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A Boireau

Publications and source records attributed to A Boireau.

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[3H]RP 62203, a ligand of choice to label in vivo brain 5-HT2 receptors.

There are only a few ligands available for labelling brain receptors simply because in vivo binding requires more severe experimental conditions than in vitro binding. We now describe the in vivo binding properties of [3H]RP 62203, a new potent and selective 5-HT2 antagonist. After intravenous injection into rats, [3H]RP 62203 accumulated predominantly in brain regions containing 5-HT2 receptors, with a frontal cortex/cerebellum ratio of 6 to 7. A good correlation was obtained between the regional distribution of [3H]RP 62203 in the brain and the density of 5-HT2 receptors measured in vitro. In vivo binding of [3H] RP 62203 was saturable in the frontal cortex but not in the cerebellum. The Bmax in the frontal cortex was equal to 42.5 fmol/mg, thus in the same range as was found in vitro. The 5-HT2 selectivity was ascertained by displacement (prevention) experiments; 5-HT2 antagonists or the agonist 2,5-dimethoxy- 4-iodophenylisopropylamine could prevent specific labelling of [3H]RP 62203 only in brain regions containing 5-HT2 receptors. Interestingly, the radioactivity remaining in various brain regions after displacement with pipamperone corresponded exactly to that measured in the cerebellum, with or without pipamperone. In conclusion, [3H]RP 62203 possesses striking properties of in vivo binding which make it a suitable candidate for examining 5-HT2 receptors in human brain by positron emission tomography scanning.

Amphetamines

KATP channels modulate GABA release in hippocampal slices in the absence of glucose.

We studied the effects of KATP channel blockers on [3H]GABA release in the absence of glucose in rat hippocampal slices. The omission of glucose induced a marked increase in the efflux of [3H]GABA, which was antagonized by TTX (1 microM), but not by MK 801 (1 microM) or DNQX (100 microM). Glibenclamide (10-100 microM) increased dose-dependently the release of [3H]GABA evoked in the absence of glucose. An increase in [3H]GABA release was also observed with gliquidone (100-300 microM), another sulfonylurea. The potentiation of [3H]GABA release induced by glibenclamide (100 microM) was antagonized by DNQX but not by MK 801. Thus, in the absence of glucose, KATP channel blockers enhance the release of GABA from rat hippocampal slices; this effect seems to be mediated by an overstimulation of non-NMDA glutamate receptors. On the basis of results reported in the present paper, we suggest that KATP channels may play a role in the regulation of GABAergic activity during hypoglycemia.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Pharmacological characterization of RP 62203, a novel 5-hydroxytryptamine 5-HT2 receptor antagonist.

1. RP 62203 (2-[3-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)-piperazinyl)propyl]naphto[1,8- ca]isothiazole-1,1-dioxide) is a novel naphtosultam derivative which shows very high affinity for 5-HT2 receptors in the rat cerebral cortex (Ki = 50.0 pM). 2. RP 62203 is relatively selective for this sub-type of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor, having lower affinity for the 5-HT1A receptor and very low affinity for the 5-HT, receptor. RP 62203 displayed low to moderate affinity for alpha 1-adrenoceptors, dopamine D2 receptors and histamine H1 receptors. 3. In vivo binding experiments demonstrated that oral administration of low doses of RP 62203 led to a long-lasting (greater than 6 h) occupation of cortical 5-HT2 receptors (ID50 = 0.39 mgkg-1). 4. In cortical slices from the neonatal rat, RP 62203 potently inhibited inositol phosphate formation evoked by 5-HT, with an IC50 of 7.76 nM. 5. The activity of neurones in the raphé and their responses to microiontophoretically applied 5-HT were studied with extracellular recording electrodes in the anaesthetized rat. RP 62203 potently and dose-dependently blocked excitations evoked by 5-HT when administered at doses of 0.5-4.0 mg kg-1, i.p. In contrast, neither 5-HT-evoked depressions nor glutamate-evoked excitations of raphé neuronal firing were blocked by RP 62203 at doses as high as 8.0 mg kg-1, i.p. 6. Head twitches induced by 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) could be abolished by low doses of RP 62203 in mice (ED50 = 0.44 mg kg-1, p.o.) and in rats (ED50 = 1.54 p.o.). Similar results were obtained with mescaline and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). 7. The potency of RP 62203 was compared with that of three other 5-HT2 receptor antagonists, ritanserin, ICI 169,369 and ICI 170,809. In all models, RP 62203 showed similar activity to ritanserin, whilst either ICI 169,369 or ICI 170,809 was several fold less active. 8. It is concluded that RP 62203 is a potent and selective antagonist at 5-HT2 receptors in the rodent central nervous system.

Action Potentials

Potassium markedly potentiates the effect of veratridine on dopamine release from rat superfused striatal ribbons.

The effects of veratridine-induced depolarization on [3H]dopamine ([3H]DA) release in the presence of a physiological (5 mM) or a depolarizing (25 mM) concentration of K+ were studied in-vitro in rat superfused striatal ribbons. A combination of the two depolarizing agents induced a marked potentiation in the overflow of [3H]DA, giving an overall 3- to 5-fold increase in veratridine activity. This potentiation was completely antagonized by tetrodotoxin (100 nM). These studies indicated that K(+)-induced depolarization can increase the potency of veratridine in releasing dopamine from terminals.

Animals

Identification of intact neurotensin in the substantia nigra after its retrograde axonal transport in dopaminergic neurons.

Two hours after the injection of (3-[125I]iodotyrosyl3) neurotensin into the striatum, a labeling was observed in the ipsilateral substantia nigra. In the present study, we demonstrated by HPLC that this radioactivity corresponded to intact neurotensin and to degradation products of this peptide. This finding provides the first clearcut evidence that a neuropeptide can be internalized and retrogradely transported in brain neurons. Therefore, the fact that intact neurotensin can be seen to exist over a long period of time in the cell body suggests that the retrograde transport process could perhaps be involved in the long-term effects of neuropeptides.

Animals

Differential effects of potassium channel blockers on dopamine release from rat striatal slices.

The effects of different potassium channel blockers on tritiated dopamine [( 3H]DA) release were investigated in rat striatal slices in the presence of pargyline and nomifensine (10 microM each). 4-Aminopyridine (4-AP; 10 and 30 microM) and 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP; 30 microM) markedly increased the basal tritium outflow, whereas tetraethylammonium (TEA; 100-1000 microM) was without effect. The facilitating effect of 4-AP (10 microM) on spontaneous release was Ca(2+)- and K(+)-dependent. Moreover, the 4-AP-induced increase in spontaneous release was abolished in the presence of tetrodotoxin, indicating that voltage-dependent Na+ channels were involved in the release mechanism. 4-AP (10 and 30 microM) induced a dose-dependent decrease in K(+)-evoked [3H]DA release. This effect was confirmed with 3,4-DAP (30 microM). When striatal slices were depolarized with veratridine (5 microM), these two aminopyridines increased the evoked release of [3H]DA. TEA increased both K(+)- and veratridine-evoked [3H]DA release. These biochemical results are consistent with electrophysiological differences between the mechanism of action of aminopyridines and that of TEA.

4-Aminopyridine

Effect of gamma-butyrolactone on the retrograde axonal transport of neurotensin in dopaminergic neurones.

gamma-Butyrolactone is a drug known to inhibit the flow of electrical impulses in dopaminergic neurones and to prevent dopamine release in the striatum. In this study, we investigated the effects of this compound on the retrograde transport of neurotensin in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway. The amount of radioactivity measured in the substantia nigra after injection of iodinated neurotensin into the striatum and the time course of its accumulation were not found to be modified in gamma-butyrolactone-treated rats. We therefore conclude that the retrograde axonal transport of neurotensin in the nigrostriatal pathway is not affected by reduced dopaminergic firing or by inhibition of the striatal release of dopamine.

4-Butyrolactone

Preferential decrease in dopamine utilization in prefrontal cortex by zopiclone, diazepam and zolpidem in unstressed rats.

This study has compared the effects of a cyclopyrrolone, zopiclone, a benzodiazepine, diazepam, and an imidazopyridine, zolpidem, on dopamine (DA) and DOPAC levels, and DA utilization (DOPAC/DA ratio) in rat striatum and prefrontal cortex. The endogenous levels of DA were significantly increased by both zopiclone (2.5, 10 and 40 mg kg-1 p.o.) and diazepam (10 and 40 mg kg-1 p.o.) in the prefrontal cortex, whereas striatal DA content was significantly increased only with the highest dose of diazepam (40 mg kg-1 p.o.). Diazepam (10 and 40 mg kg-1 p.o.) decreased cortical level of DOPAC more markedly than striatal levels, whereas zopiclone (40 mg kg-1 p.o.) only slightly decreased striatal DOPAC levels. Zopiclone and diazepam dose-dependently decreased DA utilization, an effect which was more marked in prefrontal cortex than in striatum. This result was confirmed with zolpidem, another benzodiazepine ligand. Zopiclone was most potent at decreasing DA utilization at the cortical level. The diazepam-induced decreases in DA metabolism and utilization were antagonized by Ro 15-1788, suggesting that the effects seen were mediated by specific benzodiazepine receptors. Thus, our results clearly show that ligands acting on the benzodiazepine receptor GABA receptor chloride ionophore complex can decrease the utilization of dopamine in unstressed rats. The preferential decrease in cortical DA utilization induced by benzodiazepine ligands may be compared to the well-known activation by stress of the mesocortical DAergic system.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid

In vivo determination of the profile of benzodiazepine ligands by comparing the inhibition of 3H-Ro 15-1788 binding to the modulation of cGMP levels in mouse cerebellum.

The in vivo effects of various benzodiazepine (BZD) ligands belonging to different chemical families were studied comparatively in mouse cerebellum using displacement of 3H-Ro 15-1788 binding and cGMP content as biochemical tools. It was possible to differentiate four classes of compounds with regard to these biochemical parameters. The first class of compounds such as diazepam and suriclone induced a net effect on in vivo 3H-Ro 15-1788 binding and a dose-dependent decrease of cGMP levels. A second class of drugs such as ZK 91296 and CGS 9896 showed in vivo activities in displacement studies but relatively small or moderate activities on cGMP levels. A third class was represented by Ro 15-1788 itself which prevented dose-dependently the in vivo 3H-Ro 15-1788 binding but was devoid of effect on cGMP levels. Finally, a fourth class of compounds (CGS 8216, FG 7142, beta-CCM and DMCM) showed in vivo displacement of 3H-Ro 15-1788 with concomitant increase of cGMP levels. The first class of compounds represents full agonists, the second class, partial agonists, the third class, the antagonist Ro-15-1788 itself, and the fourth class corresponds to inverse agonists. Thus it is proposed to use 3H-Ro 15-1788 binding and cGMP levels to differentiate in vivo BZD ligands acting on the BZD receptor/GABA receptor/chloride ionophore complex.

Animals

Enhancing effect of dopamine blockers on evoked acetylcholine release in rat striatal slices: a classical D-2 antagonist response?

The effects of chlorpromazine, pipotiazine, haloperidol, domperidone, sulpiride and SCH 23390 on the potassium-evoked release of [3H]acetylcholine [( 3H]ACh) were studied in rat striatal slices. All 5 dopamine (DA) antagonists with D-2 blockade efficacy induced an increase of [3H]ACh release whereas the specific D-1 antagonist SCH 23390 was devoid of significant effects. The maximal effect (about 100% increase) was obtained with haloperidol, pipotiazine and sulpiride but not with domperidone and chlorpromazine. Interestingly, sulpiride was found to exert an unexpected marked potency. The comparison of the activities of the 6 compounds on evoked ACh release to their affinities for D-2 receptors [( 3H]N-propylnorapomorphine binding sites) indicates that the pharmacological profile of the dopamine receptor implicated in the regulation of ACh release cannot be superimposed on that of the classical D-2 receptor. Participation of DA presynaptic receptors could however explain the differences in efficacy observed with the compounds studied.

Acetylcholine

In vivo release of 5-HT in the lateral ventricle of the rat: effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan and tryptophan.

The in vivo release of 5-HT was examined in the rat brain. For this purpose, the left lateral ventricle was perfused at a constant rate with an artificial CSF for several hours in animals anaesthetized with halothane. 5-HT was estimated in serial 1-h collected fractions. The amine was first isolated by adsorption on a Sephadex G-10 column and then assayed using the radioenzymatic method of Saavedra et al.37, slightly modified to improve its sensitivity. The quantity of 5-HT released spontaneously during the first hour fraction was 296 pg, it was lower (99 pg/h) in the following fractions. 5-HT released into the CSF may in great part originate from serotoninergic terminals localized in structures surrounding the ventricle. This was suggested by experiments in which exogenous [3H]5-HT or [3H]tryptophan were perfused through the lateral ventricle during a few hours. [3H]5-HT taken up or synthetized was mainly localized in structures surrounding the ventricular space. The acute injection of 5-hydroxytryptophan (100 mg/kg) induced an immediate important and long lasting increase of 5-HT release. In contrast the acute injection of tryptophan (100 mg/kg) led to a transient and moderate elevation of 5-HT release which was only detected during the second hour of perfusion. Curiously a similar pattern of transmitter release was observed following the constant intravenous infusion of the amino acid (70 mg/kg/h) except that the increase in 5-HT release was much more pronounced during the second hour than after the acute injection. Parallel experiments were made to determine the time course of the changes of free and total tryptophan levels in plasma and of those of tryptophan, 5-HT, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic-acid (5-HIAA) in brain tissues, induced by the acute and long term administrations of tryptophan. Moreover the rate of 5-HT synthesis was estimated using the monoamine oxidase inhibition method 2 and 5 h after both tryptophan treatments in halothane anaesthetized rats. 5-HT levels and the synthesis rate of the transmitter were increased at 2 h (when both tryptophan treatments stimulated 5-HT release). Despite the presence of high tryptophan levels in plasma and tissues and of high 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels in tissues, the synthesis rate of 5-HT (as the 5-HT release) was similar to that of controls 5 h after the onset of tryptophan infusion. These results suggest that some relationships occurred between the changes in 5-HT SYNTHESIs and release after the first hour of perfusion. The absence of effects of tryptophan treatments on 5-HT release during the first hour of perfusion are also discussed.

5-Hydroxytryptophan

Effects of halothane and nitrous oxide anaesthesia on 5-HT turn-over in the rat brain.

The effects of anaesthesia with halothane and nitrous oxide on the turn-over of 5-HT in the rat brain were analysed. The rate of 5-HT synthesis was estimated on the basis of 5-HTP accumulation following 5-HTP decarboxylase inhibition. Inhalation anaesthetics reduced the rate of 5-HT synthesis in the whole brain, this effect being particularly marked in the forebrain. In addition, the reduction of the rate of 5-HT synthesis was still detected after a large tryptophan loading indicating that halothane and nitrous oxide anaesthesia reduced the activity of tryptophan hydroxylase in vivo. The utilization of 5-HT was also delayed during anaesthesia since the rate of 5-HT disappearance following the inhibition of its synthesis at the decarboxylation step was decreased in the whole brain. In spite of this reduced turnover of 5-HT in the brain of rats exposed to inhalation anaesthetics, the 5-HIAA levels were permanently elevated. This was the result of a partial inhibition of the active elimination of the acidic metabolite from the brain during this kind of anaesthesia.

5-Hydroxytryptophan

[The biochemical effects of a new antidepressive, metapramine (RP 19560) on activity of the dopaminergic and cholinergic systems of the rat striatum].

The effects of metapramine (R.P. 19,560) on dopaminergic and cholinergic activities were mainly studied in the rat striatum. Metapramine, contrarily to apomorphine, is devoid of in vitro affinity for dopamine receptors and does not modify in vivo, the utilisation of dopamine in the striatum. Moreover, metapramine does not modify the increase of dopamine utilisation induced by thioproperazine, a neuroleptic of the phenothiazine family. Consequently metapramine is devoid of direct or indirect effect on nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. Metapramine, like dopaminergic agonists, increases acetylcholine levels in the striatum. Moreover metapramine is inactive in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Metapramine partly or completely antagonises the decrease of acetylcholine levels induced by two neuroleptics of the phenothiazine family (thioproperazine and prochlorperazine), by reserpine or an association of reserpine and alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine. Metapramine which possesses a clinical antidepressant efficacy could be indicated for correction of extra-pyramidal side effects induced by neuroleptics or observed in parkinsonism.

Acetylcholine