Associations between systemic pro-inflammatory markers, cognitive function and cognitive complaints in a population-based sample of working adults.

BACKGROUND: The knowledge is limited regarding the relation between systemic inflammatory biomarkers and subjective and objective cognitive functioning in population-based samples of healthy adults across the adult age-span. Thus, the aim of this study was to study a selection of four pro-inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, MCP-1, TNF-α, CRP) in relation to executive cognitive functioning, episodic memory and subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) in a population-based sample of 215 working adults (age 25-67). RESULTS: Higher levels of MCP-1 were associated with poorer executive cognitive functioning, even after adjustments for demographical factors, health status/conditions, SCC and depressive symptoms. IL-6 and CRP were associated with poorer executive cognitive functioning, but these associations covaried with age especially and were not present after adjustment for demographical factors. MCP-1 was associated with poorer episodic memory, but this association also covaried with age especially and was not present after adjustment for demographical factors, and CRP was associated with episodic memory only among participants without reported health conditions. Higher MCP-1 levels were also associated with more SCC and this association covaried with depressive symptoms, while higher levels of TNF-α were associated with less SCC. CONCLUSION: Low grade inflammatory processes in terms of higher systemic levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers (MCP-1, IL-6 & CRP) were associated with poorer executive functioning in this sample of working adults, and MCP-1 was so after extensive adjustments. Support for associations between these biomarkers and episodic memory and SCC were more limited. Future research should address the causality of associations between low grade inflammatory processes and cognitive functioning.

Experimental design and reporting standards for improving the internal validity of pre-clinical studies in the field of pain: Consensus of the IMI-Europain consortium.

Background and aims Pain is a subjective experience, and as such, pre-clinical models of human pain are highly simplified representations of clinical features. These models are nevertheless critical for the delivery of novel analgesics for human pain, providing pharmacodynamic measurements of activity and, where possible, on-target confirmation of that activity. It has, however, been suggested that at least 50% of all pre-clinical data, independent of discipline, cannot be replicated. Additionally, the paucity of "negative" data in the public domain indicates a publication bias, and significantly impacts the interpretation of failed attempts to replicate published findings. Evidence suggests that systematic biases in experimental design and conduct and insufficiencies in reporting play significant roles in poor reproducibility across pre-clinical studies. It then follows that recommendations on how to improve these factors are warranted. Methods Members of Europain, a pain research consortium funded by the European Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), developed internal recommendations on how to improve the reliability of pre-clinical studies between laboratories. This guidance is focused on two aspects: experimental design and conduct, and study reporting. Results Minimum requirements for experimental design and conduct were agreed upon across the dimensions of animal characteristics, sample size calculations, inclusion and exclusion criteria, random allocation to groups, allocation concealment, and blinded assessment of outcome. Building upon the Animals in Research: Reportingin vivo Experiments (ARRIVE) guidelines, reporting standards were developed for pre-clinical studies of pain. These include specific recommendations for reporting on ethical issues, experimental design and conduct, and data analysis and interpretation. Key principles such as sample size calculation, a priori definition of a primary efficacy measure, randomization, allocation concealments, and blinding are discussed. In addition, considerations of how stress and normal rodent physiology impact outcome of analgesic drug studies are considered. Flow diagrams are standard requirements in all clinical trials, and flow diagrams for preclinical trials, which describe number of animals included/excluded, and reasons for exclusion are proposed. Creation of a trial registry for pre-clinical studies focused on drug development in order to estimate possible publication bias is discussed. Conclusions More systematic research is needed to analyze how inadequate internal validity and/or experimental bias may impact reproducibility across pre-clinical pain studies. Addressing the potential threats to internal validity and the sources of experimental biases, as well as increasing the transparency in reporting, are likely to improve preclinical research broadly by ensuring relevant progress is made in advancing the knowledge of chronic pain pathophysiology and identifying novel analgesics. Implications We are now disseminating these Europain processes for discussion in the wider pain research community. Any benefit from these guidelines will be dependent on acceptance and disciplined implementation across pre-clinical laboratories, funding agencies and journal editors, but it is anticipated that these guidelines will be a first step towards improving scientific rigor across the field of pre-clinical pain research.

Behavioral pharmacology of AR-A000002, a novel, selective 5-hydroxytryptamine(1B) antagonist.

The present review summarizes the behavioral pharmacology conducted to profile the anxiolytic and antidepressant potential of the selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (HT)(1B) antagonist (R)-N-[5-methyl-8-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl]-4-morpholinobenzamide (AR-A000002). AR-A000002 functions as a 5-HT(1B) antagonist in vivo, which was shown by the antagonism of the discriminative stimulus effects in the guinea pig of the 5-HT(1B) agonist 3-(N-methylpyrrolidin-2R-ylmethyl)-5-(3-nitropyrid-2-ylamino)-lH-indole (CP135,807). Anxiolytic activity of AR-A000002 was demonstrated in the separation-induced vocalization paradigm in guinea pig pups, and in a suppressed responding procedure in pigeons and guinea pigs, but only a weak trend was noted in a suppressed responding procedure in squirrel monkeys. Antidepressant efficacy was shown in a number of paradigms. In pigeons and guinea pigs responding under a differential reinforcement of low rates schedule of reinforcement (DRL), AR-A000002 increased the number of reinforcers earned without altering the number of responses made. In guinea pigs trained under a response duration differentiation paradigm, AR-A000002 increased mean lever-press duration. Finally, AR-A000002 was shown to block escape failures in guinea pigs submitted to a learned helplessness paradigm. Taken together, these data suggest utility for 5-HT(1B) antagonists in the treatment of both anxiety and affective disorders.

Evidence for involvement of protein kinases in the regulation of serotonin synthesis and turnover in the mouse brain in vivo.

Inhibition of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) with N-[2-methylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H-8) almost completely antagonized the increase in 5-HTP accumulation and 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio in hypothalamus induced by NAS-181, a 5-HT(1B) receptor antagonist, but had no effect when the mice were treated with NAS-181 together with WAY-100,635, a selective 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist. Inhibition of Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase II) with the calmodulin antagonist N-(4-aminobutyl)-5-chloro-2-naphtalenesulfonamide (W-13) did not antagonise the effect of NAS-181 alone, but counteracted that evoked by the combined treatment with NAS-181 and WAY-100,635. The results indicate that activation of tryptophan hydroxylase by reducing the tone from terminal 5-HT(1B) receptors involves PKA whereas the depolarisation-induced activation of tryptophan hydroxylase involves CaM kinase II. The increase in the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio may under the experimental conditions used suggest CaM kinase II-induced phosphorylation of synapsin I resulting in increased 5-HT release.

Hypothermia reduces the rate of dissociation of specific ligands from dopamine-D2 and 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptors in the mouse brain in vivo.

Factors influencing the disappearance of radioactivity from mouse brain after injections of tracer doses of the very selective receptor antagonists [3H]raclopride and [3H]robalzotan (NAD-299) which bind with high affinity to dopamine-D2 and 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptors, respectively, were studied. For both ligands the amount of radioactivity in cerebellum was taken as non-specific binding and subtracted from the amount of radioactivity found in the brain regions studied. The disappearance of the radioactivity in naive mice followed apparent first-order reactions with T1/2=16.8+/-1.4 min for [3H]raclopride in striatum and T1/2=22+/-2 min and 17+/-2 min for [3H]robalzotan in hippocampus and frontal cortex, respectively. Pretreatment of mice with 1 mg/kg s.c. reserpine 20 h before the experiment strongly prolonged the dissociation phase for the two ligands. Injection of the dopamine-D2 receptor antagonist etioclopride 1 h after [3H]raclopride in the reserpinized mice rapidly reduced the radioactivity in striatum to the same level as in cerebellum. Similarly, the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY-100,635 injected 1 h or 4 h after [3H]robalzotan rapidly reduced the radioactivity in hippocampus and frontal cortex to the cerebellum level showing that the intact drugs were still bound to the receptors. In reserpinized mice kept at 30 degrees C 1 h before and during the experiment, which normalised the body temperature, the disappearance of radioactivity was more like that in untreated animals but was still significantly higher than in the control animals. Mice treated with anaesthetic agents, e.g. gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), pentobarbital sodium and chloral hydrate, also strongly prolonged the rate of disappearance of [3H]raclopride and [3H]robalzotan from the receptor-rich brain regions. The pronounced effect of hypothermia on the dissociation of these 3H ligands from their receptors is probably caused by a general decrease in brain nervous activity. However, the decreased rate of dissociation evoked by reserpine, GBL, baclofen and prazosin after normalisation of the body temperature may be due to specific actions of these compounds causing decrease in dopaminergic and serotoninergic nerve activity which results in reduced synaptic concentration of the transmitter amines. In accordance with this view, increased synaptic 5-HT evoked by the 5-HT releasing agent p-chloroamphetamine enhanced the disappearance of [3H]robalzotan from hippocampus and frontal cortex.

Pharmacological characterisation of the decrease in 5-HT synthesis in the mouse brain evoked by the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor citalopram.

The selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram decreases the synthesis of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the mouse brain in vivo. The underlying mechanism was studied by recording the accumulation of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) in hypothalamus and hippocampus after inhibition of the aromatic amino acid decarboxylase activity with m-hydroxybenzylhydrazine (NSD 1015). Depletion of 5-HT with reserpine markedly reduced the citalopram-induced decrease of 5-HTP but not that evoked by the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT, which indicates that the presence of endogenous 5-HT is necessary for full effect of citalopram. In contrast to the almost complete antagonism of the decrease in 5-HT synthesis induced by 8-OH-DPAT, the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY-100,635 only slightly affected the citalopram-evoked decrease in 5-HT synthesis. Likewise, the 5-HT1B receptor antagonists NAS-181 and GR127935 only slightly antagonised the citalopram effect although they strongly inhibited the decrease in 5-HT synthesis induced by the 5-HT1B receptor agonist anpirtoline. Combined treatment with 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptor antagonists did not produce any additive antagonistic effect on the citalopram-induced decrease in 5-HT synthesis. The 5-HT2A/2C receptor antagonist ketanserin, the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron and the 5-HT4 receptor antagonist RS-39604 had no effect on the citalopram-induced decrease in 5-HT synthesis. The same was found for several other non-selective 5-HT receptor antagonists, e.g. cyproheptadine, dihydroergotamine, methiothepin, methysergide, metergoline and mianserin. It is concluded that the citalopram-induced decrease in 5-HT synthesis differs in sensitivity from that mediated by 5-HT1A or 5-HT1B receptor agonists and citalopram also seems to require endogenous 5-HT for its full effect.

Enhanced 5-HT metabolism and synthesis rate by the new selective r5-HT1B receptor antagonist, NAS-181 in the rat brain.

NAS-181 ((R)-(+)-2-(3-morpholinomethyl-2H-chromen-8-yl) oxymethyl-morpholine methanesulfonate) is a novel rat 5-hydroxytryptamine1B, (r5-HT1B) receptor antagonist with high selectivity. The in vivo effects of NAS-181 on 5-HT metabolism and synthesis in the rat brain were examined. 5-HT metabolism, measured as the ratio 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)/5-HT, was dose-dependently increased in all four brain regions analysed (hypothalamus, hippocampus, frontal cortex and striatum) at doses 0.1 to 20 mg/kg s.c. NAS-181. The enhancement of 5-HT metabolism at the dose 20 mg/kg s.c. was maximal one hour after the injection and was still significant eight hours but not 24 hours after the injection. 5-HT synthesis rate measured as the accumulation of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) after inhibition of the aromatic amino acid decarboxylase activity was also elevated by NAS-181 at doses 0.3 to 20 mg/kg s.c. NAS-181 competitively antagonised the decrease in 5-HT metabolism evoked by the r5-HT1B receptor agonist, anpirtoline, in hypothalamus, hippocampus and frontal cortex. Anpirtoline had no effect on 5-HT metabolism in striatum. However, anpirtoline antagonised the enhancement of 5-HT metabolism induced by NAS-181 in striatum. Combined treatment of rats with NAS-181 and the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, WAY-100635, increased 5'-HT metabolism considerably more than when the compounds were given alone.

RT-PCR ELISA method for the analysis of neurotrophin mRNA expression in brain and peripheral tissues.

The levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain and periphery are susceptible to changes during development and as result of different physiopathological conditions, such as stress and aging and during the onset and progression of neurological and autoimmune diseases. Despite the sensitive methods for measurement of neurotrophin protein levels in different tissues, no easily applicable methods to evaluate changes in the level of NGF and BDNF mRNA expression within physiological range have been described. This study reports the development of a reproducible and simple procedure for measurement of neurotrophin mRNA expression in brain and peripheral tissues based upon an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detection system of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) products. The major advantages of this RT-PCR ELISA procedure is to allow the co-amplification of diverse mRNAs starting from small amounts of tissues; to contemporaneously test a large number of samples; to be rapid and to use only commercial reagents and widely available equipment. The procedure could also be useful in studies addressed to measure the pattern of expression of molecules involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases, such as neuropeptides and cytokines.

Altered levels of neuropeptides characterize the brain of lupus prone mice.

It has been reported that more than 50% of lupus patients show various forms of neurological deficits including impaired cognitive functions and psychiatric disorders. Using an animal model of lupus we investigated the production of neuropeptides in the brain of NZB/W F1 female hybrid mice and its parental strain NZB and NZW. Our results indicate that the alteration in learning and memory described in lupus mice are paralleled by a decrease in calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P and neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels in the hippocampus and a significant decrease of NPY in the cortex. These findings are interesting in the light of previously reported results suggesting that these neuropeptides can play an important role in cognitive functions. We also observed a decrease of NPY and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide levels in the hypothalamus of lupus prone mice and these changes may be related to the disregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis observed in lupus prone mice.

Behavioural anxiolytic effects of low-dose anabolic androgenic steroid treatment in rats.

The use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) in supratherapeutic doses has been associated with aggressive behaviour as well as with severe affective and psychotic symptoms. These symptoms usually follow a chronic exposure for several months. However, AAS also may have milder effects with hypomania-like features such as an increase in confidence, energy and self-esteem. We have studied the short-term effects on male rat behaviour in a modified open-field test of the AAS Metenolon administered three times at a low dose (0.01 mg/kg/week x 3). The control rats showed indications of increased timidity and aversive learning following retesting, a reaction that was absent in the AAS-treated rats. The AAS-treated rats showed less fear or anticipatory anxiety compared to control animals. Furthermore, the suppressed marking behaviour and altered morphological allometric relationships were compatible with a modified social and sexual competence in the AAS treated rats.

Cholecystokinin-8 protects central cholinergic neurons against fimbria-fornix lesion through the up-regulation of nerve growth factor synthesis.

In this study, we demonstrate that cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) induces an increase in both nerve growth factor (NGF) protein and NGF mRNA in mouse cortex and hippocampus when i.p. injected at physiological doses. By using fimbria-fornix-lesioned mice, we have also demonstrated that repeated CCK-8 i.p. injections result in recovery of lesion-induced NGF deficit in septum and restore the baseline NGF levels in hippocampus and cortex. Parallel to the effects on NGF, CCK-8 increases choline acetyltransferase (Chat) activity in forebrain when injected in unlesioned mice and counteract the septo-hippocampal Chat alterations in fimbria-fornix-lesioned mice. To assess the NGF involvement in the mechanism by which CCK-8 induces brain Chat, NGF antibody was administrated intracerebrally to saline- and CCK-8-injected mice. We observe that pretreatment with NGF antibody causes a marked reduction of NGF and Chat activity in septum and hippocampus of both saline- and CCK-8-injected mice. This evidence indicates that the CCK-8 effects on cholinergic cells are mediated through the synthesis and release of NGF. Taken together, our results suggest that peripheral administration of CCK-8 may represent a potential experimental model for investigating the effects of endogenous NGF up-regulation on diseases associated with altered brain cholinergic functions.

Increased dopaminergic and 5-hydroxytryptaminergic activities in male rat brain following long-term treatment with anabolic androgenic steroids.

1. The effects of treating groups of rats with four different anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) (testosterone, nandrolone, methandrostenolone, and oxymetholone) on 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) neurones in different brain regions were examined. The AAS was injected six times with 1 week's interval and the rats were sacrificed 2 days after the final injection. 5-HT and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), DA and its metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) were measured. The effect on DA and 5-HT synthesis rate was analysed as the accumulation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-alanine (DOPA) and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), respectively, after inhibition of the amino acid decarboxylase with NSD-1015 (3-hydroxy-benzylhydrazine dihydrochloride). Additionally, the monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity was analysed in the hypothalamus. 2. The DOPAC + HVA/DA ratio was increased in the striatum in all treatment groups. However, the synthesis rate of DA was significantly increased only in the methandrostenolone treated group. 3. The 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio was increased in all treatment groups in the hippocampus, in the frontal cortex in the methandrostenolone-treated animals and in the hypothalamus in the testosterone- and oxymetholone-treated rats, while the 5-HT synthesis rate was not affected by the AAS-treatments. 4. The MAO-A activity was increased in the oxymetholone-treated rats while the other treatment groups were unaffected. The MAO-B activity was not changed. 5. The results indicate that relatively high doses of AAS increase dopaminergic and 5-hydroxytryptaminergic metabolism in male rat brain, probably due to enhanced turnover in these monaminergic systems.

Sex differences in neuropeptide distribution in the rat brain.

We have investigated possible sex differences in the regional concentrations of neuropeptides in the rat brain. Immunoreactive neurotensin (NT), neurokinin A (NKA), galanin (GAL), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) were measured by radioimmunoassay in frontal cortex, occipital cortex, hippocampus, striatum, hypothalamus and pituitary in male and female pre- and postpubertal rats. Sex differences were found for NPY (p < 0.001), NT (p < 0.01) and GAL (p < 0.05), in particular in hippocampus, striatum, hypothalamus and pituitary, but not for CGRP, SP and NKA. Results from analysis of neuropeptides in one sex may not be entirely applicable to the other.

Synergism between 5-HT1B/1D and 5-HT1A receptor antagonists on turnover and release of 5-HT in guinea-pig brain in vivo.

The effects on 5-HT turnover (5-HIAA/5-HT ratio) and extracellular 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels (in vivo microdialysis in freely moving animals) were analysed in guinea-pig brains following the 5-HT1B receptor antagonist, GR 127935 [N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-1 ,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl) [1,1-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide], or the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, WAY-100635 (N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-(2-pyridinyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide trihydrochloride), administered alone or in combination. GR 127935, injected alone, increased 5-HT turnover with maximal effects approximately 50% above the control levels in the four brain regions examined (hypothalamus, hippocampus, striatum and frontal cortex). GR 127935 significantly increased extracellular concentrations of 5-HT and 5-HIAA in frontal cortex (40%), whereas 5-HIAA, but not 5-HT, was elevated in striatum (20-30%). WAY-100635 did not significantly change 5-HT turnover but caused a small significant increase in the extracellular 5-HT and 5-HIAA concentrations in both striatum and frontal cortex. The combined treatment with GR 127935 and WAY-100635 resulted in an increased 5-HT turnover reaching maximal effects of 70-90% above the control values in all brain regions tested and produced a significant elevation of striatal and frontal cortex extracellular 5-HT (40% and 60%, respectively) and 5-HIAA (60% and 70%, respectively) concentrations. The synergistic effect of the two receptor antagonists on the 5-HT turnover and the terminal release of 5-HT indicate somatodendritic 5-HT release and stimulation of inhibitory 5-HT1A receptors at this level. Extracellular 5-HIAA seems to be a better marker than 5-HT itself for the evoked 5-HT release when the reuptake mechanism is intact.

Unilateral injection of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) induces bilateral oedema formation and release of CGRP-like immunoreactivity in the rat hindpaw.

The contribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) to bilateral oedema formation in the rat hindpaw following an unilateral challenge with CGRP was investigated. Rats were injected into the left hindpaw with either saline, CGRP or a CGRP antagonist (CGRP8-37). All injections were given in a double blind fashion and in a volume of 100 microl. CGRP and CGRP8-37 were administered in concentrations of 75, 150 or 300 pmol. Volumes of the right and left hindpaw were measured every hour for 5 h by plethysmometry. Injection of CGRP 300 pmol into the left hindpaw resulted in a bilaterally increased hindpaw volume after 5 h as compared with the groups given saline. No changes were found in hindpaw volumes following the injection of either 75 or 150 pmol of CGRP or 75, 150 or 300 pmol of CGRP8-37 as compared with saline injection. To elucidate whether or not the bilateral oedema formation was related to a release of endogenous CGRP, microdialysis of the contralateral hindpaw was carried out, and concentrations of CGRP-like immunoreactivity (-LI) were determined by radioimmunoassay and high performance liquid chromatography. Injection of CGRP 300 pmol into the left hindpaw increased the release of CGRP-LI into the right hindpaw perfusate after 4 and 5 h. No changes in CGRP-LI were detected in the right hindpaw perfusate following challenge with saline or CGRP8-37. To study the contribution of the nervous system to the contralateral release of CGRP-LI, sciatic nerve ligated and intact sham-operated rats were used. Sciatic nerve ligation but not sham-operation on the non-injected side abolished the increased release of CGRP-LI following contralateral administration of CGRP 300 pmol. To study the spinal cord mechanisms resulting in the bilateral oedema formation following unilateral challenge with 300 pmol of CGRP, intrathecal pretreatment with either 10 nmol bicuculline (GABA(A) receptor antagonist) or 10 nmol CGRP8-37 was carried out. Bicuculline but not CGRP8-37 abolished the bilateral oedema formation induced by CGRP 300 pmol. In order to study the mechanisms by which administration of CGRP 300 pmol induces oedema, CGRP 300 pmol was administered concomitantly with either 300 pmol of CGRP8-37 (CGRP receptor antagonist), or 3 nmol of promethazine (H1 receptor antagonist), or 3 nmol of s(-)-propranolol (5-HT1 receptor antagonist), or 3 nmol of cyproheptadine (5-HT2 receptor antagonist) or 3 nmol of ICS 205-930 (5-HT3 receptor antagonist). Oedema formation was measured at 1, 5, 7 and 24 h. Injection of CGRP 300 pmol into the left hindpaw induced a bilateral oedema formation which was still significant at 24 h. Concomitant administration of either CGRP8-37, ICS 205-920 or cyproheptadine blocked the oedema formation at 24 h. No effect on oedema formation was found when CGRP 300 pmol was co-administered with either promethazine or s(-)-propranolol (H1 and 5-HT1 receptor antagonists, respectively). The results of the present study show that both the nervous system and local inflammatory processes contribute to bilateral hindpaw oedema formation following unilateral challenge with CGRP 300 pmol. Our results indicate that endogenous release of CGRP following inflammatory response may play an important role in inducing oedema formation.

Changes in dietary fatty acids alter phospholipid fatty acid composition in selected regions of rat brain.

1. Eighty rats were randomized into four groups receiving one of the following diets: rat chow containing (1) 6% soybean oil, (2) 6% primrose oil, (3) 6% fish oil, (4) a combination of 4.5% primrose and 1.5% fish oil. 2. Following two months of each regimen, the rats were sacrificed by microwave irradiation and the brain's fatty acid composition was analysed with gas chromatography for each of the following regions: frontal cortex, striatum, occipital cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, cerebellum and pituitary. 3. Linoleic acid was decreased by both primrose and fish oil supplementations. The fish oil substitution resulted in a significant elevation of 20:3n-6, a decrease of 22:4n-6 and a non-significant decrease of 20:4n-6, probably reflecting inhibition of delta-5-desaturation. At the same time the fish oil diet significantly elevated 22:5n-3 while 22:5n-6 was decreased. 4. The primrose oil diet lowered the n-3/n-6 ratio in all regions except in the cerebellum. In contrast, the fish oil diet elevated the n-3/n-6 ratio in all regions. 5. The results demonstrate that changes in dietary fat composition can alter the fatty acid composition of the adult rat brain and that these effects are region specific. 6. This is of interest since metabolites of essential fatty acids may be involved in physiological and pathological processes in the brain and it has been hypothesized that dietary intake of fats may influence the outcome of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.

In vivo labelling of the mouse brain 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptor with the novel selective antagonist 3H-NAD-299.

The in vivo labelling of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1A receptors in the mouse brain was studied with the novel selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, NAD-299 ((R)-3-N,N-dicyclobutylamino-8-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran- 5-carboxamide hydrogen (2R,3R)-tartrate monohydrate). 3H-NAD-299 was injected in a tail vein and the radioactivity in various brain regions was determined. More than 90% of the radioactivity in hippocampus, 15 min after the injection, was intact NAD-299. At this time the amount of 3H-NAD-299 was highest in hippocampus followed by frontal cortex, mesencephalon, hypothalamus, striatum and cerebellum. The specific accumulation of radioactivity (after subtracting cerebellum values) in frontal cortex and hippocampus was maximal 10 to 30 min after the injection and had almost disappeared after 2 h. Saturation kinetics derived Bmax (pmol/g wet weight tissue) values of 19.6+/-2.0 in frontal cortex and 38.0+/-3.5 in hippocampus. The apparent Kd values expressed in nmol/kg 3H-NAD-299 injected, were 12.3+/-2.2 in frontal cortex and 20.3+/-3.1 in hippocampus. The 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, WAY-100,635 competitively inhibited the specific accumulation of 3H-NAD-299 and was about equipotent with unlabelled NAD-299 with ED50 values of 20-30 nmol/kg s.c. These compounds were about 10 times more potent than the 5-HT1A receptor antagonists, p-MPPI and NDL-249 and 100 times more potent than (S)-UH-301. 5-HT1A receptor agonists, e.g. 8-OH-DPAT and flesinoxan and partial agonists, e.g. pindolol, buspirone and ipsapirone had low potency in this in vivo assay. Spiperone and methiothepin inhibited the 3H-NAD-299 accumulation at 10 micromol/kg s.c. The alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist, prazosin at 2 micromol/kg s.c. increased significantly the specific accumulation of 3H-NAD-299. Pretreatment of the mice with the non-selective, irreversible receptor antagonist, EEDQ produced a dose related long-lasting decrease in the accumulation of 3H-NAD-299. It is concluded that NAD-299 is a very suitable ligand for studies of 5-HT1A receptors in the brain in vivo.

Development of systemic lupus erythematosus in mice is associated with alteration of neuropeptide concentrations in inflamed kidneys and immunoregulatory organs.

In the present study we used a well-characterised model of murine lupus, the female NZB/W hybrid, to study the possible involvement of neuropeptides in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Analysis of neuropeptides with a possible role in inflammation showed that substance P (SP) calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) are present in increased quantities in the inflamed kidneys of SLE mice, confirming their involvement in local inflammation, while there is a general reduction in the peptide concentrations in the lymphoid organs of lupus mice, except for NPY. Our results suggest that the altered neuropeptide concentrations observed in the SLE lymphoid organs may be partly responsible for the altered immune response and contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases.

Differential regional antagonism of 8-OH-DPAT-induced decrease in serotonin synthesis by two 5-HT1A receptor antagonists.

The effects of two 5-HT1A receptor antagonists, (R)-3-N, N-dicyclobutylamino-8-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2 H-1-benzopyran-5-carboxamide hydrogen (2 R,3 R)-tartrate monohydrate (NAD-299) and N-(2-(1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-piperazinyl))ethyl)-N-(2-pyridinyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide trihydrochloride (WAY-100635) on the decrease in 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) accumulation evoked by (RS)-2-dipropylamino-8-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (8-OH-DPAT) in rats treated with the decarboxylase inhibitor, 3-hydroxyphenylhydrazine (NSD 1015) were studied in four rat brain regions: hippocampus, hypothalamus, striatum and frontal cortex. Dose-response studies revealed differential effects of both antagonists in the areas examined. Both antagonists were significantly more potent in antagonising the effect of 0.30 and 0.76 micromol/kg s.c. 8-OH-DPAT in hippocampus than in hypothalamus, striatum and frontal cortex in mentioned order. This order of potency was the opposite to that found for 8-OH-DPAT in decreasing the 5-HTP accumulation. Since previous studies by others have indicated that the reserve of somatodendritic 5-HT1A receptors is greater in dorsal raphe nucleus innervating frontal cortex and striatum than in median raphe nucleus which mainly innervates hippocampus, the observed different regional potency of the two 5-HT1A receptor antagonists may be explained by this difference in the 5-HT1A receptor reserve.

Neuropeptide Y, neurokinin A and neurotensin in brain regions of Fawn Hooded "depressed", Wistar, and Sprague Dawley rats. Effects of electroconvulsive stimuli.

1. Concentrations of neuropeptide Y (NPY)-, neurokinin A (NKA)- and neurotensin (NT)-like immunoreactivity (-LI) were measured in brain tissues of Fawn Hooded (FH) (a model of depression), Wistar (W) (control for depression) and Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (control for strain) with the aim to explore possible associations between neuropeptides and models of depression. 2. In addition, peptides were determined after six electroconvulsive stimuli (ECS) or six sham ECS ("baseline") in order to investigate ECS mechanisms of action. 3. Baseline NPY-LI concentrations were markedly lower in the hippocampus of the "depressed" FH compared to the W and SD animals. 4. Baseline NKA-LI concentrations were higher in the occipital cortex and NT-LI concentrations in the occipital cortex, frontal cortex, and hypothalamus of the FH and W compared to the SD rats. 5. ECS increased NPY-LI in the hippocampus, frontal cortex and occipital cortex of all three strains. In the hippocampus, the increase was significantly larger in the FH compared to the W and SD rats. ECS also increased NKA-LI in the hippocampus. 6. In contrast, ECS decreased NT-LI in the occipital cortex of the FH and W animals. 7. The results indicate that NPY may play a role in depression and that changes in NPY and NKA probably constitute one of the mechanisms of ECT action. More speculatively, NT may also be involved in depression.