Release of neurohypophysial hormones in vitro

Release of Endocannabinoids into the Cerebrospinal Fluid during the Induction of the Trigemino-Hypoglossal Reflex in Rats

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in pain processing and modulation. Since the specific effects of endocannabinoids within the orofacial area are largely unknown, we aimed to determine whether an increase in the endocannabinoid concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) caused by the peripheral administration of the FAAH inhibitor URB597 and tooth pulp stimulation would affect the transmission of impulses between the sensory and motor centers localized in the vicinity of the third and fourth cerebral ventricles. The study objectives were evaluated on rats using a method that allowed the recording of the amplitude of evoked tongue jerks (ETJ) in response to noxious tooth pulp stimulation and URB597 treatment. The amplitude of ETJ was a measure of the effect of endocannabinoids on the neural structures. The concentrations of the endocannabinoids tested (AEA and 2-AG) were determined in the CSF, along with the expression of the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) in the tissues of the mesencephalon, thalamus, and hypothalamus. We demonstrated that anandamide (AEA), but not 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), was significantly increased in the CSF after treatment with a FAAH inhibitor, while tooth pulp stimulation had no effect on the AEA and 2-AG concentrations in the CSF. We also found positive correlations between the CSF AEA concentration and cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) expression in the brain, and between 2-AG and cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R), and negative correlations between the CSF concentration of AEA and brain CB2R expression, and between 2-AG and CB1R. Our study shows that endogenous AEA, which diffuses through the cerebroventricular ependyma into CSF and exerts a modulatory effect mediated by CB1Rs, alters the properties of neurons in the trigeminal sensory nuclei, interneurons, and motoneurons of the hypoglossal nerve. In addition, our findings may be consistent with the emerging concept that AEA and 2-AG have different regulatory mechanisms because they are involved differently in orofacial pain. We also suggest that FAAH inhibition may offer a therapeutic approach to the treatment of orofacial pain.

Effect of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Inhibitor URB597 on Orofacial Pain Perception in Rats

Endocannabinoids act as analgesic agents in a number of headache models. However, their effectiveness varies with the route of administration and the type of pain. In this study, we assessed the role of the fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597 in an animal model of orofacial pain based on tooth pulp stimulation. More specifically, we assessed the effects of intracerbroventricular (i.c.v.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of URB597 on the amplitude of evoked tongue jerks (ETJ) in rats. The levels of the investigated mediators anandamide (AEA), 2-arachidonyl glycerol (2-AG), Substance P (SP), calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP), endomorphin-2 (EM-2) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor by URB597 and receptors cannabinoid type-1 receptors (CB1R), cannabinoid type-2 receptors (CB2R) and µ-opioid receptors (MOR) were determined in the mesencephalon, thalamus and hypothalamus tissues. We have shown that increasing endocannabinoid AEA levels by both central and peripheral inhibition of FAAH inhibitor by URB597 has an antinociceptive effect on the trigemino-hypoglossal reflex mediated by CB1R and influences the activation of the brain areas studied. On the other hand, URB597 had no effect on the concentration of 2-AG in the examined brain structures and caused a significant decrease in CB2R mRNA expression in the hypothalamus only. Tooth pulp stimulation caused in a significant increase in SP, CGRP and EM-2 gene expression in the midbrain, thalamus and hypothalamus. In contrast, URB597 administered peripherally one hour before stimulation decreased the mRNA level of these endogenous neuropeptides in comparison with the control and stimulation in all examined brain structures. Our results show that centrally and peripherally administered URB597 is effective at preventing orofacial pain by inhibiting AEA catabolism and reducing the level of CGRP, SP and EM-2 gene expression and that AEA and 2-AG have different species and model-specific regulatory mechanisms. The data presented in this study may represent a new promising therapeutic target in the treatment of orofacial pain.

Histamine-induced enhancement of vasopressin and oxytocin secretion in rat neurohypophyseal tissue cultures

The effects of histamine (HA) on vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) secretion were studied in 13-14-day cultures of isolated rat neurohypophyseal (NH) tissue. The VP and OT contents of the supernatant were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) after a 1 or 2-h incubation. Significantly increased levels of VP and OT production were detected in the tissue culture media following HA administration, depending on the HA dose. The elevation of NH hormone secretion could be partially blocked by previous administration of the HA antagonist mepyramine (MEP, an H1 receptor antagonist) or cimetidine (CIM, an H2 receptor antagonist). Thioperamide (TPE, an H3-H4 receptor antagonist) did not influence the VP or OT secretion increase induced by HA. The application of MEP, CIM or TPE after HA administration proved ineffective. The H1 and H2 receptors are mainly involved in the HA-induced increase of both VP and OT secretion in isolated NH tissue cultures. The results indicate that NH hormone release is influenced directly by the histaminergic system, and the histaminergic control of VP and OT secretion from the NH tissue in rats can occur at the level of the posterior pituitary.

Effects of centrally administered vasopressin on orofacial pain perception in rats

Vasopressin (AVP) appears in the cerebrospinal fluid and plays an important role in nociceptive modulation in the central nervous system. The effect of increased concentration of AVP in the cerebrospinal fluid on the excitability of the hypoglossal nerve nucleus was investigated. The experiments were carried out on rats under chloralose anesthesia. Amplitudes of the retractory evoked tongue jerks (ETJ) of the outstretched tongue during the perfusion of cerebral ventricles with solutions containing AVP or its antagonists and also opioid and serotonin antagonists were recorded. Perfusion of the ventricles with AVP in 100 microM concentration suppressed the ETJ amplitude to 66 +/- 3.83%, and in 200 microM concentration, to 53 +/- 3.18% of the control. V1 vasopressin receptor antagonist, d(CH2)5,Tyr(Me)AVP, blocked the suppressive effect caused by cerebral ventricle perfusion with AVP from 64 +/- 4.11% to 83 +/- 1.58%, whereas V2 vasopressin receptor antagonist, d(CH2)5[Ile2, Ile4]AVP, did not block the antinociceptive effect of AVP. Analgesic effect of AVP was also inhibited by opioid and serotonin receptor antagonists, naloxone and methysergide, respectively. Naloxone blocked the suppressive effect of 100 microM AVP from 64 +/- 5.63% to 92 +/- 3.70% and methysergide from 65 +/- 3.62% to 80 +/- 2.72% of the control. The results indicate that exogenous AVP plays an antinociceptive role in the brain of rats penetrating the lining of the cerebral ventricles into the cerebrospinal fluid and exerting a modulating effect on the tongue motor center situated near III and IV cerebral ventricle. V1 vasopressin receptor, but not V2 vasopressin receptor, is involved in this activity in the CNS. The antinociception of AVP seems to be mediated by opioid and serotonergic pathways.

Use-dependent fade and two-rate recovery of a naloxone-sensitive inhibition in the cat superior cervical ganglion

In anaesthetized cats, a short train to the cervical sympathetic trunk (CST), of frequency between 0.5 and 5.0 Hz, inhibited the postganglionic compound action potential (CAP) evoked by a test shock to the CST. When the CST was split into two bundles, the inhibition was obtained both homosynaptically and heterosynaptically. The inhibition was antagonized by naloxone and enhanced by peptidase inhibitors. Leu-enkephalin (ENK), injected into the arterial supply of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) depressed the CAP. The ENK-evoked inhibition was antagonized by naloxone, enhanced by peptidase inhibitors and was occluded by the train-evoked inhibition. After prolonged stimulation of the CST (5-20 min at 5 Hz), the inhibition produced by a short train was depressed (faded). The fade was greater the longer the stimulation. After 20 min of stimulation the inhibition was absent. At this time the depressant effect of ENK was unchanged. When only one bundle of the split CST was stimulated at 5 Hz for 20 min, only the inhibition produced by that bundle faded, although both bundles converged onto a common set of ganglion cells. Thus, the fade is not due to receptor desensitization but more likely to failure to release the inhibitory mediator by the overstimulated axons. When, after 20 min of 5 Hz stimulation, no further stimuli were applied, the inhibition recovered in 60 min (fast recovery). However, recovery was slower when stimulation lasted longer than 20 min. Recovery took three days when stimulation lasted 80 min (slow recovery). The inhibition was markedly depressed after application of colchicine to the CST three days earlier.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) stimulates arginine vasopressin (AVP) release from superfused rat hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal complexes independently of cholinergic mechanism

We studied whether interleukin-1 (IL-1) affects the release of arginine vasopressin (AVP) from the superfused hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal complex (HNC) of rats. Involvement of the cholinergic system in the mediation of IL-1 on AVP release from HNC was also examined. Both human recombinant IL-1 alpha and -1 beta elicited a rapid increase of AVP from HNC in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10 nM. However, neither IL-1 alpha nor -1 beta at concentrations of 100 nM increased AVP, and even suppressed the stimulatory effect of 10 nM IL-1 alpha and -1 beta added later. Acetylcholine at concentrations of 1 to 100 nM caused a dose-dependent, rapid increase in AVP, whereas AVP release induced by 10 nM acetylcholine was completely suppressed by the combined presence of 10 microM hexamethonium, a nicotinic receptor antagonist, and 50 microM atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist. On the other hand, AVP release induced by 10 nM IL-1 alpha and -1 beta was not affected by the combination of the two antagonists. These results suggest that both IL-1 alpha and -1 beta may stimulate AVP release by acting directly on the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system, and that the stimulatory effect of IL-1 on AVP release may be independent of the cholinergic system.

Comparative studies on the release of vasopressin and 7B2 from isolated hypothalami

A new protein, 7B2, has been found in the anterior, intermediate and posterior pituitary and the hypothalamus. It has been previously suggested that 7B2 is synthesized in the hypothalamus and is transported to the posterior lobe in a similar way to vasopressin (AVP). We examined the in vitro release of AVP and 7B2, using rat hypothalami in a perifused column system. Membrane depolarization with KCl (56 mM) caused a marked stimulation of AVP release (from 116% to 263% above basal values). Release of 7B2 was also stimulated by potassium from 106% to 212% above basal values. Potassium pulses in calcium-free medium failed to release AVP or 7B2. Osmotic and cholinergic stimulation increased AVP secretion by 205% and 282% above basal values, respectively, but had no significant effect on 7B2 secretion. Chromatographic profiles of perifusion media revealed one immunoreactive 7B2 peak eluting at a coefficient of 0.34 corresponding to that of rat hypothalamic 7B2. Similarly AVP coeluted with AVP standard. Thus AVP and 7B2 are differentially released by cholinergic and osmotic stimuli in vitro.

Multiple tachykinin pools in sensory nerve fibres in the rabbit iris

A population of sensory nerve fibres in the rabbit iris is known to contain calcitonin gene-related peptide and tachykinins, such as substance P and neurokinin A. In the presence of atropine and guanethidine, the isolated iris sphincter responded to electrical stimulation with a contraction that could be abolished by tachykinin antagonists. Capsaicin, known to release tachykinins from sensory fibres, evoked a long-lasting tachykinin-mediated contraction of the iris sphincter. Repeated application of capsaicin led to tachyphylaxis, possibly reflecting depletion of releasable neuronal stores of tachykinins. At this stage, electrical stimulation failed to elicit contraction. The capacity of capsaicin to release neuropeptides from sensory fibres was confirmed by determination of substance P- and calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity in the incubation medium and in the iris tissue. The concentrations of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide in the iris after capsaicin exposure were reduced by about 25%. Like capsaicin, bradykinin evoked a tachykinin-mediated contraction and tachyphylaxis. However, after development of tachyphylaxis to bradykinin, electrical stimulation or exposure to capsaicin still evoked tachykinin-mediated contraction, albeit a reduced one compared with the response before bradykinin. Hence, capsaicin completely depletes tachykinin stores releasable by prolonged electrical stimulation, whereas bradykinin exhausts only a sequestered pool. The possibility that tachykinins occur in several releasable pools in sensory nerves was investigated in yet another way: the iris sphincter muscle was stimulated electrically once every 2.5 min over several hours. The contractile response diminished gradually.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcholinesterase in the rat neurohypophysis is decreased after dehydration and released by stimulation of the pituitary stalk

Specific acetylcholinesterase and non-specific cholinesterases are present in all three lobes of the rat pituitary gland. This paper describes two new observations on hypophyseal acetylcholinesterase. Firstly, a prolonged increase of neurohormone secretion evoked by dehydration and sodium loading was accompanied by a decrease in the acetylcholinesterase activity localized to the neural lobe, where acetylcholinesterase has previously been demonstrated in fine nerve fibres. Secondly, electrical stimulation of the pituitary stalk in vitro elicited the release of acetylcholinesterase and non-specific cholinesterases from the combined neural and intermediate lobe indicating that the enzyme can be released from nerve endings in the hypophysis by action potentials. The observed loss of enzyme activity during dehydration may be the consequence of a prolonged activation of cholinergic nerves in the gland, leading to an increased release of acetylcholinesterase, which is not immediately replaced by fresh enzyme. The decrease in acetylcholinesterase in the neural lobe during dehydration may also be connected with its peptidase function and thus with the previously observed loss of substance P from the neural lobe during dehydration [Holzbauer et al. (1984) Neurosci. Lett. 47, 23-28].

Nicotinic-cholinergic involvement in arginine-vasopressin response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in normal men

In order to establish whether arginine-vasopressin (AVP) release in response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia is mediated by a muscarinic and/or nicotinic cholinergic pathway, 12 normal men had an insulin tolerance test (ITT) in basal conditions and after treatment with the muscarinic receptor blocker pirenzepine (40 mg IV (intravenously) ten minutes before ITT in six subjects) or the nicotinic receptor antagonist trimethaphan (0.3 mg/min X 30 min IV before ITT in six subjects). The drugs did not modify arterial blood pressure nor produce side effects capable of altering AVP secretion. Pirenzepine administration did not change AVP response to hypoglycemia, whereas trimethaphan significantly reduced AVP increase by about 50% during the ITT. These data suggest the involvement of a cholinergic-nicotinic mechanism in regulation of AVP response to hypoglycemia.

Vasopressin and oxytocin release in the brain--a synaptic event

In order to obtain evidence for a central release of vasopressin and oxytocin, the release of these peptides was demonstrated in various extrahypothalamic areas of the rat brain. It proved that in those areas where these peptidergic fibers terminate synaptically a vasopressin and/or oxytocin calcium-dependent release, similar to that in the neurohypophysis, could be evoked by potassium or veratridine. Such release was not found in areas in which these fibers do not exhibit synaptic specialization.

Changes in posterior pituitary oxytocin release in vitro during the estrous cycle of female rats

The in vitro release of oxytocin (OXT) from posterior pituitary lobes (PPL) of adult female rats is linked to the stage of the animals' sexual cycles. After incubation in normal Locke's solution (K+ 5,6 mM), the basal OXT release from the PPL of rats on diestrus 1 and estrus amounted to 2.25 +/- 0.53 ng/lobe/10 min (mean +/- S.E.M.) and 4.71 +/- 0.61 ng/lobe/10 min, respectively. Excess K+ (56 mM/l) in the presence of Ca++ (2.2 mM/l) increased OXT liberation from the PPl of diestrous and estrous rats to 12.41 +/- 2.65 ng/lobe/10 min und 36.33 +/- 6.18 ng/lobe/10 min, respectively. When Ca++ was omitted from the incubation medium, the K+-excess induced OXT release from the PPL of estrous rats decreased to 21.54 +/- 2.65 ng/lobe/10 min whereas no change occurred in the OXT-release from the rats' PPL on diestrus 1 in the presence of Ca++. The results indicate a cycle-dependent release and suggest that OXT plays a role in the reproductive processes.

Influence of cerebral ventricles perfusion with hexapeptide derivatives of substance P on evoked tongue jerks in rats

The effects of perfusion through cerebral ventricles with two hexapeptides, C-terminal derivatives of substance P, on evoked tongue jerks (ETJ), were studied on male rats. During perfusion, stimulation of the infraorbital nerve caused retractive movements (ETJ) of the stretched tongue, the amplitudes of which were recorded. The mean amplitudes of ETJ recorded during each 10 min period of perfusion with McIlwain-Rodnight's solution and solution containing hexapeptides were compared. The biologically most active C-terminal hexapeptide derivative of substance P (pyro-Glu6)SP6-11, perfused through cerebral ventricles in a concentration of 5 nmol/ml increased the ETJ. This effect was dose-dependent. A 10 times higher concentration in the perfusion fluid of the less biologically active hexapeptide SP6-11 was not effective. The possibility that substance P, and its active fragments present in the fluid in cerebral ventricles, could modulate the reflex centers in the medulla is discussed.

Transmitter mediated arginine vasopressin release from superfused hypothalamus and pituitary gland

The study was designed to investigate the effect of various neurotransmitters on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to determine the sites of their action. Superfused isolated rat hypothalami and pituitary glands demonstrated basal secretion of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and repeated response to stimulation thus showing the viability of the preparation. Acetylcholine and histamine stimulated the release of AVP at the hypothalamic and pituitary levels; dopamine and norepinephrine released AVP in a dose related manner only from the hypothalamus; angiotensin II released AVP in the same fashion only from the pituitary gland. AVP secretion stimulated by dopamine and norepinephrine may represent synaptic inputs which are localized at the hypothalamus and must be distinguished from the site of action at the pituitary gland of angiotensin II.

Pseudopodia formation by neurosecretory granules

Ultrastrucal studies of the mouse neurohypophysis, under various experimental conditions, revealed a number of neurosecretory granules (NSG) bearing single pseudopodia-like protrusions. Some NSG adhered to the axolemma via pseudopodia; other NSG, distant from the axolemma, budded electron lucent microvesicles from the tip of the pseudopod. Pseudopodia counts were made on electron micrographs, and calculated as a percentage of the NSG population. In neural lobes from intact mice, small numbers of pseudopodia were observed (0.3%); the count increased significantly after injections of large doses of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) (9.4--14.5%); hypertonic saline augmented the count, as did histamine. In vitro incubation experiments with isolated neural lobes in Krebs Ringer revealed concomitant pseudopodia formation and elevated vasopressin release (measured by antidiuretic bioassay) in the presence of HRP and di-butyryl cyclic AMP respectively. Histamine and excess potassium also increased hormone secretion, but did not induce pseudopodia formation in vitro; pseudopodia were observed neither in controls, nor in the presence of ineffective secretagogues. It is suggested that the pseudopod may represent the active site on the granule membrane. Different ultrastructural images of granule release suggest that several modes of hormone release may be operative in the neurohypophysis. The role of HRP in pseudopodia formation and vasopressin release is enigmatic.

The effect of dopamine on neurohypophysial hormone release in vivo and from the rat neural lobe and hypothalamus in vitro

1. The rat hypothalamus (containing the supra-optic nuclei, paraventricular nuclei, median eminence and proximal pituitary stalk) has been incubated in vitro and shown to be capable of releasing the neurohypophysial hormones, oxytocin and arginine vasopressin, at a steady basal rate about one twentieth that of the rat neural lobe superfused in vitro. 2. The hypothalamus and neural lobe in vitro released both hormones in a similar arginine vasopressin/oxytocin ratio of about 1-2:1. However, when release was expressed relative to tissue hormone content, the hypothalamus was shown to release about three times as much arginine vasopressin and six times as much oxytocin as the neural lobe. 3. Dopamine in a concentration range of 10(-3)-10(-9)M caused graded increases in hormone release from the hypothalamus in vitro to a maximum fivefold increase over preceding basal levels. The demonstration that apomorphine also stimulated hormone release whereas noradrenaline was relatively ineffective suggested that a specific dopamine receptor was involved. A separate cholinergic component in the release process was indicated by the finding that acetylcholine stimulated release to a maximum fivefold increase in concentrations of 10(-3)-10(-9)M. 4. The fact that the isolated hypothalamus can be stimulated by dopamine and acetylcholine to release increased amount of oxytocin and arginine vasopressin raises the question of the origin and fate of the hormones released in this way. The possibility that they could be released into the hypophysial portal circulation from median eminence to affect the anterior lobe of the pituitary is discussed. 5. In similar doses, both dopamine and noradrenaline injected into the lateral cerebral ventricles of the brain of the anaesthetized, hydrated, lactating rat caused the release of arginine vasopressin and oxytocin. Apomorphine release both hormones but at a higher dose level and to less effect than the catecholamines. 6. The hormone release induced in vivo by dopamine could be prevented by the prior administration of haloperidol or phentolamine and these antagonists were equally effective in blocking the hormone release due to noradrenaline. The involvement of a specific dopamine receptor was more clearly implicated by the use of pimozide which completely inhibited the hormone release due to dopamine and apomorphine but not that due to noradrenaline. 7. It is suggested that the release of neurohypophysial hormones can be stimulated via a dopaminergic nervous pathway in addition to a cholinergic one. The possibility that the osmoreceptor mechanism for the release of antidiuretic hormone from the neural lobe of the pituitary may involve such a dopaminergic pathway is discussed.

Central hyperglycemic effect of carbachol in rats

Intraventricular injection of carbachol produces hyperglycemia in rats at doses which are ineffective when given subcutaneously. This effect is suppressed by intraventricular administration of small amounts of atropine, further supporting the suggestion that the effect of carbachol is due to its action on central cholinergic receptors. Carbachol-induced hyperglycemia is not abolished by adrenalectomy and hypophysectomy, or pretreatment with reserpine.

Structural requirements for angiotensin analogues to accumulate cyclic AMP and release vasopressin from the incubated rat neurohypophysis

1. Angiotensin I, a decapeptide, stimulated the accumulation of cyclic 3',5'-AMP (cyclic AMP) and the release of vasopressin from incubated rat neurohypophyses. 2. Various octapeptides related to angiotensin II were capable of producing similar neurohypophyseal effects. 3. Longer incubation periods were needed with peptides having alterations or omission (e.g. heptapeptide 2-8) at position 1 of the parent molecule to evoke similar effects to those of angiotensin II. 4. Our results suggest strongly that physiological doses of angiotensin-related molecules stimulate the secretion of vasopressin through cyclic AMP, and that the neurohypophyseal receptor responsible for these effects is similar to that involved in their peripheral actions.

Stimulation by angiotensin II of the release of vasopressin from incubated rat neurohypophyses---possible involvement of cyclic AMP

1. Calcium did not influence the spontaneous release of vasopressin from rat neurohypophyses in vitro when used in concentrations of 0.05, 0.5 and 2.8 mM in the bathing medium. 2. Stimulation of the basal output of vasopressin by angiotensin II (1 X 10(-9) M) required at least 0.5 mM calcium in the medium. 3. Angiotensin II stimulated the release of vasopressin within 2.5 min of incubation, maximal release was observed after 10 min. 4. Angiotensin II rapidly promoted the accumulation of tissue cyclic AMP; maximal accumulation was observed after 5 min of incubation. 5. Theophylline and dibutyryl cyclic AMP produced varying degree of stimulation of the release of vasopressin. 6. Increases in vasopressin secretion and in the accumulation of cyclic AMP were always present when neurohypophyses were exposed to optiman concentrations of angiotensin II. The results presented suggested that cyclic AMP may be an intermediate step for the release of vasopressin by endogenous angiotensin II.

Absence of muscarinic modulation of vasopressin release from the isolated rat neurophypophysis

1. Isolated rat neurohypophyses were incubated in Locke solution at 37 degress C and the vasopressin output into the medium determined by bioassay. 2. Potassium chloride 60 mM caused a 9-fold increase in the rate of vasopressin release that was abolished when calcium chloride was omitted from the Locke solution. 3. Acetylcholine 5.5x10-4M neither alone nor in the presence of atropine 2.9x10-6M changed the "resting" release of vasopressin. 4. Neither acetylcholine 5.5x10-4M oxotremorine 10-4 and k3x10-4M altered the vasopressin release evoked by potassium chloride 60 mM. 5. In contrast to the peripheral adrenergic nerve fibres, the secretory terminal fibres of the neurohypophysis do not appear to contain muscarinic inhibitory or nicotinic excitatory receptors.

Action potentials and release of neurohypophysial hormones in vitro

1. Isolated rat neurohypophyses were studied in vitro and the hormones released on electrical stimulation of the pituitary stalk or on exposure to excess potassium were estimated by a milk-ejection assay.2. The stalk was stimulated with trains of 500 stimuli, or multiples thereof, applied at different frequencies. Below frequencies of ca. 35 c/s, hormone release was found to depend on the total number of stimuli applied as well as on the frequency of stimulation. Above ca. 35 c/s, identical numbers of stimuli were progressively less effective as the frequency of stimulation was increased, and the dependence of the hormone output on the total number of stimuli was less apparent.3. The amplitude of the compound action potential recorded from the neurohypophysis following electrical stimulation of the stalk was found to decrease as a function of the frequency of stimulation. Stimulation at 50 c/s reduced its amplitude about sevenfold within 30 sec.4. The addition of tetrodotoxin (TTX) to the incubation media abolished the compound action potential recorded from the neural lobe as well as the release of hormones evoked by electrical stimulation. Resting release, however, was unaffected by TTX.5. In TTX-treated neural lobes, excess potassium was still effective in eliciting graded secretory responses. This indicates the independence of the release process from the action potential generating mechanism and suggests that TTX-paralysed preparations represent a useful model for the study of hormone release in the absence of conducted action potentials.6. The release of hormones from the neurohypophysis and the release of neurotransmitters at chemical synapses both depend on the entry of calcium into the nerve terminals following their depolarization by invading action potentials. In both systems, experimental separation of the release mechanism can be achieved by the use of TTX. These and other parallels suggest that the release process is similar.

Acetylcholine and related enzymes in the neural lobe and anterior hypothalamus of the rabbit

1. Acetylcholine (ACh), cholinesterases and choline acetyltransferase (choline acetylase) were estimated in the neural lobe and hypothalamus of the adult male rabbit. Acetylcholine was also estimated in the neural lobes and hypothalami of some other mammals.2. Acetylcholine-like activity was measured by bio-assay using the leech dorsal muscle preparation.3. Characterization experiments indicated that about 90% of the activity measured was due to acetylcholine.4. Mean acetylcholine content in the neural lobe of the rabbit, after extraction with perchloric acid, was 4.38 +/- 0.98 mug/g fresh tissue, and 4.87 +/- 1.53 mug/g in the hypothalamus.5. Acetylcholine was also found to be present, in comparable concentrations, in the neural lobe of man and in the neural lobes and hypothalami of ox, rat and hedgehog.6. Acetylcholinesterase, present in the neural lobe and hypothalamus of the rabbit, hydrolysed 1.74 +/- 0.11 mu-moles of substrate/min/g and 3.78 +/- 0.60 mu-moles substrate/min/g fresh tissue respectively.7. The concentration of butyrylcholinesterase was about one tenth that of acetylcholinesterase in both tissues.8. Choline acetyltransferase present in the neural lobe and in the hypothalamus synthesized 87 +/- 22 mug ACh/hr/g fresh tissue and 378 +/- 149 mug respectively.