus excitability.

Phenytoin, electric, ionic, and metabolic responses in cortex and spinal cord

Post-tetanic potentiation (PTP) of monosynaptic reflex was estimated in spinal cords in the drug-free state after the administration of a convulsant dose of penicillin and after the administration of phenytoin. There was no apparent correlation between the degree of depression of PTP and the efficacy of controlling seizure activity by phenytoin. Extracellular potassium levels were measured with ion-selective microelectrodes. The post-stimulation clearing of [K+]0 was not accelerated by phenytoin, and frequently it was slowed. Post-stimulus undershooting of [K+]0 was diminished. Oxidation of NADH in cortex and of cytochrome a, a3 in spinal cord were measured by optical methods. Stimulus-evoked transient oxidation responses evoked by electrical stimulation were depressed by phenytoin. It is concluded that systemic administration of phenytoin in therapeutic doses does not stimulate Na+-K+-activated membrane ATPase in cortex and spinal cord. Unlike other depressants, phenytoin did not cause a reduction of "resting" redox levels of respiratory enzymes. The local regulation of blood flow remained unaltered after phenytoin administration. Phenytoin caused a moderate but consistent depression of the stimulus-evoked responses of potassium activity, electric potential, and oxidative enzymes, consistent with diminished outflow of potassium from cells, owing either to lesser activation of cells or to a lesser exchange of ions.