Release of endogenous adenosine and its metabolites by the activation of NMDA receptors in the rat hippocampus in vivo

Experimental and numerical investigation of microdialysis probes for ethanol metabolism studies

Microdialysis is an important technique for in vivo sampling of tissue's biochemical composition. Understanding the factors that affect the performance of the microdialysis probes and developing methods for sample analysis are crucial for obtaining reliable results. In this work, we used experimental and numerical procedures to study the performance of microdialysis probes having different configurations, membrane materials and dimensions. For alcohol research, it is important to understand the dynamics of ethanol metabolism, particularly in the brain and in other organs, and to simultaneously measure the concentrations of ethanol and its metabolites - acetaldehyde and acetate. Our work provides a comprehensive characterization of three microdialysis probes, in terms of recovery rates and backpressure, allowing for interpretation and optimization of experimental procedures. In vivo experiments were performed to measure the time course concentration of ethanol, acetaldehyde, and acetate in the rat brain dialysate. Additionally, the combination of in vitro experimental results with numerical simulations enabled us to calculate diffusion coefficients of molecules in the microdialysis membranes and study the extent of the depletion effect caused by continuous microdialysis sampling, thus providing additional insights for probe selection and data interpretation.

Adenosine A2A Receptors Shut Down Adenosine A1 Receptor-Mediated Presynaptic Inhibition to Promote Implementation of Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation

Adenosine operates a modulation system fine-tuning the efficiency of synaptic transmission and plasticity through A₁ and A_2A receptors (A₁R, A_2AR), respectively. Supramaximal activation of A₁R can block hippocampal synaptic transmission, and the tonic engagement of A₁R-mediated inhibition is increased with increased frequency of nerve stimulation. This is compatible with an activity-dependent increase in extracellular adenosine in hippocampal excitatory synapses, which can reach levels sufficient to block synaptic transmission. We now report that A_2AR activation decreases A₁R-medated inhibition of synaptic transmission, with particular relevance during high-frequency-induced long-term potentiation (LTP). Thus, whereas the A₁R antagonist DPCPX (50 nM) was devoid of effects on LTP magnitude, the addition of an A_2AR antagonist SCH58261 (50 nM) allowed a facilitatory effect of DPCPX on LTP to be revealed. Additionally, the activation of A_2AR with CGS21680 (30 nM) decreased the potency of the A₁R agonist CPA (6-60 nM) to inhibit hippocampal synaptic transmission in a manner prevented by SCH58261. These observations show that A_2AR play a key role in dampening A₁R during high-frequency induction of hippocampal LTP. This provides a new framework for understanding how the powerful adenosine A₁R-mediated inhibition of excitatory transmission can be controlled to allow the implementation of hippocampal LTP.

Caffeine attenuates seizure and brain mitochondrial disruption induced by Tramadol: the role of adenosinergic pathway

Tramadol (TR) is an analgesic drug used to treat moderate-to-severe pain but it induces seizure even at therapeutic doses. The exact mechanism of TR-inducing seizure is not clear but inhibition of the serotonin, GABA, and nitrous oxide (NOS) pathways are the commonly proposed mechanisms. Adenosinergic system has a crucial function in the modulation of seizure. Also, oxidative damage is an unavoidable effect of the seizure. This study was conducted to evaluate the role of the adenosinergic system on the seizure and oxidative stress biomarkers induced by TR using antagonist of the adenosinergic receptors in the Albino mice. For that purpose, generated clonic seizure, as seizure threshold, was evaluated by TR. Caffeine (CAF; 8 mg/kg, i.p.), a nonselective antagonist of adenosine receptors, was administered 1 hour before the seizure induction. The seizure threshold significantly increased by CAF-treated group when compared to TR group (p < 0.001). Oxidative stress biomarkers such as reactive oxygen species, protein carbonyl content, and lipid peroxidation significantly decreased and glutathione content significantly increased by CAF in brain mitochondria compared to the TR group, whereas oxidative biomarkers significantly increased in the TR group compared to the control group. The results of the present study suggested that the adenosinergic system is involved in seizure induced by TR and meanwhile, inhibition of adenosine receptors can decrease the TR seizure threshold and also decrease the induced oxidative damage in the brain mitochondria.

Intracerebral microdialysis of adenosine and adenosine monophosphate - a systematic review and meta-regression analysis of baseline concentrations

Microdialysis is a method to study the extracellular space in vivo, based on the principle of diffusion. It can be used to measure various small molecules including the neuroregulator adenosine. Baseline levels of the compounds measured with microdialysis vary over studies. We systematically reviewed the literature to investigate the full range of reported baseline concentrations of adenosine and adenosine monophosphate in microdialysates. We performed a meta‐regression analysis to study the influence of flow rate, probe membrane surface area, species, brain area and anaesthesia versus freely behaving, on the adenosine concentration. Baseline adenosine concentrations in microdialysates ranged from 0.8 to 2100 nM. There was limited evidence on baseline adenosine monophosphate concentrations in microdialysates. Across studies, we found effects of flow rate and anaesthesia versus freely behaving on dialysate adenosine concentrations (p ≤ 0.001), but not of probe membrane surface, species, or brain area (p ≥ 0.14). With increasing flow rate, adenosine concentrations decreased. With anaesthesia, adenosine concentrations increased. The effect of other predictor variables on baseline adenosine concentrations, for example, post‐surgical recovery time, could not be analysed because of a lack of reported data. This study shows that meta‐regression can be used as an alternative to new animal experiments to answer research questions in the field of neurochemistry. However, current levels of reporting of primary studies are insufficient to reach the full potential of this approach; 63 out of 133 studies could not be included in the analysis because of insufficient reporting, and several potentially relevant factors had to be excluded from the analyses. The level of reporting of experimental detail needs to improve.

The Role of Piriform Cortex Adenosine A1 Receptors on Hippocampal Kindling

Introduction:

The hippocampus and piriform cortex have a critical role in seizure propagation. In this study, the role of adenosine A1 receptors of piriform cortex on CA1 hippocampal kindled seizures was studied in rats.

Methods:

Animals were implanted with a tripolar electrode in the right hippocampal CA1 region and two guide cannulae in the left and right piriform cortex. They were kindled by daily electrical stimulation of hippocampus. In fully kindled rats, N6- cyclohexyladenosine (CHA; a selective adenosine A1 receptors agonist) and 1, 3-dimethyl-8-cyclopenthylxanthine (CPT a selective adenosine A1 receptor antagonist) were microinfused into the piriform cortex. The animals were stimulated at 5, 15 and 90 minutes (min) after drag injection.

Results:

Obtained data showed that CHA (10 and 100 μM) reduced afterdischarge duration, stage 5 seizure duration, and total seizure duration at 5 and 15 min after drag injection. There was no significant change in latency to stage 4 seizure. CPT at concentration of 20 μM increased afterdischarge duration, stage 5 seizure duration, and total seizure duration and decreased latency to stage 4 seizure at 5 and 15 min post injection. Pretreatment of rats with CPT (10 μM), 5 min before CHA (100 μM), reduced the effect of CHA on seizure parameters.

Conclusion:

These results suggested that activity of adenosine A1 receptors in the piriform cortex has an anticonvulsant effect on kindled seizures resulting from electrical stimulation of the CA1 region of the hippocampus.

The interaction of adenosine and morphine on pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure threshold in mice

Adenosine agonists or low doses of morphine exert anti-convulsant effects in different models of seizures. On the other hand, a tight interaction has been reported between morphine and adenosine in various paradigms. This study investigated the effect of the interaction of adenosine and morphine on seizure susceptibility in the intravenous mouse model of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced clonic seizures. The researchers used acute systemic administration of morphine, N(6)-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) (a selective A1 receptor agonist), naltrexone (an opioid receptor antagonist) and 8-Cyclopentyl-1,3-dimethylxanthine (8-CPT) (a selective A1 receptor antagonist). Acute administration of morphine (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg) or CHA (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/kg) raised the threshold of seizures induced by PTZ. Non-effective dose of 8-CPT (2 mg/kg) inhibited the anticonvulsant effects of CHA (0.5 and 1 mg/kg). Combination of sub-effective doses of morphine (0.125 mg/kg) and CHA (0.125 mg/kg) increased clonic seizure latency showing the additive effect of morphine and CHA. The enhanced latency induced by combination of low doses of morphine and CHA completely reversed by 8-CPT (2 mg/kg) or naltrexone (1 mg/kg). Moreover, 8-CPT (2 mg/kg) inhibited anticonvulsant effects of morphine (0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg) and naltrexone (1 mg/kg) inhibited anticonvulsant effects of CHA (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg). Combination of low doses of 8-CPT (1 mg/kg) and naltrexone (0.5 mg/kg) inhibited the anticonvulsant effect of CHA (0.5 and 1 mg/kg). In conclusion, adenosine and morphine exhibit an additive effect on the enhancement of the pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure threshold in mice, probably through A1 or μ receptors.

Cortical spreading depression-induced preconditioning in mouse neocortex is lamina specific

Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is able to confer neuroprotection when delivered at least 1 day in advance of an ischemic event. However, its ability to confer neuroprotection in a more immediate time frame has not previously been investigated. Here we have used mouse neocortical brain slices to study the effects of repeated episodes of CSD in layer V and layer II/III pyramidal neurons. In layer V, CSD evoked at 15-min intervals caused successively smaller membrane depolarizations and increases in intracellular calcium compared with the response to the first CSD. With an inter-CSD interval of 30 min this preconditioning effect was much less marked, indicating that preconditioning lasts between 15 and 30 min. A single episode of CSD also provided a degree of protection in oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) by significantly lengthening the time a cell could withstand OGD before anoxic depolarization occurred. In layer II/III pyramidal neurons no preconditioning by CSD on subsequent episodes of CSD was observed, demonstrating that the response of pyramidal neurons to repeated CSD is lamina specific. The A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl theophylline (8-CPT) reduced the layer V preconditioning in a concentration-related manner. Inhibition of extracellular formation of adenosine by blocking ecto-5'-nucleotidase with α,β-methyleneadenosine 5'-diphosphate prevented preconditioning in most but not all cells. Block of equilibrative nucleoside transporters 1 and 2 with dipyramidole alone or in combination with 6-[(4-nitrobenzyl)thio]-9-β-d-ribofuranosylpurine also prevented preconditioning in some but not all cells. These data provide evidence that rapid preconditioning of one CSD by another is primarily mediated by adenosine.

N-methyl-D-aspartate-evoked adenosine and inosine release from neurons requires extracellular calcium

The nucleoside adenosine (ADO) is a neuromodulator in brain. ADO and its metabolite inosine (INO) have been shown to increase cell viability in stroke models. During ischemia, extracellular levels of both ADO and INO are increased. In this study, we treated rat cortical neurons with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) to initiate excitotoxicity and then investigated the mechanisms of ADO and INO release. NMDA induced a significant increase in ADO and INO production. The effect of NMDA receptor antagonists on NMDA-evoked ADO and INO release was examined. MK-801 (1 micromol/L), a potent antagonist that lacks receptor subunit selectivity, completely blocked evoked release of both ADO and INO. Memantine (10 micromol/L), a lower affinity antagonist that also lacks subunit selectivity, blocked INO, but not ADO, release. Ifenprodil (10 micromol/L), an inhibitor selective for NMDA receptors containing the NR2B subunit, completely blocked evoked ADO and INO release. NVP-AAM077 (NVP, 0.4 micromol/L), an inhibitor selective for NMDA receptors containing the NR2A subunit, did not significantly block evoked release of either ADO or INO. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ abolished NMDA-evoked release of both ADO and INO. BAPTA (25 micromol/L), which chelates intracellular Ca2+, had no significant effect on either ADO or INO release unless extracellular Ca2+ was also removed. Inhibitors of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) prevented NMDA-evoked ADO and INO release and decreased nucleoside transporter function. These data indicate that NMDA-evoked ADO and INO release is dependent on subunit composition of NMDA receptors. As well, NMDA-evoked ADO and INO release requires nucleoside transporters and extracellular Ca2+ and is enhanced by activation of CaMKII.

Overview of brain microdialysis

The technique of microdialysis enables sampling and collecting of small-molecular-weight substances from the interstitial space. It is a widely used method in neuroscience and is one of the few techniques available that permits quantification of neurotransmitters, peptides, and hormones in the behaving animal. More recently, it has been used in tissue preparations for quantification of neurotransmitter release. This unit provides a brief review of the history of microdialysis and its general application in the neurosciences. The authors review the theoretical principles underlying the microdialysis process, methods available for estimating extracellular concentration from dialysis samples (i.e., relative recovery), the various factors that affect the estimate of in vivo relative recovery, and the importance of determining in vivo relative recovery to data interpretation. Several areas of special note, including impact of tissue trauma on the interpretation of microdialysis results, are discussed. Step-by-step instructions for the planning and execution of conventional and quantitative microdialysis experiments are provided.

Potential therapeutic interest of adenosine A2A receptors in psychiatric disorders

The interest on targeting adenosine A(2A) receptors in the realm of psychiatric diseases first arose based on their tight physical and functional interaction with dopamine D(2) receptors. However, the role of central A(2A) receptors is now viewed as much broader than just controlling D(2) receptor function. Thus, there is currently a major interest in the ability of A(2A) receptors to control synaptic plasticity at glutamatergic synapses. This is due to a combined ability of A(2A) receptors to facilitate the release of glutamate and the activation of NMDA receptors. Therefore, A(2A) receptors are now conceived as a normalizing device promoting adequate adaptive responses in neuronal circuits, a role similar to that fulfilled, in essence, by dopamine. This makes A(2A) receptors particularly attractive targets to manage psychiatric disorders since adenosine may act as go-between glutamate and dopamine, two of the key players in mood processing. Furthermore, A(2A) receptors also control glia function and brain metabolic adaptation, two other emerging mechanisms to understand abnormal processing of mood, and A(2A) receptors are important players in controlling the demise of neurodegeneration, considered an amplificatory loop in psychiatric disorders. Current data only provide an indirect confirmation of this putative role of A(2A) receptors, based on the effects of caffeine (an antagonist of both A(1) and A(2A) receptors) in psychiatric disorders. However, the introduction of A(2A) receptors antagonists in clinics as anti-parkinsonian agents is hoped to bolster our knowledge on the role of A(2A) receptors in mood disorders in the near future.

Effect of glutamate intake during gestation on adenosine A(1) receptor/adenylyl cyclase pathway in both maternal and fetal rat brain

Pregnant Wistar rats were orally treated with 1 g/L l-glutamate during the entire gestational period and the status of adenosine A(1) receptor (A(1)R)/adenylyl cyclase transduction pathway from maternal and fetal brain was analyzed. Glutamate consumption, estimated from the loss of water from the drinking bottles, was 110 +/- 4.6 mg/kg/day. In mother brains glutamate intake did not significantly alter the B(max) value, although the K(d) value was significantly decreased. However in fetus brain, a significant decrease in B(max) was observed, without an alteration of K(d) value. Similar results were observed by western blot assays using specific A(1)R antibody, suggesting a down-regulation of A(1)R in fetal brain. Concerning alpha subunits of inhibitory G proteins (Gi), alphaGi(3) protein was slightly but significantly decreased in maternal brain without alterations of either Gi(1) or Gi(2). In contrast, alphaGi(1) and alphaGi(2) isoforms were increased in fetal brain. On the other hand, basal, forskolin, and forskolin plus GTPgammaS-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity was significantly decreased in both maternal and fetal brain, and this was more prominent in fetal than in maternal brain. Finally, A(1)R functionality was significantly decreased in mother brain whereas no significant differences were detected in fetus brain. These results suggest that glutamate administered to pregnant rats modulates A(1)R signaling pathways in both tissues, showing an A(1)R down-regulation in fetal brain, and desensitization in maternal brain.

Involvement of adenosine in the neurobiology of schizophrenia and its therapeutic implications

Based on the neuromodulatory and homeostatic actions of adenosine, adenosine dysfunction may contribute to the neurobiological and clinical features of schizophrenia. The present model of adenosine dysfunction in schizophrenia takes into consideration the dopamine and glutamate hypotheses, since adenosine exerts neuromodulatory roles on these systems, and proposes that adenosine plays a role in the inhibitory deficit found in schizophrenia. Given the role of adenosine activation of adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) in mediating neurotoxicity in early stages of brain development, pre- and peri-natal complications leading to excessive adenosine release could induce primary brain changes (i.e., first hit). These events would lead to an adenosine inhibitory deficit through a partial loss of A1R that may emerge as reduced control of dopamine activity and increased vulnerability to excitotoxic glutamate action in the mature brain (i.e., second hit). Adenosine dysfunction is reasonably compatible with symptoms, gray and white matter abnormalities, progressive brain loss, pre- and peri-natal risk factors, age of onset, response to current treatments, impaired sensory gating and increased smoking in schizophrenia. Pharmacological treatments enhancing adenosine activity could be effective for symptom control and for alleviating deterioration in the course of the illness. Accordingly, allopurinol, which may indirectly increase adenosine, has been effective and well tolerated in the treatment of schizophrenia. Since much of the evidence for the adenosine hypothesis is preliminary and theoretical, further investigation in the field is warranted.

The effect of acidosis on adenosine release from cultured rat forebrain neurons

During cerebral ischemia, dysregulated glutamate release activates N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors which promotes excitotoxicity and intracellular acidosis. Ischemia also induces cellular adenosine (ADO) release, which activates ADO receptors and reduces neuronal injury. The aim of this research was to determine if decreasing intracellular pH (pH(i)) enhances ADO release from neurons. Rat forebrain neurons were incubated with NMDA, acetate, propionate, 5-(N)-ethyl-N-isopropyl amiloride (EIPA) or low pH buffer. pH(i) was determined with the fluorescent dye 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein acetoxymethyl ester (BCECF-AM) and cellular release of ADO was assayed. NMDA decreased pH(i) and increased ADO release from neurons. Acetate and propionate decreased pH(i) and evoked ADO release from neurons. EIPA, an inhibitor of sodium hydrogen exchanger 1 (NHE1), enhanced the acidosis in neurons but did not enhance ADO release. Decreasing extracellular pH (pH(e)) to 6.8 or 6.45 significantly decreased pH(i) in neurons, but was not consistently associated with increased ADO release. The main finding of this study was that acidosis per se did not enhance ADO release from neurons.

Adenosine A1 and A2A receptors of hippocampal CA1 region have opposite effects on piriform cortex kindled seizures in rats

In this study the role of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors of the hippocampal CA1 region on piriform cortex-kindled seizures was investigated in rats. Animals were kindled by daily electrical stimulation of piriform cortex. In fully kindled rats, N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA; a selective A1 receptor agonist), 1,3-dimethyl-8-cyclopenthylxanthine (CPT; a selective A1 receptor antagonist), CGS21680 hydrochloride (CGS, a selective A2A receptor agonist) and, ZM241385 (ZM, a selective A2A receptor antagonist) were microinfused bilaterally into the hippocampal CA1 region. Rats were stimulated and seizure parameters were measured. Obtained results showed that microinjection of CHA (10 and 100 microM) decreased the afterdischarge duration (ADD), stage 5 seizure duration (S5D) and seizure duration (SD), and significantly increased the latency to stage 4 (S4L). Intra-hippocampal CPT increased ADD at the dose of 20 microM. Pretreatment of rats with CPT (10 microM) before CHA (10 microM), significantly reduced the effect of CHA on seizure parameters. On the other hand, microinjection of CGS (200 and 500 microM) increased ADD, but of ZM had no effect on seizure parameters. Pretreatment of rats with ZM (50 microM) before CGS (500 microM), significantly reduced the effect of CGS on seizure parameters. The results suggest that the facilitatory role of the hippocampal CA1 region in relaying or spreading of piriform cortex kindled seizures is decreased by the activation of adenosine A1 receptors and increased by A2A receptors.

Adenosine receptor ligands and dizocilpine-induced antinociception in mice

Interactions between adenosine receptor ligands and dizocilpine (uncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist) was studied in antinociceptive, writhing test in mice. Minimal effective, antinociceptive doses of adenosine receptor agonists were: 0.1 mg/kg (NECA--A1/A2 agonist). Generally, these agonists did not potentiate the subthreshold dose of dizocilpine (0.05 mg/kg). Of all adenosine receptor antagonists used, only caffeine (A2 and A2 antagonists) reversed dizocilpine-induced (0.1 mg/kg) antinociception dose-dependently. These findings indicate that dizocilpin-induced antinociception in the writhing test is only partly influenced by adenosine receptor ligands.

Adenosine as a signal for ion channel arrest in anoxia-tolerant organisms

Certain freshwater turtles and fish are extremely anoxia-tolerant, capable of surviving hours of anoxia at high temperatures and weeks to months at low temperatures. There is great interest in understanding the cellular mechanisms underlying anoxia-tolerance in these groups because they are anoxia-tolerant vertebrates and because of the far-reaching medical benefits that would be gained. It has become clear that a pre-condition of prolonged anoxic survival must involve the matching of ATP production with ATP utilization to maintain stable ATP levels during anoxia. In most vertebrates, anoxia leads to a severe decrease in ATP production without a concomitant reduction in utilization, which inevitably leads to the catastrophic events associated with cell death or necrosis. Anoxia-tolerant organisms do not increase ATP production when faced with anoxia, but rather decrease utilization to a level that can be met by anaerobic glycolysis alone. Protein synthesis and ion movement across the plasma membrane are the two main targets of regulatory processes that reduce ATP utilization and promote anoxic survival. However, the oxygen sensing and biochemical signaling mechanisms that achieve a coordinated reduction in ATP production and utilization remain unclear. One candidate-signaling compound whose extracellular concentration increases in concert with decreasing oxygen availability is adenosine. Adenosine is known to have profound effects on various aspects of tissue metabolism, including protein synthesis, ion pumping and permeability of ion channels. In this review, I will investigate the role of adenosine in the naturally anoxia-tolerant freshwater turtle and goldfish and give an overview of pathways by which adenosine concentrations are regulated.

Direct evidence for mutual interactions between perineuronal astrocytes and interneurons in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus

Recent studies have demonstrated that astrocytes express a variety of ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors and can modulate the activity of neurons. Since a single astrocyte makes tight contacts with many neighboring neuronal cells, they can provide efficient and wide modulation of neuronal networks. Here, we provide direct evidence for mutual interactions between perineuronal astrocytes and interneurons in the stratum radiatum of the rat hippocampus. Direct depolarization of a perineuronal astrocyte suppressed the excitatory postsynaptic currents in an adjacent interneuron and increased the paired-pulse ratio, indicating that perineuronal astrocytes have a suppressive effect on presynaptic elements. Moreover, perineuronal astrocyte activation modulated the directly induced firing pattern of the interneuron, with initial facilitation and subsequent suppression. Conversely, direct firing of the interneuron depolarized the membrane potential and reduced the input resistance of the perineuronal astrocyte. These results directly demonstrate the existence of bidirectional interactions between neurons and perineuronal astrocytes.

Potent effect of interleukin-1 beta to evoke ATP and adenosine release from rat hippocampal slices

In this study the effect of IL-1 beta on [(3)H]purine release from rat hippocampal slices was explored. IL-1 beta (3 x 10(-18)-3 x 10(-14) M) concentration-dependently elevated the basal [(3)H]purine efflux, and this effect was reversed by the selective IL-1RI receptor antagonist IL-1ra (10(-12) M). HPLC analysis revealed that the amount of [(3)H]ATP and [(3)H]adenosine significantly increased in the effluent in response to IL-1 beta. The sodium channel inhibitor tetrodotoxin, the NMDA and non-NMDA receptor antagonists d(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP-5) plus 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione-disodium (CNQX) almost completely abolished IL-1 beta-evoked [(3)H]purine release. The effect of IL-1 beta on [(3)H]purine efflux was also prevented by the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB 203580, by the nucleoside transport inhibitor nitrobenzyl-thioinosine (NBTI) and by low temperature (4 degrees C). In summary IL-1 beta triggers a transporter mediated [(3)H]purine efflux in the hippocampus which is conveyed by glutamate receptor activation and the p38 MAP kinase pathway, and could serve as a mediator of IL-1 beta-induced synaptic depression.

NMDA preconditioning protects against seizures and hippocampal neurotoxicity induced by quinolinic acid in mice

PURPOSE

N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) preconditioning has been used to prevent cellular death induced by glutamate or NMDA in cultured neurons. Quinolinic acid (QA)-induced seizures are used to average NMDA receptors-evoked neurotoxicity in animal models. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential neuroprotective effects of NMDA preconditioning against QA-induced seizures and hippocampal damage in vivo.

METHODS

Mice were pretreated with nonconvulsant doses of NMDA for different times before i.c.v. QA infusion and observed for the occurrence of seizures. Hippocampal slices from mice were assayed to measure cellular viability.

RESULTS

NMDA preconditioning presented 53% protection against QA-induced seizures, as well as QA-induced cellular death in the hippocampus. The NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801, prevented the protection evoked by NMDA preconditioning. The adenosine A1 receptor antagonist, CPT, prevented the protection evoked by NMDA preconditioning against QA-induced seizures, but not against QA-induced hippocampal cellular damage. The adenosine A1 receptor agonist, CPA, did not mimic the NMDA preconditioning-evoked protective effects.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that in vivo preconditioning with subtoxic doses of NMDA protected mice against seizures and cellular hippocampal death elicited by QA, probably through mechanisms involving NMDA receptors operating with adenosine A1 receptors.

Elevation of intracellular cAMP evokes activity-dependent release of adenosine in cultured rat forebrain neurons

Adenosine is an important regulator of neuronal excitability. Zaprinast is a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and has been shown in the hippocampal slice to suppress excitation. This action can be blocked by an adenosine receptor antagonist, and therefore is presumably due to adenosine release stimulated by exposure to zaprinast. To explore the mechanism of this phenomenon further, we examined the effect of zaprinast on adenosine release itself in cultured rat forebrain neurons. Zaprinast significantly stimulated extracellular adenosine accumulation. The effect of zaprinast on adenosine appeared to be mediated by increasing intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and activation of protein kinase A (PKA): (i) zaprinast stimulated intracellular cAMP accumulation; (ii) a cAMP antagonist (Rp-8-Br-cAMP) significantly reduced the zaprinast effect on adenosine; (iii) an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase (PDE)1 (vinpocetine) and an activator of adenylate cyclase (forskolin) mimicked the effect of zaprinast on adenosine. We also found that zaprinast had no effect on adenosine in astrocyte cultures, and tetrodotoxin completely blocked zaprinast-evoked adenosine accumulation in neuronal cultures, suggesting that neuronal activity was likely to be involved. Consistent with a dependence on neuronal activity, NMDA receptor antagonists (MK-801 and D-APV) and removal of extracellular glutamate by glutamate-pyruvate transaminase blocked the effect of zaprinast. In addition, zaprinast was shown to stimulate glutamate release. Thus, our data suggest that zaprinast-evoked adenosine accumulation is likely to be mediated by stimulation of glutamate release by a cAMP- and PKA-dependent mechanism, most likely by inhibition of PDE1 in neurons. Furthermore, regulation of cAMP, either by inhibiting cAMP-PDE activity or by stimulating adenylate cyclase activity, may play an important role in modulating neuronal excitability. These data suggest the existence of a homeostatic negative feedback loop in which increases in neuronal activity are damped by release of adenosine following activation of glutamate receptors.

Reverse microdialysis of a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist alters extracellular adenosine levels in the rat nucleus accumbens

Recent evidence suggests that modulation of dopaminergic transmission alters striatal levels of extracellular adenosine. The present study used reverse microdialysis of the selective dopamine D(2) receptor antagonist raclopride to investigate whether a blockade of dopamine D(2) receptors modifies extracellular adenosine concentrations in the nucleus accumbens. Results reveal that perfusion of raclopride produced an increase of dialysate adenosine which was significant with a high (10 mM) and intermediate (1 mM) drug concentration, but not with lower drug concentrations (10 and 100 microM). Thus, the present study demonstrates that a selective blockade of dopamine D(2) receptors in the nucleus accumbens produced a pronounced increase of extracellular adenosine. The cellular mechanisms underlying this effect are yet unknown. It is suggested that the increase of extracellular adenosine might be related to a homeostatic modulatory mechanism proposed to be a key function of adenosine in response to neuronal metabolic challenges.

Adenosine gates synaptic plasticity at hippocampal mossy fiber synapses

The release properties of synapses in the central nervous system vary greatly, not only across anatomically distinct types of synapses but also among the same class of synapse. This variation manifests itself in large part by differences in the probability of transmitter release, which affects such activity-dependent presynaptic forms of plasticity as paired-pulse facilitation and frequency facilitation. This heterogeneity in presynaptic function reflects differences in the intrinsic properties of the synaptic terminal and the activation of presynaptic neurotransmitter receptors. Here we show that the unique presynaptic properties of the hippocampal mossy fiber synapse are largely imparted onto the synapse by the continuous local action of extracellular adenosine at presynaptic A1 adenosine receptors, which maintains a low basal probability of transmitter release.

Purines and neuroprotection

The activation of adenosine A1, A2 andA3 receptors can protect neurones against damage generated by mechanical or hypoxic/ischaemic insults as well as excitotoxins. A1 receptors are probably effective by suppressing transmitter release and producing neuronal hyperpolarisation. They are less likely to be of therapeutic importance due to the plethora of side effects resulting from A1 agonism, although the existence of receptor subtypes and recent synthetic chemistry efforts to increase ligand selectivity, may yet yield clinically viable compounds. Activation of A2A receptors can protect neurons, although there is much uncertainty as to whether agonists are acting centrally or via a peripheral mechanism such as altering blood flow or immune cell function. Selective antagonists at the A2A receptor, such as 4-(2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl)(1,2,4)triazolo(2,3-a)(1,3,5)triazin-5-yl-amino]ethyl)phenol (ZM 241385) and 7-(2-phenylethyl)-5-amino-2-(2-furyl)-pyrazolo-[4,3e]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine (SCH 58261), can also protect against neuronal death produced by ischaemia or excitotoxicity. In addition, A2A receptor antagonists can reduce damage produced by combinations of subthreshold doses of the endogenous excitotoxin quinolinic acid and free radicals. Since the A2A receptors do not seem to be activated by normal endogenous levels of adenosine, their blockade should not generate significant side effects, so that A2A receptor antagonists appear to be promising candidates as new drugs for the prevention of neuronal damage. Adenosine A3 receptors have received less attention to date, but agonists are clearly able to afford protection against damage when administered chronically. Given the disappointing lack of success of NMDA receptor antagonists in human stroke patients, despite their early promise in animal models, it is possible that A2A receptor antagonists could have a far greater clinical utility.

In vivo neuroprotective role of NMDA receptors against kainate-induced excitotoxicity in murine hippocampal pyramidal neurons

Activation of NMDA receptors has been shown to induce either neuronal cell death or neuroprotection against excitotoxicity in cultured cerebellar granule neurons in vitro. We have investigated the effects of pretreatment with NMDA on kainate-induced neuronal cell death in mouse hippocampus in vivo. The systemic administration of kainate (30 mg/kg), but not NMDA (100 mg/kg), induced severe damage in pyramidal neurons of the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 subfields 3-7 days later, without affecting granule neurons in the dentate gyrus. An immunohistochemical study using an anti-single-stranded DNA antibody and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling analysis both revealed that kainate, but not NMDA, induced DNA fragmentation in the CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons 1-3 days after administration. Kainate-induced neuronal loss was completely prevented by the systemic administration of NMDA (100 mg/kg) 1 h to 1 day previously. No pyramidal neuron was seen with fragmented DNA in the hippocampus of animals injected with kainate 1 day after NMDA treatment. The neuroprotection mediated by NMDA was prevented by the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801. Taken together these results indicate that in vivo activation of NMDA receptors is capable of protecting against kainate-induced neuronal damage through blockade of DNA fragmentation in murine hippocampus.

Adenosine receptors mediate glutamate-evoked arteriolar dilation in the rat cerebral cortex

We tested the hypothesis that adenosine (Ado) mediates glutamate-induced vasodilation in the cerebral cortex by monitoring pial arteriole diameter in chloralose-anesthetized rats equipped with closed cranial windows. Topical application of 100 microM glutamate and 100 microM N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) dilated pial arterioles (baseline diameter 25 +/- 2 microm) by 17 +/- 1% and 18 +/- 4%, respectively. Coapplication of the nonselective Ado receptor antagonist theophylline (Theo; 10 microM) significantly reduced glutamate- and NMDA-induced vasodilation to 4 +/- 2% (P < 0.01) and 6 +/- 2% (P < 0.05), whereas the Ado A(1) receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (0.1 microM) had no effect. Moreover, application of the Ado A(2A) receptor-selective antagonist 4-(2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl)(1,2,4)triazolo(2,3-a)(1,3,5)triazin-5-ylamino]ethyl)phenol (ZM-241385), either by superfusion (0.1 microM, 1 microM) or intravenously (1 mg/kg), significantly inhibited the pial arteriole dilation response to glutamate. Neither Theo nor ZM-241385 affected vascular reactivity to mild hypercapnia induced by 5% CO(2) inhalation. These results suggest that Ado contributes to the dilation of rat cerebral arterioles induced by exogenous glutamate, and that the Ado A(2A) receptor subtype may be involved in this dilation response.

NMDA receptor-mediated extracellular adenosine accumulation in rat forebrain neurons in culture is associated with inhibition of adenosine kinase

The effect of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) on regulation of extracellular adenosine was investigated in rat forebrain neurons in culture. NMDA evoked accumulation of extracellular adenosine with an EC50 value of 4.8 +/- 1.2 microM. The effect of NMDA was blocked by (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo [a, d] cyclohepten-5,10-imine hydrogen maleate indicating that NMDA receptor activation was involved. The NMDA effect was also blocked by chelation of extracellular Ca2+ indicating that influx of calcium was required. The nitric oxide-cyclic GMP signalling pathway was not involved, as nitric oxide synthase inhibitors were unable to block, and cGMP analogs were unable to mimic, the effect of NMDA. The source for extracellular adenosine was likely to be intracellular adenosine as the ecto-5'-nucleotidase inhibitor alpha beta-methylene-ADP was unable to block the effect of NMDA. One possible cause of intracellular adenosine accumulation might be NMDA receptor-mediated inhibition of mitochondrial function and ATP hydrolysis. We found that NMDA caused a concentration dependent depletion of intracellular ATP with an EC50 value of 21 +/- 8 microM. NMDA also caused a significant decrease in adenosine kinase activity, assayed by two different methods. Consistent with the hypothesis that inhibition of adenosine kinase is sufficient to cause an increase in extracellular adenosine, inhibition of adenosine kinase by 5'-iodotubercidin resulted in elevation of extracellular adenosine. However, in the presence of a concentration of 5'-iodotubercidin that inhibited over 90% of adenosine kinase activity, exposure to NMDA still caused adenosine accumulation. These studies suggest that several possible mechanisms are likely to be involved in NMDA-evoked extracellular adenosine accumulation.

Differences between rat primary cortical neurons and astrocytes in purine release evoked by ischemic conditions

In the brain, the levels of adenosine increase up to 100-fold during cerebral ischernia; however, the roles of specific cell types, enzymatic pathways and membrane transport processes in regulating intra- and extracellular concentrations of adenosine are poorly characterized. Rat primary cortical neurons and astrocytes were incubated with [(3)H]adenine for 30 min to radiolabel intracellular ATP. Cells were then treated with buffer, glucose deprivation (GD), oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), 100 micro M sodium cyanide (NaCN) or 500 micro M iodoacetate (IAA) for 1 h to stimulate the metabolism of ATP and cellular release of [(3)H]purines. The nucleoside transport inhibitor dipyridamole (DPR) (10 micro M), the adenosine kinase inhibitor iodotubercidin (ITU) (1 micro M), the adenosine deaminase inhibitor EHNA (1 micro M) and the purine nucleoside phosphorylase inhibitor BCX-34 (10 micro M) were tested to investigate the contribution of specific enzymes and transporters in the metabolism and release of purines from each cell type. Our results indicate that (a). under basal conditions astrocytes released significantly more [(3)H]adenine nucleotides and [(3)H]adenosine than neurons, (b). OGD, NaCN and IAA conditions produced significant increases in [(3)H]adenosine release from neurons but not astrocytes, and (c) DPR blocked [(3)H]inosine release from both astrocytes and neurons but only blocked [(3)H]adenosine release from neurons. These data suggest that, in these experimental conditions, adenosine was formed by an intracellular pathway in neurons and then released via a nucleoside transporter. In contrast, adenine nucleotide release and extracellular metabolism to adenosine appeared to predominate in astrocytes.

Mechanisms of adenosine release in the developing and adult mouse hippocampus

Adenosine is a neuromodulator known to inhibit the synaptic release of neurotransmitters, e.g., glutamate, and to hyperpolarize postsynaptic neurons. The release of adenosine is markedly enhanced under ischemic conditions. It may then act as an endogenous neuroprotectant against cerebral ischemia and excitotoxic neuronal damage. The mechanisms by which adenosine is released from nervous tissue are not fully known, particularly in the immature brain. We now characterized the release of [3H]adenosine from hippocampal slices from developing (7-day-old) and adult (3-month-old) mice using a superfusion system. The properties of the release differed only partially in the immature and mature hippocampus. The K(+)-evoked release was Ca2+ and Na+ dependent. Anion channels were also involved. Ionotropic glutamate receptor agonists potentiated the release in a receptor-mediated manner. Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors enhanced the release in developing mice, with group II receptors alone being effective. The evoked adenosine release apparently provides neuroprotective effects against excitotoxicity under cell-damaging conditions. Taurine had no effect on adenosine release in adult mice, but depressed the release concentration dependently in the immature hippocampus.

International Union of Pharmacology. XXV. Nomenclature and classification of adenosine receptors

Four adenosine receptors have been cloned and characterized from several mammalian species. The receptors are named adenosine A(1), A(2A), A(2B), and A(3). The A(2A) and A(2B) receptors preferably interact with members of the G(s) family of G proteins and the A(1) and A(3) receptors with G(i/o) proteins. However, other G protein interactions have also been described. Adenosine is the preferred endogenous agonist at all these receptors, but inosine can also activate the A(3) receptor. The levels of adenosine seen under basal conditions are sufficient to cause some activation of all the receptors, at least where they are abundantly expressed. Adenosine levels during, e.g., ischemia can activate all receptors even when expressed in low abundance. Accordingly, experiments with receptor antagonists and mice with targeted disruption of adenosine A(1), A(2A), and A(3) expression reveal roles for these receptors under physiological and particularly pathophysiological conditions. There are pharmacological tools that can be used to classify A(1), A(2A), and A(3) receptors but few drugs that interact selectively with A(2B) receptors. Testable models of the interaction of these drugs with their receptors have been generated by site-directed mutagenesis and homology-based modelling. Both agonists and antagonists are being developed as potential drugs.

Increased adenosine in cerebrospinal fluid after severe traumatic brain injury in infants and children: association with severity of injury and excitotoxicity

OBJECTIVES

To measure adenosine concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid of infants and children after severe traumatic brain injury and to evaluate the contribution of patient age, Glasgow Coma Scale score, mechanism of injury, Glasgow Outcome Score, and time after injury to cerebrospinal fluid adenosine concentrations. To evaluate the relationship between cerebrospinal fluid adenosine and glutamate concentrations in this population.

DESIGN

Prospective survey.

SETTING

Pediatric intensive care unit in a university-based children's hospital.

PATIENTS

Twenty-seven critically ill infants and children who had severe traumatic brain injury (Glasgow Coma Scale < 8), who required placement of an intraventricular catheter and drainage of cerebrospinal fluid as part of their neurointensive care.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Patients ranged in age from 2 months to 14 yrs. Cerebrospinal fluid samples (n = 304) were collected from 27 patients during the first 7 days after traumatic brain injury. Control cerebrospinal fluid samples were obtained from lumbar puncture on 21 infants and children without traumatic brain injury or meningitis. Adenosine concentration was measured by using high-pressure liquid chromatography. Adenosine concentration was increased markedly in cerebrospinal fluid of children after traumatic brain injury vs. controls (p < .001). The increase in cerebrospinal fluid adenosine was independently associated with Glasgow Coma Scale < or = 4 vs. > 4 and time after injury (both p < .005). Cerebrospinal fluid adenosine concentration was not independently associated with either age (< or = 4 vs. > 4 yrs), mechanism of injury (abuse vs. other), or Glasgow Outcome Score (good/moderately disabled vs. severely disabled, vegetative, or dead). Of the 27 patients studied, 18 had cerebrospinal fluid glutamate concentration previously quantified by high-pressure liquid chromatography. There was a strong association between increases in cerebrospinal fluid adenosine and glutamate concentrations (p < .005) after injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Cerebrospinal fluid adenosine concentration is increased in a time- and severity-dependent manner in infants and children after severe head injury. The association between cerebrospinal fluid adenosine and glutamate concentrations may reflect an endogenous attempt at neuroprotection against excitotoxicity after severe traumatic brain injury.

Anticonvulsant effect of bilateral injection of N6-cyclohexyladenosine into the CA1 region of the hippocampus in amygdala-kindled rats

In this study the role of adenosine A(1) receptors of CA1 region of the hippocampus on amygdala-kindled seizures was investigated in rats. Results obtained showed that in kindled animals, bilateral injection of N(6)-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA), an adenosine A(1) receptor agonist, at doses of 0.1, 1 and 10 microM into the CA1 region of the hippocampus significantly decreased the afterdischarge duration and stage 5 seizure duration and increased the latency to stage 4 seizure, but there were no changes in seizure stage. Also, bilateral injection of 1,3-dimethyl-8-cyclopenthylxanthine (CPT), an adenosine A(1) receptor antagonist, at doses of 0.5 and 1 microM into the CA1 region of the hippocampus could not produce any changes in the seizure parameters. Intrahippocampal pretreatment of CPT (1 microM) before CHA (0.1 and 1 microM), reduced the effects of CHA on seizure parameters significantly. Thus, it may be suggested that CA1 region of the hippocampus plays an important role in spreading seizure spikes from the amygdala to other brain regions and activation of adenosine A(1) receptors in this region, participates in anticonvulsant effects of adenosine agonists.

Adenosine in the central nervous system: release mechanisms and extracellular concentrations

Adenosine has several functions within the CNS that involve an inhibitory tone of neurotransmission and neuroprotective actions in pathological conditions. The understanding of adenosine production and release in the brain is therefore of fundamental importance and has been extensively studied. Conflicting results are often obtained regarding the cellular source of adenosine, the stimulus that induces release and the mechanism for release, in relation to different experimental approaches used to study adenosine production and release. A neuronal origin of adenosine has been demonstrated through electrophysiological approaches showing that neurones can release significant quantities of adenosine, sufficient to activate adenosine receptors and to modulate synaptic functions. Specific actions of adenosine are mediated by different receptor subtypes (A(1), A(2A), A(2B) and A(3)), which are activated by various ranges of adenosine concentrations. Another important issue is the measurement of adenosine concentrations in the extracellular fluid under different conditions in order to know the degree of receptor stimulation and understand adenosine central actions. For this purpose, several experimental approaches have been used both in vivo and in vitro, which provide an estimation of basal adenosine levels in the range of 50-200 nM. The purpose of this review is to describe pathways of adenosine production and metabolism, and to summarize characteristics of adenosine release in the brain in response to different stimuli. Finally, studies performed to evaluate adenosine concentrations under physiological and hypoxic/ischemic conditions will be described to evaluate the degree of adenosine receptor activation.

Synapse-associated protein 97 selectively associates with a subset of AMPA receptors early in their biosynthetic pathway

The regulation of AMPA receptors at the postsynaptic membrane is a fundamental component of synaptic plasticity. In the hippocampus, the induction of long-term potentiation increases the delivery of GluR1, a major AMPA receptor subunit in hippocampal pyramidal neurons, to the synaptic plasma membrane through a mechanism that requires the PDZ binding domain of GluR1. Synapse-associated protein 97 (SAP97), a member of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase family, is believed to associate with AMPA receptors (AMPARs) containing the GluR1 subunit, but the functional significance of these interactions is unclear. We investigated the interaction of GluR1 with SAP97, the only PDZ protein known to interact with GluR1. We find that interactions involving SAP97 and GluR1 occur early in the secretory pathway, while the receptors are in the endoplasmic reticulum or cis-Golgi. In contrast, few synaptic receptors associate with SAP97, suggesting that SAP97 dissociates from the receptor complex at the plasma membrane. We also show that internalization of GluR1, as triggered by NMDAR activation, does not require SAP97. These results implicate GluR1-SAP97 interactions in mechanisms underlying AMPA receptor targeting.

The role and regulation of adenosine in the central nervous system

Adenosine is a modulator that has a pervasive and generally inhibitory effect on neuronal activity. Tonic activation of adenosine receptors by adenosine that is normally present in the extracellular space in brain tissue leads to inhibitory effects that appear to be mediated by both adenosine A1 and A2A receptors. Relief from this tonic inhibition by receptor antagonists such as caffeine accounts for the excitatory actions of these agents. Characterization of the effects of adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists has led to numerous hypotheses concerning the role of this nucleoside. Previous work has established a role for adenosine in a diverse array of neural phenomena, which include regulation of sleep and the level of arousal, neuroprotection, regulation of seizure susceptibility, locomotor effects, analgesia, mediation of the effects of ethanol, and chronic drug use.

Overview of microdialysis

The technique of microdialysis enables the monitoring of neurotransmitters and other molecules in the extracellular environment. This method has undergone several modifications and is now widely used for sampling and quantitating neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and hormones in the brain and periphery. This unit describes the principles of conventional and quantitative microdialysis as well as strategies in designing a dialysis experiment. It establishes the groundwork for the basic techniques of preparation, conduct, and analysis of dialysis experiments in rodents and subhuman primates. Although the methods described are those used for monitoring CNS function, they can be easily applied with minor modification to other organ systems.

Sodium nitroprusside-induced seizures and adenosine release in rat hippocampus

In the present study, we examined the effects of nitric oxide (NO)-related compounds, i.e. sodium nitroprusside (NO donor), diethyldithiocarbamate (NO trapper) and dithiothreitol (superoxide radical scavenger) on release of aspartate and adenosine from rat hippocampus using electrophysiological and microdialysis methods. Perfusion with 0.05 or 0.5 mM sodium nitroprusside significantly reduced high K(+)-evoked release of aspartate during high K(+) perfusion. Perfusion with 0.5 mM sodium nitroprusside always induced seizures and significantly increased release of aspartate and adenosine during washout of sodium nitroprusside. Diethyldithiocarbamate (5 mM) reversed the effects of sodium nitroprusside. Dithiothreitol (1 mM) significantly reduced the increase in adenosine release by sodium nitroprusside. These findings indicate that adenosine release is closely related to development of seizures, which are triggered by an increase in both NO itself and in part peroxynitrite, which results in reaction with superoxide radicals.

A novel transverse push-pull microprobe: in vitro characterization and in vivo demonstration of the enzymatic production of adenosine in the spinal cord dorsal horn

Adenosine produces analgesia in the spinal cord and can be formed extracellularly through enzymatic conversion of adenine nucleotides. A transverse push-pull microprobe was developed and characterized to sample extracellular adenosine concentrations of the dorsal horn of the rat spinal cord. Samples collected via this sampling technique reveal that AMP is converted to adenosine in the dorsal horn. This conversion is decreased by the ecto-5'-nucleotidase inhibitor, alpha,beta-methylene ADP. Related behavioral studies demonstrate that AMP administered directly to the spinal cord can reverse the secondary mechanical hyperalgesia characteristic of the intradermal capsaicin model of inflammatory pain. The specific adenosine A(1) receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dimethylxanthine (CPT) inhibits the antihyperalgesia produced by AMP. This research introduces a novel microprobe that can be used as an adjunct sampling technique to microdialysis and push-pull cannulas. Furthermore, we conclude that AMP is converted to adenosine in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord by ecto-5'-nucleotidase and subsequently may be one source of adenosine, acting through adenosine A(1) receptors in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, which produce antihyperalgesia.

Trophic effects of purines in neurons and glial cells

In addition to their well known roles within cells, purine nucleotides such as adenosine 5' triphosphate (ATP) and guanosine 5' triphosphate (GTP), nucleosides such as adenosine and guanosine and bases, such as adenine and guanine and their metabolic products xanthine and hypoxanthine are released into the extracellular space where they act as intercellular signaling molecules. In the nervous system they mediate both immediate effects, such as neurotransmission, and trophic effects which induce changes in cell metabolism, structure and function and therefore have a longer time course. Some trophic effects of purines are mediated via purinergic cell surface receptors, whereas others require uptake of purines by the target cells. Purine nucleosides and nucleotides, especially guanosine, ATP and GTP stimulate incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA of astrocytes and microglia and concomitant mitosis in vitro. High concentrations of adenosine also induce apoptosis, through both activation of cell-surface A3 receptors and through a mechanism requiring uptake into the cells. Extracellular purines also stimulate the synthesis and release of protein trophic factors by astrocytes, including bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor), nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-3, ciliary neurotrophic factor and S-100beta protein. In vivo infusion into brain of adenosine analogs stimulates reactive gliosis. Purine nucleosides and nucleotides also stimulate the differentiation and process outgrowth from various neurons including primary cultures of hippocampal neurons and pheochromocytoma cells. A tonic release of ATP from neurons, its hydrolysis by ecto-nucleotidases and subsequent re-uptake by axons appears crucial for normal axonal growth. Guanosine and GTP, through apparently different mechanisms, are also potent stimulators of axonal growth in vitro. In vivo the extracellular concentration of purines depends on a balance between the release of purines from cells and their re-uptake and extracellular metabolism. Purine nucleosides and nucleotides are released from neurons by exocytosis and from both neurons and glia by non-exocytotic mechanisms. Nucleosides are principally released through the equilibratory nucleoside transmembrane transporters whereas nucleotides may be transported through the ATP binding cassette family of proteins, including the multidrug resistance protein. The extracellular purine nucleotides are rapidly metabolized by ectonucleotidases. Adenosine is deaminated by adenosine deaminase (ADA) and guanosine is converted to guanine and deaminated by guanase. Nucleosides are also removed from the extracellular space into neurons and glia by transporter systems. Large quantities of purines, particularly guanosine and, to a lesser extent adenosine, are released extracellularly following ischemia or trauma. Thus purines are likely to exert trophic effects in vivo following trauma. The extracellular purine nucleotide GTP enhances the tonic release of adenine nucleotides, whereas the nucleoside guanosine stimulates tonic release of adenosine and its metabolic products. The trophic effects of guanosine and GTP may depend on this process. Guanosine is likely to be an important trophic effector in vivo because high concentrations remain extracellularly for up to a week after focal brain injury. Purine derivatives are now in clinical trials in humans as memory-enhancing agents in Alzheimer's disease. Two of these, propentofylline and AIT-082, are trophic effectors in animals, increasing production of neurotrophic factors in brain and spinal cord. Likely more clinical uses for purine derivatives will be found; purines interact at the level of signal-transduction pathways with other transmitters, for example, glutamate. They can beneficially modify the actions of these other transmitters.

Effect of N-methyl-D-aspartate on motor activity and in vivo adenosine striatal outflow in the rat

It has been previously found that the systemic administration of low doses of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) in mice induces motor depression. The effects of the systemic administration of different doses of NMDA (10, 30 and 60 mg/kg s.c.) on the motor activity and on the in vivo extracellular levels of adenosine in the striatum was studied in Sprague-Dawley rats. The adenosine concentration in samples of perfusate was determined 24 h after implantation of a transverse microdialysis probe. At 30 and 60 mg/kg, but not 10 mg/kg, NMDA induced both a significant motor depression (motility and rearing) and a significant increase in the striatal extracellular levels of adenosine. Both the motor depression and the changes in the extracellular levels of adenosine were only evident during the first 30 min after NMDA administration. The non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 (0.1 mg/kg s.c.) completely counteracted the effects of NMDA (30 mg/kg s.c.) on motor activity (motility) and on the striatal extracellular levels of adenosine. The correlation between the behavioural and the biochemical data strongly support the hypothesis that adenosine release in the striatum is a main mechanism responsible for the motor depressant effects produced by the systemic administration of NMDA.

Adenosine-amino acid interactions in the chick brain: a role in passive avoidance learning

The present work describes interactions between adenosine and the amino acids glutamate and GABA in slices of intermediate medial hyperstriatum ventrale (IMHV), an area of the chick brain known to be involved in learning and memory events associated with a one-trial passive avoidance task. In slices derived from the IMHV of untrained chicks, the A(1) receptor agonist N(6)-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA; 10 microM) specifically inhibited glutamate release. Conversely, cyclopentyltheophylline (CPT; 100 microM an A(1) antagonist) increased glutamate release from the slices and blocked the CHA-induced inhibition of glutamate. The A(2) receptor agonist 2-p-(2-carboxylethyl)-phenylamino-5'-N-ethylcarboxamido adenosine hydrochloride (CGS 21680) selectively increased glutamate release when applied at 5 microM while it selectively inhibited GABA release at a lower concentration (10 nM). The addition of NMDA to the medium, resulted in increased adenosine release equivalent to that found following stimulation with 50 mM KCl. Both the NMDA and the KCl-induced increases were eliminated by addition of D-2-amino-5 phosphopentanoic acid (D-AP5), an NMDA-receptor antagonist. Slices prepared from the IMHV of chicks following successful training on the task showed enhanced adenosine release 30 min, 1, 3 and 6.5 h after training compared to chicks trained to peck a water-coated bead. The results show that changes in adenosine release from the IMHV accompany memory formation in the chick. We suggest that adenosine-amino acid transmitter interactions potentially via the activation of NMDA receptors, a necessary step in long-term memory formation for the task, may modulate the formation of memory for the one-trial passive avoidance task.

Effects of Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to, a Japanese Kampo medicine, on tachycardia and central nervous system stimulation induced by theophylline in rats and mice

Effects of Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to (SRBT) on theophylline-induced tachycardia in anesthetized rats and theophylline-induced locomotion and convulsions in mice were examined. An intraduodenal administration of SRBT (1 g/kg) prevented theophylline (5 mg/kg, i.v.)-induced tachycardia in rats. SRBT also attenuated an increase in arterial blood pressure with a slow reduction in heart rate of rats treated with theophylline, with no influence on the plasma level of theophylline. However, SRBT did not change the beating rate of right atrium isolated from rats in the absence or presence of theophylline or isoproterenol. The locomotor activity of theophylline in mice was reduced by the treatment with SRBT. Furthermore, the latency of convulsions in mice induced by administration of theophylline at a higher dose (240 mg/kg, i.p.) was prolonged by treatment with SRBT (1 g/kg, p.o.) and seven out of fifteen mice were saved from death due to convulsions. These results suggest that theophylline-induced tachycardia and central nervous stimulation are suppressed by SRBT and that SRBT may reduce the undesirable actions of theophylline on the cardiovascular and central nervous systems.

Protection against hippocampal kainate excitotoxicity by intracerebral administration of an adenosine A2A receptor antagonist

We have previously shown that the peripheral administration of an A2A receptor agonist 2-p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine hydrochloride (CGS 21680) protected the hippocampus against kainate-induced excitotoxicity. The present study utilises the intrahippocampal route to further investigate CGS 21680-mediated protection as well as examining the role of adenosine and both A1 and A2A receptors in kainate-induced excitotoxicity. Injections were made directly into the hippocampus of anaesthetised male Wistar rats. Following surgery and the administration of 0.25 nmol kainate in 1 microl of solution, the animals were left to recover for seven days before perfusion and brain slicing. Haematoxylin and eosin staining revealed substantial damage to the CA3 region. Co-administration of the A2A receptor agonist CGS 21680 over a range of doses did not protect the region to any degree. Similarly neither the A1 receptor agonist R-phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA), nor adenosine itself reduced kainate-induced damage. The intrahippocampal injection of the selective A2A receptor antagonist, 4-(2-[7-amino-2-¿2-furyl¿¿1,2, 4¿triazolo¿2,3-a¿¿1,3,5¿triazin-5-yl-amino]ethyl)phenol (ZM241385) however, significantly decreased kainate damage to the CA3 region. These results show that adenosine A2A receptor-induced protection is most likely to be mediated peripherally and is probably not due to activation of A2A receptors within the hippocampus. The lack of protection observed with either R-PIA or adenosine may be due to an inhibitory action of the A2A receptor on the neuroprotective A1 receptor. Importantly, this study also questions the role of endogenously released adenosine in protecting the hippocampus from excitotoxic damage.

Electrically-evoked dopamine and acetylcholine release from rat striatal slices perfused without magnesium: regulation by glutamate acting on NMDA receptors

1. Rat striatal slices, preincubated with [3H]-dopamine and [14C]-choline, were continuously superfused and electrically stimulated. Electrically evoked release of [3H]-dopamine and [14C]-acetylcholine (ACh) was not significantly changed by elimination of Mg2+ from superfusion buffer, but the basal release of [3H]-dopamine was doubled. 2. Kynurenic acid (100-800 microM) caused, in the absence but not presence of Mg2+, a concentration-dependent decrease in the evoked release of these two transmitters. The addition of glycine reversed the inhibition of the evoked release of both transmitters caused by kynurenic acid (400 microM) in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, glycine increased the evoked release of [3H]-dopamine via a site inhibitable by strychnine (1 microM). 3. Another two antagonists at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid and dizocilpine, also decreased significantly the evoked release of the two transmitters in a concentration-dependent manner in the absence, but not presence of Mg2+. By contrast, an antagonist of non-NMDA receptors, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (10 microM) significantly decreased the evoked release of the two transmitters in the presence, but not in the absence of Mg2+. 4. Electrical field stimulation evoked release of endogenous adenosine, and this release tended to be higher in the absence of Mg2+. However, the addition of a selective adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (200 nM) did not influence the evoked release of the two transmitters, showing that the released adenosine is of little importance in controlling ACh and dopamine release from striatal slices. Non-NMDA receptors may play a similar role when Mg2+ ions are present. 5. The results indicate that NMDA receptors activated in the absence of Mg2+ participate in the electrically-evoked release of [3H]-dopamine and [14C]-ACh from the striatum.

In vivo amino acid release from the striatum of aging rats: adenosine modulation

The release of glutamate, aspartate, GABA, and taurine from the striatum of young (3 months), mature (12 months), and old (22 months), freely moving male rats was investigated by using a microdialysis fiber inserted transversally in the striatum. In old rats basal extracellular glutamate and aspartate levels were decreased vs. young rats (-38 and -49%, respectively). GABA and taurine levels were unmodified by age. In the presence of the adenosine receptor antagonist 8-phenyltheophilline (8-pT) at the concentration of 50 microM, both K(+)-evoked releases of glutamate and aspartate were more than doubled in young, but not in mature and old rats. 8-pT at the concentration of 500 microM significantly decreased glutamate basal levels and K(+)-evoked aspartate release in old rats only. GABA and taurine releases were not affected by 8-pT at either dose. Our findings indicate a modified adenosine modulation on glutamate and aspartate release in aged rats, that could result from a change in the balance between A1 and A2a adenosine receptor density or an alteration of A1 and A2a receptor-effector coupling.

Alkylxanthine adenosine antagonists and epileptiform activity in rat hippocampal slices in vitro

Despite its potent proconvulsant effects in vitro, the adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX) does not induce seizures when administered in vivo. This contrasts with the effects of less selective adenosine antagonists such as theophylline or cyclopentlytheophylline, and led us to reexamine the nature of DPCPX-induced epileptiform activity. In the present study, we report that proconvulsant effects of bath-applied DPCPX in rat hippocampal slices are only observed after a preceding stimulus such as NMDA receptor activation or brief tetanic stimulation. While this may be due to the absence of a basal "purinergic tone", the relatively high interstitial concentrations of adenosine present in the slice suggest that access of the drug to A1 receptors may instead be prevented by tightly coupled endogenous adenosine, with the ternary adenosine-A1 receptor-G protein complex stabilised in the high-affinity conformation by a coupling cofactor. This implies that a substantial percentage of adenosine A1 receptors are inactive under physiological conditions, but that access of adenosine A1 receptor antagonists may be facilitated under pathological conditions. Once induced, DPCPX-evoked spiking persists for long periods of time. A "kindling" effect of A1 receptor blockade is unlikely, since persistent spiking is not usually observed with less selective A1 antagonists even after prolonged application. Alternatively, endogenous adenosine released during increased neuronal activity may activate A2 receptors during selective A1 blockade. The most important factor determining the duration of DPCPX-induced spiking, however, may be a persistence of the drug in the tissue and subsequent access to the A1 receptor via a membrane-delineated pathway, since DPCPX-induced spiking could be shown to decrease markedly after a transient superfusion of theophylline. This hypothesis, which implies that the apparent affinity of adenosine antagonists for the A1 receptor is in part a function of their membrane partitioning coefficient, is supported by a close correlation between alkylxanthine logP values obtained from the literature and their Ki value at A1 receptors, but not at the enzyme phosphodiesterase, whose xanthine binding site is presented to the cytosol. The implications for the therapeutic value of purinergic drugs are discussed.

The contribution of adenosine to paired-pulse inhibition in the normal and disinhibited hippocampal slice

The effects of the adenosine receptor antagonist 1,3-dimethyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (cyclopentyltheophylline) and the enzyme adenosine deaminase have been examined on paired-pulse inhibition between orthodromic evoked field potentials in the CA1 region of the normal and disinhibited hippocampal slice. In the presence of the GABAA receptor antagonist (-)-bicuculline methobromide, cyclopentyltheophylline suppressed homosynaptic paired-pulse inhibition between stimuli 300 ms apart. Slices treated with (-)-bicuculline and cyclopentyltheophylline together tended to develop spontaneous burst potentials. In slices in which a surgical cut isolated the CA1 and CA3 areas, thereby preventing the development of bursts in CA1, the effect on paired-pulse inhibition was lessened but was still apparent. Adenosine deaminase, in the presence of (-)-bicuculline showed the same effect as cyclopentyltheophylline, decreasing substantially the amount of paired-pulse inhibition. These results suggest that adenosine may contribute to homosynaptic paired-pulse inhibition in disinhibited slices. For comparison, we also examined the effect of cyclopentyltheophylline in normal ((-)-bicuculline-free) slices. At 100 nM, cyclopentyltheophylline increased reversibly the size of orthodromically evoked synaptic population potentials in the CA1 region of the slices and also reduced reversibly the degree of homosynaptic paired-pulse inhibition between two stimuli delivered only 30 ms apart. This suggests that adenosine may also contribute to shorter latency paired-pulse inhibition in the normal hippocampal slice.

Potentiation of excitatory amino acid-evoked adenosine release from rat cortex by inhibitors of adenosine kinase and adenosine deaminase and by acadesine

Endogenous extracellular adenosine provides some protection against excitotoxicity in the central nervous system, but it appears to be incomplete. Potentiating the formation of extracellular adenosine that occurs when excitatory amino acid receptors are activated might provide additional protection. We studied the effects of AICAR (AICA riboside, acadesine) and of inhibitors of adenosine metabolism on the release of adenosine from rat cortical slices. AICAR had no effects on basal N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)- or (RS)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxasole propionic acid (AMPA)-evoked adenosine release, but it increased kainate-evoked adenosine release 1.4-fold. This selective action of AICAR may make it useful for treating kainate receptor-mediated excitotoxicity. Inhibition of adenosine kinase with either 20 microM 5'-amino-5'-deoxyadenosine or 5'-iodotubercidin had a much greater effect on excitatory amino acid-evoked adenosine release than on basal adenosine release. Inhibition of adenosine kinase increased excitatory amino acid-evoked adenosine release 3-7-fold whereas inhibition of adenosine deaminase only increased evoked adenosine release 2-2.5-fold. Finally, 0.2 microM 5'-iodotubercidin and 200 microM 2'-deoxycoformycin caused similar increases in the basal rates of extracellular adenosine formation, but 5'-iodotubercidin produced over twice as much potentiation of the rate of NMDA-evoked adenosine formation than did 2'-deoxycoformycin. These findings suggest that adenosine kinase inhibitors may produce an event-specific potentiation of evoked adenosine formation, i.e. more effect on evoked formation than on basal formation. If so, adenosine kinase inhibitors may prove useful for preventing/treating diseases associated with excessive excitation in the brain, such as seizures, excitotoxicity and neurodegeneration.

Choline substitution for sodium triggers glutamate and adenosine release from rat hippocampal slices

Substituting choline for sodium resulted in an extracellularly recorded transient depolarization and increased efflux of glutamate and adenosine from rat hippocampal slices. The depolarization was blocked by a combination of NMDA and non-NMDA antagonists, MK-801 (10 microM) and 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX, 50 microM). Adenosine release was blocked by MK-801 alone. These data suggest that glutamate released as a result of the sodium removal acts at NMDA and non-NMDA glutamate receptors to trigger the depolarization and acts at NMDA receptors to trigger adenosine release.