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Biomedical subjects

M G Buzzi

Publications and source records attributed to M G Buzzi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Haemodynamic correlates of early and delayed responses to sublingual administration of isosorbide dinitrate in migraine patients: a transcranial Doppler study.

In normal subjects or migraine patients, nitrates induce a non-specific early headache caused by vasodilation of intracranial arteries. In migraineurs a delayed headache response to nitrates may have a typical clinical profile of a spontaneous migraine attack. The cerebral vasomotor changes of this delayed response require further study. Isosorbide dinitrate (IDN), an exogenous nitric oxide (NO) donor, was given at a dose of 5 mg sublingually and a bilateral transcranial Doppler device was used to monitor bilateral mean velocity (Vm) changes at the middle cerebral artery (MCA) after IDN administration and until delayed headache occurred. Spontaneous migraine-like headache occurred only in migraine patients during the delayed phase after IDN and was accompanied by a prolonged arterial vasodilation compared to normal subjects. This vasomotor response was more evident on the customary side of the head pain of a spontaneous migraine attack. Our findings suggest a particular vasomotor response to nitrates in migraine patients. This response is associated with the nitrate-induced headache and it is not evident in healthy pain-free controls during the delayed phase after administration of an NO donor. Owing to the short half-life of NO, the neurotransmitter released by IDN, and because of the late onset of headache, we believe the mechanism is unlikely to be vascular in origin, but may have a neurogenic component.

Administration, Sublingual↗

Dopamine hypersensitivity in migraine: role of the apomorphine test.

We investigated the effects of apomorphine administration at two different doses (2-10 micrograms/kg, s.c.) in 35 migraineurs in headache-free period and in 20 age-matched healthy control subjects, with and without pretreatment with domperidone. Neither patients or controls complained of headache at either dose, whereas at the dose of 10 micrograms/kg migraineurs showed a statistically significant higher incidence of dopaminergic symptoms (nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, yawning, dizziness, sweating) than controls. Furthermore, symptoms due to postsynaptic dopamine receptors activation (i.e., nausea and vomiting) only appeared in migraineurs. No symptom, however, resembled those characterizing a spontaneous migraine attack. In conclusion, migraineurs show a lower threshold for dopamine receptor activation than normal subjects.

Adult↗

Increased density of dopamine D5 receptor in peripheral blood lymphocytes of migraineurs: a marker for migraine?

The expression of dopamine D5 receptor was investigated in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 11 migraine patients and of ten healthy control subjects using a radioligand binding technique with [3H]SCH 23390 as a ligand. [3H]SCH 23390 is a benzazepine derivative with potent antagonist properties at the dopamine D1-like receptors. [3H]SCH 23390 was specifically bound to peripheral blood lymphocytes of migraineurs and control subjects in a manner consistent with the labelling of a dopamine D5 receptor. In migraineurs a statistically significant higher density of lymphocyte dopamine D5 receptor compared with controls was noticeable, whereas the affinity of the radioligand was unchanged. The increased density of dopamine D5 receptor in peripheral blood lymphocytes may reflect the dopaminergic hypersensitivity displayed by migraineurs and may represent a relatively simple and reliable peripheral marker of altered dopaminergic function.

Adult↗

Neurogenic model of migraine.

Activation of peripheral trigeminal fibers induces neurogenic inflammation in rat dura mater, as well as vascular and mat cell changes. These changes parallel an increase of vasodilating and permeability promoting peptides in venous effluent of the cephalic circulation. The experimental model of electrical trigeminal ganglion stimulation or systemic capsaicin administration has proven effective in detecting cellular activation in brainstem trigeminal nuclei. Animal experimental models of trigeminovascular activation and the effects of antimigraine drugs on functional and morphological consequences of such activation provide the background for further models and for developing pharmacological strategies in this field.

Animals↗

Causes and mechanisms of primary headaches: toward a bio-behavioral model.

Pathophysiological mechanisms of primary headache remain obscure, despite of numerous hypotheses that have been postulated for either migraine and cluster headache. Human experimental models are not available, however, observation of clinical features of migraine or cluster headache attacks support animal studies documenting the development of neurogenic inflammation in tissues receiving trigeminal innervation. The latter studies provided also the background for better understanding the mechanism of action of aborting drugs such as sumatriptan and dihydroergotamine. The debate is whether the primary cause of migraine and other neurovascular headaches is central or peripheral in origin. Trigger factors (stressful events) and personality traits in migraine patients suggest that activation of neurovascular systems is secondary to more complex events taking place in the central nervous system.

Animals↗

Basilar migraine with electroencephalographic findings of occipital spike-wave complexes: a long-term study in seven children.

Basilar migraine is characterized by headache preceded by prodromal symptoms and signs of posterior cerebral circulation dysfunction. Few studies have focused on EEG findings in this condition or on the prognosis of occipital spike-wave complexes observed in either migraine or epilepsy. We now report a long-term follow-up (8-16 years) in seven children affected by basilar migraine who had EEG findings of occipital spike-wave complexes. Basilar migraine resolved and the EEG became normal in all subjects during the observation period, as did migraine with aura and seizures which developed in some of the patients after basilar migraine attacks ceased.

Basilar Artery↗

5-Hydroxytryptamine receptor agonists for the abortive treatment of vascular headaches block mast cell, endothelial and platelet activation within the rat dura mater after trigeminal stimulation.

Antidromic stimulation of small caliber trigeminal axons causes neurogenic inflammation in the dura mater and tongue as evidenced by marked increases in mast cell activation, protein extravasation, as well as in the numbers of endothelial cytoplasmic vesicles, endothelial microvilli and platelet aggregates within ipsilateral post-capillary venules. In this report, we examined the effects of pretreatment with serotonin1 receptor agonists, dihydroergotamine (50 micrograms/kg, i.v.) and sumatriptan (100 micrograms/kg, i.v.) on the light and electron microscopic changes which develop after trigeminal ganglion stimulation. Both dihydroergotamine and sumatriptan are useful in the acute treatment of vascular headaches and bind with high affinity to 5-HT1D receptors. Both drugs decreased significantly the number of dural vessels showing endothelial or platelet changes and the numbers of activated mast cells, but did not affect the neurogenic response in the tongue. The drugs also blocked the accumulation of horseradish peroxidase reaction product within the endothelium and perivascular space on the stimulated side. The receptor is not present on trigeminovascular fibers innervating extracranial cephalic tissues. Drug mechanism probably involves inhibition of a proximal step in the pathophysiological cascade (e.g., via activation of a prejunctional receptor) because (a) receptors for sumatriptan have not been identified on mast cells whereas the inflammatory response was attenuated in mast cells as well as within platelets and the endothelium and (b) previous work indicates that sumatriptan and dihydroergotamine block neurotransmitter release. Hence, constriction of vascular smooth muscle mediated by postjunctional 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors is unlikely to explain the anti-inflammatory actions of dihydroergotamine or sumatriptan reported here.

Animals↗

Ultrastructural evidence for neurogenically mediated changes in blood vessels of the rat dura mater and tongue following antidromic trigeminal stimulation.

We investigated the effects of unilateral electrical trigeminal ganglion stimulation (0.1 or 1.0 mA, 5 Hz, 5 ms, 5 min) on the morphology of blood vessels within the rat dura mater and tongue using light and transmission electron microscopy. Stimulation at both intensities caused changes which were confined to the ipsilateral post-capillary venules except in the tongue where arterioles were affected as well. Changes were more marked after 1.0 mA. Dramatic increases in the numbers of endothelial pinocytotic vesicles were found along the luminal and abluminal surfaces ipsilateral to the stimulation. Tight junctions remained largely intact, except that injected ferritin particles were occasionally trapped inside these junctions. Cytoplasmic microvilli and endothelial blebs were sometimes present as well. Approximately 80% of the examined dural post-capillary venules showed one or more of these endothelial changes. Horseradish peroxidase injected intravenously 5 min prior to stimulation was detected in the extracellular space surrounding dural blood vessels and within pinocytotic vesicles. Ferritin injected similarly, was also localized in post-capillary venule walls, interstitial spaces, intraendothelial vesicles and in vacuoles. Platelet accumulation and aggregation were present in approximately 10% of post-capillary venules in dura and tongue. These changes were associated with mast cell secretion, but neither vascular nor mast cell activation was observed in adult rats in whom C-fibers were destroyed during the neonatal period with capsaicin. The present observations provide morphological evidence which supports findings from previously reported albumin tracer studies suggesting enhanced transport and endothelial activation following electrical stimulation of small caliber afferent fibers.

Animals↗

The trigemino-vascular system and migraine.

Neurogenic inflammation has been proposed as a possible pathogenetic mechanism for migraine and cluster headache. Antidromic stimulation of trigeminal fibers causes plasma protein extravasation, mast cell activation and degranulation, vacuolation and increase in endothelial vesicle number within post capillary venules in rat dura mater. The antimigraine drugs sumatriptan and dihydroergotamine block the development of plasma extravasation and ultrastructural changes, as well as plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) increase in the superior sagittal sinus following electrical trigeminal ganglion stimulation. Sumatriptan and dihydroergotamine bind with high affinity to the 5-HT1D/1B receptors, thus suggesting that their neurogenic antiinflammatory activity is mediated by activation of 5-HT autoreceptors present on sensory fibers innervating blood vessels in dura mater.

Blood Proteins↗

Neuroeffector functions of sensory fibres: implications for headache mechanisms and drug actions.

The results of recent investigations designed to elucidate the neuroeffector functions of sensory fibres, the cause of migraine headache and the mechanism of action of antimigraine drugs are reviewed and discussed. Neurogenic inflammation (vasodilatation and neurogenic plasma extravasation) is one explanation for the development of headaches and the blood flow changes which occur during migraine headache. Numerous studies have recently been carried out on rats and guinea-pigs into the effects of antimigraine agents, including ergot alkaloids, sumatriptan and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), on neurogenic plasma protein extravasation in the dura mater induced by electrical stimulation of trigeminal ganglia or systemic administration of capsaicin. It is known that the dura mater is able to produce headaches in man. Ergot alkaloids have been shown to block neurogenic inflammation via a C-fibre dependent neuronal mechanism. Sumatriptan appears to act fairly similarly although, whereas the ergot alkaloids are non-selective for either 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin) receptors or 5-HT1, sumatriptan is selective for 5-HT1 receptors. The antimigraine action of NSAIDs may be via either an effect on blood vessels or an effect on the nerve fibre. The antimigraine effects of ergot alkaloids, sumatriptan and NSAIDs are discussed in the light of the common vasoconstrictor actions of these agents and knowledge that vasodilatation is apparently not responsible for migraine headache pain in most cases.

Animals↗

Dihydroergotamine and sumatriptan attenuate levels of CGRP in plasma in rat superior sagittal sinus during electrical stimulation of the trigeminal ganglion.

Vasoactive neuropeptides, present in unmyelinated C-fibers, can be released from perivascular sensory axons by antidromic stimulation, to mediate vasodilation and extravasation of plasma protein (neurogenic inflammation). In this report, the effects of antidromic trigeminal stimulation on levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in plasma were examined in the superior sagittal sinus and the effects of drugs that have been shown previously to block extravasation of neurogenic plasma determined. The levels of immunoreactive CGRP in plasma were measured both before and during electrical stimulation of the trigeminal ganglion (0.1-1.0 mA, 5 msec, 5 Hz, 3-5 min), using a highly specific and sensitive immunochemiluminometric assay. Levels of CGRP increased and became maximal within the first minute of stimulation. The increases were detectable at intensities of current as small as 0.1 mA. Peak levels related to the intensity of the stimulus. Samples from femoral arterial blood did not show concomitant increases at 1 min. Pretreatment with dihydroergotamine (DHE) (50 micrograms/kg i.v.) did not change the baseline levels but decreased levels of CGRP during stimulation (0.3 mA), by 55% at 1 min and 50% at 3 min. Sumatriptan (GR43175) (300 micrograms/kg) attenuated the increase by 57% at 3 min (0.1 mA, 5 msec, 5 Hz) but not after 1 min of stimulation, although decreases were observed at the latter time during an individual experiment. Drug-induced attenuation of levels of CGRP in plasma may reflect inhibition of release, to thereby provide evidence to explain blockade of neurogenic extravasation of plasma.

Animals↗

Jun B, c-jun, jun D and c-fos mRNAs in nucleus caudalis neurons: rapid selective enhancement by afferent stimulation.

In situ hybridization using cDNAs complementary to specific regions of the mRNAs encoding 3 members of the jun transcription factor gene family and c-fos reveals modest levels of hybridization over superficial laminae of the nucleus caudalis of the spinal tract of the trigeminal in sections taken from unstimulated brains. Jun B expression is markedly and rapidly enhanced ipsilateral to electrical stimulation of the trigeminal ganglion. C-fos mRNA levels also show changes, especially after higher intensity stimulation. Smaller alterations in c-jun (jun A) and jun D do not reach statistical significance. In each instance of altered expression, more neurons express hybridization densities above background levels after stimulation. Parallels between these alterations and changes in the expression of preproenkephalin in these same neuronal populations are discussed.

Afferent Pathways↗

Trigeminal sensory fiber stimulation induces morphological changes reflecting secretion in rat dura mater mast cells.

Mast cells are involved in allergic reactions, but may also participate in neurogenic inflammation. The morphology of mast cells in rat dura mater and tongue was evaluated by histochemistry, as well as by scanning and transmission electron microscopy following unilateral trigeminal ganglion stimulation (5 min, 5 Hz, 5 ms, and 0.02, 0.1 or 1.0 mA). Mast cells in dura and tongue of normal animals were numerous, perivascular and often in close proximity to nerve fibers. After 5 min of electrical stimulation, mast cells contralateral to the stimulation showed histochemical characteristics of normal peripheral tissue mast cells (Safranin-positive), and by electron microscopy appeared homogeneous with numerous intact electron-dense granules. On the stimulated side, however, the staining characteristics of mast cells showed changes indicating progressive intracellular loss of their granular content. In addition, the total number of stainable mast cells decreased at all three stimulus intensities, but reached significance only at 0.1 and 0.02 mA. Ultrastructural evidence of granule changes consistent with secretion were observed although degranulation was not observed until 20 min after stimulation. There were no mast cell changes after electrical trigeminal stimulation in adult rats treated as neonates with capsaicin to destroy small caliber sensory afferent axons. These results suggest that mast cells may secrete in response to electrical stimulation of trigeminal axons, possibly mediated by antidromic release of neuropeptides, and may participate in the development of neurogenic inflammation.

Animals↗

Evidence for 5-HT1B/1D receptors mediating the antimigraine effect of sumatriptan and dihydroergotamine.

Neurogenic plasma extravasation, endothelial cell activation (increase in vesicle number and vacuole formation), platelet aggregation and adhesion, and mast cell degranulation occur selectively in post-capillary venules of the dura mater following electrical trigeminal ganglion stimulation, and are mediated by release of neuropeptides from perivascular unmyelinated C fibres. Pre-treatment with the antimigraine drugs dihydroergotamine and sumatriptan, two drugs that bind with high affinity to 5-HT1B/1D receptors, markedly attenuated plasma protein extravasation induced by electrical trigeminal ganglion stimulation. Trigeminal stimulation increased plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide levels in rat superior sagittal sinus. Pre-treatment with dihydroergotamine and, to a lesser extent, sumatriptan, attenuated this increase. Both drugs reduced morphological changes in post-capillary venules and mast cells within dura mater following electrical trigeminal ganglion stimulation. Plasma protein extravasation was selectively blocked in dura mater (but not in extracranial tissues) by pre-treatment with those receptor agonists showing a rank order of potency suggesting a 3-HT1B/1D interaction (5-CT greater than 5-BT greater than DHE greater than sumatriptan greater than 8-OH-DPAT). Pre-treatment with 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 antagonists was not effective. Taken together, these data are consistent with the interpretation that putative 5-HT-1B/1D receptors located on sensory fibres are coupled to inhibition of peptide release and blockade of neurogenic inflammation. An important therapeutic action of ergot alkaloids and sumatriptan in migraine headaches is so defined.

Animals↗

Further characterization of the putative 5-HT receptor which mediates blockade of neurogenic plasma extravasation in rat dura mater.

1. We describe the effects of pretreatment with 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor agonists and antagonists on neurogenically-mediated plasma protein extravasation ([125I]-albumin) in rat dura mater and in extracranial tissues (temporalis muscle fascia, conjunctiva, eyelid and lip) induced by electrical stimulation of the right trigeminal ganglion. 2. Leakage of [125I]-bovine serum albumin from blood vessels in dura mater following high intensity stimulation (1.2 mA, 5 ms, 5 Hz for 5 min) was significantly reduced by the intravenous administration of drugs active at 5-HT receptors with some selectivity for the 5-HT1 receptor subtypes: 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT) (threshold dose, 1 ng kg-1); 5-benzyloxytryptamine (5-BT) (10, 30 or 100 micrograms kg-1); 8-hydroxydipropylaminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT) (300 micrograms kg-1); and as previously reported, sumatriptan (100 micrograms kg-1), dihydroergotamine (DHE) (50 micrograms kg-1); ergotamine tartrate (100 micrograms kg-1) and chronically administered methysergide (1 mg kg-1). 3. The putative 5-HT receptor antagonist, metergoline 100 micrograms kg-1, inhibited partially the effect of sumatriptan in dura mater providing additional evidence for a 5-HT1 receptor subtype-mediated mechanism, although it was not effective against 5-CT (1 ng kg-1). Methiothepin (300 micrograms kg-1) did not affect the response to sumatriptan. When administered at high concentrations (1 mg kg-1) methiothepin and metergoline decreased plasma protein extravasation in rat dura mater. 4. Pretreatment with the 5-HT2 receptor antagonists pizotifen, 300pugkg 1, or ketanserin, 300,ugkg ', or the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists MDL 72222, 300,ugkg-1, or ICS 205-930, 300pgkg-1, did not affect plasma protein leakage following electrical trigeminal stimulation. Blockade by sumatriptan of plasma protein extravasation was not inhibited by pizotifen (300,ug kg-1) or MDL 72222 (300pg kg- '). 5. The 5-HT receptor(s) mediating this response were present only on intracranial tissues innervated by the trigeminal nerve; plasma protein extravasation in extracranial tissues was not blocked by pretreatment with the equivalent or higher concentrations of the above drugs following low intensity trigeminal stimulation (0.1 mA, 5 ms, 5 Hz). 6. The putative 5-HT receptor(s) mediating this response were not present on sympathetic fibres innervating dura mater since unilateral removal of the superior cervical ganglion did not prevent the development of plasma protein extravasation nor did it affect the blockade by sumatriptan IOOpug kg- '. 7. The above pharmacological data suggest that intracranial vessels possess 5-HT receptor(s) which are coupled to inhibition of neurogenically-mediated plasma protein extravasation. These receptors cannot be detected on extracranial cephalic blood vessels innervated by the trigeminal nerve, although available evidence strongly suggests that the 5-HT receptors reside on perivascular trigeminal nerve fibres. The rank order of effective doses (threshold concentrations; 5-CT < 5-BT < DHE < sumatriptan < 8-OHDPAT) is most consistent with a 5-HTlB- or 5-HTlD-mediated response, among the known 5-HT1 family of receptors. However, the lack of effect of methiothepin against the actions of sumatriptan, or metergoline against the effects of 5-CT suggest important differences and the possibility that a previously unrecognized 5-HT receptor(s) is involved in this response.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) after nitroglycerin in migraine without aura.

Nitroglycerin, a vasodilating agent, was administered sublingually in migraine without aura patients and in healthy volunteers. Systolic, diastolic and time-mean flow velocity and pulsatility index, were measured by transcranial Doppler sonography in the major intracranial arteries before and after nitroglycerin administration. Following nitroglycerin administration, a significant decrease in systolic and time-mean velocity and pulsatility index was observed in migraine patients, whereas in control subjects only time-mean velocity decreased significantly. Based on those findings we hypothesize a more marked responsiveness to nitroglycerin in migraine patients as compared to healthy subjects.

Adult↗

Preproenkephalin upregulation in nucleus caudalis: high and low intensity afferent stimulation differentially modulate early and late responses.

Nucleus caudalis expression of preproenkephalin mRNA changes following lesions depleting small-caliber primary afferent fibers and after stimulation of trigeminal afferents at different intensities. Animals treated neonatally with capsaicin display reduced preproenkephalin gene expression in nucleus caudalis neurons. Stimulation of normal animals at low intensities enhances preproenkephalin expression in a bimodal temporal pattern. High intensity stimulation is effective only at later time points in normal animals, but it causes both early and late effects on preproenkephalin expression when applied to animals neonatally lesioned with capsaicin. Transsynaptic regulation of preproenkephalin expression in pain-modulating areas of the nucleus caudalis of the trigeminal nerve thus depends on the specific type of primary afferent input. The rapid responses noted after selective large fiber stimulation appear to be suppressed by coactivation of small caliber fibers. Later responses appear less influenced by the quality of the eliciting afferent stimulus.

Afferent Pathways↗