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Biomedical subjects

G D Frye

Publications and source records attributed to G D Frye.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Effects of acute and chronic ethanol treatment on pre- and postsynaptic responses to baclofen in rat hippocampus.

Interactions between the GABAB receptor and acute or chronic ethanol treatment were studied using extracellular and intracellular electrophysiological recording techniques. Bath application of the GABAB receptor agonist, (-)-baclofen (0.1-100 microM) induced concentration-dependent inhibition of extracellularly recorded dendritic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in the CA1 region of hippocampal slices. Responses to baclofen were unchanged relative to control either by simultaneous application of ethanol (10-60 mM) or by previous chronic ethanol exposure. The membrane potential of CA1 pyramidal neurons was reversibly hyperpolarized an average of 5 mV by pressure ejection of baclofen (1 mM). Bath application of ethanol (30 mM) alone occasionally caused a small depolarization of resting membrane potentials in CA1 neurons but failed to increase hyperpolarizing responses to pressure-ejected baclofen. However, in slices from chronic ethanol-treated animals hyperpolarizing responses to bath-applied baclofen (10 microM) were reduced by approximately 30% relative to controls. These results suggest that GABAB-mediated responses in CA1 hippocampal pyramidal neurons are relatively resistant to the acute effects of ethanol, but that continuous exposure to ethanol sufficient to induce physical dependence may evoke an adaptive reduction in some GABAB receptor mediated responses.

Animals

Interaction of ethanol and L-glutamate in the guinea pig ileum myenteric plexus.

The guinea pig ileum longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus has recently been shown to contain receptors for excitatory amino acids like L-glutamate which are pharmacologically similar to the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subtype in the central nervous system (CNS). The present study utilized the longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus preparation to determine whether the reported ability of acute ethanol treatment to inhibit NMDA receptor activation in mammalian CNS preparations also occurs in the periphery. In the absence of Mg2+, L-glutamate (3-100 microM) induced transient contractions in longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus that could be blocked by atropine. Contractile responses to L-glutamate were completely blocked by D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV; 100 microM) and Mg2+ (600 microM). Preincubation with ethanol (30-100 mM) for 2 min inhibited contractions to L-glutamate by up to 50% and caused additive inhibition with 100 microM Mg2+. Ethanol (65 mM) inhibition of L-glutamate (60 microM) contractions increased from 30% after a 2 min preincubation to a maximum of 60% following 10 min. Ethanol (65 mM) inhibited contractions induced by acetylcholine (0.1 microM), 5-hydroxytryptamine (0.1 microM) or histamine (0.3 microM), by no more than 10% suggesting that impairment of smooth muscle or cholinergic neuronal activity were not likely responsible for the 40% inhibition of L-glutamate contractions seen with ethanol. A previously identified contractile response to ethanol (10-300 mM), occurring immediately after addition to the longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus preparation, was still present in Mg2+ deficient buffer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate

Dynamic stereotactic radiosurgery using a linear accelerator.

We describe a system for stereotactic radiosurgery with a linear accelerator. This technique allows treatment of small (less than 40 mm diameter) intracranial lesions, including vascular malformations, and primary and metastatic tumors that are deep within the brain or in areas not amenable to open surgery. A beam of ionizing radiation (1800 to 2500 cGy) is focused on the center of the lesion, which is determined by stereotactic localization. "Dynamic rotation" of the linac gantry and table continuously about this predetermined point ensures that only the lesion receives the full radiation dose, while the normal structures in the head receive minimal amounts of radiation. The system combines, for the first time in one place, elements of radiosurgical technique developed at various centers. Testing for accuracy compares favorably with results at other centers using linac-based systems as well as comparing favorably with the gamma knife.

Brain Neoplasms

EDTA and EGTA stimulate 36Cl- uptake into rat brain synaptoneurosomes.

Addition of EDTA (0.5-10 mM) to rat brain synaptoneurosomes stimulated rapid, concentration-dependent uptake of 36C1-. Chloride uptake stimulated by EDTA was additive with the 36C1- uptake induced by the GABAA agonist, muscimol, and was not blocked by the GABA-antagonist, picrotoxin, the glycine antagonist, strychnine or the loop diuretic, furosemide. However, the chloride transport inhibitor DIDS completely antagonized 36C1- uptake. EDTA-induced 36C1- uptake varied across brain regions as follows: Striatum greater than hippocampus greater than cerebellum greater than tectum greater than cerebral cortex greater than brain stem greater than hypothalamus. EDTA-induced 36C1- uptake was also present in liver tissues. EDTA analogues, EGTA and CDTA, also stimulated uptake. Although the effect of EDTA was dependent on the presence of extravesicular Ca2+ (0.01-10 mM) this action did not appear to be due to Ca2+ chelation since BAPTA, arsenazo III and citrate were ineffective. These results suggest that EDTA stimulates 36C1- uptake into brain synaptoneurosomes by a picrotoxin-insensitive, calcium-dependent mechanism that may involve a DIDS sensitive anion exchanger or ion channel.

Animals

Potentiation by glycine of anticonvulsant drugs in maximal electroshock seizures in rats.

This study evaluated the potentiation by glycine of anticonvulsant drugs in maximal electroshock seizures in rats. Administered alone, glycine (40 mmol/kg, p.o.) induced no anticonvulsant effect or neurotoxicity. Administered together with the anticonvulsants, glycine significantly enhanced the anticonvulsant potency of phenobarbital and carbamazepine. Glycine also potentiated the anticonvulsant actions of MK-801 and diazepam but did not improve the selectivity of the drugs, as effective doses were still associated with neurotoxicity. Glycine did not potentiate phenytoin or sodium divalproate. Administration together with glycine had no significant effect on the concentrations of phenobarbital or carbamazepine in the brain. Administration together with phenobarbital had no relevant effect on the concentration of glycine in the brain but administration of glycine and carbamazepine together resulted in an increased concentration of glycine in the hippocampus and brainstem. These findings indicate a possible glycine-sensitive component in the mechanism of action of phenobarbital, carbamazepine and diazepam in maximal electroshock seizures. Although the mechanism may not be mediated by a glycine-GABA interaction, the evidence does implicate a possible interaction between glycine and anticonvulsant drugs at NMDA receptors.

Animals

Comparison of contractile responses of the guinea pig ileum longitudinal muscle to ethanol and GABAA agonists.

The guinea pig ileum myenteric plexus contains GABAA receptors linked to chloride ion channels which are pharmacologically similar to those in the central nervous system. The present study examined the reported ability of acute ethanol treatment to directly activate GABAA receptors or to increase GABAA agonist-mediated activation of the GABAA receptor in the myenteric plexus. Direct addition of ethanol to preparations of the guinea pig ileum longitudinal muscle had two effects. Immediately after ethanol (10-300 mM) was added to the tissue bath a concentration-related contractile response was observed which became maximal within 10 sec and then decayed over the next 60 sec. Contractile responses to higher concentrations of ethanol (greater than 100 mM) also were followed by a sustained reduction of longitudinal muscle tone. Contractions evoked by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and GABAA agonists, 3-aminopropane sulfonic acid (APSA) (3-100 microM) or muscimol (0.3-30 microM) developed maximally and decayed within 20 sec. Acetylcholine (0.01-10 microM) induced contractions were sustained over several minutes. Preincubation of tissue strips in ethanol (30 mM) for 1 min did not alter concentration relationships for GABA, muscimol or APSA contractile responses. Furthermore, addition of ethanol (10-100 mM) simultaneously with APSA, or 0.5, 2 or 5 min before the addition of APSA, also failed to consistently enhance contractile responses. Ethanol (30 mM) also did not alter desensitization-induced reductions in contractile responses to muscimol (3 microM) caused by preincubation of tissues with muscimol (1 microM). Finally, contractile responses to ethanol and APSA were completely blocked by atropine (0.1 microM) and tetrodotoxin (0.1 microM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Effects of (+-)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) on brain dopaminergic activity in rats.

Acute treatment with (+-)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) at high doses (10 and 30 mg/kg, IP), but not lower doses increased locomotor activity in male rats. MDMA did not consistently produce any other stereotyped behaviors at any dose. Dopamine (DA) turnover rate as estimated by the ratio of brain tissue levels of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) over DA was decreased in the striatum for up to two hours after acute treatment with 10 mg/kg of MDMA. DA turnover rate was inconsistently decreased in the olfactory tubercle and medial basal hypothalamus, and was unchanged in the medial prefrontal cortex and the substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area. Two hours after a 30 mg/kg injection of MDMA, DA turnover rate was decreased in all brain areas tested. MDMA and d-amphetamine partially reversed a haloperidol-induced elevation of striatal DOPAC levels. In contrast, the nonamphetamine stimulant, amfonelic acid, enhanced haloperidol's effect. In chloral hydrate-anesthesized rats, MDMA injected IV partially inhibited spontaneous firing rate of DA neurons in the substantia nigra (34% decrease at 4 mg/kg of MDMA). Seventeen days after subchronic MDMA treatment (10 or 20 mg/kg, IP, twice per day for four days), DA and DOPAC levels were unchanged in all brain areas tested as compared to levels in control rats. It is concluded that acute treatment with high but not low doses of MDMA has a weak amphetamine-like effect on nigrostriatal as well as mesolimbic/mesocortical and tuberoinfundibular DA neurons in rats. Repeated treatment with MDMA does not appear to be toxic to mesotelencephalic or tuberoinfundibular DA neurons.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid

Effects of combined lead and cadmium exposure: changes in schedule-controlled responding and in dopamine, serotonin, and their metabolites.

Adult male rats were maintained on 1 of 4 ad-lib diets: Group Control-Diet received a normal laboratory diet that contained no added chemicals: Group Lead-Diet received a diet containing 500 ppm (parts per million) lead: Group Cadmium-Diet received a diet containing 100 ppm cadmium: and Group Lead-Cadmium-Diet received a diet containing both 500 ppm lead and 100 ppm cadmium. After 60 days of exposure to their respective diets, animals were placed on restricted diets (15 g/day) of the identical food received during the exposure period. Each animal was trained to lever press on a fixed-interval 1-min schedule for 21 sessions (1 session day). The results of schedule training showed that lead alone or cadmium alone was associated with increased lever pressing relative to control diet. However, when lead and cadmium were exposed jointly, performance was not significantly different from control performance. Similar attenuation of effects were observed for central neurotransmitter functions. Specifically disturbances in dopamine and serotonin turnover that were produced by lead alone were attenuated by the cotreatment of cadmium and lead. Possible accounts of the apparent antagonism between cadmium and lead are discussed.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid

Effect of ethanol on gamma-vinyl GABA-induced GABA accumulation in the substantia nigra and on synaptosomal GABA content in six rat brain regions.

Two recently developed methods for estimating changes in presynaptic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) homeostasis were used for the first time to evaluate the effects of acute and chronic ethanol treatments on GABA utilization. GABA accumulation in the left substantia nigra zona reticulata (SNR) following unilateral microinjection of gamma-vinyl GABA (GVG; 5 micrograms) was linear for at least 180 min while GABA concentrations in the uninjected right SNR did not change over this period. Net GABA accumulation (left minus right SNR) also increased linearly over this interval. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of ethanol (0.3, 1 or 3 g/kg) 15 min after GVG microinjection did not significantly change either the rate of GABA accumulation in left SNR, the net GABA accumulated or the concentration of GABA in the uninjected right SNR relative to saline injected controls over the 45-min test interval. Likewise, GABA accumulation in the left SNR or steady-state GABA concentrations in the right SNR of chronically intoxicated rats or physically dependent animals withdrawn from ethanol for 12 h did not change significantly from that dextrose-fed controls. In a separate study, the effects of acute and chronic ethanol treatments on the concentration of GABA in synaptosomes isolated from the frontal cortex, hippocampus, tectum, striatum, cerebellum or brainstem were determined. Thirty min after acute treatment with ethanol (0.5, 1, 2 or 4 g/kg, i.p.) the concentration of GABA in synaptosomes from any of these brain regions was not significantly altered. Furthermore, chronic ethanol treatment sufficient to induce physical dependence and a severe ethanol withdrawal syndrome also did not significantly modify synaptosomal GABA concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aminocaproates

An investigation of the role played by the superior colliculus and ventromedial thalamus in self-injurious behavior produced by intranigral microinjection of muscimol.

Bilateral injection of muscimol (30 or 60 ng) into the substantia nigra (pars reticulata) of rats produced a variety of stereotyped acts, self-injurious behavior (SIB), and antinociception. Bilateral electrolytic lesions of the superior colliculus strongly suppressed SIB without reducing the antinociceptive effects of intranigral muscimol. Electrolytic lesions of the ventromedial thalamus had no effect on behavioral responses to intranigral muscimol. These studies suggest that the SIB produced by intranigral muscimol is mediated by neuronal pathways that terminate in or pass through the superior colliculus. The ventromedial thalamus does not appear to play a role in mediating behavioral responses to intranigral muscimol.

Animals

Glycine potentiates diazepam anticonvulsant activity in electroshock seizures of rats: possible sites of interaction in the brainstem.

The effect of orally or intracerebrally injected glycine on the anticonvulsant actions of intraperitoneal diazepam was examined using a tonic-clonic electroshock seizure model in the rat. Orally administered glycine (1.125 g/kg) potentiated the anticonvulsant effect of diazepam (DZP) to convert tonic-clonic electroshock seizures to less severe subthreshold clonic seizures. Oral glycine by itself had no effect on the tonic-clonic seizure response. Bilateral substantia nigra (SN) microinjections of glycine (125 micrograms/site) failed to potentiate intraperitoneal DZP when compared with the most appropriate control, animals treated with DZP and intranigral saline. It was not possible to determine whether bilateral glycine microinjections into the inferior olivary nucleus (IO) potentiated anticonvulsant effects of DZP since glycine alone converted all tonic-clonic seizures to the clonic response. Finally, bilateral glycine microinjection alone into the nucleus reticularis pontis oralis (PNO) produced an anticonvulsant effect when compared to untreated control responses but did not potentiate the anticonvulsant actions of DZP. Although these results may indicate that the glycinergic potentiation of DZP involves a direct pharmacodynamic interaction between these two compounds at specific brain sites, these sites have not yet been demonstrated conclusively.

Administration, Oral

Effects of intraventricular histamine and H2 receptor antagonists on intraocular pressure.

Severe ocular hypertension has been reported in a chronic glaucoma patient following use of histamine H2 receptor antagonists for treatment of peptic ulcer. Subsequent studies, however, have failed to demonstrate a significant action of topical or intravenously administered H2 blockers on intraocular pressure (IOP) in humans. In this study, cimetidine and ranitidine were administered into the cerebral ventricles of unanesthetized New Zealand White rabbits. Both drugs caused prolonged increases in IOP at a dose of 1 umol. Maximal elevations of IOP occurred approximately 20 min after drug injections and averaged 5-8 mmHg above pre-drug values. In contrast, histamine (0.3 and 1.0 umol) produced biphasic effects on IOP when given by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection. These data suggest that central mechanisms may mediate the actions of some histamine receptor agonists and antagonists on IOP.

Animals

Pressor responses to central injection of H2 antagonists not caused by GABA blockade.

In awake rats, ranitidine was more effective than cimetidine in elevating blood pressure following intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection, yet neither drug affected the hypotensive response to subsequent injections of muscimol (8.8 nmol i.c.v.). Bicuculline (0.01 nmol) microinjected into the inferior colliculus of rats caused clonic seizures whereas cimetidine (100 nmol) had no effect. The antihistamines did not prevent GABAB receptor-mediated inhibition of twitch responses in transmurally stimulated guinea-pig ileum. Ranitidine potentiated rather than inhibited GABAA receptor-mediated contractions of ileum longitudinal muscle. Cimetidine had no effect on these responses except at high concentrations (3 X 10(-4) M) which caused a slight dextral shift in the contractile response curve for GABA that may be attributed to antimuscarinic actions of cimetidine. Taken together, these data do not support the concept that the centrally mediated pressor effects of H2 antagonists are caused by GABA receptor blockade.

Animals

Involvement of the midbrain reticular formation in self-injurious behavior, stereotyped behavior, and analgesia induced by intranigral microinjection of muscimol.

Bilateral microinjection of muscimol (60 ng), a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonist, into the central region of the substantia nigra (pars reticulata) produced self-injurious behavior (SIB), stereotyped behavior and analgesic-like effects in rats. Bilateral electrolytic lesions of the midbrain reticular formation ventrolateral to the periaqueductal gray matter completely blocked the SIB but had little effect on stereotyped behavior produced by intranigral muscimol. Lesions of the midbrain reticular formation reduced the antinociceptive effect of intranigral muscimol on the tail-flick but not on the hot-plate test. Bilateral microinjection of muscimol (10-100 ng) into the midbrain reticular formation produced intense stereotyped behavior and had an analgesic-like effect on the hot-plate test but not on the tail-flick test. Stereotyped behavior appeared to interfere with the paw-lick response on the hot-plate test. These data suggest that the antinociceptive effect of intranigral muscimol on the tail-flick test is mediated by fibers that project to or pass through the midbrain reticular formation and that analgesia may play an important role in muscimol-induced SIB. The midbrain reticular formation does not appear to be involved in the stereotyped behavior produced by intranigral muscimol.

Animals

Evaluation of the role of antinociception in self-injurious behavior following intranigral injection of muscimol.

In rats, bilateral injection of muscimol (30-60 ng/site) into the medial substantia nigra zona reticulata exerted an antinociceptive effect in the hotplate and tail-flick tests. Injections of muscimol into the substantia nigra also induced intense stereotyped behavior and self-injurious behavior (SIB). Tail-flick and hindpaw-lick responses were inhibited between 30 and 120 min after muscimol, but recovered by 240 min. The antinociceptive responses were not due to motor impairment or ataxia induced by muscimol because a variety of highly-coordinated stereotyped behavioral responses, including rearing, sniffing, head bobbing and licking occurred concurrently. Injection of muscimol into the deep mesencephalic nucleus (DpMcN) also inhibited the tail-flick and hindpaw-lick responses and caused stereotyped behavior but did not induce self-injurious behavior. Injections of muscimol into the substantia nigra, angled (45 degrees) to avoid passing through the deep mesencephalic nucleus, still exerted antinociceptive activity and caused self-injurious behavior. Bilateral microinjections of baclofen (300 ng), 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazols (5,40c)pyridin-3-ol (THIP; 300 ng), sodium valproate + D,L-diaminobutyric acid (1 microgram), substance P (2.5 micrograms) or D-Pro2-D-Trp7.9-substance P (2.5 micrograms), all suppressed hindpaw-lick responses, although only THIP reduced tail-flick responses. None of these treatments evoked self-injurious behavior. Naloxone (10 mg/kg), picrotoxin (5 mg/kg) or atropine (10 mg/kg) injection of muscimol into the substantia nigra (60 ng) or a single pretreatment with p-chlorophenylalanine diethyl ester (PCPA; 500 mg/kg; 48 hr prior to muscimol) failed to suppress the hindpaw-lick response or self-injurious behavior. These results suggest that the injection of muscimol into the substantia nigra evokes a centrally-mediated antinociception which alone is not sufficient to induce self-injurious behavior. Both antinociception and self-injurious behavior after injection of muscimol into the substantia nigra appear unrelated to cholinergic, serotoninergic, or naloxone-sensitive nociceptive systems; however, the role of activation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in these actions of muscimol also remains to be clarified.

Analgesics

GABAergic modulation of inferior colliculus excitability: role in the ethanol withdrawal audiogenic seizures.

The role of the inferior colliculus and GABAeric transmission within this structure in the development of susceptibility to sound-induced seizures in ethanol-dependent rats was examined. Ethanol-dependent rats with bilateral electrolytic lesions which destroyed approximately 50.0 +/- 6.4% of the inferior colliculus failed to exhibit susceptibility to sound-induced seizures. However, comparable medial geniculate body lesions (82.7 +/- 2.7% complete) did not alter wild running, slightly reduced tonus and actually increased clonus susceptibility in rats treated similarly with ethanol. As reported previously, bilateral injection of either muscimol (43-263 pmol/site) or racemic baclofen (520-1580 pmol/site) into the inferior colliculus also suppressed seizure susceptibility. Other studies in ethanol-naive animals found that bilateral microinfusion of (+)-bicuculline methiodide (2 or 20 pmol/min for up to 5 min) into the inferior colliculus induced wild running and clonus closely resembling sound-induced seizure responses in ethanol-dependent rats. Although similar microinjections of (+)-bicuculline methiodide (0.4 pmol/min for 5 min) into the inferior colliculus did not induce seizure activity directly, an increased susceptibility to sound-induced seizures was observed. Electrolytic lesions of the medial geniculate body did not block wild running responses induced by (+)-bicuculline methiodide, but slightly reduced clonus. Five-minute infusions of picrotoxin (200 pmol/min), Ro5-3663 (2000 pmol/min), kainic acid (20 or 200 pmol/min), strychnine (2000 pmol/min) or carbachol 2000 pmol/min) into the inferior colliculus of ethanol-naive rats all induced bicuculline-like seizures. Seizures induced by bicuculline methiodide, picrotoxin or Ro5-3663 occurred within 5 min after the start of infusions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acoustic Stimulation

Effects of TRH, ethanol, and TRH-ethanol combination on activity in rats with altered monoamine content.

Investigations were undertaken with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine and 6-hydroxydopamine treated rats to see whether activity changes induced by TRH, ethanol and the TRH-ethanol combination would be affected after reduced monoamine function. In keeping with earlier results, TRH increased activity, ethanol reduced activity and the TRH-ethanol combination produced activity counts greater than those for TRH alone. Neither the 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine-induced reduction of brain serotonin nor the 6-hydroxydopamine treatments which reduced brain catecholamines altered the hyperactivity induced by TRH or the TRH-ethanol combination. While reduction of brain serotonin did not affect the ethanol-induced changes in activity, preferential reduction of dopamine as well as reduction of both norepinephrine and dopamine significantly antagonized this measure of ethanol-induced depression. The reduction of dopamine alone produced the greatest effect on this action of ethanol. It can be concluded from the data that the increased locomotion induced by TRH and the TRH-ethanol combination does not depend upon endogenous monoamines, whereas the sedative effects of ethanol are apparently influenced by alterations in brain catecholamine function.

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine