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C L Kutscher

Publications and source records attributed to C L Kutscher.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Behavioral and neurobiological alterations induced by the immunotoxin 192-IgG-saporin: cholinergic and non-cholinergic effects following i.c.v. injection.

192-IgG-Saporin is an anti-neuronal immunotoxin that combines the 192 monoclonal antibody to the p75 neurotrophin receptor found on terminals and cell bodies of neurons in the cholinergic basal forebrain with the ribosome-inactivating protein saporin. Bilateral intraventricular injection of the 192-saporin produced a variety of dose-related behavioral, neurochemical, and histological alterations in adult male rats. While both the 2 micrograms and 4 micrograms dose produced comparable cholinergic hypofunction only the high dose produced behavioral changes. Behavioral deficits induced by the 4 micrograms dose of 192-saporin induced alterations in rotorod performance and reactivity on the hot-plate which recovered over 8 weeks. In addition, the 4 micrograms dose produced a persistent impairment in the acquisition and performance of standard Morris water maze task as well as a cued version of the task. The neurobiological alterations induced by 192-saporin involved both cholinergic and non-cholinergic systems. Both doses of 192-saporin produced a 60-80% decrease in high affinity choline transport in the hippocampus and cortex without altering this parameter in the striatum. In addition, there was a significant dose-related decrease of norepinephrine in the hippocampus in the high dose group. 192-saporin did not alter the content of dopamine, serotonin, or their metabolites in any region examined. 192-saporin also produced a loss of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum. This cell type also expresses the p75 receptor and appears to be a target for intraventricular 192-saporin. This complex interplay of factors makes the i.c.v. model of 192-saporin very problematic for studying the functional properties of the cholinergic basal forebrain. However, recent data suggest that injection of 192-saporin directly into components of the cholinergic basal forebrain can be used to further elaborate the function of this brain system and to model disorders of cholinergic hypofunction such as Alzheimer's disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

A morphometric analysis of trimethyltin-induced change in rat brain using the Timm technique.

Rats were given a single gavage of trimethyltin chloride (TMT) providing a dose of 0, 4.3, or 6.7 mg/kg of alkyltin. Gross changes in brain structures were quantified and analyzed statistically. Behavioral and functional measures were taken to verify efficacy of TMT dose. The high dose produced transient weight loss and seizures. In the fourth week after gavage, the high dose produced hyperactivity in the residential maze and activity wheel. High and low TMT doses decreased auditory startle responsiveness. Estrus cycle was normal in all groups. Brains were sectioned and stained with the Timm stain which delimited subregions of hippocampus and connected structures and also revealed mossy fibers. Linear and areal measures were made at three positions along the septotemporal axis of Ammon's horn. The low dose produced reductions in size in a few isolated subareas of the brain. The high dose produced, at the three planes studied, extensive (15-40%) loss of tissue in Ammon's horn and structures to which Ammon's horn is interconnected--subiculum, entorhinal cortex, dentate gyrus, hilus, CA3, and CA1 region. Neocortex and caudate-putamen were unaffected. These findings suggest that a single TMT gavage may disrupt brain structures important to linking neocortex with subcortex via structures in the hippocampal region.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Development of transient acetylcholinesterase staining in cells and permanent staining in fibers in cortex of rat brain.

The development of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) texture of the cortex of the rat brain was studied during the first three weeks of life. The Tago technique enables visualization of both AChE+ cells and fibers with both shown in exquisite detail making quantification possible. At each age--0 (birth), 7, 14, 21 and 60 days (adult)--four brain areas were studied (cingulate, dorsal neocortex, lateral neocortex and olfactory) at each of three coronal planes in the brain (anterior, intermediate, posterior). Fiber density reached adult levels by Day 21 in cingulate cortex in intermediate and posterior planes. In other areas fiber density reached adult levels by Day 14 indicating a high rate of fiber growth during the first two weeks of life since at birth rat cortex is innervated only by a sparse AChE+ fiber invasion into neocortex in the anterior plane. Fiber density did not regress after adult levels were reached, however, cell staining showed a different pattern. At birth many lightly stained cells were seen in the olfactory cortex in all three planes, but other areas were devoid of cells. In all areas there was a peak at Day 7 in number of cells stained and in intensity of cells staining with a gradual decline in cell staining until by Day 21 very few stained cells were seen in the cortex (typical adult pattern).

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1988

Phenylethylamine-induced taste aversion in rats and mice.

Phenylethylamine (PEA) has the same structure as amphetamine (AMP) except that PEA lacks a methyl group at the alpha carbon. Although these analogues produce many similar neurobehavioral actions, a previous study found that PEA did not support formation of conditioned taste aversion (CTA). Using somewhat different procedures, in the present study a transient taste aversion was seen in rats. Use of noradrenergic blocking agents to attempt to pharmacologically tailor PEA action to make it more like that of AMP did not improve efficacy to form CTA. A robust PEA-induced CTA was seen in mice even when PEA produced multiple seizures.

Amphetamine↗
PubMed1987

Action of fenfluramine, phenylpropanolamine, phentermine and diethylpropion on acoustic startle in rats.

Four commonly used anorectics which are amphetamine analogues were tested for their action on responsiveness in an acoustic startle test when rats were given daily IP injections adequate to produce a change in body weight. Drugs were given for 22 days. None of these drugs increased startle responsiveness as does the amphetamine parent compound. Instead, fenfluramine and phenylpropanolamine decreased startle responsiveness and phentermine and diethylpropion produced no change. There was no relationship between drug action and body weight. Partial tolerance was found for the fenfluramine action on startle and complete tolerance was found for its action on body weight gain. The fenfluramine action is compatible with the extensive literature on humans and animals indicating sedative properties.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1987

Hematoxylin and thionin techniques for staining myelin and cells: variations and critical steps.

The action of the delipidization step and the type of differentiation fluid was assessed for two stains, Harris' hematoxylin and thionin, in frozen sections of rat brains. For thionin, all procedural variations used produced a blue or purple cell staining. Myelin stained red when sections were delipidized and differentiated in acetic acid, acid-formalin, or acid-alcohol. Myelin remained white when the delipidization step was omitted or when differentiation was performed in alcohol. Myelin staining was achieved with Harris' hematoxylin when sections were delipidized and were differentiated in either acid-formalin or borax-ferricyanide. The former produced red fibers against a red-purple or light purple cell background with some cell staining. The latter produced purple fibers contrasting sharply with a buff background and minimal cell staining. Cells were further accentuated in the hematoxylin techniques by a thionin counterstain.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

The use of fluoride for the prevention of chronic intracranial implant dislodgment.

A procedure is described for treating the skull with an acidulated fluoride solution at the time of intracranial implantation of cannulas or electrodes. Fluoride has a stabilizing effect on the hydroxyapatite of bones and teeth. In our experience, fluoride treatment has reduced the incidence of dislodgment of intracranially implanted appliances.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Drug and food-deprivation modulation of activity in rats given chronic dietary lead: significance of type of activity measure.

In Experiment 1, rats were given a 1% lead acetate diet from Day 100 of life to the termination of the experiment. After 82 days of lead feeding behavioral tests were started. Lead exposure increased wheel-turning hyperactivity produced by food deprivation and phenylethylamine injection. Lead produced no activity change in the unchallenged condition. In the open field, lead-exposure rats were less responsive to the stimulating action of PEA and amphetamine and to the sedating action of pentobarbital. In Experiment 2, the interaction of lead with food deprivation of PEA on wheel-turning was replicated in naive animals given only a 32-day exposure. Chemical analysis was made of tissues. Ingested lead entered the brain. Regional steady-state levels of brain norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin were not altered by lead treatment when measured following four days of starvation at a time when lead-induced behavioral change was distinct. It was concluded that pharmacological challenges on activity may be sensitive indicators of lead exposure, but the type of activity measure is critical.

Amphetamine↗
PubMed1980

Using profiles of saccharin and water drinking to detect and discriminate actions of drugs and toxicants.

Experiments were conducted to investigate the feasibility of using the pattern of saccharin and water drinking to detect acute and chronic administration of drugs and toxicants. Procedural variables were found to be crucial. When rats were naive for the saccharin drinking fluid, a single injection of LiCl or 2-deoxyglucose produced persistant saccharin aversion. Hypertonic saline produced only a transient saccharin aversion. If rats were pre-exposed to saccharin, the 2-deoxyglucose injection and hypertonic NaCl produced an increase in saccharin drinking but LiCl was without effect. Several types of chronic treatment were given to saccharin-experienced rats. Chronic 2-deoxyglucose, LiCl, and Pb administration produced gradually developing saccharin aversion and qualitatively different patterns of saccharin and water drinking. Chronic administration of hypertonic NaCl or insulin or chronic food deprivation had no impact on saccharin preference. It was concluded that patterns of saccharin and water drinking can be used to detect the administration of a drug or toxicant and perhaps even the time course of action, but may not detect a substance given previous to saccharin, perhaps because the animal cannot associate these now familiar perturbations with the novel saccharin solution. This means that existing toxic states may not be detected by using saccharin preference as a probe.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

A frequency analysis of behavior components of the serotonin syndrome produced by p-chloroamphetamine.

A time-sampling frequency analysis was made of criterion behaviors following injection of 2.5--10 mg/kg dosages of p-chloroamphetamine (PCA). Stereotypic behaviors (forepaw treading, circling, head weaving and inching) increased with increasing dosages and normal behaviors (grooming, rearing, and instances of inactivity) decreased. Composite scores of stereotypic behavior were a positive, linear function of PCA dosage. Composite scores of normal behavior showed near maximal inhibition at 5 mg/kg. Splayed hindlimbs is a reliable and sensitive indicator of PCA action, but vocalization, tremors, diarrhea and autonomic signs are not. Preinjection of PCA strongly attenuated the PCA-induec syndrome, as expected, since the preinjection should deplete brain serotonin and reduce the amount released by the second PCA injection.

Amphetamines↗
PubMed1979

LiCl-induced selective depression of saccharin drinking in the mouse.

Water-deprived mice were injected with various concentrations of LiCl or NaCl 15 min before they were allowed to drink either water or 0.1% saccharin. The NaCl injections produced a dose-dependent increase in intake of both fluids: however, the higher dosages of LiCl produced a selective depression of fluid intakes. Saccharin intakes were depressed for less than one hr but water intakes were not affected. LiCl injections also depressed general activity and produced an apparent shift of water from blood into cells. The LiCl-induced depression of saccharin was not significantly influenced by extensive previous experience with the drinking fluid.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Altered saccharin preference during chronic dietary administration of lead in adult rats.

Procedural variables are crucial in using taste aversion as a measure of lead toxicity. Rats were given saccharin and water to drink while ingesting a diet containing lead acetate (PbAc). Rats showed high preference for saccharin (over water) before lead was introduced. Saccharian preference fell during PbAc ingestion and rose when PbAc was removed from the diet suggesting that saccharin preference may correlate with the physiologic action of the toxicant. When saccharin was introduced simultaneously with PbAc aversion was almost total, but recovered with continuous PbAc exposure. When saccharin was introduced after the start of PbAc exposure saccharin aversion diminished with the duration of presaccharin PbAc exposure.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1977

Vasopressin administration in the first month of life: effects of growth and water metabolism in hypothalamic diabetes insipidus rats.

Rats homozygous for the mutant gene for diabetes insipidus (Brattleboro strain) are stunted in growth compared to rats heterozygous for the mutant gene and normal rats without the mutant gene. The hypothesis was tested that normal growth depends upon the presence of vasopressin. It was expected that replacement therapy of vasopressin rats homozygous for diabetes insipidus would make possible a normal growth rate similar to that of rats heterozygous for diabetes insipidus. Rats heterozygous and homozygous for diabetes insipidus were treated with 0.25 U (Days 0-9) and 0.5 U (Days 10-29) of vasopressin during the first month of life. During the treatment period, vasopressin significantly increased the urine osmolatities of the homozygous rats demonstrating the renal effectiveness of the vasopressin. The results showed that remedial vasopressin administration could not produce normal growth rates in homozygous rats and may be detrimental. Six weeks following vasopressin treatment, homozygous, diabetes insipidus rats which had received vasopressin had increased 24 hr water intakes and decreased urine osmolalities compared to control, homozygous rats, Heterozygous rats also had decreased urine osmolalities resulting from vasopressin six weeks after the cessation of vasopressin treatment.

Aging↗
PubMed1977

NaCl and LiCl efficacy in the induction of aversion for quinine and saccharin solutions immediately following injection.

Rats 24-hr water deprived were injected IP with a fixed amount (10 ml/kg) of solution of various concentrations of LiCl and NaCl in dosage ranges which in previous experiments either increased or had no effect on water intake. Intake of 0.01% QHCl decreased with increasing concentrations of both NaCl and LiCl. On a molar basis, LiCl was more effeictive. LiCl also produced an aversion to a palatable solution, 0.1% sodium saccharin; however, NaCl produced no aversion over the dosage range which can be tolerated by the animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Pitressin-induced inhibition of drinking following water deprivation in the SWR/J mouse.

SWR/J female mice, 8 hr water deprived, were injected intraperitoneally with 0, 10, 50, 200, and 800 mU of aqueous pitressin, 5 min prior to presentation of water. Drinking measurements made at 5, 15, 25, and 35 min of the drinking period revealed a significant transient inhibition of drinking for the three highest dosages. Injections had no measureable effect on blood pressure. Only the highest dosage had an effect on gross motor activity, a significant decline.

Animals↗