Biphasic firing response of nucleus accumbens neurons elicited by THPB-18 and its correlation with DA receptor subtypes.

AIM: To investigate the possibility whether THPB-18 (l-12-shloroscoulerine) possesses the D1 agonist-D2 antagonist action on meso-accumbens-mPFC DA system. METHODS: Single unit spontaneous firing activity was recorded in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) neurons of naive and unilateral-6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned Sprague-Dawley rats. The effects of drugs applied intravenously or iontophoretically were determined by the change of firing rates. RESULTS: Under normal conditions, the systemic administration of THPB-18 produced a decrease-increase biphasic firing pattern in the NAc neurons during cumulative doses. High dose of THPB-18 was capable of reversing the inhibition induced by both D2 agonist LY171555 and D1/D2 agonist APO on NAc firing activity. Spiperone pretreatment could not block the high dose of THPB-18-induced firing rate increase, which was reversed by the D1 selective antagonist SCH23390. The tested NAc neurons were effectively inhibited by iontophoretically applied THPB-18 in 90 % of 6-OHDA-lesioned rats, while THPB-18 caused variable effects on the firing of NAc neurons in the neurons of unlesioned rats. The inhibitory effect of THPB-18 was blocked by iontophoretic application of SCH23390, but not D2 antagonist spiperone. CONCLUSION: Similar to L-stepholidine, THPB-18 also possesses the D1 agonistic-D2 antagonistic dual action on the VTA-NAc DA system.

Expression and enzyme activity determination of human cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in a baculovirus-insect cell system.

AIM: To develop an in vitro intact cell-based assay for screening selective cyclooxygenase inhibitors. METHODS: Human cyclooxygenase-1 (hCOX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (hCOX-2) genes were cloned from human monocyte cell line THP-1 cells and expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda (sf9) insect cell line by Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression systems. Infected sf9 cells were harvested 24 h post-infection (hpi), and distributed to a 24-well plate, preincubated with various nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and challenged with 10 mmol/L arachidonic acid; the cyclooxygenase activity was assessed indirectly by prostaglandin E2-specific radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Polymerase chain reaction detection demonstrated that hCOX-1 and hCOX-2 were transposed to the bacmid. Western blot analysis showed that infected sf9 cells could express hCOX-1 and hCOX-2 proteins. Radioimmunoassay demonstrated that both recombinant proteins functioned well in sf9 cells. CONCLUSION: Human cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 were successfully expressed in sf9 insect cell line. It can be utilized for the identification of potent and selective inhibitors of hCOX-1 and/or hCOX-2.

Serine racemase expression in mouse cerebral cortex after permanent focal cerebral ischemia.

AIM: To study the alterations of the expressions of serine racemase in C57BL/6 mouse brain after permanent focal cerebral ischemia. METHODS: The mRNA level and the protein level of serine racemase were assayed by semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. The amount of D-serine and L-serine were measured by HPLC. RESULTS: High levels of serine racemase were constitutively expressed in the normal cortex of mouse. At early stage after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), no significant change in expression of serine racemase was observed in temporoparietal cortex in ipsilateral hemisphere. However, delayed transient decreases of serine racemase in both mRNA and protein levels were detected from d 6 to d 10 after ischemia. Correspondingly, D-serine concentration also declined in the ipsilateral cortex during this period when compared with the D-serine level in the contralateral cortex. CONCLUSION: Delayed decreases in serine racemase expression and D-serine level occurred in the temporoparietal cortex at the late stage after focal cerebral ischemia.