Buspirone enhances immobility in the forced swim test in mice

We studied the effects of buspirone and 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) on duration of immobility in mice in the forced swim test. Buspirone [3-10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (IP)] potently and dose dependently increased the duration of immobility in mice. In contrast, following a single dose of 8-OH-DPAT (1-3 mg/kg, IP), there was a dose-dependent decrease in the duration of immobility. Pretreatment with the 5-HT synthesis inhibitor p-chlorophenylalanine (200 mg/kg, IP, 3 days before further drug treatment) did not alter the effects of buspirone or 8-OH-DPAT. The increase in the duration of immobility induced by buspirone (3 mg/kg, IP) was blocked by NAN-190 [1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-[2-phthalimido]butyl)-piperazine hydrobromide, 1 mg/kg, IP], a postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptor antagonist. However, the effect of 8-OH-DPAT (1 mg/kg, IP) was not blocked by NAN-190 (1 mg/kg, IP). The effect of buspirone (3 mg/kg, IP) was blocked by apomorphine (0.3 mg/kg, IP), a dopamine receptor agonist. Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that the effects of buspirone and of 8-OH-DPAT on immobility in the forced swim test may occur through different mechanisms.     

A further analysis of physiological changes in rats in the forced swim test

Rats were tested in the forced swim test in 35 or 20 cm of water or in an open field to evaluate the effects of different intensities of stress on blood gases, electrolytes, and metabolic indices, compared to nontested controls. Animals tested in the open field did not differ from controls on any measure. Immersion in deep water resulted in a greater mixed metabolic and respiratory acidemia (low pH, low bicarbonate, high pCO2), higher glucose and higher lactate levels than immersion in shallow water which in turn resulted in greater metabolic acidemia (low pH, low bicarbonate), and higher glucose and lactate levels than occurred in open field or control animals. In contrast to immersion in deep water, immersion in shallow water resulted in an initial hypocapnia followed by a hypercapnia. Immersion in deep water also resulted in higher potassium levels, lower bicarbonate and total carbon dioxide levels, and a higher anion gap than immersion in shallow water, testing in the open field, or in controls. In a second study, lactate infusion resulted in a metabolic alkalemia (increased pH and bicarbonate levels) and an increase in total carbon dioxide levels. These results indicate that test parameters from forced swim testing (e.g., water depth) can significantly affect the rat's physiological response to testing. The effects of forced swim testing are not simply due to general stress; and the physiological changes seen in conjunction with forced swim testing (e.g., acidemia) are not due to lactate alone.     

Imidazolylpropylguanidines as histamine H2 receptor agonists:3D-QSAR of a large series

Functional impairment has long been recognized as an important factor in the risk paradigm among patients with heart disease. In chronic heart failure, this issue has been even more important in recent years because of the steady growth in the number of patients awaiting heart transplantation relative to the available pool of donor hearts. The use of gas-exchange techniques to assess patients with heart failure has attracted interest because these techniques provide a more precise, reproducible, objective, and physiologic expression of exercise tolerance. Numerous studies published in the 1990s demonstrate that maximal oxygen uptake (peak VO2) is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with heart failure. Achievement of a peak VO2 that is less than 14 mL/kg/min has been recognized as one of the relative indications for transplantation, because patients who achieve a measurement that is higher than 14 mL/kg/min have a 1-year mortality rate similar to that of patients who undergo transplantation (i.e., > 90%). However, some debate exists regarding the optimal cutpoint that separates survivors from nonsurvivors, and studies have not consistently defined the timing of the test relative to optimization of medical therapy. It has also been debated which hemodynamic variables, at rest or during exercise, should be used in combination with peak VO2 to optimally stratify risk in these patients. This article reviews the applications of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in prognosis among patients with chronic heart failure.     

An early lesion of the lateral septal nuclei produces changes in the forced swim test depending on gender

1. Several pharmacological maneuvers in very young rats produce later changes resembling human depression. 2. Rats were submitted to a wide lesion in lateral septal region at 8th day after birth and forced to swim at maturity. 3. Male lesioned group showed the highest amount of immobility; whereas, female sham lesion group showed a greater response to treatments. 4. A gender-dependent sensitivity to early lateral septal nucleus lesions and to antidepressants are concluded.     

Augmentation of antigen receptor-mediated responses by histamine H1 receptor signaling

Histamine is considered one of the important mediators of immediate hypersensitivity and inflammation, and acts via G protein-coupled receptors. Here, we report that histamine may affect antigen receptor-mediated immune responses of T and B cells via a signal(s) from histamine H1 receptors (H1Rs). Histamine exhibited enhancing effects on the in vitro proliferative responses of anti-CD3epsilon- or anti-IgM-stimulated spleen T and B cells, respectively, at the culture condition that the fetal calf serum was dialyzed before culture and c-kit-positive cells were depleted from the spleen cells. In studies of histamine H1R knockout mice, H1R-deficient T cells had low proliferative responses to anti-CD3epsilon cross-linking or antigen stimulation in vitro. B cells from H1R-deficient mice were also affected, demonstrating low proliferative responses to B cell receptor cross-linking. Antibody production against trinitrophenyl-Ficoll was reduced in H1R-deficient mice. Other aspects of T and B cell function were normal in the H1R knockout mice. H1R-deficient T and B cells showed normal responses upon stimulation with interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, CD40 ligand, CD40 ligand plus IL-4, and lipopolysaccharide. Collectively, these results imply that the signal generated by histamine through H1R augments antigen receptor-mediated immune responses, suggesting cross-talk between G protein-coupled receptors and antigen receptor-mediated signaling.     

Anxiolytic activity of NPY receptor agonists in the conflict test

Selenium is an important trace element that was considered toxic for humans and animals for a long time. The best known biochemical role of selenium is, as a selenocysteine residue, to be a part of the active site of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). The highest values of selenium have been found in protein foods (meat and fish); although selenium from vegetables sources are more available than from the other foods. Nowadays are not known exactly the recommended dietary allowances for humans, mainly for children. The selenium intake in Spain is 221 micrograms/person/day and the plasmatic values of Spanish people (87 +/- 14 micrograms/L) are within the European average (85 micrograms/L).     

Comparative effects of nonsedating histamine H1 receptor antagonists, ebastine and terfenadine, on human Kv1.5 channels

The effects of ebastine and terfenadine, long-acting nonsedating histamine H1 receptor antagonists, were studied on hKv1.5 channels using the whole-cell voltage-clamp configuration of the patch-clamp technique in Ltk- cells transfected with the gene encoding the hKv1.5 channel. Upon depolarization to +60 mV, terfenadine, 1 microM and 3 microM, inhibited the hKv1.5 current by 42.4 +/- 6.4% and 69.3 +/- 4.2% (P < 0.01). In contrast, at the same range of concentrations, ebastine-induced inhibition of this K+ current averaged 6.5 +/- 2.0% and 13.0 +/- 2.0 (P < 0.05). At the highest concentration tested (3 microM) neither terfenadine carboxylate nor carebastine significantly modified hKv1.5 current. All these results suggest that ebastine could represent a safer alternative to terfenadine in the clinical practice.     

N alpha-alkylated derivatives of 2-phenylhistamines: synthesis and in vitro activity of potent histamine H1-receptor agonists

New potent N alpha-alkylated histamine H1-receptor agonists have been prepared and functionally evaluated for partial agonist potency and selectivity. N alpha-Methyl-2-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)histamine contracts ileal segments and aortic rings of guinea-pig with a relative potency of 174% (95% confid. lim. 161-188%) and 217% (164-287%), respectively (histamine: 100%) and is the most potent H1 receptor agonist described so far.     

N alpha-methylhistamine inhibits intestinal transit in mice by central histamine H1 receptor activation

The effects of (R)alpha-methylhistamine and N alpha-methylhistamine on intestinal transit were examined in mice. The passage of a charcoal meal in the gastrointestinal tract was dose dependently inhibited by N alpha-methylhistamine (1-20 mg/kg i.p.), but not by a selective H3 receptor agonist (R)alpha-methyl-histamine (1-50 mg/kg i.p.). The inhibitory effect of N alpha-methylhistamine (20 mg/kg) was attenuated by pretreatment with H1 receptor antagonists (mepyramine 5 mg/kg i.p. or 5 micrograms i.c.v. and triprolidine 5 mg/kg i.p.), but not by cimetidine (10 mg/kg i.p.), zolantidine (5 mg/kg i.p.), a brain-penetrating H2 receptor antagonist, or thioperamide (5 mg/kg i.p.), a selective H3 receptor antagonist. The effect of N alpha-methylhistamine was also attenuated by combined treatment with phentolamine and propranolol (5 and 15 mg/kg s.c., respectively) and by pretreatment with 6-hydroxydopamine (20 mg/kg i.p., 2 days before). N alpha-Methylhistamine markedly decreased histamine turnover in the mouse brain. These findings suggest that intestinal transit is inhibited by N alpha-methylhistamine via stimulation of central H1 but not H3 receptors and that stimulation of the sympathetic system is involved in this effect.     

Cholecystokinin-A but not cholecystokinin-B receptor stimulation induces endogenous opioid-dependent antinociceptive effects in the hot plate test in mice

Change in cytosolic calcium ion level ([Ca2+]) after glutamate exposure was evaluated using fluo-3 on rat cortical neurons. The result showed that neurons that contain nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) were capable of blocking glutamate-induced rise in [Ca2+]. However, with the inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, NADPH-d-positive cells lost their ability to regulate [Ca2+], suggesting a possible role of nitric oxide in protecting this distinct class of neurons from glutamate neurotoxicity by inhibiting glutamate-induced calcium influx.     

Antidepressant-like effects of CCK(B) receptor antagonists: involvement of the opioid system

RB 101 (N-[(R,S)-2-benzyl-3-[(S)-2-amino-4-methylthiobutyldithio]-1-oxopr opyl]-L -phenylalaninebenzyl ester), a systemically active inhibitor of enkep halin catabolism, has been shown to elicit antidepressant-like effects in mice, both in the forced-swimming and in the conditioned suppression of the mobility tests. The same type of response has been also observed following administration of the cholecystokinin CCK(B) receptor antagonist L-365,260 ((3R)-(+)-N-(2,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2-oxo-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin -3-yl)-3 -methylphenylurea). In terestingly, the delta-opioid receptor antagonist naltrindole (17-cyclopropylmethyl-6,7-dehydro-4,5alpha-epoxy-3,14-dihydroxy-6, 7,2'-3'-indolomorphinan) blocks the effect of both RB 101 and L-365,260 in the conditioned suppression of the motility test. In this work we have investigated the involvement of the opioid system in the antidepressant response to the CCK(B) receptor antagonist L-365,260 in the forced-swimming test in mice. The effect of L-365,260 was decreased by the delta-opioid receptor antagonist naltrindole. Furthermore, the CCK(B) receptor agonist, BC 264 (Boc-Tyr(OSO3H)-gNle-mGly-Trp-(NMe)Nle-Asp-Phe-NH2), blocked the antidepressant-like effect of RB 101 while CCK-8 (H-Asp-Tyr(OSO3H)-Met-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-NH2) enhanced the effect of this drug, probably through stimulation of central CCK(A) receptors, since the CCK(A) receptor antagonist devazepide ((3S)-(-)-(2,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2-oxo-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin++ +-3-yl)-1H-indole-2 -carboxamide) abolished the CCK-8-induced potentiation of the RB 101 effect. In addition, RB 101 enhanced the effect of L-365,260. Such an effect was blocked by the delta-opioid receptor antagonist naltrindole. These data further support the involvement of opioid receptors in the antidepressant-type effect induced by CCK(B) receptor blockers and support the hypothesis of a regulatory role of CCK in the activity of the endogenous opioid system. As in other experimental paradigms, CCK(A) and CCK(B) receptor stimulation appears to have opposite effects in modulating opioidergic activity.     

H1- and H2-receptors for histamine in the ileum of the guinea pig

Clark's equation used in its inverted form (double reciprocal plots) was shown to be valid regarding the interaction of histamine with its receptors in the guinea-pig ileum. Burimamide, a typical H2-receptor antagonist potentiated the stimulating effect of small concentrations of histamine (10(-6) M) on the intestinal smooth muscle, probably, by blocking H2-receptors which may show the opposite effect. The calculated parameters of affinity (pKn) remained constant under different conditions. A linear correlation between length of the preparation and maximal contractions has been found.     

Characterization of the histamine H2 receptor structural components involved in dual signaling

We previously demonstrated that the histamine H2 receptor can activate both adenylate cyclase (AC) and phospholipase C (PLC) signaling pathways via separate GTP-dependent mechanisms. We examined whether H2 receptor-specific peptides corresponding to the amino (N) or carboxyl terminus (C) of the second (2i) or third (3i) intracytoplasmic loops or the carboxyl terminal tail (P4iN) could effect histamine- stimulated AC and PLC activity in cell membranes prepared from HEPA cells stably transfected to express the canine H2 histamine receptor cDNA. Tiotidine binding and basal signaling were not altered by the synthetic peptides. H2P2iN, H2P2iC, H2P3iN and H2P4iN did not effect histamine stimulated AC activity although H2P3iC (10(-4) M) significantly inhibited this parameter (65.6 +/- 7.2% of maximal stimulation) (n = 6). Combination of the five peptides (H2P2iN, H2P2iC, H2P3iN, H2P3iC and H2P4iN) abolished histamine stimulated AC activity. Although all of the peptides inhibited histamine-stimulated PLC activity to a moderate degree individually, H2P3iC (10(-4) M) had the greatest effect, decreasing PLC activation to 20.8 +/- 6.3% of maximal stimulation (IC50 = 7.5 X 10(-7) M) (n = 6). H2P3iC and the peptide combination did not alter, forskolin, GTP gamma s or epinephrine-stimulated AC activity nor GTP gamma s and vasopressin-stimulated PLC. These studies demonstrate that both the second and third intracytoplasmic loops of the histamine H2 receptor are linked to separate signaling pathways in a differential manner.     

The effects of 5-HT1A receptor agonists, 5-HT1A receptor antagonists and their interaction on the fear-potentiated startle response

Time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering (TR-SAXS) was used to monitor the structural changes that occur upon the binding of the natural substrates to a mutant version of the allosteric enzyme aspartate transcarbamoylase from Escherichia coli, in which the creation of a critical link stabilizing the R state of the enzyme is hindered. Previously, SAXS experiments at equilibrium showed that the structures of the unligated mutant enzyme and the mutant enzyme saturated with a bisubstrate analog are indistinguishable from the T and R state structures, respectively, of the wild-type enzyme (Tauc et al., Protein Sci. 3:1998-2004, 1994). However, as opposed to the wild-type enzyme, the combination of one substrate, carbamoyl phosphate, and succinate, an analog of aspartate, did not convert the mutant enzyme into the R state. By using TR-SAXS we have been able to study the transient steady-state during catalysis using the natural substrates rather than the nonreactive substrate analogs. The steady-state in the presence of saturating amount of substrates is a mixture of 60% T and 40% R structures, which is further converted entirely to R in the additional presence of ATP. These results provide a structural explanation for the reduced cooperativity observed with the mutant enzyme as well as for the stimulation by ATP at saturating concentrations of substrates. They also illustrate the crucial role played by domain motions and quaternary-structure changes for both the homotropic and heterotropic aspects of allostery.     

Pindolol does not act only on 5-HT1A receptors in augmenting antidepressant activity in the mouse forced swimming test

Hypocapnia produces cerebral vasoconstriction. The mechanisms involved in hypocapnia-induced elevation of vascular smooth muscle tone remain unclear. We addressed the hypothesis that, in cerebrovascular smooth muscle, increases in extracellular pH (pHo) cause increases in Ins(1,4,5)P3 and cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]c). Superfused primary cultures of piglet cerebral microvascular smooth muscle cells were exposed to artificial CSF (aCSF) of control (pHo 7. 4, PCO2 36 mm Hg), metabolic alkalosis (pHo 7.7, PCO2 36 mm Hg), or respiratory alkalosis (pHo 7.7, PCO2 19 mm Hg). Intracellular pH (pHi) and [Ca2+]c were measured, using BCECF and fura-2, respectively, with dual wavelength spectroscopy. Ins(1,4,5)P3 was determined by a protein binding assay. Both metabolic and respiratory acidosis treatments increased pHi from the control value of about 7.2 to 7.35. Metabolic and respiratory alkalosis increased Ins(1,4,5)P3, as we showed previously. Metabolic and respiratory alkalosis increased [Ca2+]c about 80% and 110%, respectively. Neither Ins(1,4,5)P3 nor [Ca2+]c increased in cells treated with aCSF that produced control pHo with increased pHi (7.3). In contrast, when pHo increased (7.7), but pHi was maintained at control (7.2), Ins(1,4,5)P3 increased from 123 pmol/well to 307 pmol/well and [Ca2+]c increased 46%. However, the increase of [Ca2+]c was less than with either respiratory or metabolic alkalosis. Thus, hypocapnia-induced cerebral vasoconstriction could involve production of Ins(1,4,5)P3 with resultant elevation in [Ca2+]c. While the Ins(1,4,5)P3 signal appears to be dependent on an increase in extracellular pH, a role for intracellular pH cannot be completely excluded.