Neuropsychopharmacological studies of a Ca2+ channel blocker on the modulation of brain Ca2+ mobilization of spontaneously hypertensive rats under mild stress

Inhibitory effects of D2 agonists by striatal injection on excessive release of dopamine and hyperactivity induced by Bay K 8644 in rats

We investigated by means of behavioral and neurochemical studies the effects of either D(1) or D(2) agonist on excessive dopamine release and hyperactivity induced by the microinjection of Bay K 8644, and an L-type Ca(2+) channel stimulant, into the rat caudate putamen under a novel environmental condition. Hyperactivity (locomotor activity and rearing counts) and significant increases in extracellular dopamine levels induced by Bay K 8644 were concomitantly observed. D(1) agonist, SKF81297, administered into the caudate putamen did not block Bay K 8644-induced hyperactivity measured by monitoring both animal activity and increases in extracellular dopamine levels detected by microdialysis. Pretreatment with the D(2) agonists, bromocriptine, talipexole and pramipexole, into the caudate putamen significantly blocked Bay K 8644-induced hyperactivity for 45 min after Bay K 8644 administration, although the single administration of these agonists significantly potentiated locomotor activity and rearing behavior. Furthermore, these agonists significantly suppressed Bay K 8644-induced extracellular dopamine levels. Our results indicate that these D(2) agonists (1) act on postsynaptic neuronal D(2) receptors under conditions of normal or low dopamine release in the caudate putamen, and (2) act on presynaptic D(2) receptors (autoreceptors) when excessive levels of dopamine are released or hyperdopamine neuronal activity is induced. Consequently, the effect of D(2) agonists in the clinical treatment of Parkinson's disease may be due to stimulation of postsynaptic D(2) receptors rather than presynaptic autoreceptors.

Neurochemical changes in mice following physical or psychological stress exposures

An investigation on the mechanism of neurochemical changes in physically or psychologically stressed mice was carried out. Physical stress was induced by electric foot shocks (2 mA for 5 s at 30-s intervals), and psychological stress was induced by emotional stimuli from electric foot-shocked mice using a communication box. The serum and brain calcium levels and immunohistochemical brain dopamine levels increased, and the ethanol-induced sleeping time was prolonged following exposure to these stimuli. The effects of electric foot shocks on these physiological parameters were greater than those of emotional stimuli. In the psychologically stressed mice, serum and brain calcium levels significantly increased 15 and 60 min, respectively, after the start of exposure to stimuli. Also, the immunohistochemical dopamine levels in the neostriatum and nucleus accumbens regions after 60 min of exposure to psychological stress were higher by 23% (P < 0.01) and 27% (P < 0.01), respectively, than those in unstressed control mice. Moreover, the ethanol-induced sleeping time was prolonged by approximately 60-100% (P < 0.01) in mice exposed to psychological stress for 30-120 min. The effect of emotional stimuli to prolong the ethanol-induced sleeping time was inhibited by intracerebroventricular administration of W-7 (a calmodulin antagonist) or alpha-methyltyrosine (an inhibitor of tyrosine hydroxylase). In light of previous reports that calcium activates dopamine synthesis in the brain via a calmodulin-dependent system, it is suggested that physical or psychological stimuli induce an increase in the brain calcium level, and this increased calcium level in turn enhances dopamine synthesis in the brain. Subsequently, an increased dopamine level induces various physiological changes related to stress-dependent phenomena.

Presynaptic L-type Ca(2)+ channels on excessive dopamine release from rat caudate putamen

We investigated by means of behavioral and neurochemical studies the role of the nerve terminal L-type voltage sensitive Ca(2)+ channel on dopamine (DA) release. Microinjection of Bay K 8644 (BAYK), an L-type Ca(2)+ channel stimulant, into the rat caudate putamen increased locomotor activity and rearing behavior in a dose-dependent manner, whereas injections into the amygdala had no effect. DA receptor antagonists significantly blocked BAYK-induced hyperactivity. Significant increases of extracellular DA levels were detected by microdialysis 20 min after BAYK administration into caudate putamen and then declined. This increase was influenced by tetrodotoxin, an axonal Na(+) channel blocker. Pretreatment with nimodipine and nicardipine, but not nifedipine, which are 1, 4-dihydropyridine L-type Ca(2)+ channel antagonists, administered into the caudate putamen significantly blocked BAYK-induced hyperactivity and DA efflux. These results indicate that the extraordinary DA release in the caudate putamen was mediated by extreme stimulation of the nicardipine and nimodipine-sensitive L-type Ca(2)+ channel present in the nerve terminal of striatal DA neurons.

Gastric ulcer formation in cold-stressed mice related to a central calcium-dependent-dopamine synthesizing system

Stress ulceration of the stomach in mice was investigated from the aspect of the calcium/calmodulin-dependent dopamine synthesizing system in the brain. Cold stress was induced in mice by restraining them at 4 degrees C. Serum and brain calcium levels were increased by cold stress, and an increased brain calcium level was found to enhance dopamine synthesis and a successively increased brain dopamine level induced gastric ulcer formation. Development of gastric ulcers elicited by cold stress was significantly decreased by i.p. pretreatment with EDTA (1 micromol/mouse, 1 h before restraint) or alpha-methyltyrosine (a tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor, 100 mg/kg, 24 h before restraint), and was further significantly increased by pretreatment with CaCl2 (40 micromol/kg, 1 h before restraint). These findings suggest that the development of gastric ulcers in cold-stressed mice may be linked with the enhancement of calcium/calmodulin-dependent catecholamine synthesis in the brain.

Role of nerve terminal L-type Ca2+ channel in the brain

The microinjection of Bay K 8644 (BAYK), an L-type Ca2+ channel stimulant, into rat caudate putamen dose-dependently potentiated locomotor activity. DA receptor antagonists significantly blocked BAYK-induced hyperactivity. Striatal DA levels as detected by microdialysis increased 140 fold above steady state levels 20 min after BAYK administration into caudate putamen. This increase was not influenced by a Na+ channel blocker. Pretreatment with 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) L-type Ca2+ channel antagonists, but not nifedipine, into caudate putamen significantly blocked the BAYK induced-hyperactivity and DA efflux. The lowest level of intracellular DA detected by fluorohistochemistry coincided with the highest level of extracellular DA. These results indicate that the extraordinary DA release is regulated by a subtype of L-type Ca2+ channel that is present in the nerve terminal.

Differentiation of the inhibitory effects of calcium antagonists on abnormal behaviors induced by methamphetamine or phencyclidine

The abnormal behaviors induced by methamphetamine (MAP: 1 mg/kg) or phencyclidine (PCP: 10 mg/kg) were measured using behavioral analysis following the microinjection of one of three calcium (Ca) antagonists (nifedipine: Nif, nicardipine: Nic and flunarizine: Flu) into the rat caudate putamen or amygdala. The intraperitoneal administration of MAP or PCP induced abnormal behaviors in a time-dependent manner; the maximum locomotor activity was measured 30-45 min after the administration of MAP or PCP. This hyperactivity was sustained for more than 2 h. Following microinjection of these Ca antagonists into the caudate putamen, each showed a different pattern of inhibition on MAP- or PCP-induced abnormal behaviors. Nic and Flu were effective at reducing these abnormal behaviors, in contrast, Nif was ineffective. In particular, the inhibitory effect of Nic was stronger than that of Flu. Microinjection of these Ca antagonists into the amygdala did not show any reductive effect on the hyperactivity induced by MAP or PCP. These results demonstrate that these Ca antagonists have different pharmacological properties and that both L- and T-type Ca2+ channels modulate the dopamine release in the rat caudate putamen. These results further lead us to suggest the presence of a subtype of L-type Ca2+ channels in the caudate putamen.

Antianxiety actions of Ca2+ channel antagonists with Vogel-type conflict test in rats

We examined the effects of various derivatives of Ca2+ channel antagonists in a modified rat Vogel-type conflict model. Flunarizine (10 and 20 mg/kg), nicardipine (20 mg/kg), and verapamil (20 mg/kg), given as single i.p. injections, significantly increased punished lickings by 50-110%. Chronic administration of diltiazem, at 20 mg/kg i.p. for 8 days, a dose ineffective with a single i.p. injection, produced a significant anticonflict action. The possibility that Ca2+ channel antagonists have anxiolytic action should be considered.

Inhibitory effects of calcium channel antagonists on motor dysfunction induced by intracerebroventricular administration of paraquat

This study reports the effects of Ca2+ channel blockers (Ca antagonists) on intraneuronal Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) movements and on the disturbance of rotarod performance produced in rats by intracerebroventricular administration of paraquat. Paraquat (50 nmol) produced a decrement in rotarod performance which was present at 30 min. and maximal at 60 min. and was not associated with overt behavioural changes; larger doses of paraquat (100-400 nmol intracerebroventricularly) produced paresis and convulsions which severely disrupted rotarod behaviour. The disruption of rotarod performance after paraquat (50 nmol intracerebroventricularly) was significantly reduced by giving Ca antagonists (flunarizine, verapamil and nicardipine) not only intraperitoneally 15 min. after paraquat but also intracerebroventricularly immediately before paraquat. The order of pharmacological potency was flunarizine > or = verapamil > nicardipine. In contrast, intracerebroventricular administration of Bay K 8644, a Ca agonist, enhanced the disruption of rotarod performance caused by paraquat (50 nmol). In in vitro studies, paraquat markedly potentiated the rapid increase in [Ca2+]i levels evoked by 50 mM KCl in rat brain synaptosomal fraction, although paraquat alone produced a small prolonged rise in [Ca2+]i levels which had a slow onset. The above results suggest that paraquat induced neurotoxicity is associated with increased [Ca2+]i levels in brain neuronal cells, and that paraquat might effect on membrane activity instability.