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R G Booth

Publications and source records attributed to R G Booth.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Dopamine D1 autoreceptor function: possible expression in developing rat prefrontal cortex and striatum.

Synthesis-modulating dopamine (DA) autoreceptor function was studied in vivo using gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) to block propagation along DA axons. DA synthesis was measured by the accumulation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) after inhibition of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase. GBL treatment markedly increased DOPA accumulation in both the striatum and prefrontal cortex of developing rats. The selective DA partial D1 agonist SKF-38393 inhibited this GBL-induced rise in DA synthesis in both the striatum and prefrontal cortex of 15- and 22-day-old rats, but not in adults. The effects of SKF-38393 in developing rats were mimicked by the non-catechol D1 partial agonist CY-208-243, and were blocked by the D1 antagonist SCH-23390, suggesting receptor mediation. The mixed D2/D3 agonist quinpirole attenuated DA synthesis in striatum of both two-week-old and adult rats, but failed to inhibit the GBL-induced increase in DA synthesis in the developing prefrontal cortex. These findings suggest that synthesis-modulating D1-like receptor function may emerge transiently in the developing mammalian forebrain. In the adult striatum these functions appear to be subsumed by D2-like receptors, whereas all synthesis-modulating DA receptor function in prefrontal cortex appears to be essentially lost with maturation.

2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-ben↗
PubMed1991

(+)-6,7-benzomorphan sigma ligands stimulate dopamine synthesis in rat corpus striatum tissue.

The benzomorphan sigma ligands, (+)-N-allylnormetazocine (NANM) and (+)-pentazocine, but not (+)-cyclazocine, stereospecifically stimulated dopamine synthesis in minces of rat corpus striatum by 15-23% over basal values at 0.1-1.0 microM. The effect of (+)-NANM and (+)-pentazocine was blocked by the reported sigma antagonist, BMY-14802 but not by the opiate antagonist naloxone. These results suggest that these (+)-benzomorphans may act as agonists at putative sigma heteroreceptors on striatal nerve terminals, or through an indirect mechanism, to modulate dopamine synthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Inhibition of dopamine synthesis in rat striatal minces: evidence of dopamine autoreceptor supersensitivity to S(+)- but not R(-)-N-n-propylnorapomorphine after pretreatment with fluphenazine.

This study provides in vitro evidence that rats pretreated with fluphenazine for 10 days, but not acutely, developed moderate but significant striatal autoreceptor supersensitivity as measured by the ability of S(+)-NPA, a selective DA autoreceptor agonist and very weak postsynaptic agonist, to inhibit tyrosine hydroxylase activity. In contrast, autoreceptor supersensitivity was not found with the nonselective auto- and postsynaptic receptor agonist R(-)-NPA. Presumably, this effect represents some modification of a presynaptic regulatory mechanism controlling DA synthesis which can occur despite a reportedly high striatal DA autoreceptor reserve in rat striatum [2, 7]. Such a mechanism, by tending to reduce synaptic availability of DA, may contribute to tolerance to the transient, early DA-synthesis stimulating actions of acutely administered neuroleptics [4], and help to counterbalance increases in postsynaptic DA receptor abundance and sensitivity associated with long-term neuroleptic treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Adenosine A2 stimulation of tyrosine hydroxylase in rat striatal minces is reversed by dopamine D2 autoreceptor activation.

The adenosine agonist, 2-chloroadenosine, stimulated tyrosine hydroxylase activity in rat striatal minces; this effect was attenuated by activation of dopamine (DA) D2 autoreceptors with N-n-propylnorapomorphine and antagonized by theophylline. Forskolin and 8-bromo-cAMP also increased tyrosine hydroxylase activity and their effects were not altered by 2-chloroadenosine. D1, alpha, beta and 5-HT agonists did not affect tyrosine hydroxylase activity. Evidently, A2 receptors on DA nerve terminals stimulate striatal DA synthesis and this effect is negatively modulated by D2 autoreceptors, probably via changes in intracellular cAMP levels.

2-Chloroadenosine↗
PubMed1990

In vivo intracerebral microdialysis studies in rats of MPP+ analogues and related charged species.

The in vivo dopaminergic neurotoxic properties of 45 MPTP and MPP+ analogues and related compounds were examined by an intrastriatal microdialysis assay in conscious rats. MPP(+)-like toxicity, as evidenced by the irreversible effects on DA release and enhancement of lactate formation, was observed with a variety of structural types although no compound was more toxic than MPP+. The following global structure-toxicity relationships could be derived: (1) only permanently charged compounds showed neurotoxic effects; (2) with the exception of amino groups, hydrophilic substituents abolished toxicity; (3) activity was enhanced by lipophilic groups although increased steric bulk around the nitrogen atom tended to decrease activity; (4) nonaromatic, quaternary systems (methiodide of MPTP, guanidinium derivatives) were only weakly toxic; and (5) certain bi- and tricyclic systems, including putative metabolites of potential endogenous MPTP-like compounds, were weakly toxic. The lack of toxic effects following perfusions with DA itself confirmed that MPTP dopaminergic neurotoxicity is not likely to be mediated by the MPP(+)-induced release of DA. With some interesting exceptions, these in vivo data correlate reasonably well with in vitro data on the nerve terminal uptake properties and the inhibitory effects on mitochondrial respiration of these compounds.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗
PubMed1990

Presynaptic inhibition of dopamine synthesis in rat striatal tissue by enantiomeric mono- and dihydroxyaporphines.

Presynaptic autoreceptor-mediated modulation of dopamine (DA) synthesis was evaluated as the inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylase activity by enantiomeric mono- and dihydroxyaporphines with minced striatal tissue from rat brain. The isomers of N-n-propylnorapomorphine (NPA) both inhibited tyrosine hydroxylase activity [IC50 = 0.3 and 1.0 microM for (R)-(-)- and (S)-(+)-NPA, respectively; R/S potency = 3.6]. Their effects were fully blocked by the nonselective DA receptor antagonist fluphenazine, as well as by the D2-selective antagonist spiperone, but not by the D1 antagonist SCH-23390. These results suggest a D2-type autoreceptor-mediated inhibition of DA synthesis, with limited enantiomeric selectivity of this catechol-aporphine. The corresponding monohydroxy analogs, (R)-(-)- and (S)-(+)-11-hydroxy-N-n-propylnoraporphine (11-OH-NPa) were about 100 times less potent (IC50 = 42 and 87 microM, respectively) than the NPA isomers in fully inhibiting the enzyme activity in normal tissue but, after depletion of endogenous DA by acute in vivo pretreatment with reserpine (which did not alter the number of D1 or D2 specific binding sites), (R)-(-)-11-OH-NPa was a highly potent but partial agonist (IC25 = 7 nM). Fluphenazine and spiperone fully antagonized the inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylase by (R)-(-)-11-OH-NPa in reserpinized tissue, but SCH-23390 was ineffective. Actions mediated by endogenous DA probably contribute to the effect of high concentrations of (R)-(-)-11-Oh-NPa to evoke a full inhibition of DA synthesis, but its high potency partial agonist effects appear to be mediated by D2-autoreceptors. (S)-(+)-11-OH-NPa was a very weak partial agonist in reserpinized tissue, with an IC25 = 30 microM (essentially the same as normal tissue); thus, (R)-(-)-11-OH-NPa was greater than 4,000 times more potent than its S-(+)-enantiomer in the absence of endogenous DA. These results demonstrate that NPA, which contains a catechol moiety, acts as a full agonist to inhibit striatal DA synthesis via a presynaptic autoreceptor of the D2 type, with only slight stereoselectivity, and that its monohydroxy analog is a very potent but partial D2 autoreceptor agonist, with very high stereoselectivity.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) analogs: in vivo neurotoxicity and inhibition of striatal synaptosomal dopamine uptake.

The ability of various 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) analogs to inhibit the uptake of tritium labeled dopamine and MPP+ by synaptosomes prepared from neostriata of male C57 Black mice was measured and compared with their dopaminergic neurotoxic potential which was estimated by an in vivo intracerebral microdialysis technique. The correlation observed between these two properties suggests that nerve terminal uptake is an important step in the expression of the nigrostriatal toxicity of structural analogs of MPP+. The uptake inhibition and neurotoxic properties of this series of compounds appear to be highly structurally sensitive and suggest that few nitrogenous bases will be potent 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-type neurotoxins.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium↗
PubMed1989

Intracerebral microdialysis neurotoxicity studies of quinoline and isoquinoline derivatives related to MPTP/MPP+.

The in vivo dopaminergic neurotoxicity of a series of quinoline and isoquinoline derivatives was assessed in rats using an intrastriatal microdialysis technique that measures the release of dopamine. The N-methyl quaternary salts of these two heterocyclic aromatic systems displayed about 10% of the potency of MPP+ in this assay. Furthermore, tetrahydroisoquinoline, which has been reported to be present in human brain, and N-methyltetrahydroisoquinoline were found to be MAO-B substrates, being oxidized at about 3% the rate of MPTP. Thus, although tetrahydroisoquinoline and N-methyltetrahydroisoquinoline are not neurotoxic, it is conceivable that the chronic endogenous formation of quaternary species could cause neuronal lesions that contribute to the etiology of idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗
PubMed1989

Studies on semirigid tricyclic analogues of the nigrostriatal toxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine.

The tetrahydro-beta-carboline derived from the condensation of N-methyltryptamine and formaldehyde, a semirigid tricyclic analogue of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) tha has been detected in the brains of normal laboratory rats, is biotransformed in a monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) catalyzed reaction to the corresponding dihydro compound at a rate that is approximately 0.5% of that observed with MPTP. The corresponding tetrahydroindenopyridine in which the double bond beta,gamma to the nitrogen atom retains allylic character is a somewhat better MAO-B substrate. The steric bulk of the nitrogen and methylene bridges in addition to ring strain present in the proposed carbon-centered radical intermediates derived from these types of tricyclic structures may contribute to their relatively poor MAO-B substrate properties. Although no MPTP-like neurotoxic properties were observed following acute administration of the test compounds to mice, we speculate that the chronic accumulation of beta-carbolinium type metabolites could contribute to the rate of nigrostriatal cell loss associated with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗
PubMed1988

In vivo dopaminergic neurotoxicity of the 2-beta-methylcarbolinium ion, a potential endogenous MPP+ analog.

The MPP+-like neurotoxicity of the 2-methyl-beta-carbolinium species, a possible endogenous condensation product structurally related to MPP+, has been assessed by an intracerebral microdialysis technique. Although much less potent, this compound appears to cause the selective and irreversible destruction of nigrostriatal nerve terminals in rat brain in a manner similar to that observed under comparable conditions with MPP+.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium↗
PubMed1988

Selective inhibition of Leishmania dihydrofolate reductase and Leishmania growth by 5-benzyl-2,4-diaminopyrimidines.

The classical anti-microbial antifolates trimethoprim, pyrimethamine, and cycloguanil are poor inhibitors of purified dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from Leishmania major. They show no selectivity for Leishmania DHFR relative to the human enzyme, and it is not surprising that they are ineffectual as anti-leishmanial agents. Several 5-(substituted-benzyl)-2,4-diaminopyrimidines have been screened as inhibitors for purified L. major and human DHFRs. These compounds inhibit Leishmania DHFR with I50 values ranging from 0.2 to 11 microM, and show about 5 to greater than 100-fold greater selectivity for the parasite DHFR than the human enzyme. These pyrimidine analogs are more potent inhibitors of Leishmania promastigote and amastigote growth than the classical anti-microbial antifolates, and serve as lead compounds for the development of new selective antileishmanial agents.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Inhibition of NADH oxidation by pyridine derivatives.

The neurotoxicity of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, an impurity in an illicit drug, is expressed after its oxidation to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium by monoamine oxidase. The pyridinium is concentrated by carrier-mediated transport into the mitochondria where it inhibits NADH dehydrogenase and, hence, ATP synthesis. Some structurally related compounds have been tested for their effect on the oxidation of NAD+-linked substrates in intact mitochondria, and for the inhibition of the accumulation of the pyridinium into mitochondria and of NADH dehydrogenase activity in a membrane preparation. Some pyridine derivatives are more inhibitory to NADH dehydrogenase than is 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium but these are not concentrated into mitochondria by the uptake system. 4-Phenylpyridine, one of the most effective inhibitors, both occurs naturally and is an environmental pollutant.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium↗