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J C Blanchard

Publications and source records attributed to J C Blanchard.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Neuroprotective actions of riluzole in rodent models of global and focal cerebral ischaemia.

Riluzole (2 amino 6-trifluoromethoxybenzothiazole), when administered at 4 and 8 mg/kg i.p., 0.5, 4.5, 24 and 28 h after the initiation of ischaemia, significantly reduced the prevalence of slow wave, and increased the proportion of higher frequency activity seen in the quantified electrocorticogram (ECoG), during the weeks that followed a 6 min bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries in the Mongolian gerbil. In focal ischaemia, provoked in Fischer rats following the occlusion of the middle cerebral artery, administration of riluzole (8 mg/kg) at 30 min and 24.5 h post occlusion significantly reduced the volume of infarcted cortex. These activities of riluzole could be related to its inhibition of sodium channel activity, which in turn inhibits glutamate release.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Pertussis toxin pretreatment abolishes the inhibitory effect of riluzole and carbachol on D-[3H]aspartate release from cultured cerebellar granule cells.

The release of D-[3H]aspartate from cultured cerebellar granule cells evoked by glutamic acid can be inhibited by riluzole and the muscarinic agonist carbachol. The combined application of maximally efficacious concentrations of riluzole and carbachol produces no greater inhibition than that seen with either agent alone, indicating that a common mechanism is involved. The effects of both agents are abolished when the cells have been pretreated with pertussis toxin, which suggests that this mechanism may involve a GTP-binding protein. The effect of pertussis toxin pretreatment is not mimicked by cholera toxin, nor does pertussis toxin pretreatment interfere with the inhibitory effect of the competitive excitatory amino acid receptor antagonist D-alpha-aminoadipic acid.

Anesthetics↗
PubMed1992

The selective CCK-B agonist, BC 264 injected in the antero-lateral part of the nucleus accumbens, reduces the spontaneous alternation behaviour of rats.

The aim of this study was to examine the behavioural effects induced by stimulation of CCK receptors in the nucleus accumbens of the rat, which contains a high density of heterogenously distributed CCK-B receptors. The drug BC264 (Boc-Tyr(SO3H)-gNle-mGly-Trp-(NMe)Nle-Asp-Phe-NH2), a highly potent and selective CCK-B agonist, injected into the postero-median or antero-median n. accumbens did not modify the spontaneous alternation and exploratory behaviour observed in a Y-maze. In contrast, when administered into the antero-lateral part of the n. accumbens, BC264 (0.3-1.0 nmol) reduced alternation to chance level, without changing the number of arm visits. This effect was suppressed by the selective CCK-B antagonist: L365,260, but not by the selective CCK-A antagonist: MK329. The physiological relevance of this effect was supported by the similar responses induced, in the same concentration range, by the CCK8-like agonist, BDNL (Boc diNle28,31CCK7). These results emphasize the functional heterogeneity of the CCK network in the n. accumbens of the rat and the participation of the peptide in the expression of alternation behaviour, through stimulation of CCK-B receptors. They also show that the recently described anxiolytic effects, induced by CCK-B antagonists, do not seem to occur at this level.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Measurement of nerve growth factor-like immunoreactivity in human brain using an anti-mouse-NGF enzyme immunoassay.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) like immunoreactivity, expressed as mouse 2.5S nerve growth factor equivalents, was evaluated in three structures of the human brain post-mortem using a commercially available enzyme immunoassay. Regional differences in NGF-like immunoreactivity were observed. Highest levels were found in hippocampus (148 pg/g) compared to putamen (76 pg/g) and frontal cortex (34 pg/g). In addition, these results suggest differences in the distribution of brain NGF between human and rodent, where relatively high levels of NGF are found in the cortex.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

RP 62203, a 5-hydroxytryptamine2 antagonist, enhances deep NREM sleep in rats.

RP 62203, a naphtosultam derivative, is an antagonist at the 5-hydroxytryptamine2 (HT2) receptor. The sleep pattern of rats treated orally with RP 62203 was studied at doses ranging from 0.5 to 4 mg/kg. Following RP 62203 administration, the duration of deep nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep was found to increase at the expense of wakefulness in a dose-dependent manner from 0.5 mg/kg. The 5-HT2 receptor agonist DOI and the 5-HT1a receptor agonist 8 OH-DPAT induced a dose-related increase in wakefulness; treatment with RP 62203 reversed the enhancement of wakefulness produced by DOI but not that produced by 8 OH-DPAT. These data provide further evidence for the involvement of 5-HT2 receptors in the regulation of NREM sleep in rats. RP 62203 could therefore be of clinical interest in the management of sleep disorders, particularly those developing within a psychiatric context.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Evidence for an endogenous cholecystokininergic balance in social memory.

The cholecystokinin (CCK) peptide family is involved in a variety of physiological processes, including neurotransmission in the brain. Pharmacological responses to CCK are mediated through at least two receptor subtypes termed CCK-A and CCK-B. Studies with CCK agonists suggest a possible role for CCK in cognition. Using selective antagonists and a behavioural recognition test based on the olfactory discriminative capacities of rats, we found that endogenous CCK acting at CCK-A and CCK-B receptors modulates olfactory recognition positively and negatively, respectively. CCK-B receptor antagonists therefore have facilitatory potentialities on memory processes.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

The trophic effect of beta-amyloid 25-35 peptide is not mediated by NK1 or bombesin receptors.

beta-Amyloid peptide and spantide have previously been described to have trophic effects on hippocampal neurones in vitro. We report here that bombesin and [Pro9]-substance P also show a neurotrophic effect on cultured hippocampal neurones. The neurotrophic effect of spantide or a beta-amyloid fragment containing amino acids 25 to 35 was not blocked by addition of the NK1 receptor agonist, substance P or the nonpeptide NK1 antagonist, RP 67580. For the bombesin-related peptides, the antagonist [Tyr4-DPhe12]-bombesin also provokes a trophic response, but the agonist alytesin and the antagonist [Leu13-psi-(CH2NH) Leu14]-bombesin have no effect on neurite growth. These results suggest that the observed trophic responses are unlikely to be mediated by a classical NK1 or bombesin receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

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↗
PubMed1992

A rapid filtration assay for the glycine binding site on the NMDA receptor in rat cortical membranes using [3H]dichlorokynurenic acid.

A filtration binding assay using [3H]dichlorokynurenic acid to label the glycine binding site on the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor has been evaluated on rat cortical membranes. This ligand binds to a single population of binding sites following mass action kinetics with a KD of 29 nM and a capacity of 5.73 pmol (mg protein)-1. The pharmacological specificity of the binding site is identical to that previously reported for this binding site using [3H]glycine as a radioligand. Agonists showed lower affinity and antagonists higher affinity when [3H]dichlorokynurenic acid was used compared with [3H]glycine. The higher affinity of [3H]dichlorokynurenic acid compared with [3H]glycine make it the more suitable compound with which to label the glycine site.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

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↗
PubMed1992

[Cholecystokinins and their receptors. Functional aspects].

The term cholecystokinin (CCK) refers to a family of related peptides whose members play hormonal roles in the gastro-intestinal tract. The sulfated octapeptide CCK-8 [Asp-Tyr(SO3H)-Met-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-NH2] is also abundant throughout the central nervous system where it satisfies the criteria for a neurotransmitter. CCK interacts with at least two types of receptor called CCK-A and CCK-B receptors. These binding sites can be distinguished on the basis of their affinities for different molecular forms of CCK. Moreover, selective nonpeptide antagonists have been developed for CCK-A and CCK-B receptors. CCK-A receptors occur predominantly at the peripheral level where they are responsible for the digestive effects of CCK: intestinal and biliary smooth muscle contraction, pancreatic enzyme secretion, trophic effects on gastric and intestinal mucosa and regulation of feeding. Some brain CCK-receptors belong to the A-type, but the majority of them are CCK-B receptors. High densities of brain CCK-B receptors are present in cortical and limbic areas such as the amygdala and the hippocampus. At the peripheral level, CCK-B receptor antagonists are active on gastrin receptors, and these two receptors are similar if not identical. Experimental evidence suggests involvement of brain CCK processes in 4 domains: modulation of dopaminergic function, control of pain sensation, anxiety and memory formation. Thus, CCK-B antagonists may be useful to treat certain neuropathological conditions associated with CCK dysfunction.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[RP 67580, a potent and selective substance P non-peptide antagonist].

The pharmacological properties of 7,7-Diphenyl-2 [1-imino-2 (2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl] perhydroisoindol-4-one (3 aR, 7 aR) or RP67580 are described. This compound, derived from a novel chemical family, is a potent and selective substance P (SP) antagonist, in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, it inhibited in a competitive manner (IC50 = 10 nM) 3H-SP binding in rat brain (NK1 receptors). It did not interact with the two other tachykinin receptor sites (NK2 and NK3) nor the other receptor sites tested. Moreover, RP67580 competitively antagonized the contractile activity of SP on guinea-pig ileum (pA2 = 7.16); in contrast, it was inactive in rabbit pulmonary artery and in rat portal vein tissues which contain NK2 and NK3 receptors, respectively. In vivo, in the rat, RP67580 inhibited the plasmatic extravasation induced by administration of SP (ED50 = 0.04 mg/kg i.v.) as well as that induced by antidromic stimulation of a peripheral sensory nerve (ED50 = 0.15 mg/kg i.v.). In mice and rats, RP67580, like morphine, potently blocked the nociceptive effects of phenylbenzoquinone and formalin; its antinociceptive effect does not involve opiate receptors since it was not reversed by naloxone. These results indicate that RP67580 is a particularly valuable tool for investigating the physiological and pathological role of SP.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1992

CholecystokininA and cholecystokininB receptors in neurons of the brainstem solitary complex of the rat: pharmacological identification.

The brainstem solitary complex, which receives projections from primary sensory afferents of the vagus nerve, appears to be a crucial site for the action of the cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK8), because both peripheral-type (CCKA) and central-type (CCKB) binding sites are present in this structure. In the present study, we investigated the effects of recently developed receptor-specific pharmacological tools on neurons recorded in rat coronal brainstem slices, to ascertain whether CCK acts differently on each type of receptor. CCK8, which interacts with both binding sites, had three effects on neuronal discharge, brief excitation, prolonged excitation and delayed inhibition. BC 264, a novel CCK analog endowed with high affinity and selectivity for CCKB receptors, produced exclusively prolonged excitation. L-365,260, a novel nonpeptide antagonist of CCKB receptors, blocked the prolonged excitation induced by BC 264 or CCK8. L-364,718, a potent antagonist of CCKA receptors, blocked delayed inhibition and replaced brief CCK8-induced excitation by prolonged excitation. Altogether, these results show that CCK8 exerts, on neurons of the solitary complex, mixed effects due to simultaneous activation of CCKA inhibitory and CCKB excitatory binding sites. The hypothesis that exogenous CCK8 acts, in the solitary complex, through CCKA sites to slow down the motility of the digestive tract and through CCKB sites to modulate anxiety will be developed.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Pharmacological properties of a potent and selective nonpeptide substance P antagonist.

We describe here the pharmacological properties of RP 67580 [(3aR,7aR)-7,7-diphenyl-2-[1-imino-2-(2-methoxyphenyl)ethyl] perhydroisoindol-4-one], a nonpeptide antagonist of substance P (SP). In vitro, the compound was found to inhibit in a competitive manner (Ki = 4.16 +/- 0.59 nM) [3H]SP binding to neurokinin receptors type 1 (NK1 receptors) in rat brain membranes. Contractions induced by SP and septide (a selective NK1 agonist) in guinea pig ileum were competitively inhibited by RP 67580 (pA2 = 7.16 and 7.59, respectively). Moreover, RP 67580 displayed the profile of a specific antagonist of NK1 receptors: it was not active on NK2 and NK3 receptors as seen in binding assays and in isolated preparations of rabbit pulmonary artery and rat portal vein. In the rat, low intravenous doses of RP 67580 totally inhibited the plasma extravasation induced by SP in the urinary bladder (ED50 = 0.04 mg/kg i.v.) and by antidromic electrical stimulation of the saphenous nerve in the hind paw skin (ED50 = 0.15 mg/kg i.v.). This compound was also active in two classical analgesic tests in mice: phenylbenzoquinone-induced writhing (ED50 = 0.07 mg/kg s.c.) and the formalin test (ED50 = 3.7 mg/kg s.c.). Its potency was of the same order as that of morphine. Thus we conclude that RP 67580, a SP antagonist, belongs to a class of drugs that may be useful in the management of various clinical pathologies where pain and neurogenic inflammation are involved.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1991

Possible involvement of nitric oxide in long-term potentiation.

Long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus is known to involve NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors. Since activation of NMDA receptors in the cerebellum results in the formation of nitric oxide (NO), we studied the possible involvement of this messenger in hippocampal synaptic plasticity. We report here that the NO-synthase inhibitor, L-N omega-nitro-arginine, blocks LTP and that sodium nitroprusside, which releases NO, produces a long-lasting enhancement in synaptic efficacy which is not additive with tetanus-induced LTP.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Are 5-HT2 antagonists endowed with anxiolytic properties in rodents?

The precise role of serotonin (5-HT) in anxiety remains unclear. We report here on the effects of RP 62203, a new 5-HT2 antagonist, and ritanserin in different animal models of anxiety. In the elevated plus-maze in mice, RP 62203 increased dose-dependently the percentage of entries onto, and time spent on open arms, over the dose range 0.25-4 mg.kg-1 p.o. By contrast, ritanserin was ineffective up to the dose of 4 mg.kg-1 p.o. In addition, both compounds were tested against the anxiogenic compound FG 7142 (20 mg.kg-1, i.p.) in the plus-maze test in mice and via electrocorticographic recordings (ECoG) in rats. The anxiolytic effect of RP 62203 is antagonized by FG 7142 at a dose devoid of anxiogenic properties. A similar interaction between RP 62203 and FG 7142 is observed in ECoG studies. In contrast, ritanserin seemed to potentiate the anxiogenic and awakening activities of FG 7142. These results demonstrate that RP 62203, a selective 5-HT2 antagonist, possesses anxiolytic properties in rodents suggesting that 5-HT2 receptors are involved in the control of anxiety.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

'Anxiolytic' effect of CCK-antagonists on plus-maze behavior in mice.

The effects of systemic treatment with the CCK-B receptor antagonist L-365,260, its 3S-(-) enantiomer and the CCK-A receptor antagonist devazepide were assessed in the plus-maze procedure in mice. L-365,260 (1-1000 micrograms.kg-1 i.p.) produced a dose-dependent increase in the percentage of entries into, and the percentage of time spent in the open arms. Total arm entry was not consistently modified. Neither the 3S-(-) enantiomer of L-365,260 nor devazepide (both administered at 100-10,000 micrograms.kg-1) enhanced the exploratory behavior of mice. These results suggest that CCK-B, rather than CCK-A antagonists may possess 'anxiolytic' properties in mice.

Animals↗