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D Nakahara

Publications and source records attributed to D Nakahara.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Endogenous synthesis of N-methylsalsolinol, an analogue of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, in rat brain during in vivo microdialysis with salsolinol, as demonstrated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

N-Methylsalsolinol, an analogue of 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, is present in the brains of patients with Parkinson's disease. To determine the metabolic pathway for the synthesis of N-Methylsalsolinol in the brain, salsolinol was perfused through the striatum or the substantia nigra of the rat brain by in vivo microdialysis. N-Methylsalsolinol was detected in the brain dialysate samples during microdialysis with salsolinol using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with selected-ion monitoring. These results demonstrate that endogenous N-methylation of salsolinol into N-methylsalsolinol occurs in the brain in vivo.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine

Differential effect of self-stimulation on dopamine release and metabolism in the rat medial frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens and striatum studied by in vivo microdialysis.

Changes in the extracellular levels of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites in the dopaminergic terminal regions, the medial frontal cortex (MFC), nucleus accumbens (NAC), and striatum (STR), were measured by microdialysis during self-stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) in rats pretreated with the DA uptake inhibitor, nomifensine (1 mg/kg, i.p.). Self-stimulation of the MFB in nomifensine-pretreated rats caused an increase in the extracellular DA level in the MFC and NAC but not in the STR. Self-stimulation also increased the extracellular concentrations of the main DA metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) to a similar extent in the MFC and NAC and to a lesser extent in the STR. Thus, there was a regional difference in the neurochemical changes following self-stimulation with either the MFC or the NAC showing larger extracellular levels of DA, DOPAC, and HVA than the STR. Furthermore, these changes were observed on both hemispheres ipsilateral and contralateral to the stimulation. The results indicate that self-stimulation of the MFB preferentially activates the mesocorticolimbic DA systems, thereby bilateral increases in the release of DA and its metabolism being produced in their terminal regions, the MFC and NAC.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid

The mechanism of perturbation in monoamine metabolism by L-dopa therapy: in vivo and in vitro studies.

In the cerebrospinal fluid of the patients with Parkinson's disease treated with L-DOPA, L-3-O-methyldopa was the major metabolite of administered L-DOPA. Using a dopaminergic cell model, clonal rat phenochromocytoma PC 12h cells, and by microdialysis of the rat striatum it was proved that L-3-O-methyldopa was taken up into monoamine neurons by transport system specific for aromatic L-amino acids and inhibited transport of L-DOPA and other amino acids competitively. L-3-O-Methyldopa depleted allosteric regulation of the biopterin cofactor on activity of tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme of catecholamine synthesis. Depletion of the allostery may perturb the buffer action of endogenous L-DOPA synthesis that stabilizes dopamine level in the brain. By these mechanisms L-3-O-methyldopa may reduce clinical effectiveness of administered L-DOPA and be involved in wearing-off phenomenon. L-DOPA inhibited the activity of tryptophan hydroxylase and thus serotonin synthesis, which may be related to psychiatric side-effects in the patients under L-DOPA therapy.

Aged

N-methylation of dopamine-derived 6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, (R)-salsolinol, in rat brains: in vivo microdialysis study.

N-Methylation of (R)-1-methyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline [(R)-salsolinol] derived from dopamine was proved by in vivo microdialysis study in the rat brain. The striatum was perfused with (R)-salsolinol and N-methylated compound was identified in the dialysate using HPLC and electrochemical detection with multichanneled electrodes. N-Methylation of (R)-salsolinol was confirmed in three other regions of the brain, the substantia nigra, hypothalamus, and hippocampus. In the substantia nigra, the amount of N-methylated (R)-salsolinol was significantly larger than in the other three regions. These results indicate that around dopaminergic neurons, particularly in the substantia nigra, (R)-salsolinol was methylated into N-methyl-(R)-salsolinol, which has a chemical structure similar to that of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, the selective dopaminergic neurotoxin. N-Methylation of tetrahydroisoquinolines and beta-carbolines have already been proven to increase their toxicity to dopaminergic neurons and N-methylation might be an essential step for these alkaloids to increase their toxicity. On the other hand, after perfusion of (R)-salsolinol, release of dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine was observed and inhibition of monoamine oxidase was indicated. (R)-Salsolinol and its derivatives may be candidates for being dopaminergic neurotoxins.

Animals

Mutations on the second chromosome affecting the Drosophila eye.

In the developing eye of Drosophila, cell interactions appear to be responsible for organising undifferentiated cells into unit eyes, or ommatidia. Extensive mutagenesis has been used to search for mutations affecting the development and differentiation of ommatidia. These mutations have been characterized using sections of adults and immunocytochemistry of imaginal discs. Fourteen loci on the second chromosome are described that affect the spacing of the preclusters, the differentiation of ommatidial cells, orientation of the ommatidia, or architecture of the adult retina, that cause retinal degeneration in larval or pupal eye discs, or that cause homeotic transformation of part of the head.

Animals

The effect of methamphetamine on serotonin and its metabolite in the suprachiasmatic nucleus: a microdialysis study.

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) has been identified as a major circadian pacemaker. Methamphetamine has been shown to modify the behavior of circadian rhythms. We detected extracellular serotonin (5-HT) and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the SCN in freely moving rats, using a microdialysis method, to investigate biochemical effects of methamphetamine in the SCN. Methamphetamine infusion into the SCN dose-dependently increased extracellular 5-HT and decreased extracellular 5-HIAA.

Animals

[Methodological considerations in microdialysis].

Microdialysis has rapidly become popular in recent years as an in vivo technique to monitor endogenous substances in the extracellular space of the local brain region. The combination of this technique with a variety of highly sensitive detection methods has enabled us to measure in vivo release of various neurotransmitters. However, the technique involves several methodological problems. The first is that the concentrations of substances in the dialysate only partially reflect their true concentrations in the extracellular space. Therefore, neurotransmitters such as neuropeptides that are present at very low concentrations in the extracellular space are still difficult to detect. The second problem is the effects of tissue damage by the microdialysis probe. Though the probe has been miniaturized, severe disturbance in tissue metabolism cannot be neglected. Histological examination suggests that the most suitable time for commencing microdialysis is between 24 and 48 h after probe implantation. The third problem is that neurotransmitters recovered in the dialysate are sometimes not involved in neurotransmission. It is suggested that the dialysate concentration of a neurotransmitter which reflects neuronal activity should be both tetrodotoxin-sensitive and calcium-dependent. In the case of a neurotransmitter in the dialysate which does not show these characteristics, its concentration may be related to metabolic rather than neurogenic events. The fourth problem is that microdialysis has poor time resolution. Therefore, the method is not suitable for measurement of neurochemical events that rapidly change in short intervals such as milliseconds or seconds. Thus careful consideration has to be given to these problems in the actual laboratory use of microdialysis technique.

Animals

Preferential release of neuroactive amino acids from the ventrolateral medulla of the rat in vivo as measured by microdialysis.

The basal overflow of extracellular endogenous amino acids was measured from the ventrolateral medulla of urethane anaesthetized rats in vivo by microdialysis. Inclusion of a mercury salt, p-chloromercuriphenylsulphonic acid, in the dialysate (Krebs' solution), results in a preferential increase in the overflow of aspartate, glutamate, glycine and GABA. A smaller increase in the overflow of the glutamate precursor and metabolite, glutamine, was also found. There was no significant change in the basal extracellular levels of taurine, asparagine, alanine, serine, ornithine or lysine. Inclusion of a specific GABA uptake inhibitor, nipecotic acid, in the dialysate results in an immediate, dose dependent increase in the overflow of GABA, and to a lesser extent, taurine. Since it is likely that mercury salts increase neurotransmitter release by increasing free intracellular calcium ion concentrations, it is suggested that these results provide further evidence for a physiologically relevant neurotransmitter role for aspartate, glutamate, glycine and GABA in the ventrolateral medulla.

4-Chloromercuribenzenesulfonate

[Microdialysis: a method to construct a microdialysis probe and its applications].

This paper describes a removable microdialysis probe constructed inexpensively and easily from a commercially available iv catheter placement unit and flexible fused silica tubing. The probe is characterized in in vitro recovery tests. As an example of its applications, experimental results measuring extracellular dopamine concentrations in the nucleus accumbens of rats during intracranial self-stimulation behavior are reported.

Animals

The effect of uptake inhibition on dopamine release from the nucleus accumbens of rats during self- or forced stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle: a microdialysis study.

Changes in dopamine (DA) release were measured in microdialysis samples taken from the nucleus accumbens (NAC) of rats pretreated with the DA uptake inhibitor, nomifensine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) during self- or forced stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB). Self-stimulation of the MFB in nomifensine-pretreated rats caused an increased release of DA in the NAC. In the same rats, similar increases in DA release were also found during forced stimulation, that is, during MFB stimulation in the absence of lever-pressing, but at current and rate parameters identical to those recorded in the previous self-stimulation session. The results indicate that self-stimulation of the MFB activates the mesolimbic DA system; similar neurochemical changes observed during self- and forced stimulation of the MFB suggest that the operant lever-pressing behavior itself did not influence DA release in the NAC.

Animals

Increased dopamine and serotonin metabolism in rat nucleus accumbens produced by intracranial self-stimulation of medial forebrain bundle as measured by in vivo microdialysis.

In the present study, we have used a newly developed microdialysis system to perfuse the nucleus accumbens (NAC) of conscious rats during spontaneous intracranial self-stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB). Chromatographic (HPLC-ECD) analysis of the perfusates showed that dopamine (DA) release increased, but with an unstable pattern during the actual period of self-stimulation. On the other hand, the main DA metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid, and a serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, were all markedly enhanced by self-stimulation, but with different time courses. These findings indicate that self-stimulation of the MFB in rats induces increases in both DA and serotonin activities in the NAC. Such changes may be involved in mediating self-stimulation of the MFB.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid

Effects of apomorphine on in vivo release of dopamine and its metabolites in the prefrontal cortex and the striatum, studied by a microdialysis method.

The effects of apomorphine (0.1-2.5 mg/kg) on release of endogenous dopamine and extracellular levels of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in the prefrontal cortex and the striatum were examined in vivo by a microdialysis method. Apomorphine significantly reduced release of dopamine and the extracellular levels of dopamine metabolites, DOPAC and HVA, not only in the striatum, but also in the prefrontal cortex. These findings indicate that dopamine autoreceptors modulate in vivo release of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid

Effects of heterocyclic amines in food on dopamine metabolism in nigro-striatal dopaminergic neurons.

We investigated the effects of 14 heterocyclic amines in food on nigro-striatal dopaminergic neurons. Among 14 compounds tested, 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) caused substantial decreases in 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylalanine (DOPA) formation in striatal tissue slice system. When Trp-P-1 or Trp-P-2 was unilaterally infused in the rat striatum by an in vivo micro-dialysis technique, both compounds produced a transient increase of dopamine (DA) and continuous decreases in the metabolites, homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the perfusate. This suggests that the two compounds inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO) in vivo. Indeed they were found to be very potent inhibitors of MAO in vitro. Systemic administration of Trp-P-1 to C57 Black mice caused a marked decrease of DOPAC content and a significant increase of DA in the striatum, indicating inhibition of MAO in vivo. These results suggest that Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2 contained in food could alter the metabolism of DA in the brain.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid

Inactivation of tyrosine hydroxylase in rat striatum by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+).

We report that 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+), the active metabolite of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), inactivated tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) when MPP+ was directly infused into the striatum. We examined both in vitro TH activity and TH content measured by an enzyme immunoassay in the rat striatum after MPP+ was administered by an in vivo brain microdialysis probe. MPP+ caused the inhibition of TH activity but did not influence TH content in the ipsilateral striatum. These results indicate that MPP+ may cause an acute inactivation of TH after continuous exposure at the high concentrations.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium

Striatal dopamine release and metabolism in sinoaortic-denervated rats by in vivo microdialysis.

The purpose of this study was to provide new evidence favoring the hypothesis that cardiovascular information from arterial baroreceptors is integrated with the nigrostriatal system that contributes to regulation of motor activity. Samples of extracellular striatal dopamine (DA) and its metabolites, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), were collected by the technique of in vivo microdialysis and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-electron capture detection. Rats were prepared with a guide tube placed in the caudate-putamen for subsequent insertion of microdialysis probes. During the 1st wk after sinoaortic denervation (SAD) or sham operation (SO), a microdialysis probe was inserted and perfused with Ringer solution at the rate of 2 microliter/min in the freely moving rats. Samples were collected every 20 min before and after injection of pargyline, 100 mg/kg ip. The results showed that SAD rats have approximately 50% less extracellular striatal DA, DOPAC, and HVA than SO rats (P less than 0.01). After blockade of monoamine oxidase activity with pargyline, striatal DA accumulated three times faster in SO than SAD rats suggesting DA synthesis is reduced in SAD rats. These data provide further evidence that the arterial baroreceptor system affects dopaminergic metabolism in the nigrostriatal system possibly as a means for integration of cardiovascular and motor activity.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid

Acute effects of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) on dopamine and serotonin metabolism in rat striatum as assayed in vivo by a micro-dialysis technique.

The acute effect of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+), a neurotoxin derived from 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), was examined by the in vivo micro-dialysis technique. A dialysis cannula was implanted into rat striatum, and the changes in the concentrations of dopamine (DA), 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the perfusate every 20 min after administration of MPP+ were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ED). After MPP+ administration the levels of DOPAC, HVA and 5-HIAA were markedly decreased. On the contrary the level of DA was markedly increased and reached a maximum 40 min after beginning of the MPP+ administration. By postmortem analysis of the striatal tissue MPP+ was proved to cause the inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO), especially MAO-B. These results suggest that the acute biochemical changes induced by MPP+ in vivo were MAO inhibition and release of DA.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium

Effects of attention and background verbal stimuli on event-related potentials to tone pips in humans.

The effects of attention and background verbal stimuli on event-related potentials (ERPs) following tone pips were assessed under four conditions: tone pips presented alone when attending and ignoring the tones and tone pips plus verbal stimuli when attending the tones and attending the verbal stimuli. The data were quantified in terms of the N1-P2 amplitude and the similarity (correlation) between ERPs in corresponding placements over the two hemispheres. The main results were that attention influenced the ERP amplitude only with the verbal stimuli, that interhemispheric similarity was greatest with the tones only, and that similarity was greater under the tone plus verbal stimuli condition during tone-attention instructions.

Adult