PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

K H Wiederhold

Publications and source records attributed to K H Wiederhold.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Stereoisomerism and muscarinic receptor agonists: synthesis and effects of the stereoisomers of 3-[5-(3-amino-1,2,4-oxadiazol)yl]-1- azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane.

The preparation and the biological activities of the four stereoisomers of 3-[5-(3-amino-1,2,4-oxadiazol)yl]-1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane are described. The most potent stereoisomer, 3a, has the 3R,4R configuration, and in vitro activities in (pD2(% efficacy): ileum 8.8 (87%), hippocampus 9.8 (116%) and ganglion 10.2 (36%)). 3b (3S,4S) was weaker (ileum 8.1 (121%), hippocampus 8.5 (107%), ganglion 9.0 (63%)). The other two stereoisomers, 4a (3S,4R; ileum 7.1 (108%), hippocampus 8.2 (116%), ganglion 7.3 (31%)) and 4b (3R,4S; ileum 7.0 (100%), hippocampus 7.0 (120%), ganglion 7.2 (67%)) are of comparable activity, with an analogous profile to that of the more potent stereoisomers. Thus, compounds 3a and 4a, possessing the 4R stereochemistry, showed selectivity for the hippocampus over the ileum. Compound 3a was, however, more potent in the ganglion than in the hippocampus. All four stereoisomers were full agonists in the hippocampus, indicating M1 activity; however, they were partial agonists in the depolarisation of the rat superior cervical ganglion, another M1-mediated response. This may be due to M2-mediated hyperpolarization. With 3a (0.01 mg/kg i.p.), expression of c-fos mRNA was observed in the hypothalamus and in brain areas involved in sensory processing; these effects were totally blocked by pretreatment with 2 mg/kg scopolamine. In particular, activation of the superior colliculus is consistent with potent M2 activity.

Animals

Intracerebroventricular application of competitive and non-competitive NMDA antagonists induce similar effects upon rat hippocampal electroencephalogram and local cerebral glucose utilization.

In this study we have used electrophysiological and metabolic markers to investigate the effects of competitive and non-competitive NMDA antagonists in rats after central or peripheral administration. The non-competitive antagonist, MK-801, induced dose-dependent suppression of rat hippocampal EEG energy both after intraperitoneal (i.p.) and intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) application. Similar effects were observed after i.p. and i.c.v. application of the competitive antagonist, DL-CPP-ene. Whereas the MK-801 was more potent after i.p. application, DL-CPP-ene was more potent after i.c.v. administration. Intracerebroventricular administration of MK-801 and DL-CPP-ene resulted in similar changes in the pattern of local cerebral glucose utilization in the olfactory tubercle and regions of the limbic system such as the anteroventral thalamus, hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. Intravenous (i.v.) administration of MK-801 induced increases in glucose metabolism similar to those observed after i.c.v. application. In contrast, i.v. administration of DL-CPP-ene induced only small decreases of glucose utilization in several regions of the central sensory system. Thus the blockade of glutamatergic (NMDA) transmission results in decreased hippocampal EEG activity which is paralleled by increased metabolic activity in this area. We conclude from EEG recordings and [14C]2-deoxyglucose uptake experiments that both non-competitive and competitive NMDA antagonists produce the same pattern of alterations after i.c.v. administration. Apparent differences in efficacy after peripheral administration may be largely due to differences in bioavailability.

Animals

Muscarinic M2-selective ligands also recognize M4 receptors in the rat brain: evidence from combined in situ hybridization and receptor autoradiography.

We have used autoradiographic techniques to examine the characteristics and distribution of the binding of reported selective M2 muscarinic ligands and compared them with the distribution of cells expressing mRNAs for the different subtypes of muscarinic receptors. Our results suggest that the M2 ligands used in the present study ([3H]OXO-M, ([3H]OXO-M,[3H]AF-DX384,AF-DX116, methoctramine) also recognize M4 receptors present in regions such as the striatum and olfactory tubercle. This is supported by 1) relative abundances of the different transcripts, with m2 mRNA being very scarce and m4 mRNA very abundant in these regions; 2) comparison of the pharmacological characteristics of M2-ligand binding sites in brain areas selected by their exclusive expression of M2 receptors versus areas enriched in M4 receptors. An important conclusion of these studies is that none of the muscarinic radioligands available at the present time appears to label specifically a single muscarinic receptor subtype population. Areas are suggested where autoradiographic techniques can be helpful in elucidating the subtype selectivity of existing and new ligands.

Animals

Muscarinic M2 receptor mRNA expression and receptor binding in cholinergic and non-cholinergic cells in the rat brain: a correlative study using in situ hybridization histochemistry and receptor autoradiography.

The goal of the present study was to identify the cells containing mRNA coding for the m2 subtype of muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the rat brain. In situ hybridization histochemistry was used, with oligonucleotides as hybridization probes. The distribution of cholinergic cells was examined in consecutive sections with probes complementary to choline acetyltransferase mRNA. Furthermore, the microscopic distribution of muscarinic cholinergic binding sites was examined with a non-selective ligand ([3H]N-methylscopolamine) and with ligands proposed to be M1-selective ([3H]pirenzepine) or M2-selective ([3H]oxotremorine-M). The majority of choline acetyltransferase mRNA-rich (i.e. cholinergic) cell groups (medial septum-diagonal band complex, nucleus basalis, pedunculopontine and laterodorsal tegmental nuclei, nucleus parabigeminalis, several motor nuclei of the brainstem, motoneurons of the spinal cord), also contained m2 mRNA, strongly suggesting that at least a fraction of these receptors may be presynaptic autoreceptors. A few groups of cholinergic cells were an exception to this fact: the medial habenula and some cranial nerve nuclei (principal oculomotor, trochlear, abducens, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus). Furthermore, m2 mRNA was not restricted to cholinergic cells but was also present in many other cells throughout the rat brain. The distribution of m2 mRNA was in good, although not complete, agreement with that of binding sites for the M2 preferential agonist [3H]oxotremorine-M, but not with [3H]pirenzepine binding sites. Regions where the presence of [3H]oxotremorine-M binding sites was not correlated with that of m2 mRNA are the caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens, olfactory tubercle and islands of Calleja. The present results strongly suggest that the M2 receptor is expressed by a majority of cholinergic cells, where it probably plays a role as autoreceptor. However, many non-cholinergic neurons also express this receptor, which would be, presumably, postsynaptically located. Finally, comparison between the distribution of m2 mRNA and that of the proposed M2-selective ligand [3H]oxotremorine-M indicates that this ligand, in addition to M2 receptors, may also recognize in certain brain areas other muscarinic receptor populations, particularly M4.

Acetylcholinesterase

Micropreparation techniques in quantitative histochemistry - density gradient centrifugation, manual microdissection and laser microbeam preparation of tissue.

Each quantitative histochemical problem needs its specific method for tissue preparation. In this connection two of the most important preparation methods, density gradient centrifugation and microdissection of freeze-dried tissue slices, are described. Density gradient centrifugation is a very effective procedure for preparative separation of cell particles such as cell nuclei. The details of the preparation of glial and neuronal cell nuclei are described. The in vitro phosphorylation of histone in the chromatin in relation to age is given as a practical example of the quantitative histochemical application to a preparation of cell nuclei. Other techniques of tissue preparation are the manual tissue microdissection according to Lowry and the Laser microbeam preparation. Advantages and disadvantages of both methods are compared. It is shown, that the introduction of Laser microbeam dissection technique, as alternative to manual microdissection, add new dimensions to Lowry's ultramicrochemical methods. One has greater freedom in the choice of the sample size and the number of samples dissected from the same slice. Furthermore, the need for a well-trained person for the preparation is eliminated. The preparation is also considerably less time consuming and easier to perform than the manual free hand preparation. Two quantitative histochemical methods used for the investigation of microdissected tissue samples are described: the gas-chromatography-massfragmentography (GC/MS)-method for determination of transmitters and its metabolites as well as the enzymatic cycling technique of Lowry. The GC/MS-method is explained with an example of noradrenaline and dopamine determination. The enzymatic cycling technique is demonstrated in combination with the Oil-Well-Technique for determination of the NADP-cycle.

Cell Fractionation