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M Hamon

Publications and source records attributed to M Hamon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

GABA, acting at both GABAA and GABAB receptors, inhibits the release of cholecystokinin-like material from the rat spinal cord in vitro.

Superfusion of slices of the dorsal zone of the lumbar enlargement of the rat spinal cord with an artificial cerebrospinal fluid allowed the collection of cholecystokinin-like material (CCKLM) whose Ca(2+)-dependent release could be evoked by tissue depolarization with 30 mM K+. Studies on the possible influence of GABA and related agonists on this process showed that the amino acid, the GABAA agonist, muscimol, and the GABAB agonist, baclofen, inhibited the K(+)-evoked release of CCKLM from the rat spinal cord in a concentration-dependent manner. Maximal inhibition did not exceed -40% with either agonist. Furthermore, the effects of GABAA and GABAB receptor stimulation were not additive. Whereas the effects of muscimol (10 microM) and baclofen (1 microM) could be completely antagonized by bicuculline (1 microM) and phaclofen (10 microM), respectively, complete blockade of the inhibition by GABA (1 microM) could only be achieved in the presence of both antagonists. These data indicate that both GABAA and GABAB receptors are involved in the negative influence of GABA onto CCK-containing neurones within the dorsal horn of the rat spinal cord. Apparently, these receptors are not located on CCK-containing neurones themselves, since the inhibitory effect of GABA on the K(+)-evoked release of CCKLM could be completely prevented by tetrodotoxin (1 microM). As CCK acts centrally as an endogenous opioid antagonist, such a GABA-inhibitory control of spinal CCK-containing neurones might participate in the analgesic action of the amino acid via the intrathecal route.

Animals

gamma-Aminobutyric acid, through GABAA receptors, inhibits the potassium-stimulated release of calcitonin gene-related peptide- but not that of substance P-like material from rat spinal cord slices.

Superfusion of slices of the dorsal zone of the lumbar enlargement with an artificial cerebrospinal fluid was used to investigate the possible modulation by GABA receptor ligands of the in vitro release of calcitonin gene-related peptide- and substance P-like materials (CGRPLM and SPLM) from the rat spinal cord. Whereas the spontaneous outflow of both peptides remained unaffected, the K+ (30 mM)-evoked overflow of CGRPLM could be partially inhibited (approx. -30%) by GABA (1 microM-0.1 mM) and muscimol (10 microM-0.1 mM) but not by baclofen (1-10 microM). Bicuculline methiodide (1 microM) completely prevented the inhibition by GABA (1 microM) and muscimol (10 microM) as expected from an action through GABAA receptors. By contrast, the K(+)-evoked SPLM overflow was altered neither by GABA nor muscimol and baclofen. These data further support that GABA exerts a presynaptic inhibitory control of (CGRP-containing) primary afferent fibres within the rat dorsal horn.

Animals

The potent 5-HT3 receptor antagonist (R)-zacopride labels an additional high affinity site in the central nervous system.

The binding characteristics of [3H](R)- and [3H](S)-zacopride were investigated in membranes from the rat entorhinal cortex and NG 108-15 clonal cells. In contrast to [3H](S)-zacopride which bound solely to 5-HT3 receptors, [3H](R)-zacopride recognized another class of binding sites, called the (R)-sites, in both membrane preparations. In addition to (R)-zacopride (Ki = 3-11 nM), only (R)-iodo-zacopride, (R)-dechloro-zacopride, prazosin and mianserin exhibited high to moderate affinity for the (R)-sites, whose possible functions remain to be established.

Animals

Kappa-opioid receptor stimulation abolishes mu- but not delta-mediated inhibitory control of spinal Met-enkephalin release.

The possible opioid control through delta, mu and kappa receptors of the spinal release of Met-enkephalin-like material (MELM) was investigated in halothane-anaesthetized rats. The intrathecal perfusion of the delta agonist DTLET (10 microM) or the mu agonist DAGO (10 microM) resulted in a marked inhibition of MELM release, which could be prevented by the selective antagonists naltrindole and naloxone, respectively. Although the kappa agonist U 50488 H (10 microM) was inactive per se, it completely suppressed the inhibitory effect of DAGO, without affecting that of DTLET. As the selective kappa antagonist norbinaltorphimine blocked the action of U 50488 H, it can be concluded that kappa receptors modulate the mu- (but not the delta-) mediated feed back control of spinal enkephalinergic neurones.

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cycloh

Quantitative autoradiographic mapping of 5-HT3 receptors in the rat CNS using [125I]iodo-zacopride and [3H]zacopride as radioligands.

Substitution of the chlorine atom by a radio-iodine in position 5 in the zacopride molecule yielded [125I]iodo-zacopride that bound with high affinity (Kd = 4.3 nM) to 5-HT3 receptors in the rat central nervous system. Assays with membranes from the posterior (mainly entorhinal) cortex confirmed that the pharmacological properties and regional distribution of [125I]iodo-zacopride-specific binding sites were identical with those of 5-HT3 sites labelled by the reference radioligand [3H]zacopride. Autoradiographic investigations for the visualization and quantification of 5-HT3 receptors yielded similar results with both radioligands, but autoradiograms could be obtained after only 1-3 days of exposure of sections labelled with [125I]iodo-zacopride, instead of 4-6 months using [3H]zacopride. The highest density of 5-HT3 sites was found in the nucleus tractus solitarius followed by, in decreasing order, the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve, the superficial layers of the dorsal horn in the spinal cord, the nucleus of the spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve, and the area postrema. Significant labelling of 5-HT3 receptors was also observed in limbic areas (amygdala, hippocampus, frontal and entorhinal cortex), and to a much lower extent in the dorsal raphe nucleus, striatum, and substantia nigra. These multiple locations further support the idea that 5-HT3 receptors are probably involved in several 5-HT-mediated functions in the central nervous system.

Animals

Feedback inhibition of met-enkephalin release from the rat spinal cord in vivo.

The possible existence of a feedback control by endogenous opioids of the spinal release of met-enkephalin-like material was assessed in vivo, in halothane-anesthetized rats whose intrathecal space was continuously perfused with an artificial cerebrospinal fluid supplemented with various opioid-related drugs. Both the intrathecal perfusion of the mu agonist D-Ala2-D-MePhe4-Gly-ol5-enkephalin (DAGO) (10 microM) and the delta agonist Tyr-D-Thr-Gly-Phe-Leu-Thr (DTLET) (10 microM) produced a significant inhibition of the spinal outflow of met-enkephalin-like material. The effect of DAGO, but not that of DTLET, could be prevented by naloxone (10 microM), and, conversely, the effect of DLTET, but not that of DAGO, was no longer observed in the presence of naltrindole (10 microM). Therefore naloxone and naltrindole acted as potent and selective mu and delta antagonists, respectively, when perfused at 10 microM in the intrathecal space of halothane-anesthetized rats. As expected from the lack of a tonic opioid control of spinal enkephalinergic neurones, neither naloxone nor naltrindole alone affected the spontaneous outflow of met-enkephalin-like material. However, naltrindole, but not naloxone, markedly increased the spinal overflow of met-enkephalin-like material due to intrathecal administration of either porcine calcitonin (10 microM) or the peptidase inhibitors thiorphan (10 microM) plus bestatin (20 microM). These data suggest that delta, but not mu, receptors are involved in a phasic opioid inhibitory control of the release of met-enkephalin-like material in the rat spinal cord.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Increased calcitonin gene-related peptide- and cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivities in spinal motoneurones after dorsal rhizotomy.

Possible changes in neuropeptides within the ventral horn of the spinal cord were investigated after unilateral dorsal rhizotomy at the lumbar level (L1-L6) in adult rats. Ten days after the surgery, immunohistochemical observations and radioimmunological determinations confirmed a marked loss of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)- and substance P (SP)-like immunoreactivities within the superficial layers of the deafferented dorsal horn, as expected from the degeneration of primary afferent fibres containing these peptides. A concomitant increase in immunohistochemical staining and levels of CGRP (+296%) and CCK (+71%)-like immunoreactivities was observed in the ipsilateral ventral horn where both peptides are located in motoneurones. In contrast, substance P-like immunoreactivity that is confined to fibres and terminals within the ventral horn, was not altered by dorsal rhizotomy. These data indicate that the expression of neuropeptides in spinal motoneurones can be influenced by primary afferent inputs.

Animals

Central action of 5-HT3 receptor ligands in the regulation of sleep-wakefulness and raphe neuronal activity in the rat.

Anxiolytic drugs, such as the benzodiazepines and the azapirones (ipsapirone, gepirone, buspirone), are well known to affect states of vigilance and to decrease the firing rate of serotoninergic neurones within the dorsal raphe nucleus in rats. In order to examine whether the newly developed 5-HT3 antagonists with potential anxiolytic properties act through similar mechanisms, the effects of several of such antagonists: MDL 72222, ICS 205-930, ondansetron and/or zacopride on both sleep-wakefulness and the discharge of serotoninergic neurones within the dorsal raphe nucleus were investigated in rats. When tested in a wide range of doses (0.05-10 mg/kg, i.p.), none of these drugs significantly affected the states of vigilance, except ondansetron, at 0.1 mg/kg, which increased paradoxical sleep for the first 2 hr after administration and MDL 72222, at 10 mg/kg, which reduced both paradoxical and slow wave sleep and increased wakefulness for the same initial period after treatment. In vivo, in chloral hydrate anaesthetized rats, as well as in vitro, in slices of brain stem, none of the 5-HT3 antagonists tested affected the firing rate of serotoninergic neurones. Similarly, no change in the electrical activity of serotoninergic neurones could be evoked in vitro by superfusion of the tissue with the 5-HT3 agonists, phenylbiguanide (10 microM) and 2-methyl-5-HT (1 microM). At a larger concentration (10 microM), the latter compound reduced the neuronal discharge probably through the stimulation of somatodendritic 5-HT1A autoreceptors since this effect, as that of ipsapirone, could be prevented by 10 microM l-propranolol. Comparison of these data with those obtained with benzodiazepines and 5-HT1A agonists of the azapirone series, supports the concept that different mechanisms are responsible for the anxiolytic-like properties of 5-HT3 agonists, compared to those of other anxiolytic drugs.

Animals

Cholecystokinin (CCK)-like material and CCK mRNA levels in the rat brain and spinal cord after acute or repeated morphine treatment.

The effects of a single or repeated administrations of morphine on the tissue levels of cholecystokinin-like material (CCKLM) and pre pro cholecystokinin mRNA (CCK mRNA) were examined in various brain and spinal cord regions (cerebral cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, septum, substantia nigra, lumbar enlargement) in adult rats using a specific radioimmunoassay and 'Northern blot' analysis, respectively. Although a clear parallelism existed between the regional distribution of CCKLM (septum greater than cerebral cortex greater than or equal to hippocampus much greater than lumbar enlargement, dorsal zone greater than substantia nigra greater than lumbar enlargement, ventral zone much much greater than cerebellum) and that of CCK mRNA, some mismatch was found notably in the septum where CCK mRNA levels were less than in other regions except the cerebellum. Neither CCKLM nor CCK mRNA levels were altered one hour after an acute administration of morphine (5 mg/kg i.p.). Similarly, morphine addiction after a four-day treatment with this drug was not associated with any change in the tissue levels of CCKLM and CCK mRNA. These data indicate that the previously reported modulatory action of opioids on central CCKergic systems could occur without affecting the preproCCK gene transcription and the tissue peptide concentrations.

Animals

Effect of the selective lesion of serotoninergic neurons on the regional distribution of 5-HT1A receptor mRNA in the rat brain.

The effects of the selective lesion of serotoninergic neurons by an intra-raphe administration of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine on the 5-HT1A receptor protein and the 5-HT1A receptor mRNA were examined in various regions of the rat brain using specific antibodies and an antisense riboprobe, respectively. Twenty one days after the treatment, the 5-HT1A receptor protein was no longer detected within the dorsal raphe nucleus but was still present in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. Quantitative in situ hybridization showed an 85% decrease in the levels of 5-HT1A receptor mRNA within the dorsal raphe nucleus, but no significant change in the hippocampus, interpeduncular nucleus and entorhinal cortex of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine-treated rats. These data demonstrate that 5-HT1A receptors are synthesized by serotoninergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus, and by neurons located postsynaptically with regard to serotoninergic projections in other areas. The unchanged levels of 5-HT1A receptor mRNA in the hippocampus, interpeduncular nucleus and entorhinal cortex three weeks after the extensive lesion of serotoninergic neurons are consistent with the absence of 5-HT1A receptor up regulation already reported under this condition.

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine

Baroreceptor reflex inhibition induced by the stimulation of serotonin3 receptors in the nucleus tractus solitarius of the rat.

Previous studies suggested that in the nucleus tractus solitarius, cardiovascular responses to serotonin may involve the simultaneous activation of more than one receptor subtype. In the present study, the cardiovascular effects of the local application of serotonin and different serotonin3 agonists and antagonists into the nucleus tractus solitarius were analysed in intact and unilaterally ganglionectomized rats. Unilateral injections of serotonin (5-15 nmol) produced a dose-dependent increase in blood pressure and partially antagonized the arterial baroreflex responses evoked by an i.v. injection of phenylephrine. Similar blood pressures response were obtained after unilateral microinjections of phenylbiguanide (5 nmol) and 2-methyl-serotonin (5 nmol), two serotonin3 receptor agonists. Bilateral microinjections of serotonin or phenylbiguanide produced more pronounced blood pressure effects and antagonized completely the baroreflex responses. Both blood pressure and baroreflex effects were antagonized by prior injections of specific serotonin3 antagonists such as zacopride (100 pmol) and ondansetron (100 pmol). Concomitant autoradiographic studies performed in intact and ganglionectomized rats, using [125I]iodozacopride, confirmed that serotonin3 receptors in the nucleus tractus solitarius are mainly located on vagal afferent fibers. In addition, serotonin microinjections made in the nucleus tractus solitarius ipsilateral to the ganglionectomy revealed a significant reduction in cardiovascular responses compared to intact animals. These results suggest that in the nucleus tractus solitarius of the rat, serotonin is involved in the reflex regulation of blood pressure through the stimulation of serotonin3 receptors presumably located on vagal afferent fibers. Since bicuculline antagonized the serotonin-mediated pressor responses, a serotonin3-dependent activation of an inhibitory GABAergic system within the nucleus tractus solitarius might be involved in blood pressure regulatory mechanisms.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists

Kappa-/mu-receptor interactions in the opioid control of the in vivo release of substance P-like material from the rat spinal cord.

The possible involvement of mu and kappa receptors in the opioid control of the spinal release of substance P-like material was assessed in vivo, in halothane-anaesthetized rats whose intrathecal space was continuously perfused with an artificial cerebrospinal fluid supplemented with various opioid receptor agonists and antagonists. Whereas the intrathecal perfusion with the mu agonist DAGO (10 microM) significantly enhanced (approximately + 50%) the spontaneous release of substance P-like material, that with the kappa agonist U 50488 H (10 microM) produced no change in the peptide outflow. The respective antagonists naloxone (10 microM) for the mu receptors and nor-binaltorphimine (10 microM) for the kappa receptors did not affect the spontaneous release of substance P-like material, indicating that endogenous opioids acting at mu and kappa receptors do not exert a tonic control on substance P-containing neurons in the spinal cord of halothane-anaesthetized rats. However, as expected from the involvement of mu receptors, the stimulatory effect of DAGO on the peptide outflow could be prevented by naloxone but not norbinaltorphimine. Furthermore, instead of an increase with DAGO alone, a significant decrease in the spinal release of substance P-like material was observed upon the intrathecal perfusion with DAGO plus U 50488 H. Additional experiments with the respective mu and kappa antagonists naloxone and nor-binaltorphimine demonstrated that this effect actually resulted from the simultaneous stimulation of mu and kappa receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cycloh

Quantification of 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptors in the cerebellum of normal and X-irradiated rats during postnatal development.

5-Hydroxytryptamine1A receptors were studied in rats during the first postnatal month in the normal cerebellum and in the granule cell-deprived cerebellum produced by X-irradiation at postnatal day 5. Quantitative autoradiographic studies on sagittal sections of cerebellar vermis, using [1251]BH-8-MeO-N-PAT as radioligand or specific anti-receptor antibodies, revealed that 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptors existed in the molecular/Purkinje cell layer but at variable density from one lobule to another. Thus, in both normal and X-irradiated rats, the posterior lobules were more heavily labelled than the anterior ones, and the density of 5-hydroxytryptamine1A sites decreased progressively in all the cerebellar folia down to hardly detectable levels at postnatal day 21. However, the intensity of labelling remained higher at postnatal day 8 and postnatal day 12 in X-irradiated rats than in age-paired controls. Measurements of [3H]8-OH-DPAT specific binding to membranes from whole cerebellum confirmed that the density of 5-hydroxytryptamine1A sites per mg membrane protein (Bmax) was higher in X-irradiated animals than in age-paired controls. However, on a "per cerebellum" basis, no significant difference could be detected between the total number of 5-hydroxytryptamine1A sites, which progressively increased in both control and X-irradiated animals during the first postnatal month. These results therefore show that 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptors are not located on developing granule cells. The progressive decrease in 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptor density during the first postnatal month did not reflect a transient expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptors in the cerebellum of newborn rats, but resulted from the progressive "dilution" of these sites in this growing structure. The higher density of 5-hydroxytryptamine1A sites in X-irradiated rats simply reflected a lower "dilution" due to the delayed growth of the cerebellum in these animals.

Aging

In vivo release of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like material from the cervicotrigeminal area in the rat. Effects of electrical and noxious stimulations of the muzzle.

The continuous perfusion with an artificial cerebrospinal fluid of the cervicotrigeminal area of the spinal cord in halothane-anaesthetized rats allowed the collection of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like material with the same immunological and chromatographic characteristics as authentic rat alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide. The spinal release of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like material could be significantly increased by the local application of 60 mM K+ (approximately +100%), high-intensity percutaneous electrical stimulation (approximately +200%) and noxious heat (by immersion in water at 52 degrees C; approximately +150%) applied to the muzzle. By contrast, noxious mechanical (pinches) and chemical (subcutaneous formalin injection) stimulations and deep cooling (by immersion in water at 0 degrees C) of the muzzle did not alter the spinal release of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like material. In addition, low-intensity electrical stimulation, recruiting only the A alpha/beta primary afferent fibres, significantly reduced (approximately -30%) the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like material from the cervicotrigeminal area. These data suggest that among the various types of natural noxious stimuli, noxious heat may selectively excite calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing A delta and C primary afferent fibres projecting within the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, and that activation of A alpha/beta fibres reduces spontaneous calcitonin gene-related peptide-like material release possibly through an inhibitory presynaptic control of calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing A delta/C fibres.

Animals

Determination of thevetin B in serum by fluorescence polarization immunoassay.

Thevetin B, a cardiac glycoside of Thevetia neriifolia Juss. seeds, was determined in serum by fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Anti-digitoxin antibody was used, thevetin B genin being structurally identical to digitoxigenin. Cross-reactivity of 94% was found by this method, for concentrations from 5 to 80 ng ml-1.

Cardenolides

Proto-oncogene expression in rabbit aorta after wall injury. First marker of the cellular process leading to restenosis after angioplasty?

In order to study the earliest phenomenons occurring in the arterial wall after balloon angioplasty, the level of expression of the proto-oncogenes, c-fos and c-myc, was studied in rabbit aorta after balloon denudation by using Northern blot analysis. Both c-fos and c-myc are rapidly and transitorily induced (maximal at 30 min and 2 h after mechanical injury for c-fos and c-myc respectively). By comparison, infusion of norepinephrine increases oncogene expression in normal non-denuded rabbit aorta after 1 h, but the combination of both mechanical and hormonal stimuli do not lead to a more important induction than balloon denudation alone.

Angioplasty, Balloon

Anxiolytic-like actions of anpirtoline in a mouse light-dark aversion paradigm.

The anxiolytic-like potential of anpirtoline was assessed in a mouse light/dark aversion test. Anpirtoline (1.0 ng kg(-1)-1.0 micrograms kg-1 i.p.) reduced the aversive responding of mice. This was detected as an increase in the latency to locate the non-aversive compartment and by decreases in the percentage of the time spent in the dark compartment, and the numbers of rears and line crossings in the dark compartment. In radioligand binding studies anpirtoline displayed submicromolar affinity for 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B and 5-HT3 receptor recognition sites (Ki = 151, 28 and 30 nM, respectively) and more modest affinity for 5-HT2 receptor recognition sites (Ki = 1.48 microM). It is concluded that anpirtoline has a unique spectrum of affinity for 5-HT receptor subtypes, its interaction with which may account for its anxiolytic-like activity.

Animals