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Biomedical subjects

S F Ali

Publications and source records attributed to S F Ali.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Cerebral membranes isolated from rats consuming ethanol or gestationally exposed to ethanol have increased susceptibility to modulation by ethanol.

The actions of ethanol on membrane fluidity were examined. All assays were carried out using fluorescence techniques in the P2 fraction of crude synaptosomes isolated from rat brain. Subchronic treatment of rats with ethanol revealed a significant increase in order at the membrane interior. In vitro addition of ethanol to P2 fractions prepared from treated rats revealed a significant rise in fluidity at the membrane core that was not found in corresponding P2 fractions from untreated rats. The withdrawal of ethanol from subchronically treated rats revealed no significant alterations in membrane fluidity. However, in vitro addition of ethanol to P2 fractions prepared from these animals produced an increase in fluidity at the membrane centre. This effect was not observed in corresponding control rats. Rat pups that were gestationally exposed to ethanol also failed to show any significant differences in membrane fluidity compared with control rats. However, in vitro addition of a challenge dose of ethanol to P2 fractions resulted in a significant rise in fluidity not found in pups from untreated mothers. These findings suggest that the process of adaptation to chronic ethanol may be dissected into two separable events: one frequently reported effect that alters membrane fluidity and one that modulates membrane susceptibility to ethanol-induced perturbations.

Alcoholism

Low environmental temperatures or pharmacologic agents that produce hypothermia decrease methamphetamine neurotoxicity in mice.

Recently we have reported that methamphetamine (METH) neurotoxicity in rats depends on the environmental temperature. Here, we evaluate whether a cold environment (4 degrees C) or drugs which chloride and glutamate ion channel function block METH neurotoxicity in mice. Adult male CD mice received METH i.p. (4 x 10 mg/kg METH at 23 degrees C along with saline. 2.5 mg/kg (+)-MK-801, 40 mg/kg phenobarbital or 2.5 mg/kg diazepam and either 4 x 10 or 4 x 20 mg/kg METH at 4 degrees C). Multiple injections of METH (4 x 10 mg/kg i.p.) at room temperature (23 degrees C) produced a significant depletion of dopamine (DA) in striatum at 24, 72 h, 1 and 2 weeks. Three days post 4 x 10 mg/kg METH at 23 degrees C, an 80% decrease in striatal dopamine (DA) occurred while the same dose at 4 degrees C produced only a 20% DA decrease, and 4 x 20 mg/kg METH at 4 degrees C produced a 54% DA decrease. At 23 degrees C (+)MK-801 completely blocked while phenobarbital (40% decrease) and diazepam (65% decrease) partially blocked decreases in striatal DA produced by 4 x 10 mg/kg METH. Decreases in DOPAC and HVA were similar to the decreases in DA after METH and antagonists. Multiple injections of METH (4 x 10 mg/kg, i.p.) at room temperature also produced a significant depletion of serotonin (5-HT) in striatum at 24, 72 h, 1 and 2 weeks. This depletion of 5-HT at room temperature was blocked either by changing the environmental temperature to 4 degrees C, or by pretreatment with MK-801, diazepam and phenobarbital.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid

MPTP-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity are age-dependent: evidence from measures of reactive oxygen species and striatal dopamine levels.

1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) causes marked depletion of dopamine (DA) levels and reduction in the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the nigrostriatal DA pathway. In the brain, the enzyme monoamine oxidase B converts MPTP to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) which enters DA terminals via DA uptake sites. Within the DA terminals, MPP+ blocks the mitochondrial complex I and causes ATP depletion. This is thought to be the main cause of MPTP-induced terminal degeneration. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated after blockade of the complex I as well as those generated due to DA oxidation may participate in MPTP-induced dopaminotoxicity. The present study sought to determine if a single injection of a large dose of MPTP generates ROS. We also sought to determine if these changes as well as changes in DA levels were correlated and age-dependent. Toward that end, we have used C57/B6N male mice that were 22 days or 12 months old. These animals were injected with a single dose of MPTP (40 mg/kg, ip). Animals were sacrificed at various times after drug administration. MPTP produced no significant increase in ROS nor decreases in DA or HVA concentrations in the striatum of the younger mice. However, DOPAC concentrations were significantly decreased from 15-120 min after drug administration. In the older mice, MPTP caused significant increases in ROS from the beginning to the end of the study period. DA concentrations were decreased from 60 min onward. DOPAC concentrations were decreased significantly after 15-120 min while HVA concentrations were significantly increased after 60 and 120 min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid

Acute effects of perinatal hypoxic insult on concentrations of dopamine, serotonin, and metabolites in fetal monkey brain.

Seven monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were laparotomized under general anesthesia (halothane, nitrous oxide, oxygen). Fetal hypoxia was induced in four monkeys by occlusion of the umbilical cord with a hydraulic occluder for 5-6 min. Three sham-operated fetuses served as controls. After unclamping, the fetuses were allowed to reperfuse for 20-30 min. To monitor hypoxia, the fetal electrocardiogram was recorded continuously. Hypoxic insult was associated with a decrease in fetal heart rate during the occlusion. After reperfusion, fetuses were immediately sacrificed and neocortex regions dissected on ice, frozen on dry ice and stored at -70 degrees C. Dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid, serotonin, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC/EC) in hippocampus, caudate nucleus and cortical regions. In the hippocampus, there was a significant increase in 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentration. In prefrontal cortex, there was a trend toward an increase in serotonin but no effects on dopamine and homovanillic acid concentrations. Dopamine, serotonin and metabolites were not altered in the caudate nucleus. These data demonstrate that fetal hypoxia followed by reperfusion produced an increase in serotonin concentration measured within the hippocampus and selected cortical areas known to be targets of hypoxic injury.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid

Development of dopamine and N-methyl-D-aspartate systems in rat brain: the effect of prenatal phencyclidine exposure.

Phencyclidine (PCP) inhibits the uptake of the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA), and blocks N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-regulated ion channels. PCP also binds to sigma receptors in vivo and in vitro in rat brain. Prolonged exposure to PCP in adults has been observed to reduce the number of PCP binding sites in brain. We designed these experiments to evaluate whether prolonged prenatal exposure to PCP produces alterations in the development of DA and NMDA systems in brain. To do so, we characterized the normal course of development of basal and stimulated DA release in striatal slices, the ontogeny of striatal DA concentrations, and the development of NMDA receptor channels and associated glutamate binding sites in frontal cortex. We compared these developmental profiles to those in rats exposed to prenatal PCP, in an attempt to characterize the effect of prenatal PCP exposure on the pattern of brain development. Pregnant CD rats were injected s.c. with either 0, 10 or 20 mg/kg PCP daily on gestational days 8 through 20. On postnatal days (PND) 8, 21, 45, or 100, rats were sacrificed and brain tissues isolated for in vitro assessment. In vitro [3H]DA release from striatal slices evoked by either 40 microM glutamate or 15 mM K+ increased over 250% from PND 8 to PND 45, and glutamate-stimulated release was still significantly below adult levels at PND 45. In contrast, D-methamphetamine (D-METH)-evoked [3H]DA release, frontal cortical glutamate binding sites and NMDA channels developed early, reaching adult levels on or before PND 21.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid

Characterization of disulfoton-induced behavioral and neurochemical effects following repeated exposure.

These experiments examined the relationship between behavioral alterations and neurochemical changes in rats exposed repeatedly to disulfoton, an organophosphate cholinesterase inhibitor. Male Long-Evans rats were injected ip for 30 days with 0, 0.5, 1, or 2 mg/kg of disulfoton in corn oil. Clinical signs and motor activity were measured during the course of repeated exposure. Cognitive function, as measured in the Morris water maze, and passive avoidance procedures were assessed near the end of the dosing regimen. Regional brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was measured during the course of dosing while the total number of muscarinic receptors was measured at the end of the dosing regimen. Tolerance developed rapidly to the clinical signs produced by disulfoton, but not to the disulfoton-induced decrease in motor activity. Disulfoton affected the acquisition of water maze performance, but had no effect on passive avoidance acquisition or retention. Repeated exposure to disulfoton decreased brain AChE activity and the number of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding sites. These data indicate that, in spite of muscarinic receptor down-regulation that followed repeated exposure to disulfoton, animals become tolerant to only some of the functional effects produced by this chemical.

Animals

Iron/ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation changes membrane fluidity and muscarinic cholinergic receptor binding in rat frontal cortex.

Lipid peroxidation (LP) is a complex process which involves the formation of lipid free radicals and leads to oxidative damage. LP has also been implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases as well as aging. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of the induction of LP in vitro on muscarinic cholinergic (Mch) receptor binding and membrane fluidity in rat brain. Membranes from the rat frontal cortex were peroxidized by adding ferrous sulphate (84 microM) and ascorbic acid (400 microM). Peroxidation was measured as the amount of thiobarbituric acid reactive products formed (nmol malondialdehyde/mg protein). Mch receptor binding was measured 10, 20 and 30 min after peroxidation. Membrane fluidity was evaluated by fluorescence polarization studies using two probes; 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) and 1-[4(trimethylamino)phenyl]-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH). Significant alterations in Mch receptor binding (decreased Bmax and increased Kd) were found after peroxidation. Membrane fluidity was also significantly decreased after peroxidation as observed with both probes. The decrease in membrane fluidity was due to an increased cholesterol to phospholipid molar ratio after peroxidation. These data suggest that lipid peroxidation induces changes in membrane dynamics as detected by the fluorescent probes and such changes in membrane microviscosity may be the cause for alterations in Mch receptor kinetics.

Animals

Haloperidol effects on the developing dopamine system: conflicting results and implications for neurobehavioral teratology research.

In an attempt to further develop basic principles to guide research in neurobehavioral teratology, six experiments were conducted to examine the effects of prenatal haloperidol (a D2 dopamine antagonist) exposure on striatal D1 and D2 binding sites. Another laboratory has repeatedly reported that prenatal exposure to this dopamine antagonist reduces striatal dopamine binding sites in exposed offspring. Our initial studies were successful in replicating and extending these previously reported reductions in D2 dopamine binding sites in caudate of rats exposed prenatally to haloperidol. However, additional experiments in our laboratory, in which pups were exposed to a range of haloperidol doses over gestational periods when the dopamine system has been reported to be most vulnerable to prenatal haloperidol exposure effects, have repeatedly failed to replicate our initial findings. Three other laboratories have also failed to duplicate this effect. The results of these studies suggest that beyond "standard" confounding variables, neurobehavioral teratologists are faced with as yet poorly understood factors that influence replication of findings within and between laboratories. These findings also emphasize the importance of within- and between-laboratory replication of experimental findings.

Animals

Age-related susceptibility to MPTP-induced neurotoxicity in mice.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is known to cause neurotoxicity in rodents and nonhuman primates. In this study the ontogeny of MPTP-induced DA depletion and formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated in mouse striatum. C57/B6N mice were injected four times with 0 or 10 mg/kg MPTP (i.p.) at two-hour intervals on either postnatal day 23, at about 7 months of age, and at one year of age. Animals were sacrificed 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after the last dose. Brains were rapidly removed and striata were dissected for neurochemical analysis. Dopamine (DA) and its metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) were measured by HPLC/EC. ROS formation was measured by a fluorescence probe, 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein-diacetate (DCFH-DA). MPTP produced a slight but significant decrease of DA only 4 hours post dosing on PND 23. DOPAC and HVA levels decreased up to 4 and 8 hours post dosing respectively and returned to control values thereafter. At 7 months of age, MPTP produced a 50-65% decrease of DA and its metabolites (DOPAC and HVA) in striatum 24 hours post dosing. In one year old mice, MPTP produced an 80% decrease of DA and 60-80% decrease of DOPAC and HVA in striatum. In contrast, ROS formation in striatum was not significantly increased by MPTP treatment at any age but was decreased at 1 hour only in PND 23 and 7 month old mice. These studies suggest that MPTP-induced neurotoxicity is age-dependent in the mouse.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid

The role of the septohippocampal pathway in the mediation of colchicine-induced compensatory changes in the rat hippocampus.

To study the involvement of the septohippocampal pathway in colchicine-induced changes in the hippocampus, colchicine was used to lesion the septum and/or hippocampus of male, Fischer-344 rats. Rats were killed 12 weeks post-lesion and histochemical and biochemical measurements were performed. [3H]-QNB binding, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity and agonist-stimulated release of inositol phosphates (IPs) were measured in hippocampal slices. AChE histochemistry was also performed to visualize AChE positive fibers in the hippocampus. Increases in ChAT activity, AChE staining and carbachol-stimulated IP release observed in hippocampal-lesioned animals were attenuated in animals receiving both septal and hippocampal lesions. However, the decrease observed in [3H]-QNB binding sites after intradentate colchicine was not affected by septal lesions. Subsequent studies also found enhanced sensitivity to excitatory amino acid (EAA)-stimulated IP release in hippocampal-lesioned animals. Similar to the changes observed in carbachol-stimulated PI hydrolysis, this increase was also long-lasting. However, the hyperstimulation of EAA-induced IP release was not attenuated by the septal lesion. Thus, it appears that the neurochemical and morphological changes observed in the hippocampus following intradentate colchicine are dependent upon more than one afferent projection to the hippocampus.

Animals

Effect of methyl bromide on regional brain glutathione, glutathione-S-transferases, monoamines, and amino acids in F344 rats.

Both metabolic and neurotransmitter changes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of monohalomethane neurotoxicity in rodents. This study in male and female F344 rats examined the effects of methyl bromide (MeBr) on regional brain glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities and concentrations of glutathione (GSH), monoamines, and amino acid. Inhalation exposure to 150 ppm MeBr (6 hr/day x 5 days) yielded no histologic evidence of brain lesions but resulted in a number of biochemical changes. GSH depletion and GST inhibition were detected in the frontal cortex, caudate nucleus, hippocampus (examined for GSH only), brain stem, and cerebellum from animals of both sexes. Differences between sexes were detected for GSH depletion. Simultaneous treatment of rats with the inhibitor of monohalomethane toxicity, BW 755C (3-amino-1-[m-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2-pyrazoline; 10 mg/kg bw ip, 1 hr pre- and 1 hr postexposure) completely protected against GST inhibition in all brain regions of both sexes. Partial protection by BW 755C against GSH depletion was observed in the cerebral cortex and in the cerebellum only. In males, MeBr exposure had no effect on the regional concentrations of the monoamines dopamine and serotonin and the amino acids glutamate, glutamine, taurine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid. Regional increases of brain aspartate and glycine levels were observed after exposure of males to MeBr but BW 755C had no effect on these changes induced by MeBr. Thus, of all the parameters studied, only GST, and in some brain areas GSH, correlated with inhibition of toxicity. It is concluded that, in contrast to the monoamines and the amino acids, GST and GSH are sensitive and potentially relevant indicators of MeBr neurotoxicity which could explain sex and regional differences in response to the monohalomethanes.

Amino Acids

Deferoxamine inhibits methyl mercury-induced increases in reactive oxygen species formation in rat brain.

It has been suggested that methyl mercury may express its neurotoxicity by way of iron-mediated oxidative damage. Therefore, the effect of deferoxamine, a potent iron-chelator, on methyl mercury-induced increases in reactive oxygen species formation was studied in rat brain. The generation rate of reactive oxygen species was estimated in crude synaptosomal fractions using the probes 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate and dihydrorhodamine 123. The formation rate of the fluorescent oxidation products was used as the measure of reactive oxygen species generation. Seven days after a single injection of methyl mercury (5 mg/kg, ip), the formation rate of reactive oxygen species was significantly increased in the cerebellum. Pretreatment with deferoxamine (500 mg/kg, ip) completely prevented the methyl mercury-induced increase in cerebellar reactive oxygen species generation rates. The oxidative consequences of in vitro exposure to methyl mercury (20 microM) were also inhibited by deferoxamine (100 microM). The formation of the iron-saturated complex ferrioxamine was not affected by a 10-fold excess of methylmercuric chloride or mercuric chloride, suggesting that a deferoxamine-mercurial complex does not form. The findings in this study: (1) provide evidence that iron-catalyzed oxygen radical-producing reactions play a role in methyl mercury neurotoxicity, (2) demonstrate the potential of fluorescent probes as a measure of reactive oxygen species formation, and (3) provide support for iron-chelator therapy in protection against xenobiotic-induced oxidative damage.

Animals

No increase in carcinogen-DNA adducts in the lungs of monkeys exposed chronically to marijuana smoke.

Rhesus monkeys exposed to marijuana smoke either 7 or 2 days/weeks (HI and LO groups, respectively), or ethanol-extracted marijuana smoke for 7 days/week (EM) or sham treatment (SH) for 1 year were sacrificed 7 months following the last exposure. Pulmonary levels of carcinogen-DNA adducts were determined. Although mean or median adduct levels were not statistically different, 15 of 22 adduct measures were highest in the EM group and lowest 12 of 22 times in the SH group. The levels of aromatic carcinogen-DNA adducts seem no higher in the lungs of animals exposed to marijuana smoke than in untreated animals. Ethanol-extracted marijuana may have effects greater than marijuana itself.

Animals

The influence of environmental temperature on the transient effects of methamphetamine on dopamine levels and dopamine release in rat striatum.

When male rats were injected four times (once every 2 hr) with 5 mg/kg methamphetamine (METH) at an environmental temperature of 23 degrees C, transient changes occurred in the levels of striatal dopamine (DA) and the regulation of striatal DA release. Striatal DA levels were minimally affected 1 day after METH treatment, but 3 days after METH treatment, striatal DA levels decreased to approximately 40% of control. DA levels returned to 70% of control 2 weeks after METH. Similarly, striatal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity decreased to approximately 50% of control activity 3 days after METH treatment at 23 degrees C, but did not differ from controls at 1 or 14 days after METH treatment. No changes in striatal DA levels were observed in rats treated with four doses of 5 mg/kg METH at an environmental temperature of 4 degrees C. Striatal DA levels decreased modestly to approximately 70% of controls 3 days after treatment with four doses of 10 mg/kg METH at 4 degrees C, but DA levels returned to control levels 14 days after METH treatment. Furthermore, striatal TH activity was not affected by 10 mg/kg METH at 4 degrees C. Thus, a cold environmental temperature (4 degrees C) reduced the effects of METH on striatal DA levels and striatal TH activity. Changes in the presynaptic regulation of DA release after either 5 mg/kg (23 degrees C) or 10 mg/kg (4 degrees C) METH treatment were determined in vitro using striatal slices.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals