Uric acid is released in the zona incerta of the subthalamic region of the sheep during rumination and in response to feeding and drinking stimuli

Zona incerta neurons projecting to the ventral tegmental area promote action initiation towards feeding

KEY POINTS

The zona incerta (ZI) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) are brain areas that are both implicated in feeding behaviour. The ZI projects to the VTA, although it has not yet been investigated whether this projection regulates feeding. We experimentally (in)activated the ZI to VTA projection by using dual viral vector technology, and studied the effects on feeding microstructure, the willingness to work for food, general activity and body temperature. Activity of the ZI to VTA projection promotes feeding by facilitating action initiation towards food, as reflected in meal frequency and the willingness to work for food reward, without affecting general activity or directly modulating body temperature. We show for the first time that activity of the ZI to VTA projection promotes feeding, which improves the understanding of the neurobiology of feeding behaviour and body weight regulation.

ABSTRACT

Both the zona incerta (ZI) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have been implicated in feeding behaviour. The ZI provides prominent input to the VTA, although it has not yet been investigated whether this projection regulates feeding. Therefore, we investigated the role of ZI to VTA projection neurons in the regulation of several aspects of feeding behaviour. We determined the effects of (in)activation of ZI to VTA projection neurons on feeding microstructure, food-motivated behaviour under a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement, locomotor activity and core body temperature. To activate or inactivate ZI neurons projecting to the VTA, we used a combination of canine adenovirus-2 in the VTA, as well as Cre-dependent designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD) or tetanus toxin (TetTox) light chain in the ZI. TetTox-mediated inactivation of ZI to VTA projection neurons reduced food-motivated behaviour and feeding by reducing meal frequency. Conversely, DREADD-mediated chemogenetic activation of ZI to VTA projection neurons promoted food-motivated behaviour and feeding. (In)activation of ZI to VTA projection neurons did not affect locomotor activity or directly regulate core body temperature. Taken together, ZI neurons projecting to the VTA exert bidirectional control overfeeding behaviour. More specifically, activity of ZI to VTA projection neurons facilitate action initiation towards feeding, as reflected in both food-motivated behaviour and meal initiation, without affecting general activity.

On the significance of brain extracellular uric acid detected with in-vivo monitoring techniques: a review

The concentration of uric acid [UA] in the extracellular fluid (ECF) estimated with in-vivo voltammetry and microdialysis data is compared for probes of different diameters from the day of implantation (acute) to several days (chronic) or even months after surgery. For small probes (diameter < 160 microns) the acute [UA] of ca. 5 microM decreased significantly to ca. 1 microM under chronic conditions. For larger probes (e.g., 320-microns diameter) the acute [UA] was also ca. 5 microM, but this value significantly increased to ca. 50 microM under chronic conditions. Associated with this difference in [UA], there were parallel differences in the extent of gliosis around the probes. These findings are discussed in terms of possible sources of extracellular UA and their implications for in-vivo monitoring techniques in behaving animals.

Brain microdialysis and its application for the study of animal behaviour

Microdialysis is a sampling method that is used to determine the extracellular concentration of neurotransmitters in the brain. The method can be applied to conscious and unrestrained animals and is very suitable for the study of the chemistry of endogenous behaviour. This article reviews the contribution that microdialysis made to our understanding of the chemistry of behaviour. Methodological and practical considerations such as the implantation time and the use of guide cannulas are reviewed. The question whether neurotransmitters and related metabolites in dialysates reflect true synaptic release is critically discussed. There is much evidence that dopamine, noradrenaline, acetylcholine and serotonin in dialysates are related to neurotransmission, but there is serious doubt whether this is the case with amino acid transmitters such as GABA, glutamate and aspartate. Until now far over 100 papers appeared that used microdialysis in behavioural studies. Behavioural activation, the sleep-awake cycle and diurnal rhythms were subject of several of these studies. Various workers have described neurochemical changes in the brain that are related to feeding. Other studies were concerned with sexual behaviour and the sexual cycle in females. Parturition, maternal behaviour and offspring recognition have been studied in a series of microdialysis studies carried out in sheep. An overview is given of the microdialysis studies that were carried out to understand the biochemistry of stress. In this respect dopamine and noradrenaline have received much attention. A great number of microdialysis studies dealt with the role of dopamine in self-stimulation, reward and aversive emotions. It is concluded that microdialysis is at presently the most versatile and practical method to study the chemistry of behaviour and it is to be expected that it will soon be a routine methodology in behavioural research. Finally, perspectives and possible future developments of the methods are discussed.

Electroconvulsive shock increases interstitial concentrations of uric acid in the rat brain

This study examined the effects of electroconvulsive shock (ECS) on striatal interstitial concentrations of the purine metabolite uric acid (UA) using microdialysis in freely moving rats. UA increased to about 200% of baseline following ECS. Intense seizure activity induced by the convulsant agent flurothyl also resulted in a two-fold increase of UA concentrations suggesting that the ECS-induced UA increase is related to the seizure activity per se. Local administration of tetrodotoxin or perfusion with a Ca(2+)-free solution failed to affect the basal or the ECS-induced increase in UA concentrations. These data indicate that both the basal and the stimulated interstitial concentrations of uric acid are not dependent upon neuronal activity and exocytotic release. The UA response to ECS appears to be refractory to a second ECS delivered 2 but not 24 h after the first. Intrastriatal infusion of allopurinol (1 mM), an inhibitor of UA synthesis, decreased basal UA concentrations to 26% but did not influence the ECS-induced UA increase. Systemic injection of allopurinol (20 mg/kg, i.p.) decreased basal UA concentrations to 25% and prevented the ECS-induced UA elevation. ECS also increased serum concentrations of UA to almost 200% of baseline. Allopurinol (20 mg/kg, i.p.) markedly decreased serum UA concentrations to non-detectable levels and completely abolished the ECS-induced increase. The estimated concentration difference between blood and brain interstitial UA strongly suggests that ECS-induced increase in brain interstitial UA concentrations is of peripheral origin possibly due to disruption of the blood brain barrier during seizure activity.

Effect of probe size on the concentration of brain extracellular uric acid monitored with carbon paste electrodes

We have investigated further the anomalously high concentration of brain extracellular uric acid detected with in vivo sampling probes reported recently. The contribution by uric acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) to peak 2 recorded in rat striatum with chronically implanted carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) of different sizes was estimated by comparing peak current densities and the effect of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor pargyline. The concentration of uric acid in the extracellular fluid was some 50 times greater for 320-microns-diameter CPEs than for 160-microns-diameter electrodes, where the urate level was estimated at approximately 1 microM. The concentration of 5-HIAA was similar for 320-, 260-, and 160-microns-diameter CPEs. These data provide an explanation for the previously observed differences in 5-HIAA/urate ratios recorded with 320-microns-diameter CPEs and smaller carbon fibre electrodes. The results also indicate that chronically implanted sampling probes of diameter > 160 microns perturb the surrounding tissue, which produces uric acid by a mechanism yet unknown, although preliminary histological data suggest that glial cells may be involved.

Uric acid is reduced in the substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease: effect on dopamine oxidation

Postmortem caudate and substantia nigra tissue samples from human parkinsonian patients (PD) and age-matched controls (NC) were analyzed for uric acid (UA), dopamine (DA), and ascorbic acid (AA) by HPLC/UV/ED. Uric acid and DA levels were significantly lower in the substantia nigra of PD by 54% and 85%, respectively. In the caudate, DA levels were significantly lower while UA levels were nonsignificantly reduced (0.10 < p < 0.05). Ascorbic acid levels were not significantly different from the controls in either brain region. Conditions favorable for oxidative stress were evaluated by measuring the oxidation of DA in individual brain homogenates. The rate constant for DA oxidation in control caudate was 0.34 x 10(-2) min-1 and in parkinsonian caudate was 4.20 x 10(-2) min-1. In control and parkinsonian substantia nigra DA oxidation rate constants were 2.82 x 10(-2) min-1 and 4.57 x 10(-2) min-1, respectively. Addition of UA or catalase to parkinsonian homogenate decreased the rate of DA oxidation, while addition of uricase to control homogenate increased the rate of DA oxidation. The data support the hypothesis that UA is decreased in nigrostriatal dopamine neurons in parkinsonian patients which contributes to an environment susceptible to oxidative stress, particularly through dopamine oxidation reactions.

Anomalously high concentrations of brain extracellular uric acid detected with chronically implanted probes: implications for in vivo sampling techniques

The height of peak 2, h2, recorded using linear sweep voltammetry with 350-micron-diameter carbon paste electrodes in rat striatum was measured from the day of implantation (day 0) to 4 months after surgery. The value of h2 was at a minimum on day 0 (0.6 +/- 0.2 nA; n = 20), rose sharply to a maximum on day 2 (6.3 +/- 0.9 nA; n = 12), and decreased to a stable level by day 7 (3.3 +/- 0.7 nA; n = 16), which lasted for 4 months (3.2 +/- 0.6 nA; n = 9). These changes were shown by microinfusion of uricase to be due to variations in the concentrations of extracellular uric acid, although h2 appears to have a small baseline contribution of approximately 0.3 nA from 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. The stable value of h2 recorded under chronic conditions was estimated to correspond to a minimal uric acid concentration of 50 mumol/L, which represents a 10-fold increase in the extracellular level of this purine metabolite compared with the initial (acute) value. Very similar results were obtained using a microdialysis technique that detected uric acid directly. These estimates of striatal uric acid concentration are in marked contrast to those obtained using 40-micron diameter carbon fiber electrodes, which showed a decrease from the acute preparation to less than 1 mumol/L under chronic conditions. Large values of h2 were also recorded with chronically implanted paste electrodes in the hippocampus and frontal cortex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

GABA release in the zona incerta of the sheep in response to the sight and ingestion of food and salt

In order to establish which neurotransmitters may influence the activity of zona incerta neurones in the sheep which respond selectively to the sight or ingestion of food, we have measured the release of amino acid and monoamine neurotransmitters from this region using microdialysis sampling. Co-ordinates for the placement of microdialysis probes in regions of the zona incerta where cells respond to the sight or ingestion of food were first established by making single-unit extracellular recordings. When animals were food-deprived results showed that release of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was increased in response to the sight and ingestion of food but not of aspartate, glutamate, taurine, noradrenaline, dopamine or serotonin. This release of GABA was absent when the animals were shown non-food objects or saw or ingested salt solutions. When the same animals were physiologically sodium-depleted GABA release was evoked by the sight and ingestion of salt solutions and release following the sight and ingestion of food was significantly reduced. These results provide further evidence that GABA is an important neurotransmitter in neural circuits controlling the regulation of food intake.

Pharmacological evidence, using in vivo dialysis, that substances additional to ascorbic acid, uric acid and homovanillic acid contribute to the voltammetric signals obtained in unrestrained rats from chronically implanted carbon paste electrodes

In vivo voltammetry at chronically implanted carbon paste electrodes in unrestrained rats is a particularly useful technique for evaluating neurochemical changes during spontaneous behaviour, or behaviour under experimental control. A 3 peak signal is observed in the striatum; most recently the consensus view has attributed these peaks to ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in ascending order of oxidation potential. We have used a pharmacological approach, combined with in vivo dialysis, to further elucidate the nature of the contributing species. Allopurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, and thus of uric acid production, has previously been reported to abolish peak 2. We now report, using dialysis, that it selectively depletes UA in the extracellular fluid (ECF). Pargyline, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, reduces peak 3 transiently (max. 60%) as expected, however it results in a more sustained reduction in ECF HVA (max. 100%). It also increases peak 1 (max. 75%) and decreases peak 2 (max. 40%), although changes in ECF AA and UA measured by dialysis and HPLC are minimal. Pargyline does however reduce ECF 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid by 65%. We conclude that, using linear sweep voltammetry at chronically implanted paste electrodes: (a) one or more substances in addition to AA can contribute to peak 1; dopamine can do so in some situations; (b) 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, as well as UA, contributes to peak 2; its contribution is about one third that of the latter; and (c) one or more substances in addition to HVA can contribute to peak 3. 3-Methoxytyramine can do so. Since this is another methylated metabolite of dopamine, this does not prevent the use of peak 3 as an index of dopamine metabolism, and may extend its usefulness to situations where monoamine oxidase is inhibited.

Effects of uric acid and caffeine on A1 adenosine receptor binding in developing rat brain

Previous studies have demonstrated that elevated levels of serum uric acid or caffeine are associated with increased locomotor activity in rats and humans. Since uric acid and caffeine are structurally similar, it was hypothesized that these compounds alter locomotor activity through a common neural mechanism, specifically by acting as receptor antagonists at adenosine A1 binding sites. In vitro competition of caffeine and uric acid against the A1 agonist, [3H] cyclohexyladenosine ([3H]CHA), was conducted using homogenates of adult rat forebrain. Caffeine effectively competed for the A1 binding site as previously reported (IC50 = 107 microM), but uric acid failed to compete with [3H]CHA binding at concentrations within a relevant physiological range. Nevertheless, in vivo experiments indicated that chronic elevation of uric acid following allantoxanamide treatment of male rats on days 4-27 of life significantly decreased A1 receptor binding in the striatum, a region traditionally implicated in mammalian locomotion. In contrast, chronic caffeine treatment on days 4-27 of life caused an increase in A1 receptor binding in the cortex similar to increases reported previously in whole brain. These changes in A1 receptor binding following chronic elevation of uric acid or caffeine did not persist in rats that had been withdrawn from allantoxanamide or caffeine treatment for 14 days. Results from in vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that despite a similar molecular structure uric acid does not act by the same mechanism as caffeine to increase locomotor activity in rats.

Uric acid levels and dopamine transmission in rat striatum: diurnal changes and effects of drugs

Carbon paste disc electrodes were used to detect voltammetrically changes in the extracellular concentration of the purine metabolite, uric acid, and the dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid (HVA), in the striatum of unanaesthetized, unrestrained rats under a variety of conditions. The motor activity level for each rat was recorded between the electrochemical scans. In totally unperturbed animals, there was a significant correlation between the levels of the two metabolites during the bright, relatively inactive, period of the diurnal cycle. During much of the dark (active) phase of the cycle, however, the uric acid signal showed no significant change compared with the light-on period, in contrast to the HVA signal which showed a marked increase. Significant variations in the concentration of striatal uric acid were observed during the switch-over from light to dark and dark to light conditions. The unilateral infusion of gamma-aminobutyric acid, taurine and haloperidol into the substantia nigra caused increases in the height of both the uric acid and HVA peak in the ipsilateral striatum; the size of these changes showed a significant correlation. Variable changes occurred on the contralateral side where no correlation was observed. Intraperitoneal administration of the mixed dopamine-receptor agonist, apomorphine, and the mixed antagonist, haloperidol, did not affect striatal uric acid levels significantly. These results suggest that, although there are conditions where parallel changes in dopamine release/receptor-activation and uric acid levels do occur in the striatum, neither the release of dopamine nor activation of dopamine receptors need necessarily lead to changes in the extracellular concentration of uric acid.

The effects of sodium appetite on the responses of cells in the zona incerta to the sight or ingestion of food, salt and water in sheep

Single-unit recordings were made from neurones in the zona incerta (ZI) of conscious sheep in response to the sight/visual approach or ingestion of various foods, salts and water. Animals were given parotid fistulae so that effects of sodium appetite, induced by not replacing the sodium lost in the saliva, could be assessed. When sodium depletion was prevented by giving the animals 1% sodium bicarbonate in their drinking water, the majority of cells (45 out of 49) responded most strongly to the sight or visual approach of food compared to water or salt. Four cells responded best to the sight of water, but none to the sight of salt and salt solutions. When a sodium appetite was stimulated, by removing the 1% sodium bicarbonate replacement for 4-6 days, there was a significant change in response profiles of ZI cells. The majority of cells responded most strongly to the sight of salts or salt solutions (35 out of 49) and significantly fewer cells responded most strongly to food (8 out of 49). The number of cells responding primarily to water was not affected (6 out of 49). For 3 cells responding to salts it was shown that, after repeated ingestion of salt over several hours, food became a more potent stimulus. A similar decreased response to foods during sodium depletion, and an increased one to salts, was seen in ZI cells which responded to the ingestion of both solids and liquids. These results show that changing an animal's motivational state produces significant changes in the responses of cells in the ZI responding to the sight or visual approach of substances.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Lever pressing for food reward and in vivo voltammetry: evidence for increases in extracellular homovanillic acid, the dopamine metabolite, and uric acid in the rat caudate nucleus

Linear sweep voltammetry at chronically implanted carbon paste electrodes was used to study extracellular levels of homovanillic acid, a metabolite of dopamine, in the caudate nucleus of freely moving rats. Local infusion of homovanillic acid close to the electrode confirmed that peak 3, at about 550 mV, could be used for this purpose. Thirty minutes of lever pressing for food reward was followed by an increase in homovanillic acid, maximal about 30 min later (+42%). An earlier and larger (+51%) increase in peak 2 (350-400 mV) was seen, highly correlated (r = 0.98) with the rate of lever pressing across individuals. A smaller decrease (-23%) in peak 1 (200 mV; ascorbic acid) was seen 75 min after the behavioural session. Administration of allopurinol, an inhibitor of uric acid production, selectively abolished peak 2. Allopurinol prior to lever pressing reduced the increase in peak 2 very substantially (by 77%), confirming that this too was mainly due to uric acid. These results indicate that linear sweep voltammetry can be used to study the time course of changes in dopamine metabolism, and in other neurochemicals, in individual freely moving rats in relation to behaviour under experimental control. More specifically, they demonstrate directly that rewarded lever pressing increases dopamine metabolism in the caudate, which had previously only been inferred from indirect approaches. The level of uric acid is also increased, and it is suggested that this may serve as an index of metabolic activity.

Haemorrhage-induced release of noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine and uric acid in the supraoptic nucleus of the rat, measured by microdialysis

Concentrations of monoamines and metabolites and uric acid were measured in sequential 15-min microdialysis samples taken from the area of the supraoptic nucleus (SON) in 9 urethane-anaesthetized rats. A decrease in blood pressure of 40 mm Hg was induced by withdrawing 3-4 ml of blood from an indwelling jugular catheter. This decreased blood pressure was maintained for 30 min and produced a significant rise in the concentrations of noradrenaline (NA) and its metabolite 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylethan-1,2-diol (MHPG) and also in 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and the purine metabolite uric acid (UA). When blood pressure was returned to normal by replacing the withdrawn blood, the concentrations of NA, MHPG, 5-HT and UA returned to pre-haemorrhage levels within 15 min. No significant changes in concentrations of dopamine and its metabolites were found, and in 7 control animals sampled 1.5-2 mm away from the SON, in the area of the olfactory tubercle, concentrations of NA, MHPG, 5-HT and UA were not significantly altered by haemorrhage-induced decreases in blood pressure.

Intracranial dialysis measurement of oxytocin, monoamine and uric acid release from the olfactory bulb and substantia nigra of sheep during parturition, suckling, separation from lambs and eating

Intracranial dialysis was used to measure the release of oxytocin (OXY), monoamines and their metabolites and uric acid (UA) from the substantia nigra (SN) and olfactory bulb (OB) of sheep during parturition, suckling, separation from lambs and eating. Results showed that OXY concentrations increased significantly during parturition, suckling and eating in the SN and during parturition and suckling in the OB. Concentrations of dopamine (DA) increased significantly in the SN during suckling and eating and in the OB during parturition and suckling. The dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid, also increased significantly in the SN during parturition. Concentrations of the noradrenaline metabolite, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylethan-1,2-diol (MHPG) and the purine metabolite, UA, were significantly raised during parturition, suckling and separation from the lambs in the SN and increased UA levels were also found during eating. In a separate experiment it was confirmed that OXY was detectable in homogenates of both the SN and the OB. These results show that, in the sheep, OXY and DA release in the SN is associated with maternal and ingestive behaviour whereas similar release in the OB may only be related to maternal behaviour. Release of MHPG in the SN may be associated with maternal behaviour and/or stress.