Intracerebroventricular responses to neuropeptide gamma in the conscious rat: characterization of its receptor with selective antagonists

Ventilatory and cardiovascular actions of centrally administered trout tachykinins in the unanesthetized trout

The brains of teleost fish contain members of the tachykinin family that are the products of orthologous genes expressed in mammalian nervous tissues,but little is known regarding the physiological effects of these peptides in their species of origin. The present study compares the central actions of trout neuropeptide gamma (NPγ), substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA)(5–250 pmol) on ventilatory and cardiovascular parameters in the unanesthetized rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of NPγ evoked a dose-dependent elevation of the ventilation rate (fV) but a reduction of the ventilation amplitude (VAMP) that was caused by a reduction of the magnitude of the adduction phase of the ventilatory signal. The net effect of NPγ was to produce an hypoventilatory response since the total ventilation (VTOT) was significantly reduced. The minimum effective dose for a significant effect of NPγ on fV and VAMP was 50 pmol. SP evoked a significant elevation of fV, a concomitant depression of VAMP, and a resultant decrease in VTOTbut only at the highest dose (250 pmol). NKA was without action on fV but significantly decreased VAMP at only the highest dose tested. In this case also, the net effect of NKA was to reduce VTOT. When injected centrally, none of the three peptides, at any dose tested, produced changes in heart rate or mean dorsal aortic blood pressure (PDA). Intra-arterial injection of the three tachykinins (250 pmol) produced a significant (P<0.05)increase in PDA, but only SP and NKA induced concomitant bradycardia. None of the three peptides produced any change in fV or VAMP. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that centrally injected tachykinins, particularly NPγ,produce a strong hypoventilatory response in a teleost fish and so suggest that endogenous tachykinins may be differentially implicated in neuroregulatory control of ventilation.

New challenges in the study of the mammalian tachykinins

There is an expanding repertoire of mammalian tachykinins produced by a variety of tachykinin genes, gene splicing events and peptide processing. Novel tachykinin-binding molecules/receptors are proposed, but only, three tachykinin receptors are identified with certainty. The question remains - do more tachykinin receptors exist or is there just the need to reappraise our understanding of the known receptors? The tachykinin NK1 receptor, the preferred receptor for both substance P and the peripheral SP-like endokinins, exists in several tissue-specific conformations and isoforms and may provide some clues. This review addresses recent advances in this exciting field and raises challenging new concepts.

Presence of NK2 binding sites in the rat brain

Attempts were made to label tachykinin NK2 binding sites in the adult rat brain using [125I]neurokinin A (NKA) as ligand in the presence of NK1 and NK3 agonist or antagonist to avoid labelling of NK1 and NK3 binding sites, respectively. A high-affinity, specifically NK2-sensitive, [125I]NKA-binding, temperature-dependent, reversible, sensitive to GTPgammaS and correspondence to a single population of binding sites (K(D) and B(max) values: 2.2 nM and 7.3 fmol/mg protein) was demonstrated on hippocampal membranes. Competition studies performed with tachykinins and tachykinin-related compounds indicated that the pharmacological properties of these NK2-sensitive [125I]NKA binding sites were identical to those identified in the rat urinary bladder and duodenum. NKA, neuropeptide K, and neuropeptide gamma, as well as the potent and selective NK2 antagonists SR 144190, SR 48968 and MEN 10627, presented a nanomolar affinity for these sites. The regional distribution of these NK2-sensitive [125I]NKA binding sites differs markedly from those of NK1 and NK3 binding sites, with the largest labeling being found in the hippocampus, the thalamus and the septum. Binding in other brain structures was low or negligible. A preliminary autoradiographic analysis confirmed [125I]NKA selective binding in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas, particularly, and in several thalamic nuclei.

Different subtypes of tachykinin NK(1) receptor binding sites are present in the rat brain

(2-[(125)I]iodohistidyl(1))Neurokinin A ([(125)I]NKA), which labels "septide-sensitive" but not classic NK(1) binding sites in peripheral tissues, was used to determine whether septide-sensitive binding sites are also present in the rat brain. Binding studies were performed in the presence of SR 48968 (NK(2) antagonist) and senktide (NK(3) agonist) because [(125)I]NKA also labels peripheral NK(2) binding sites and, as shown in this study, central NK(3) binding sites. [(125)I]NKA was found to label not only septide-sensitive binding sites but also a new subtype of NK(1) binding site distinct from classic NK(1) binding sites. Both subtypes of [(125)I]NKA binding sites were sensitive to tachykinin NK(1) antagonists and agonists but also to the endogenous tachykinins NKA, neuropeptide K (NPK), and neuropeptide gamma (NPgamma). However, compounds of the septide family such as substance P(6-11) [SP(6-11)] and propionyl-[Met(O(2))(11)]SP(7-11) and some NK(1) antagonists, GR 82334, RP 67580, and CP 96345, had a much lower affinity for the new NK(1)-sensitive sites than for the septide-sensitive sites. The hypothalamus and colliculi possess only this new subtype of NK(1) site, whereas both types of [(125)I]NKA binding sites were found in the amygdala and some other brain structures. These results not only explain the central effects of septide or SP(6-11), but also those of NKA, NPK, and NPgamma, which can be selectively blocked by NK(1) receptor antagonists.

Effects of peptidase inhibitors, [D-Ala2, Met5]-enkephalinamide and antiserum to methionine-enkephalin microinjected into the caudal periaqueductal gray on morphine withdrawal in rats

We examined the involvement of enkephalins in the caudal periaqueductal gray (cPAG) in morphine withdrawal in rats. Rats were treated with increasing doses of morphine (20-30 mg/kg/day, s.c., for 5 days) to develop morphine dependence. Morphine withdrawal was induced by naloxone (5 mg/kg, s.c.) 24 hr after the final morphine injection. The level of preproenkephalin (PPE) mRNA in the cPAG was estimated by quantitative in situ hybridization. PPE mRNA in the cPAG was increased 4-24 hr after naloxone in morphine-treated rats. A mixture of peptidase inhibitors (0.5 microl of a solution of amastatin, captopril and phosphoramidon, 3 x 10(-3) M each) microinjected into the cPAG suppressed morphine withdrawal (a decrease in the number of jumping, chin rubbing, paw rubbing and teeth chattering). Antiserum to methionine-enkephalin (1:10 dilution) microinjected into the cPAG did not significantly aggravate morphine withdrawal with or without the mixture of peptidase inhibitors. However, [D-Ala2, Met5]-enkephalinamide (20 nmol), an enkephalin analog, injected into the cPAG decreased the number of jumping without any influence on the other withdrawal signs. These results suggest that the increase in enkephalins in the cPAG may participate in the alleviation of morphine withdrawal (jumping behavior).

Further evidence that central tachykinin NK-1 receptors mediate the inhibitory effect of tachykinins on angiotensin-induced drinking in rats

The order of potency of tachykinin (TK) receptor agonists suggests that TK NK-1 receptors mediate their inhibitory effect on water intake induced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of angiotensin II (AngII) in rats. The present study was aimed at further evaluating which TK receptor subtype mediates the effect, using selective antagonists for the TK receptor subtypes. Pulse i.c.v. injection of the TK agonist neuropeptide gamma (NP gamma), 31-250 ng/rat, markedly inhibited AngII-induced water intake. The i.c.v. injection of the NK-1 receptor antagonist SR14033, 0.5 microgram/rat, significantly reduced, while 1 microgram/rat completely abolished the inhibitory effect of NP gamma, 125 ng/rat. The selective NK-2 receptor antagonist SR48968 and the selective NK-3 receptor antagonist R820 were devoid of any effect up to the i.c.v. dose of 2 micrograms/rat. On the other hand, i.c.v. injection of SR140333, 1 microgram/rat, did not increase drinking induced by i.c.v. injection of AngII, 0.1-10 ng/rat, and did not increase drinking in water sated or water deprived rats. The results of the present study confirm that central TKergic mechanisms inhibit AngII-induced drinking in rats, and provide further evidence that TK NK-1 receptors mediate the effect. Failure of i.c.v. injected SR 140333 to increase AngII-induced drinking, as well as water intake in sated or deprived rats suggests that brain NK-1 receptor mechanisms apparently do not exert a tonic control on AngII-induced drinking and, in general, on water intake in rats. From a pharmacological point of view, the inhibitory effect of TKs on the dipsogenic action of AngII can represent a functional test for activity at central NK-1 receptors in rats.

Cardiovascular and behavioural effects of intracerebroventricularly administered tachykinin NK3 receptor antagonists in the conscious rat

1. In the conscious rat, three tachykinin NK3 receptor antagonists, namely SR142801 ((S)-(N)-(1-(3-(1-benzoyl-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)piperidin-3-yl)pro pyl)-4-phenylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-methylacetamide), R820 (3-indolylcarbonyl-Hyp-Phg-N(Me)-Bzl) and R486 (H-Asp-Ser-Phe-Trp-beta-Ala-Leu-Met-NH2) were assessed against the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) effects induced by senktide, a selective NK3 receptor agonist, on mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and motor behaviour. 2. Senktide (10-650 pmol per animal; i.c.v; n = 4-16) at the lowest dose caused a significant fall in MAP (-10 +/- 6 mmHg), while at the highest doses (100 and 650 pmol), senktide caused a rise in MAP (9 +/- 3 and 12 +/- 1 mmHg, respectively) when compared to vehicle. The intermediate doses (25 and 65 pmol) had no effect on MAP. The highest two doses caused a tachycardia of 62 +/- 15 and 88 +/- 8 beats min(-1), respectively. The dose of 65 pmol had a biphasic effect on HR, an initial bradycardia of 47 +/- 12 beats min(-1) followed by a tachycardia of 46 +/- 14 beats min(-1). The lowest doses caused either a rise of 52 +/- 10 beats min(-1) (25 pmol) or no effect (10 pmol) on HR. All doses of senktide caused similar increases in face washing, sniffing and wet dog shakes except at the dose of 100 pmol, when wet dog shakes were more than double those observed with the other doses. 3. The antagonist SR142801 (100 pmol -65 nmol per animal; i.c.v.; n = 6-8) caused increases in MAP at the highest two doses (6.5 and 65 nmol) while HR, dose-dependently, increased (23 +/- 6 to 118 +/- 26 beats min[-1]) and the onset dose-dependently decreased. The (R)-enantiomer, SR142806 (100 pmol - 65 nmol per animal; i.c.v.; n = 6-8) only caused rises in MAP (13 +/- 2 mmHg) and HR (69 +/- 11 beats min[-1]) at the highest dose. These drugs had no apparent effect on behaviour, except for the highest dose of SR142801 which increased sniffing. The antagonist R820 (650 pmol - 6.5 nmol per animal; i.c.v.; n = 6) had no effect on MAP or HR and only increased sniffing behaviour at 6.5 nmol. At 650 pmol (n = 6), R486 had no effect on any variable, but at 3.25 nmol, i.c.v. (n = 4) a delayed tachycardia and a significant increase in all behavioural variables were observed. 4. The cardiovascular responses induced by 6.5 nmol SR142801 and 25 pmol senktide were inhibited by R820 (6.5 nmol, 5 min earlier i.c.v.). In contrast, R820 failed to affect the central cardiovascular and behavioural responses induced by 10 pmol [Sar9, Met(O2)11]substance P, a NK1 receptor selective agonist. The senktide-induced behavioural changes were not inhibited by R820 (6.5 nmol, i.c.v.) while R486 (650 pmol, i.c.v.) blocked both the cardiovascular and behavioural responses to 25 pmol senktide. A mixture of antagonists for NK1 (RP67580; 6.5 nmol) and NK2 (SR48968; 6.5 nmol) receptors injected i.c.v. did not affect the cardiovascular response to SR142801. Cross-desensitization was shown between the central responses to SR142801 and senktide, but not between SR142801 and [Sar9, Met(O2)11]substance P. 5. The antagonists SR142801 and SR142806 (6.5-650 nmol kg(-1); n = 5-7), given i.v., did not evoke any cardiovascular or behavioural changes, except a delayed bradycardia for SR142806 (650 nmol kg[-1]), and also failed to inhibit the increase in MAP evoked by senktide (4 nmol kg(-1), i.v.). However, at the highest dose, both drugs slightly reduced the senktide-induced tachycardia. 6. Although the present data are consistent with the in vitro pharmacological bioassays and binding data, showing that SR142801 is a poor antagonist at rat peripheral NK3 receptors, they suggest that SR142801 has a partial agonist action at these receptors centrally. A separation of the cardiovascular and behavioural effects mediated by central NK3 receptor activation was achieved with SR142801 and R820 but not with R486. These results could be explained by the existence of NK3 receptor subtypes in the rat or by the differential activation and inhibition of the same receptor protein linked to the production of different second messengers. Differences in the pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic properties of the antagonists cannot be excluded at this time.