Treatment with zolpidem after ethanol administration potentiates the expression of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization in mice

Contradictory findings suggest that the behavioral and abuse-related effects of ethanol are mediated by its action at α1 subunit-containing GABAA (α1GABAA) receptors. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a sub-chronic post-ethanol administration treatment with zolpidem, an α1-preferring positive allosteric modulator at GABAA receptors, on the subsequent expression of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization in mice. Animals received ethanol (1.8 g/kg, ip) or saline treatments every other day for 15 days (8 treatment sessions) and were subsequently treated with zolpidem (0.5 mg/kg, ip) or vehicle 4 times on alternate days. At the end of the treatment phase, animals were challenged with saline or ethanol on separate days for the evaluation of the expression of conditioned locomotion and behavioral sensitization. Eight-day treatment with ethanol did not lead to the development of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization. Animals treated with ethanol and subsequently administered vehicle showed similar locomotion frequencies during the last ethanol challenge compared to the control group receiving ethanol for the first time. Animals treated with ethanol and subsequently administered zolpidem expressed behavioral sensitization to ethanol during the ethanol challenge. The present study adds to the literature by providing further evidence of a role of α1GABAA receptors on the behavioral effects of ethanol. Because of the current highly prevalent co-abuse of ethanol and benzodiazepine drugs in humans, the use of zolpidem and other α1GABAA receptor ligands during ethanol withdrawal should be monitored carefully.

Antinociceptive effect of aqueous extract of Origanum vulgare L. in male rats: possible involvement of the GABAergic system

The objective of the present investigation was to assess the possible involvement of GABAergic mechanism in analgesic effect of aqueous extract of Origanum Vulgare [ORG] in a rat model of acute pain test. Sixty-three anaesthetized male Wistar rats [200-250 g] were cannulated into the left ventricle. Five to seven days after the recovery from surgery, ORG extract was intraventricularly injected at dose of 3 ?g/rat i.c.v. Then, baclofen [10 mg/Kg, IP], CGP35348 [100 nmol/Kg, i.c.v], muscimol [1 mg/Kg IP] and bicuculline [5 mg/Kg IP] were separately injected 20 min before the injection of ORG. The experimental groups were compared with intact [control] group [n = 7]. The response latency of rats to thermal stimulation was recorded using Tail-Flick test. Injection of ORG extract resulted in a significant and dose-dependent increase in the response latency. There was also a significant increase in the response latency after co-administration of ORG extract with baclofen when compared with control group. However, following co-administration of ORG extract/bicuculline, a significant decrease in the response latency was observed compared to control group. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that aqueous extract of Origanum vulgare L. ssp. viridis possesses antinociceptive activity in a dose-dependent manner and ORG-induced antinociception might be mediated, at least in part, by both GABA receptors

Pharmacology of Intracisternal or Intrathecal Glycine, Muscimol, and Baclofen in Strychnine-induced Thermal Hyperalgesia of Mice

Glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are localized and released by the same interneurons in the spinal cord. Although the effects of glycine and GABA on analgesia are well known, little is known about the effect of GABA in strychnine-induced hyperalgesia. To investigate the effect of GABA and the role of the glycine receptor in thermal hyperalgesia, we designed an experiment involving the injection of muscimol (a GABAA receptor agonist), baclofen (a GABAB receptor agonist) or glycine with strychnine (strychnine sensitive glycine receptor antagonist). Glycine, muscimol, or baclofen with strychnine was injected into the cisterna magna or lumbar subarachnoidal spaces of mice. The effects of treatment on strychnine-induced heat hyperalgesia were observed using the pain threshold index via the hot plate test. The dosages of experimental drugs and strychnine we chose had no effects on motor behavior in conscious mice. Intracisternal or intrathecal administration of strychnine produced thermal hyperalgesia in mice. Glycine antagonize the effects of strychnine, whereas, muscimol or baclofen does not. Our results indicate that glycine has anti-thermal hyperalgesic properties in vivo; and GABA receptor agonists may lack the binding abilities of glycine receptor antagonists with their sites in the central nervous system.

Effect of baclofen on liquid and solid gastric emptying in rats / Efeito do baclofen no esvaziamento gástrico de líquido e de sólidos em rato

CONTEXT: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a potent inhibitory neurotransmitter. There is evidence that GABA B receptors located in the dorsal complex and in afferent fibers of the vagus nerve participate in the control of gastrointestinal motility. OBJECTIVE: To assess the intracerebroventricularly (ICV) and intravenously (IV) effect of baclofen, a GABA B receptor agonist, on liquid and solid gastric emptying in rats. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g (n = 6-8 animals) were used. Gastric emptying of liquid test meals labeled with phenol red was evaluated by the determination of percent gastric retention ( percentGR) 10 and 15 min after orogastric administration of saline and 10 percent glucose meals, respectively. Baclofen was injected ICV (1 and 2 µg/animal) through a tube implanted into the lateral ventricle of the brain and was injected IV (1 and 2 mg/kg) into a tail vein. The gastric emptying of liquid was determined 10 or 30 min after ICV and IV baclofen administration, respectively. The gastric emptying of the solid meal was assessed by the determination of percent gastric retention 2 h after the beginning of the ingestion of the habitual ratio by the animal, consumed over a period of 30 min. Baclofen was administered ICV (1 and 2 µg/animal) or IV (1 and 2 mg/kg) immediately after the end of the ingestion of the solid meal. The control groups received vehicle (sterile saline solution) ICV or IV. RESULTS: The group of animals receiving baclofen ICV (2 mg/animal) presented a significantly lower (P<0.05, Tukey test) percentGR (mean ± SEM) of the saline (18.1 ± 2.5 percent) compared to control (33.2 ± 2.2 percent). In the group receiving the drug IV, the gastric retention of the same test meal did not differ from control. ICV and IV administration of baclofen had no effect on the gastric emptying of the 10 percent glucose solution compared to control. ICV administration of 1 or 2 mg baclofen/animal significantly increased the gastric retention of the solid test meal (57.9 ± 6.5 percent and 66.6 ± 6.3 percent, respectively) compared to control (35.1 ± 4.4 percent). The same phenomenon was observed only with the IV dose of 2 mg/kg (71.9 ± 2.6 percent) compared to control (52.7 ± 2.8 percent). CONCLUSION: Baclofen administered: 1. ICV (2 µg/animal), but not IV, increased gastric emptying of a non-caloric isotonic liquid test meal (saline); 2. when administered ICV or IV, it had no effect of gastric emptying of a 10 percent glucose solution; 3) when administered ICV (1 and 2 mg/animal) and IV (2 mg/kg) it delayed the gastric emptying of the solid meal.

CONTEXTO: O ácido gama-aminobutírico (GABA) é um potente neurotransmissor inibitório. Há evidências que receptores GABA>B localizados no complexo dorsal do vago e em fibras aferentes do nervo vago participam no controle da motricidade gastrointestinal. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito intracerebroventricular (ICV) e intravenoso (IV) do baclofen, um agonista para receptores GABA B, sobre o esvaziamento gástrico de líquidos e de sólidos em ratos. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados ratos adultos Wistar, machos, de 250-300 g (n = 6-8 animais). O esvaziamento gástrico das refeições de prova líquidas, marcadas com fenol vermelho, foi avaliado através da determinação da por cento de retenção gástrica, 10 e 15 min após administração orogástrica das refeições salina e de glicose a 10 por cento, respectivamente. As injeções ICV de baclofen (1 e 2 µg/animal) foram feitas através de uma sonda implantada no ventrículo lateral do cérebro e as injeções IV de baclofen (1 e 2 mg/kg) numa veia da cauda. O esvaziamento gástrico das refeições de prova líquidas foi determinado 10 ou 30 min após a administração de baclofen ICV ou IV, respectivamente. O esvaziamento gástrico da refeição sólida foi avaliado através da determinação da por cento de retenção gástrica 2 h após o início da ingestão da ração habitual do animal, ingerida durante 30 min. As administrações de baclofen ICV (1 e 2 µg/animal) e IV (1 e 2 mg/kg) foram feitas imediatamente após o término da ingestão da refeição sólida. Os grupos controles receberam ICV ou IV veículo (solução salina estéril). RESULTADOS: O grupo de animais que recebeu baclofen 2 mg/animal ICV apresentou retenção gástrica (média ± SEM) de salina (18.1 ± 2.5 por cento) significantemente menor (P<0.05, teste de Tukey) em relação ao grupo controle (33.2 ± 2.2 por cento). No grupo com administração IV da droga, a retenção gástrica da mesma refeição de prova não diferiu do seu controle. As administrações ICV e IV de baclofen não tiveram qualquer efeito no esvaziamento gástrico da solução de glicose a 10 por cento, em relação aos seus controles. A administração ICV de 1 ou 2 µg/animal de baclofen aumentou significativamente as retenções gástricas da refeição de prova sólida (57.9 ± 6.5 por cento e 66.6 ± 6.3 por cento, respectivamente) em relação ao grupo controle (35.1 ± 4.4 por cento). O mesmo fenômeno somente foi observado com a dose IV de 2 mg/kg (71.9 ± 2.6 por cento) em relação ao grupo controle (52.7 ± 2.8 por cento). CONCLUSÃO: O baclofen administrado: 1. ICV (2 µg/animal), mas não IV, aumentou o esvaziamento gástrico de uma refeição de prova líquida isotônica não-calórica (salina); 2. ICV ou IV, não teve efeito sobre o esvaziamento da solução de glicose a 10 por cento; 3) ICV (1 e 2 µg/animal) e IV (2 mg/kg) retardou o esvaziamento gástrico da refeição sólida.

Novos sedativos hipnóticos / The newer sedative-hypnotics

Nas últimas décadas houve um esforço para o desenvolvimento de hipnóticos mais seguros e eficazes. Zolpidem, zaleplona, zopiclona, eszopiclona (drogas-z) e indiplona são moduladores do receptor GABA-A, os quais agem de forma seletiva na subunidade α1, exibindo, desta forma, mecanismos similares de ação, embora evidências recentes sugiram que a eszopiclona não seja tão seletiva para a subunidade α1 quanto o zolpidem. Ramelteon e tasimelteon são novos agentes crono-hipnóticos seletivos para os receptores de melatonina MT1 e MT2. Por outro lado, nos últimos anos, o consumo de drogas antidepressivas sedativas tem aumentado significativamente no tratamento da insônia. Como droga experimental, a eplivanserina tem sido testada como um potente agonista inverso do subtipo 5-HT2A da serotonina, com um uso potencial na dificuldade da manutenção do sono. Outro agente farmacológico para o tratamento da insônia é o almorexant, o qual apresenta um novo mecanismo de ação envolvendo antagonismo do sistema hipocretinérgico, desta forma levando à indução do sono. Finalmente, também discutiremos o potencial papel de outras drogas gabaérgicas no tratamento da insônia.

There has been a search for more effective and safe hypnotic drugs in the last decades. Zolpidem, zaleplon, zopiclone, eszopiclone (the z-drugs) and indiplon are GABA-A modulators which bind selectively α1 subunits, thus, exhibiting similar mechanisms of action, although recent evidence suggests that eszopiclone is not as selective for α1 subunit as zolpidem is. Ramelteon and tasimelteon are new chrono-hypnotic agents, selective for melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptors. On the other hand, the consumption of sedative antidepressant drugs is significantly increasing for the treatment of insomnia, in the last years. As an experimental drug, eplivanserin is being tested as a potent antagonist of serotonin 2-A receptors (ASTAR) with a potential use in sleep maintenance difficulty. Another recent pharmacological agent for insomnia is almorexant, which new mechanism of action involves antagonism of hypocretinergic system, thus inducing sleep. Finally we also discuss the potential role of other gabaergic drugs for insomnia.

Are Spinal GABAergic Elements Related to the Manifestation of Neuropathic Pain in Rat?

Impairment in spinal inhibition caused by quantitative alteration of GABAergic elements following peripheral nerve injury has been postulated to mediate neuropathic pain. In the present study, we tested whether neuropathic pain could be induced or reversed by pharmacologically modulating spinal GABAergic activity, and whether quantitative alteration of spinal GABAergic elements after peripheral nerve injury was related to the impairment of GABAergic inhibition or neuropathic pain. To these aims, we first analyzed the pain behaviors following the spinal administration of GABA antagonists (1 microgram bicuculline/rat and 5 microgram phaclofen/rat), agonists (1 microgram muscimol/rat and 0.5 microgram baclofen/rat) or GABA transporter (GAT) inhibitors (20 microgram NNC-711/rat and 1 microgram SNAP-5114/rat) into naive or neuropathic animals. Then, using Western blotting, PCR or immunohistochemistry, we compared the quantities of spinal GABA, its synthesizing enzymes (GAD65, 67) and its receptors (GABAA and GABAB) and transporters (GAT-1, and -3) between two groups of rats with different severity of neuropathic pain following partial injury of tail-innervating nerves; the allodynic and non-allodynic groups. Intrathecal administration of GABA antagonists markedly lowered tail-withdrawal threshold in naive animals, and GABA agonists or GAT inhibitors significantly attenuated neuropathic pain in nerve-injured animals. However, any quantitative changes in spinal GABAergic elements were not observed in both the allodynic and non-allodynic groups. These results suggest that although the impairment in spinal GABAergic inhibition may play a role in mediation of neuropathic pain, it is not accomplished by the quantitative change in spinal elements for GABAergic inhibition and therefore these elements are not related to the generation of neuropathic pain following peripheral nerve injury.

GABA in the central amygdaloid nucleus modulates the electrolyte excretion and hormonal responses to blood volume expansion in rats

We investigated the involvement of GABAergic mechanisms of the central amygdaloid nucleus (CeA) in unanesthetized rats subjected to acute isotonic or hypertonic blood volume expansion (BVE). Male Wistar rats bearing cannulas unilaterally implanted in the CeA were treated with vehicle, muscimol (0.2 nmol/0.2 µL) or bicuculline (1.6 nmol/0.2 µL) in the CeA, followed by isotonic or hypertonic BVE (0.15 or 0.3 M NaCl, 2 mL/100 g body weight over 1 min). The vehicle-treated group showed an increase in sodium excretion, urinary volume, plasma oxytocin (OT), and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels compared to control rats. Muscimol reduced the effects of BVE on sodium excretion (isotonic: 2.4 ± 0.3 vs vehicle: 4.8 ± 0.2 and hypertonic: 4.0 ± 0.7 vs vehicle: 8.7 ± 0.6 µEq·100 g-1·40 min-1); urinary volume after hypertonic BVE (83.8 ± 10 vs vehicle: 255.6 ± 16.5 µL·100 g-1·40 min-1); plasma OT levels (isotonic: 15.3 ± 0.6 vs vehicle: 19.3 ± 1 and hypertonic: 26.5 ± 2.6 vs vehicle: 48 ± 3 pg/mL), and ANP levels (isotonic: 97 ± 12.8 vs vehicle: 258.3 ± 28.1 and hypertonic: 160 ± 14.6 vs vehicle: 318 ± 16.3 pg/mL). Bicuculline reduced the effects of isotonic or hypertonic BVE on urinary volume and ANP levels compared to vehicle-treated rats. However, bicuculline enhanced the effects of hypertonic BVE on plasma OT levels. These data suggest that CeA GABAergic mechanisms are involved in the control of ANP and OT secretion, as well as in sodium and water excretion in response to isotonic or hypertonic blood volume expansion.

Effect of GABA[b] agonist and antagonist microinjection into cuneiformis nucleus [CNF] on morphine induced antinociception by formalin test in rat

There are several evidences that show cuneiformis nucleus is involved in nociception. In the present study the effect of intra cuneiformis micro injection of GABA[B] agonist [baclofen] and antagonist [CGP35348] on morphine induced antinociception in rat were investigated. In this expremental study, through canulation of cuneifoprmis nucleus in rat the effect of intra cuneiformis [CNF] microinjection of GABA[B] receptor agonist [baclofen] and antagonist [CGP35348] on morphine -iduced antinociception were investigated by formalin test. Microinjection of morphine [l0 micro g /0.5 micro l/saline] or different doses of baclofen [0.25,0.5,1 micro g per rat] had antinociception in the both first and second phases of formalin test. The response induced by morphine or baclofen in both phases were reduced by CGP 35348. The responses induced by combination of baclofen [1 micro g per rat] and intraperitoneal [ip] injection of naloxan were reduced in both phases of formalin test. Microinjection of CGP35348 alone has produced antinociception in first phase of the formalin test. Morphine with different doses of baclofen did not increase the antinociception effect whereas microinjection of CGP35348 administration significantly increased the antinociception in acute phase. It may be concluded that CNF GABA[B] receptor induced antinociception via opioid receptor in the formalin test

Phantom limb syndrome: a review

Phantom limb syndrome is a condition in which patients experience sensations, whether painful or otherwise, in a limb that does not exist. It has been reported to occur in 80-100% of amputees, and typically has a chronic course, often resistant to treatment. Risk factors include the presence of preoperative pain, traumatic amputation, and the type of anesthetic procedure used during amputation. Several pathophysiologic theories have been proposed, including spinal mechanisms, central sensitization, and somatosensory cortical rearrangements, and while recent studies have shed light on some interesting and significant data, a lot remains to be understood. Treatments include pharmacologic, mechanical, and behavioral modalities, but substantial efficacy in well-designed, randomized controlled trials has yet to be demonstrated. Phantom limb syndrome continues to be a difficult condition to both understand and treat

Effect of antipyrine on the gastric emptying of liquid in rats

Antipyrine (At) and dipyrone (Dp) delay gastric emptying (GE) in rats. The objective of the present study was to assess the effects of intravenous (iv) and intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of At and Dp on the GE of liquid by rats. GE was assessed in male Wistar rats (5-10 in each group) 10 min after the icv or iv drug injection by measuring percent gastric retention ( percentGR) of a saline test meal labeled with phenol red 10 min after administration by gavage. The At iv group was significantly higher (64.4 ± 2.6 percent) compared to control (33.4 ± 1.5 percent) but did not differ from the Dp group (54.3 ± 3.8 percent). After icv administration of At, percentGR (34.2 ± 2 percent) did not differ from control (32.6 ± 1.9 percent), but was significantly higher after Dp (54.5 ± 2.3 percent). Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy significantly reduced percentGR in the At group (30.2 ± 0.7 percent) compared to the sham group, but was significantly higher than in the controls (23.0 ± 0.5 percent). In the animals treated with At iv, baclofen significantly reduced percentGR (28.3 ± 2.4 percent) compared to vehicle-treated animals (55.2 ± 3.2 percent). The same occurred in the animals treated iv with vehicle and icv with baclofen. Although vagotomy and baclofen reduced percentGR per se, the reduction was twice more marked in the animals treated with At. The results suggest that At administered iv, but not icv, delays GE of liquid in rats with the participation, at least in part, of the vagus nerve and that this phenomenon is blocked by the activation of GABA B receptors in the central nervous system.

Agonistic-like responses from the torus semicircularis dorsalis elicited by GABA A blockade in the weakly electric fish Gymnotus carapo

Findings by our group have shown that the dorsolateral telencephalon of Gymnotus carapo sends efferents to the mesencephalic torus semicircularis dorsalis (TSd) and that presumably this connection is involved in the changes in electric organ discharge (EOD) and in skeletomotor responses observed following microinjections of GABA A antagonist bicuculline into this telencephalic region. Other studies have implicated the TSd or its mammalian homologue, the inferior colliculus, in defensive responses. In the present study, we explore the possible involvement of the TSd and of the GABA-ergic system in the modulation of the electric and skeletomotor displays. For this purpose, different doses of bicuculline (0.98, 0.49, 0.245, and 0.015 mM) and muscimol (15.35 mM) were microinjected (0.1 æL) in the TSd of the awake G. carapo. Microinjection of bicuculline induced dose-dependent interruptions of EOD and increased skeletomotor activity resembling defense displays. The effects of the two highest doses showed maximum values at 5 min (4.3 ± 2.7 and 3.8 ± 2.0 Hz, P < 0.05) and persisted until 10 min (11 ± 5.7 and 8.7 ± 5.2 Hz, P < 0.05). Microinjections of muscimol were ineffective. During the interruptions of EOD, the novelty response (increased frequency in response to sensory novelties) induced by an electric stimulus delivered by a pair of electrodes placed in the water of the experimental cuvette was reduced or abolished. These data suggest that the GABA-ergic mechanisms of the TSd inhibit the neural substrate of the defense reaction at this midbrain level.

The inactivation of the basolateral nucleus of the rat amygdala has an anxiolytic effect in the elevated T-maze and light/dark transition tests

Pharmacological evidence indicates that the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA) is involved in the mediation of inhibitory avoidance but not of escape behavior in the elevated T-maze test. These defensive responses have been associated with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder, respectively. In the present study, we determined whether the BLA plays a differential role in the control of inhibitory avoidance and escape responses in the elevated T-maze. Male Wistar rats (250-280 g, N = 9-10 in each treatment group) were pre-exposed to one of the open arms of the maze for 30 min and 24 h later tested in the model after inactivation of the BLA by a local injection of the GABA A receptor agonist muscimol (8 nmol in 0.2 æL). It has been shown that a prior forced exposure to one of the open arms of the maze, by shortening latencies to withdrawal from the open arm during the test, improves the escape task as a behavioral index of panic. The effects of muscimol in the elevated T-maze were compared to those caused by this GABA agonist in the avoidance reaction generated in the light/dark transition test. This defensive behavior has also been associated with GAD. In the elevated T-maze, intra-BLA injection of muscimol impaired inhibitory avoidance (control: 187.70 ± 14.90 s, muscimol: 37.10 ± 2.63 s), indicating an anxiolytic effect, without interfering with escape performance. The drug also showed an anxiolytic effect in the light/dark transition test as indicated by the increase in the time spent in the lighted compartment (control: 23.50 ± 2.45 s, muscimol: 47.30 ± 4.48 s). The present findings point to involvement of the BLA in the modulation of defensive responses that have been associated with GAD.

The bradycardic and hypotensive responses to serotonin are reduced by activation of GABA A receptors in the nucleus tractus solitarius of awake rats

We investigated the effects of bilateral injections of the GABA receptor agonists muscimol (GABA A) and baclofen (GABA B) into the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) on the bradycardia and hypotension induced by iv serotonin injections (5-HT, 2 æg/rat) in awake male Holtzman rats. 5-HT was injected in rats with stainless steel cannulas implanted bilaterally in the NTS, before and 5, 15, and 60 min after bilateral injections of muscimol or baclofen into the NTS. The responses to 5-HT were tested before and after the injection of atropine methyl bromide. Muscimol (50 pmol/50 nl, N = 8) into the NTS increased basal mean arterial pressure (MAP) from 115 ± 4 to 144 ± 6 mmHg, did not change basal heart rate (HR) and reduced the bradycardia (-40 ± 14 and -73 ± 26 bpm at 5 and 15 min, respectively, vs -180 ± 20 bpm for the control) and hypotension (-11 ± 4 and -14 ± 4 mmHg, vs -40 ± 9 mmHg for the control) elicited by 5-HT. Baclofen (12.5 pmol/50 nl, N = 7) into the NTS also increased basal MAP, but did not change basal HR, bradycardia or hypotension in response to 5-HT injections. Atropine methyl bromide (1 mg/kg body weight) injected iv reduced the bradycardic and hypotensive responses to 5-HT injections. The stimulation of GABA A receptors in the NTS of awake rats elicits a significant increase in basal MAP and decreases the cardiac Bezold-Jarisch reflex responses to iv 5-HT injections.

Effect of the GABA B agonist baclofen on dipyrone-induced delayed gastric emptying in rats

Dipyrone administered intravenously (iv) or intracerebroventricularly (icv) delays gastric emptying (GE) in rats. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the most potent inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of icv baclofen, a GABA B receptor agonist, on delayed GE induced by dipyrone. Adult male Wistar rats received a saline test meal containing phenol red as a marker. GE was indirectly evaluated by determining the percent of gastric retention ( percentGR) of the meal 10 min after orogastric administration. In the first experiment, the animals were injected iv with vehicle (Civ) or 80 mg/kg (240 æmol/kg) dipyrone (Dp iv), followed by icv injection of 10 æl vehicle (bac0), or 0.5 (bac0.5), 1 (bac1) or 2 æg (bac2) baclofen. In the second experiment, the animals were injected icv with 5 æl vehicle (Cicv) or an equal volume of a solution containing 4 æmol (1333.2 æg) dipyrone (Dp icv), followed by 5 æl vehicle (bac0) or 1 æg baclofen (bac1). GE was determined 10 min after icv injection. There was no significant difference between control animals from one experiment to another concerning GR values. Baclofen at the doses of 1 and 2 æg significantly reduced mean percentGR induced by iv dipyrone (Dp iv bac1 = 35.9 percent and Dp iv bac2 = 26.9 percent vs Dp iv bac0 = 51.8 percent). Similarly, baclofen significantly reduced the effect of dipyrone injected icv (mean percentGR: Dp icv bac1 = 30.4 percent vs Dp icv bac0 = 54.2 percent). The present results suggest that dipyrone induces delayed GE through a route in the central nervous system that is blocked by the activation of GABA B receptors.

Morphine-induced Modulation of Nociceptive Spinal Dorsal Horn Neuronal Activities after Formalin-induced Inflammatory Pain

In this study, we examined the morphine-induced modulation of the nociceptive spinal dorsal horn neuronal activities before and after formalin-induced inflammatory pain. Intradermal injection of formalin induced time-dependent changes in the spontaneous activity of nociceptive dorsal horn neurons. In naive cats before the injection of formalin, iontophoretically applied morphine attenuated the naturally and electrically evoked neuronal responses of dorsal horn neurons. However, neuronal responses after the formalin-induced inflammation were significantly increased by morphine. Bicuculline, GABAA antagonist, increased the naturally and electrically evoked neuronal responses of dorsal horn neurons. This increase in neuronal responses due to bicuculline after the formalin-induced inflammation was larger than that in the naive state, suggesting that basal GABAA tone increased after the formalin injection. Muscimol, GABAA agonist, reduced the neuronal responses before the treatment with formalin, but not after formalin treatment, again indicating an increase in the GABAergic basal tone after the formalin injection which saturated the neuronal responses to GABA agonist. Morphine-induced increase in the spinal nociceptive responses after formalin treatment was inhibited by co-application of muscimol. These data suggest that formalin-induced inflammation increases GABAA basal tone and the inhibition of this augmented GABAA basal tone by morphine results in a paradoxical morphine- induced increase in the spinal nociceptive neuronal responses after the formalin-induced inflammation.

Baclofen in maintenance treatment of opioid dependence: a randomized double-blind clinical trial with placebo-controlled

This project was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of baclofen in keeping opioid dependents in maintenance treatment and in reduction of their opioid use. It also assessed its superiority over placebo. In this double blind experimental study, 40 patients with the diagnosis of opioid dependence [DSM- IV based criteria] were inserted randomly in two groups following the detoxification phase. In one group, 20 patients took baclofen [60 mg daily in three divided doses] and in the other one, 20 patients took placebo for a total of 12 weeks. The primary measuring factors included retention of patients in maintenance treatment and positive urine analysis. The project's data were analyzed via statistical Mann-Whitney and chi-square tests. The retention of patients in treatment was significantly more in baclofen group than the placebo group. baclofen group patients exhibited less opioid withdrawal and depressive symptoms than the placebo group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the rate of positive urine analysis, intensity of craving for opioid use, medication side effects, and the average days of opioid and alcohol consumption during treatment. Baclofen is considerably superior to placebo in keeping the patients in treatment and also in reduction of opioid withdrawal and depressive symptoms

On the sleep promoting effects of BR-16A: interaction with GABAergic modulators.

Pentobarbitone-induced hypnosis test was used as an animal model to explore the role of BR-16A, a polyherbal formulation in sleep. Pentobarbitone produces quick sleep latency (onset) and prolongation of total sleep time (duration). Sleep latency and total sleep time were used as a parameters for the evaluation. BR-16A potentiated the effect of triazolam (0.1 mg/kg, ip) and alprazolam (0.25 mg/kg, ip). Melatonin (5.0 mg/kg, ip) and zolpidem (0.5 mg/kg, ip) did not produce any significant effect on sleep parameters. However, alprazolam (0.25mg/kg, ip) potentiated the effect of BR-16A (100 mg/ kg, po) in higher dose only. Sleep promoting effect of BR-16A in combination with GABAergic drugs (triazolam and alprazolam,) suggested that these drugs have common mechanism in sleep promoting effect of pentobarbitone and could be used along with other GABAergic hypnotics for the treatment of insomnia. This may reduce the dose of the latter drug(s). BR-16A can be used for the treatment of sleep and sleep-related disorders.

GABA mediaties the inhibitory effect of lateral amygdaloid nucleus stimulation on the acoustic response of neurons in A I cortex: An in vivo microiontophoretic study / 生理学报

Experiments were performed on Sprague Dawley rats with multibarrel microelectrode technique. The effects of acoustic response of A I cortex neurons produced by electrical stimulation of lateral amygdaloid nucleus (LA) and the influence of GABA were observed. Experimental results showed that iontophoretic administration of GABA caused a pronounced inhibition of the electrical activity of A-I neurons. Blockade of GABA(A) with bicuculline (BIC) facilitated the acoustic response. The acoustic response of A-I neurons was inhibited when the LA was stimulated. Iontophoretic application of GABA resulted in a similar inhibitory effect as that of LA stimulation. Blockade of GABA(A) with bicuculline reversed the inhibitory effect of LA stimulation on the acoustic response of A-I neurons. In contrast, application of strychnine, a glycine receptor antagonist, could not reverse the inhibitory effect of LA. Baclofen, a GABA(B) agonist, did not affect the acoustic response of the auditory neurons. These results indicate that GABA is the ultimate transmitter which mediates the LA stimulation-induced inhibition of the acoustic response of A-I neurons in rats, possibly via the GABA(A) receptor.

Interhemispheric Modulation on Afferent Sensory Transmission to the Ventral Posterior Medial Thalamus by Contralateral Primary Somatosensory Cortex

Single unit responses of the ventral posterior medial (VPM) thalamic neurons to stimulation were monitored in anesthetized rats during activation of contralateral primary somatosensory (SI) cortex by GABA antagonist. The temporal changes of afferent sensory transmission were quantitatively analyzed by poststimulus time histogram (PSTH). Mainly, afferent sensory transmission to VPM thalamus was facilitated (15 neurons of total 23) by GABA antagonist (bicuculline) applied to contralateral cortex, while 7 neurons were suppressed. However, when ipsilateral cortex was inactivated by GABA agonist, musimol, there was significant suppression of afferent sensory transmission of VPM thalamus. This suppressed responsiveness by ipsilateral musimol was not affected by bicuculline applied to contralateral cortex. These results suggest that afferent transmission to VPM thalamus may be subjected to the interhemispheric modulation via ipsilateral cortex during inactivation of GABAergic neurons in contralateral SI cortex.