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Ma HT, Zhang HC, Zuo ZF, Liu YX. Heterogeneous organization of Locus coeruleus: An intrinsic mechanism for functional complexity. Physiol Behav 2023; 268:114231. [PMID: 37172640 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Locus coeruleus (LC) is a small nucleus located deep in the brainstem that contains the majority of central noradrenergic neurons, which provide the primary source of noradrenaline (NA) throughout the entire central nervous system (CNS).The release of neurotransmitter NA is considered to modulate arousal, sensory processing, attention, aversive and adaptive stress responses as well as high-order cognitive function and memory, with the highly ramified axonal arborizations of LC-NA neurons sending wide projections to the targeted brain areas. For over 30 years, LC was thought to be a homogeneous nucleus in structure and function due to the widespread uniform release of NA by LC-NA neurons and simultaneous action in several CNS regions, such as the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, and spinal cord. However, recent advances in neuroscience tools have revealed that LC is probably not so homogeneous as we previous thought and exhibits heterogeneity in various aspects. Accumulating studies have shown that the functional complexity of LC may be attributed to its heterogeneity in developmental origin, projection patterns, topography distribution, morphology and molecular organization, electrophysiological properties and sex differences. This review will highlight the heterogeneity of LC and its critical role in modulating diverse behavioral outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Tao Ma
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121000, China; Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
| | - Hao-Chen Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Zhong-Fu Zuo
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, China
| | - Ying-Xue Liu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, China.
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Antkowiak B, Paluch M, Ciechanowska M, Nawrocka M, Bańkowski K, Michalak O, Kocik J, Kowalczyk M, Izdebski J. Antinociceptive effect of D-Lys(2), Dab(4)N-(ureidoethyl)amide, a new cyclic 1-4 dermorphin/deltorphin analog. Pharmacol Rep 2014; 66:600-5. [PMID: 24948060 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2014.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Revised: 11/22/2013] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A preliminary evaluation of antinociceptive activity of a new cyclic dermorphin/deltorphin tetrapeptide analog restricted via a urea bridge and containing C-terminal ureidoethylamid {[H-Tyr-d-Lys(&(1))-Phe-Dab(&(2))-CH2CH2NHCONH2][&(1)CO&(2)]} (cUP-1) revealed a significant and long-lasting increase of pain threshold to thermal stimulation after systemic application. The current studies were aimed at further evaluation of cUP-1 activity in animal models of somatic and visceral pain. The influence of cUP-1 on motor functions was also investigated. METHODS The influence of cUP-1 (0.5-2mgkg(-1), iv) on nociceptive threshold to mechanical pressure and analgesic efficacy in formalin and acetic acid-induced writhing tests were estimated. The antinociceptive effect of cUP-1 was compared to that of morphine (MF). The influence of cUP-1 (1, 4 and 8mgkg(-1), iv) on locomotor activity, motor coordination and muscle strength was estimated using open field and rota-rod tests and a grip strength measurement. RESULTS Administration of cUP-1 in doses of 1 and 2mgkg(-1) elicited a significant increase of nociceptive threshold to mechanical pressure. MF applied in the same doses induced an antinociceptive effect only at the higher dose (2mgkg(-1)). There were no marked differences between the effect of cUP-1 and MF at each dose, at relative time points. In the writhing test and both phases of the formalin test, cUP-1 showed a significant, dose-dependent antinociceptive effect which did not markedly differ from that of MF. cUP-1 did not significantly affect motor functions of mice. CONCLUSIONS Systemic application of cUP-1 elicited a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect. The analgesic efficacy of cUP-1 on mechanical nociception, visceral and formalin-induced pain was comparable to that of MF. cUP-1 did not impair motor functions of mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bożena Antkowiak
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Paluch
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Ciechanowska
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Nawrocka
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | - Janusz Kocik
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marek Kowalczyk
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Warsaw, Poland; Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jan Izdebski
- Warsaw University, Department of Chemistry, Warsaw, Poland
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Hayashi T, Ikehata S, Matsuzaki H, Yasuda K, Makihara T, Futamura A, Arakawa Y, Kuki R, Fukuura K, Takahashi H, Mori N, Higashiguchi T, Yamada S. Influence of Serum Albumin Levels during Opioid Rotation from Morphine or Oxycodone to Fentanyl for Cancer Pain. Biol Pharm Bull 2014; 37:1860-5. [DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b14-00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Hayashi
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujita Health University Hospital
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Meijo University
| | | | | | | | | | - Akihiko Futamura
- Department of Surgery and Palliative Medicine, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University
| | - Yuki Arakawa
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujita Health University Hospital
| | - Rika Kuki
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujita Health University Hospital
| | - Kumiko Fukuura
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujita Health University Hospital
| | | | - Naoharu Mori
- Department of Surgery and Palliative Medicine, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University
| | - Takashi Higashiguchi
- Department of Surgery and Palliative Medicine, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University
| | - Shigeki Yamada
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujita Health University Hospital
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Dizgah IM, Karimian SM, Zarrindast MR, Sohanaki H. Attenuation of morphine withdrawal signs by a D1 receptor agonist in the locus coeruleus of rats. Neuroreport 2005; 16:1683-6. [PMID: 16189477 DOI: 10.1097/01.wnr.0000180142.91644.65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, the effects of intra-locus coeruleus injection of a dopamine D(1) receptor agonist (SKF38393) on naloxone-induced withdrawal signs of morphine-dependent rats were examined. Twenty different withdrawal signs were assessed. The total withdrawal score was calculated and used as an index of withdrawal intensity for comparison. The D(1) agonist and antagonist were injected 15 and 30 min prior to expression of naloxone-induced withdrawal signs, respectively. SKF38393 (2 and 4 microg/site) decreased while SCH23390 (a D(1) antagonist) had no effect on the total withdrawal score. On the other hand, SCH23390 (25 ng/site) reversed the SKF38393 effect. It may be concluded that activation of dopamine D(1) receptors in the locus coeruleus attenuates naloxone-induced withdrawal.
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MESH Headings
- 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine/administration & dosage
- 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine/antagonists & inhibitors
- 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine/therapeutic use
- Animals
- Behavior, Animal/drug effects
- Benzazepines/administration & dosage
- Benzazepines/pharmacology
- Dopamine Agonists/administration & dosage
- Dopamine Agonists/therapeutic use
- Injections
- Locus Coeruleus/physiology
- Male
- Morphine Dependence
- Naloxone/administration & dosage
- Naloxone/pharmacology
- Narcotic Antagonists/administration & dosage
- Narcotic Antagonists/pharmacology
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Receptors, Dopamine D1/agonists
- Receptors, Dopamine D1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/drug therapy
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Affiliation(s)
- Iraj Mirzaii Dizgah
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
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Abstract
Neurodegeneration in the locus coeruleus (LC) has been documented in several central nervous system (CNS) neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, iron-induced oxidative injury in the LC was investigated in chloral-hydrate anesthetized rats. Three days after bilateral infusion of iron in the LC, both vertical and horizontal locomotor activities were decreased. Seven days after unilateral infusion of iron, lipid peroxidation was elevated in the infused LC, and the norepinephrine content was depleted in the ipsilateral hippocampus of the brain. Furthermore, the immunohistochemical study demonstrated a reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the infused LC. The involvement of programmed cell death (apoptosis) in iron-induced oxidative injury in the LC was investigated. Forty-eight hours after iron infusion, cytosolic cytochrome c was elevated in the infused LC. Moreover, terminal deoxytransferase-mediated dUTP-nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells, an indicative of apoptosis, were detected in the infused LC. In an attempt to prevent oxidative injury in the LC, melatonin was systemically administered. Intraperitoneal injection of melatonin attenuated iron-induced behavioral changes in locomotor activity as well as iron-induced increases in cytosolic cytochrome c and TUNEL-positive cells. Moreover, melatonin diminished iron-induced oxidative injury. At the same time, the level of glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was elevated in the LC of melatonin-treated rats. Our data suggests that oxidative stress because of iron results in apoptosis in the infused LC and causes degeneration of the coeruleohippocampal noradrenergic system in the rat brain. Furthermore, melatonin, among other mechanisms, may exert its neuroprotection via up-regulation of GDNF levels in CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuen-Bor Chen
- Department of Physiology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Chen KB, Lin AMY, Chiu TH. Systemic vitamin D3 attenuated oxidative injuries in the locus coeruleus of rat brain. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2003; 993:313-24; discussion 345-9. [PMID: 12853323 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2003.tb07539.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Iron-induced oxidative injuries in locus coeruleus (LC), a major source of noradrenergic projections in the central nervous system (CNS), were investigated in chloral-hydrate anesthetized rats. Local infusion of iron dose-dependently elevated lipid peroxidation of iron-infused LC seven days after infusion. At the same time, norepinephrine content in the hippocampus ipsilateral to the iron-infused LC was decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. Our immunostaining study demonstrated reduced tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the iron-infused LC, indicating a reduction of neuron number by iron infusion. The involvement of apoptosis in iron-induced oxidative injuries was studied. An abrupt increase in cytosolic cytochrome c content was demonstrated in the infused LC 48 hours after iron infusion. TUNEL-positive cells, an indication of apoptosis, were detected in the iron-infused LC. In an attempt to prevent iron-induced neurotoxicity, vitamin D3, an active metabolite of vitamin D, was systemically administered. Iron-induced increases in cytosolic cytochrome c and TUNEL-positive cells were reduced by this treatment. Furthermore, systemic administration of vitamin D3 attenuated iron-induced oxidative injuries in the infused LC. Our data suggest that local infusion of iron in LC induced oxidative stress and resulted in programmed cell death in the LC-hippocampal noradrenergic system. Furthermore, vitamin D3 may be neuroprotective and therapeutic in attenuating iron-induced neurotoxicity in CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuen-Bor Chen
- Department of Physiology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Drouin C, Blanc G, Trovero F, Glowinski J, Tassin JP. Cortical alpha 1-adrenergic regulation of acute and sensitized morphine locomotor effects. Neuroreport 2001; 12:3483-6. [PMID: 11733696 DOI: 10.1097/00001756-200111160-00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The role of alpha1-adrenergic transmission was tested on locomotor effects of acute or repeated morphine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) administration. Prazosin, an alpha1-adrenergic antagonist, administered 30 min before morphine, either systemically (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) or locally and bilaterally into the prefrontal cortex (200 pmol/side) reduced the stimulatory influence of morphine on locomotion. The progressive increase of the locomotor response induced by repeated morphine injections was blocked by a prazosin pretreatment but not the behavioral sensitization on the test day. These data suggest that blockade of cortical alpha1-adrenergic receptors reduces the expression of acute and sensitized locomotor responses to morphine, but does not prevent the induction of behavioral sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Drouin
- Inserm U.114, Collège de France, 11, Place Marcelin Berthelot, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France
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Chen CL, Yang YR, Chiu TH. Activation of rat locus coeruleus neuron GABA(A) receptors by propofol and its potentiation by pentobarbital or alphaxalone. Eur J Pharmacol 1999; 386:201-10. [PMID: 10618471 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-2999(99)00750-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The action of propofol on the rat locus coeruleus was examined using intracellular recording from in vitro brain slice preparations. Concentrations of propofol between 3 and 300 microM were tested. At 100 microM, propofol completely inhibited the firing of all neurons tested (n=34); this was associated with a 5.7-mV hyperpolarization (range 0-16 mV, n=33) and a 35.6% reduction in input resistance (range 7.3-66.1%, n=33). The propofol-induced responses were not affected by 2-hydroxysaclofen (50 microM) or BaCl(2) (300 microM), but were completely blocked by bicuculline methiodide (100 microM) or picrotoxin (100 microM), indicating that propofol acts on GABA(A) receptors. As assessed by inhibition of the spontaneous firing rate, propofol was 5.6-fold more potent than GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). Potentiation of the propofol effect by other general anesthetics or other drugs was also investigated. When pentobarbital (100 microM) was tested alone on locus coeruleus cells, no change in membrane potential or input resistance was seen and there was only a 20.3+/-7.2% (n=8) inhibition of firing rate; however, in combination with 30 microM propofol, it caused a 6.1-fold greater increase in membrane hyperpolarization and a 9.7-fold greater reduction in input resistance than 30 microM propofol alone. A relatively low concentration of alphaxalone (10 microM), when tested alone, had little effect on the membrane potential or input resistance and only produced a 46.0+/-8.9% (n=8) inhibition of firing rate; however, in combination with 30 microM propofol, it caused a 9.3-fold greater hyperpolarization and an 8.6-fold greater reduction in input resistance compared with 30 microM propofol alone. In contrast, diazepam caused no potentiation of either propofol- or GABA-induced responses. Our data also indicate that locus coeruleus neuron GABA(A) receptors possess distinctive pharmacologic characteristics, such as blocking of the propofol effects by zinc and insensitivity to diazepam and the direct action of pentobarbital. On the basis of these pharmacologic properties, we suggest that locus coeruleus neuron GABA(A) receptors do not contain the gamma subunit.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Chen
- Department of Physiology, National Yang-Ming University, Shih-Pai, Taipei, Taiwan
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Yang YR, Chiu TH, Chen CL. Structure-activity relationships of naturally occurring and synthetic opioid tetrapeptides acting on locus coeruleus neurons. Eur J Pharmacol 1999; 372:229-36. [PMID: 10395016 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-2999(99)00210-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular recording was used to study the effects of eight opioid tetrapeptides with similar amino acid sequences, namely endomorphin-1 (Tyr-Pro-Trp-Phe-NH2), endomorphin-2 (Tyr-Pro-Phe-Phe-NH2), morphiceptin (Tyr-Pro-Phe-Pro-NH2), hemorphin-4 (Tyr-Pro-Trp-Thr), Tyr-MIF-1 (Tyr-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2), Tyr-W-MIF-1 (Tyr-Pro-Trp-Gly-NH2), TAPS (Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-Sar) and DALDA (Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH2), on neurons of the rat locus coeruleus, using a submerged brain slice preparation. All the tetrapeptides inhibited the spontaneous firing of all neurons of the locus coeruleus tested. Higher concentrations also caused hyperpolarization of the neurons and a reduction in input resistance. These inhibitory effects were rapidly and completely reversed by CTAP (D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Arg-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2, a selective micro-opioid receptor antagonist). The IC50 of the opioid tetrapeptides, in terms of inhibition of spontaneous firing of locus coeruleus neurons, as compared to the concentrations which produced a 5-mV hyperpolarization (HC5 mV) were calculated, giving the same rank order of potency: TAPS (IC50 = 1.9 nM, HC5 mV = 3.4 nM) > endomorphin-1 (IC50 = 8.8 nM, HC5 mV = 22.1 nM) and endomorphin-2 (IC50 = 5.3 nM, HC5 mV = 16.1 nM)> DALDA (IC50 = 20 nM, HC5 mV = 143 nM) > morphiceptin (IC50 = 65 nM, HC5 mV = 335 nM) > Tyr-W-MIF-I (IC50 = 3.8 microM, HC5 mV = 6.7 microM) > hemorphin-4 (IC50 = 6.7 microM, HC5 mV = 36.9 microM) > Tyr-MIF-1 (IC50 = 37.5 microM, HC5 mV = 76.2 microM). Comparison of the ability of endomorphin-1 and endomorphin-2 to inhibit spontaneous firing based on single-cell recordings (n = 5) showed these two peptides to be equipotent. Based on these results, the structure-activity relationships of these opioid tetrapeptides are discussed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y R Yang
- Faculty of Physical Therapy, National Yang-Ming University, Shih-Pai, Taipei, Taiwan
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