New hexalactone derivatives and a pair of new oxaspiro-carbon epimeric glycosides from the fruits of Illicium lanceolatum.

Five new compounds (1-5), including three hexalactone derivatives (1-3) and a pair of new oxaspiro-carbon epimeric glycosides (4 and 5), and six known compounds (6-11) were obtained from the fruits of Illicium lanceolatum. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated using extensive spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of compounds 1-3 were determined by an analysis of their CD spectra. It was determined that compounds 4 and 5, which are epimeric at C-5, possess the same 1-oxaspiro[4,5]decane-7α,8α,9ß-triol moiety. Plausible biogenetic pathways for 4 and 5 derived from the key precursor shikimic acid were proposed. Compounds 1-11 were all assayed on monosodium glutamate-induced human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell damage. The results demonstrated that compounds 4, 5, and 8-10 possess potential neuroprotective effects. The anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and cytotoxic activities of 1-11 were also evaluated.

Probiotic strains of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria alter pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines production in rats with monosodium glutamate-induced obesity.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of probiotic strains of Lactobacillus casei IMV B-7280, Bifidobacterium animalis VKL, B. animalis VKB on the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines production in Wistar male rats with monosodium glutamate (MSG)-induced obesity. It was established that neonatal administration of MSG to rats leads to increasing levels of the interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-12, and to decreasing ofthe IL-4, IL-10 and tumor growthfactor (TGF)-ß levels in the bloodserum. After administration of the B. animalis VKL - B. animalis VKB - L. casei IMV B-7280 composition to obese rats the level of the IL-lP in blood serum wasn't differ from that in the obese rats, that didn't receive of the probiotic bacteria. But there was no statistically signifcant difference comparing with intact rats. The level of the IL-12B p4O in blood serum was decreased under influence of the B. animalis VKL - B. animalis VKB - L. casei IMV B-7280 composition (18.9%, p < 0.05) and B. animalis VKL (10.5%, p < 0.05) compared with obese rats, not receiving probiotic bacteria, but remained higher than in intact animals. After administration to obese rats ofthe B. animalis VKL - B. animalis VKB - L. casei IMV B-7280 composition the levels ofthe IL-4, IL- 10 and TGF-ß increased in blood serum comparing with obese rats, not receiving probiotic bacteria. The level of the IL-10 also increased under influence of the B. animalis VKB, and IL-4 - under influence of the L. casei IMVB-7280. Our results suggest that these probiotic bacteria and probiotic composition are able to down-regulation the inflammation in rats with MSG-induced obesity but the strongest anti-inflammatory effects have probiotic composition. The ability of lactobacilli and bifdobacteria to alter the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines production, opens perspectives to create new treatments for obesity and metabolic syndrome based on probiotics.

Antinociceptive action of diphenyl diselenide in the nociception induced by neonatal administration of monosodium glutamate in rats.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a neuroexcitatory amino acid commonly used as flavoring of foods. MSG neonatal administration to animals leads to behavioral and physiological disorders in adulthood, including increased pain sensitivity. This study aimed to investigate the effect of diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)2, an organoselenium compound with pharmacological properties already documented, on nociception induced by MSG. Newborn Wistar rats received 10 subcutaneous injections of MSG at a dose of 4.0g/kg or saline (once daily). At the 60th day of life, the rats were daily treated with (PhSe)2 (1mg/kg) or vehicle (canola oil) by the intragastric route for 7 days. The behavioral tests (locomotor activity, hot plate, tail-immersion and mechanical allodynia) were carried out. Ex vivo assays were performed in samples of hippocampus to determine Na(+), K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-ATPase activities, cytokine levels and [(3)H]glutamate uptake. The results demonstrated that MSG increased nociception in the hot plate test and in the mechanical allodynia stimulated by Von-Frey hair but did not alter the tail immersion test. (PhSe)2 reversed all nociceptive behaviors altered by MSG. MSG caused an increase in Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-ATPase activities and in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and a decrease in the anti-inflammatory cytokine and in the [(3)H]glutamate uptake. (PhSe)2 was effective in reversing all alterations caused by MSG. The results indicate that (PhSe)2 had a potential antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory action in the MSG model.

Monosodium glutamate neurotoxicity increases beta amyloid in the rat hippocampus: a potential role for cyclic AMP protein kinase.

BACKGROUND: Glutamate excitotoxicity and cyclic AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) are both recognized as important mediators in neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD). OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether oral or subcutaneous monosodium glutamate (MSG) neurotoxicity mimics some features of AD and whether these can be reversed by the AMPK activator Pioglitazone. METHODS: Male Wistar rats aged 5 weeks were administered oral or subcutaneous MSG for 10 days with or without daily oral Pioglitazone. Two additional groups given only saline orally or subcutaneously acted as controls. At age 10 weeks the rats were subjected to neurobehavioral testing, then sacrificed for measurement of AMPK, ß-amyloid and Fas ligand in the hippocampus. RESULTS: Oral and subcutaneous MSG both induced a lowering of hippocampal AMPK by 43% and 31% respectively (P<0.05 for both) and >2-fold increase in hippocampal Fas ligand, a mediator of apoptosis (P<0.001 for both). MSG treatment also induced a significant increase in ß-amyloid in the hippocampus by >4-fold and >5-fold in the oral and subcutaneous groups. This was associated with increased latency before crossing to the white half in the black-white alley and before the first rear in the holeboard test, suggesting increased anxiety. Pioglitazone decreased hippocampal ß-amyloid accumulation and Fas ligand, but did not ameliorate the neurobehavioural deficits induced by MSG. CONCLUSIONS: MSG treatment enhances ß-amyloid accumulation in the rat hippocampus. Our results suggest a role for AMPK reduction in mediating the neurotoxic effects of glutamate, including ß-amyloid accumulation.

Study of the interaction of glutamatergic and nitrergic signalling in conditions of the experimental airways hyperreactivity.

BACKGROUND: Glutamatergic and nitrergic system participate in the control of respiratory system functions. It is only little information regarding a possible interaction of both systems in the airways hyperractivity. We investigated the effect of agents modulating the activity of these systems on the experimental ovalbumin-induced airways hyperreactivity as well as on the changes of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) levels. METHODS: We used the agonists of NMDA receptors - N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) and monosodium glutamate (MSG), selective competitive antagonist (DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid - AP-5) and selective non-competitive antagonist (dizocilpine - MK-801) of these receptors. We used also non-specific inhibitor of NO synthases N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). The airways responsiveness to histamine or acetylcholine was evaluated under in vitro conditions. RESULTS: NMDA administration caused the increase of tracheal smooth muscle response in ovalbumin-induced hyperreactivity to acetylcholine. The effect of MSG was less pronounced. MK-801 as well as AP-5 provoked the decrease of reactivity mainly to acetylcholine in tracheal smooth muscle. We recorded the changes in eNO levels. The activation of NMDA receptor with NMDA or MSG increased eNO levels. The inhibition of NO synthase with L-NAME caused the fall of eNO levels. MK-801 shows (within the group) the more expressive effect in the eNO levels during sensitization than AP-5 group. CONCLUSION: The results confirm the possibility of NMDA receptors participation in the experimental airways hyperreactivity.

Evaluation of the 'liking' and 'wanting' properties of umami compound in rats.

Food reward is neurologically and psychologically divided into at least two properties; 'liking' and 'wanting'. Although umami taste enhances food palatability, the liking and wanting properties of umami taste, and the underlying neural mechanisms for these properties are not clear. Here, we compared sucrose (0, 10, 30, 120 and 480 mM) and monosodium l-glutamate (MSG; 0, 10, 30, 60 and 120 mM) solutions using a taste reactivity test to evaluate liking, and fixed/progressive-ratio operant licking tasks to evaluate wanting. To determine the underlying neural mechanisms, we also conducted systemic blockade of opioid receptors in both tests. In the taste reactivity test, the hedonic reactions to 30, 60 and 120 mM MSG were greater than those to water (0mM) but lower than those to 480 mM sucrose. In the operant task, the intake, number of licks, and breakpoint to MSG reached peaks at around 60mM but they were lower than those to 30-480 mM sucrose. The systemic naloxone treatment decreased the hedonic responses to MSG and sucrose, and reduced the incentive salience of MSG but not sucrose. These findings indicate that the hedonic response and incentive salience of MSG is lower than those of sucrose when compared at the maximum response and that the incentive salience of MSG is lower than sucrose even where the hedonic response is similar. The present study also suggest that the hedonic response and incentive salience of umami compound is modulated by brain opioid signaling.

The liaison of sweet and savory.

The sense of taste provides humans with necessary information about the composition and quality of food. For humans, five basic tastes are readily distinguishable and include sweet, bitter, salty, sour, and savory (or umami). Although each of these qualities has individualized transduction pathways, sweet and umami tastes are believed to share a common receptor element, the T1R3 receptor subunit. The two G-protein-coupled heteromer receptors that comprise an umami stimulus receptor (T1R1-T1R3) and a sweetener receptor (T1R2-T1R3) constitute a potential link between these two qualities of perception. While the role of the individual monomers in each human heteromer has been examined in vitro, very little is known of the implication of this research for human perception, or specifically, how sweet and savory taste perceptions may be connected. Using a psychophysical approach, we demonstrate that lactisole, a potent sweetness inhibitor that binds in vitro to hT1R3, also inhibits a significant portion of the perception of umami taste from monosodium glutamate. Following the molecular logic put forward by Xu et al. (2004, Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, 101, 14258-14263), our psychophysical data support the in vitro hypothesis that the shared T1R3 monomer moderates the activation of both T1R2 and T1R1 in humans and impairs suprathreshold perception, respectively, of sweetness and, to a lesser degree, umaminess in the presence of lactisole.

Potent protection of ferulic acid against excitotoxic effects of maternal intragastric administration of monosodium glutamate at a late stage of pregnancy on developing mouse fetal brain.

The present study was conducted to investigate a possible protection of ferulic acid against excitotoxic effects of maternal intragastric (ig) administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG) at a late stage of pregnancy on developing mouse fetal brain. [(3)H]-labeled glutamate was used as radiotracer to study the effect of ferulic acid on distribution of MSG in mouse fetal brain. MSG dissolved in distilled water (2.0 g/kg body weight, 640 kBq of [(3)H]glutamate/mouse, ig) or/and sodium ferulate (SF) (20, 40, 80 mg/kg body weight, ip), was given to pregnant mice at 17-19 days; the distribution of [(3)H] glutamate in the mouse fetal brains was measured at 30, 60, 90, 120 min after administration of MSG or/and SF. Maternal mice were given MSG (1.0, 2.0, 4.0 g/kg body weight, ig) or/and SF (20, 40, 80 mg/kg body weight, ip) simultaneously at 17-19 days of pregnancy, and then behavioral tests and histopathological observations were used to analyze glutamate-induced functional and morphological changes of the brains of their offspring, and Western blot analysis was performed for examining expressions of bcl-2 and caspase-3. The results showed that SF obviously inhibited the uptake of labeled glutamate in fetal brain. In addition, SF countered the effects of MSG on behavior, histopathology, genetic toxicity, and expression of apoptosis-related gene. The results suggest that ferulic acid is a novel competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist and neuroprotector. In conclusion, maternal administration of ferulic acid has potent protective effects against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in their filial mice.

Inhibition of short-term memory formation in the chick by blockade of extracellular glutamate uptake.

Injection of monosodium glutamate (40nmol/hemisphere) into the intermediate hyperstriatum ventrale of the day-old chick inhibits the formation of short-term memory for a single trial learning that discriminates between colours of beads. These experiments showed that an excess of glutamate close to learning could be damaging to memory. In the present experiments we have blocked the normal reuptake of glutamate and suggest that glutamate release plays a role in normal learning. Removal of glutamate, released from presynaptic neurones during learning, is achieved by various neuronal and astrocytic glutamate transporters. By blocking the primarily astrocytic removal of glutamate by the injection of L-aspartic acid beta-hydroxamate, we effectively increased extrasynaptic levels of glutamate and inhibited short-term memory in a similar manner to central injection of 40nmol glutamate per hemisphere. These experiments suggest that glutamate release within 2.5min of the learning experience is an important feature of short-term memory formation.

Serofendic acid prevents acute glutamate neurotoxicity in cultured cortical neurons.

We have previously reported that a novel neuroprotective substance named serofendic acid was purified and isolated from ether extract of fetal calf serum. In the present study, we investigated the effect of serofendic acid on acute neurotoxicity induced by L-glutamate (Glu) using primary cultures of rat cortical neurons. Exposure of cortical cultures to Glu for 1 h caused a marked decrease in cell viability, as determined by trypan blue exclusion. This acute Glu neurotoxicity was prevented by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, extracellular Ca(2+) removal, nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor and NO scavenger. Serofendic acid prevented acute Glu neurotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner. Acute neurotoxicity was induced by ionomycin, a Ca(2+) ionophore, and S-nitroso-L-cysteine, an NO donor. Serofendic acid also prevented both ionomycin- and S-nitroso-L-cysteine-induced neurotoxicity. Moreover, the protective effect of serofendic acid on acute Glu neurotoxicity was not affected by cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, and actinomycin D, an RNA synthesis inhibitor. These results indicate that serofendic acid protects cultured cortical neurons from acute Glu neurotoxicity by reducing the cytotoxic action of NO and de novo protein synthesis is not required for this neuroprotection.

Inhibitory effects of melatonin on free intracellular calcium in mouse brain cells.

AIM: To study the effects of melatonin (Mel) on cortical intrasynaptosomal calcium concentration in old mice and on [Ca2+]i elevation induced by Bay-K-8644, KCl, and sodium l-glutamate in isolated brain cells of neonatal mouse, and to determine the antiaging mechanism of Mel. METHODS: [Ca2+]i was measured in an RF-5000 recording spectrofluorophotometer by preloading the synaptosomes or cells with Fura 2-AM. RESULTS: Long term of administrating Mel inhibited the overload of [Ca2+]i in old mouse cerebral cortex. The [Ca2+]i in both high (20 mg.L-1) and low dose (1 mg.L-1) of Mel groups was reduced from (434 +/- 32) nmol. L-1 (the older control group) to (330 +/- 41) and (313 +/- 56) nmol.L-1, respectively, P < 0.01. Mel 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 3 mumol.L-1 remarkably reduced [Ca2+]i elevations in isolated newborn mouse brain cells induced by Bay-K-8644, KCl, and Glu. CONCLUSIONS: The inhibitory effect of Mel on neuronal [Ca2+]i overload is involved in its antiaging effect.

l-S.R-daurisoline protects cultured hippocampal neurons against glutamate neurotoxicity by reducing nitric oxide production.

AIM: To explore mechanisms of l-S.R-daurisoline (DS)-mediated protection of cultured hippocampal neurons from sodium glutamate (Glu) cytotoxicity. METHODS: Cultured neurons obtained from rat hippocampus were used to examine the protective effect of DS against Glu neurotoxicity. Cell viability was estimated using trypan blue dye exclusion method and [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assay. Release of nitric oxide (NO) from the hippocampus was assayed using rat thoracic aorta in vitro. RESULTS: DS 0.01-10 mumol.L-1 concentration-dependently inhibited Glu cytotoxicity and increased cell viability with 50% prevention of cell death 2.8 mumol.L-1 (95% confidence limit 1.2-5.9 mumol.L-1). This protection was mostly attenuated by L-arginine (Arg) 1 mmol.L-1. DS 0.01-10 mumol.L-1 did not prevent sodium nitropusside (SNP) 500 mumol.L-1-induced cytotoxicity. DS 10 mumol.L-1 blocked Glu-elicited relaxation of the endothelium-denued rat aortic rings contracted by norepinephrine (NE) 10 mumol.L-1 in the presence of hippocampal tissue, but did not affect that induced by SNP. This indicated that DS inhibited Glu-triggered NO generation but did not prevent the effects of NO. CONCLUSION: DS prevented neurons from Glu neurotoxicity by inhibiting Glu-triggered NO generation.

Effects of hyperin on free intracellular calcium in dissociated neonatal rat brain cells.

AIM: To study the effects of hyperin (Hyp) on free intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) of brain cells. METHODS: The neonatal rat brain cells were dissociated. [Ca2+]i in presence and absence of extracellular high K+, L-glutamic acid (Glu), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and norepinephrine (NE) were assayed with Fura 2-AM. RESULTS: The resting [Ca2+]i in Hanks' solution (CaCl2 1.3 mmol.L-1) was (208 +/- 12) nmol.L-1 (n = 17). Hyp had no significant effects on the resting [Ca2+]i. Hyp 1.0, 4.0, and 16.0 mumol.L-1 markedly inhibited the increase of [Ca2+]i evoked by K+ 50 mmol.L-1 in a concentration-dependent manner. Hyp 16.0 mumol.L-1 inhibited the increases of [Ca2+]i induced by NE 1, 2, 4, and 8 mumol.L-1. Hyp (16.0 mumol.L-1) also markedly attenuated 5-HT and Glu-induced increase of [Ca2+]i. CONCLUSION: Hyp possessed inhibitory effects on influx of Ca2+ in the neonatal rat brain cells.

Inhibitory effects of 8-(N,N-diethylamino)-n-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8) on intracellular Ca2+ elevated by neurotransmitters in brain cells.

AIM: To study the effects of TMB-8 on [Ca2+]i elevation induced by neurotransmitters in dissociated brain cells. METHODS: The brain cell suspension was made using a gentle trituration for 1 min with a polished pipette. The changes of [Ca2+]i were detected by the fluorescent indicator, Fura 2-AM. RESULTS: In the presence of extracellular Ca2+ 1.3 mmol.L-1, sodium glutamate (Glu), histamine (His), and serotonin (5-HT) markedly increased the [Ca2+]i which were reduced by TMB-8 30 mumol.L-1. TMB-8 3 mumol.L-1 produced inhibitory effects on the increase of [Ca2+]i by His and 5-HT in a Ca(2+)-free Hanks' solution. The increase of [Ca2+]i by His and 5-HT was reduced to control level by TMB-8 10 mumol.L-1. CONCLUSION: TMB-8 inhibited the [Ca2+]i elevation induced by Glu, 5-HT, and His in brain cells.

L-pyroglutamic acid protects rat cortical neurons against sodium glutamate-induced injury.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of L-pyroglutamic acid (L-PGA, L-5-oxo-2-pyrrolidinecaroxylic acid) on sodium glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in rat cortical neurons. METHODS: In primary cortical cultures from 16-d-old fetal rat, neuronal viability and contents of nitrite in the bathing medium after transient exposure to sodium glutamate (Glu) were measured; with Fura 2-AM as an intracellular calcium indicator, AR-CM-MIC cation measurement system was used to examine cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i). RESULTS: L-PGA 10-80 mumol.L-1, inhibited Glu (500 mumol.L-1)-induced neuronal loss in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 value of (41 +/- 9) mumol.L-1 (95% confidence limits: 30.3-54.7 mumol.L-1). L-PGA also attenuated Glu-induced NO release. L-PGA 1, 3, 10, 30, and 100 mumol.L-1 depressed Glu-caused [Ca2+]i elevation by 20.5%, 34.4%, 47.7%, 70.6%, and 80.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: L-PGA protects cortical neurons against Glu-induced neurotoxity which may be related to inhibition of NO formation or suppression of the rise in [Ca2+]i.

Effects of allitridi on intracellular Ca2+ concentration in isolated rat brain cells.

AIM: To study actions of allitridi extracted from garlic on intracellular calcium in isolated rat brain cells. METHODS: Brain cells were isolated from newborn rat brain with Fura 2-AM measurements of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). RESULTS: Allitridi 1-100 mumol.L-1 concentration-dependently blocked increases of [Ca2+]i caused by potassium chloride and sodium glutamate (Glu) with IC50 of 59.7 and 69.9 mumol.L-1 respectively. Allitridi 100 mumol.L-1 blocked norepinephrine (Nor)-induced [Ca2+]i elevation. CONCLUSION: Allitridi is an effective agent for blocking the [Ca2+]i increase caused by potassium chloride, Nor and Glu.

Effects of puerarin against glutamate excitotoxicity on cultured mouse cerebral cortical neurons.

AIM: To study the effects of puerarin (Pue) against injury of cultured neurons by sodium glutamate (Glu). METHODS: Neuronal damage induced by Glu, N-methyl-D-asparate (NMDA), and kainic acid (KA), as well as the actions of Pue and some excitatory amino acid antagonists (EAAA), were measured by determining the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from nerve cells. RESULTS: The 24-h leakage of LDH was increased from cells exposed either to Glu 100 and 500 mumol.L-1 for 15 min (from 20 +/- 4 kU/g protein in control group to 35 +/- 3 kU/g protein in Glu 100 mumol.L-1 group and to 46 +/- 6 kU/g protein in Glu 500 mumol.L-1 group) or to NMDA 500 mumol.L-1 or KA 500 mumol.L-1 for 45 min (from 19 +/- 4 kU/g protein in control group to 27 +/- 3 kU/g protein in NMDA group and to 30 +/- 5 kU/g protein in KA group). Pre and post-treatment with Pue (100 mumol.L-1) decreased the leakage of LDH, which was similar to the effects of EAAA kynurenic acid (from 35 +/- 3 kU/g protein in Glu 100 mumol.L-1 to 20 +/- 5 kU/g protein in kynurenic acid group and to 22 +/- 3 kU/g protein in Pue group), DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV) (from 27 +/- 3 kU/g protein in NMDA damaged group to 183 kU/g protein in APV group and to 19 +/- 5 kU/g protein in Pue group) or 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3(1H,4H)-diane (DNQX) (from 30 +/- 5 kU/g protein in KA damaged control to 22 +/- 5 kU/g protein in DNQX group and to 20 +/- 4 kU/g protein in Pue group). Post-treatment with Pue (100 mumol.L-1) was able to reduce 24-h leakage of LDH from neurons expos ed to Glu 100 mumol.L-1 for 15 min (from 35 +/- 3 kU/g protein to 27 +/- 4 kU/g protein). CONCLUSION: Pue had protective effects on neurons damaged by Glu, NMDA, or KA.

[Effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on cultured spiral ganglion cells following glutamate treatment].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on survival and neurogenesis of the cultured spiral ganglion cell (SGC) of mouse after exposed to glutamate, and the effects of hFGF and glutamate on free intracellular calcium ion concentration. METHODS: After exposed to 2 x 10(-2) mol/L glutamate for 2 hours, the medium of SGC was replaced with the media containing 25, 50, 100 micrograms/L bFGF. Medium without bFGF was used as control. RESULTS: Twenty-four hours later, more cells in the control group showed signs of cell death than in bFGF groups. After 14 days, specimens were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and stained with toluidine blue. It was shown that the SGC in medium with bFGF exhibited more survival and longer neurites, and the effect was dose dependent (P < 0.01). Application of glutamate to the medium induced an increase to the the free intracellular calcium ion concentration in SGC, but bFGF had no such effect. CONCLUSION: Glutamate excitotoxicity was associated with free intracellular calcium ion concentration elevation in SGC, and bFGF could protect SGC against glutamate neurotoxicity.

Effects of neonatal administration of octreotide, a long-lasting somatostatin analogue, on growth hormone regulation in the adult rat.

The pulsatile pattern of GH secretion slowly develop in the postnatal period concomitantly with the dual network of GHRH and somatostatin (SRIH) hypothalamic neurons. We investigated whether an early postnatal treatment with a long acting SRIH analogue, octreotide, could affect maturation and subsequent operation of those networks in the adult rat. Octreotide administration (5 mu g/rat SC) every other day during the first 10 days of life resulted in growth retardation in the adult. In parallel, the amplitude of plasma GH secretory episodes in free moving unanesthetized animals was markedly reduced. The numbers of arcuate GHRH mRNA-containing and periventricular SRIH-mRNA containing neurons were not affected by the treatment. GHRH mRNA levels per neuron however was decreased by 30%, and median eminence GHRH stores by 50%. SRIH expression in the arcuate nucleus was also diminished, as was the number of 125I-SRIH labeled neurons in that nucleus. The effects of octreotide were compared to the hyposomatotropinemia induced by administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG), every other day during the first 10 days of life. Growth retardation and inhibition of GH secretory episodes in adult rats neonatally treated with MSG were slightly more pronounced than after octreotide. In contrast to octreotide, MSG induced a massive loss of GHRH neurons and a concomitant decrease in 125I-SRIH binding. Somatostatin did not protect GHRH neurons against the neurotoxic action of MSG since octreotide treatment did not further affect any of the parameters impaired by MSG. In conclusion, these experiments demonstrate that neonatally injected octreotide cannot counteract the toxic effect of MSG on arcuate neurons. However, a neonatal treatment with the SRIH agonist affects permanently growth rate and GH pulsatility. This effect is mediated in the hypothalamus by permanently impairing the neural networks that control GH secretion.

Differential regional effects of ketamine on spontaneous and glutamate-induced activities of single CNS neurones in rats.

Ketamine and L-glutamate were applied microiontophoretically to neurones of several central nervous system (CNS) structures in urethane anaesthetized Wistar rats. The spontaneous single-unit activities of all the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 neurones were suppressed by ketamine in an iontophoretic current-dependent manner. The spontaneous single-unit activities of eight of nine neurones in the thalamus were not affected by ketamine and suppressed in one. Spontaneous neurone activities in the midbrain reticular formation were not significantly affected by ketamine. Spontaneous activities of the cerebellar Purkinje cell were suppressed by ketamine in four of eight neurones. L-Glutamate excited all 13 hippocampal and nine thalamic neurones in a current-dependent manner. L-Glutamate-induced excitation of all CA1, CA3 and thalamic neurones was inhibited by ketamine. The inhibitory effects of ketamine on L-glutamate-induced excitation were dependent on the injection current intensity, although the sensitivity of thalamic neurones to the injection current was approximately three times that of hippocampal neurones. We conclude that the effects of ketamine on spontaneous activities of neurones vary according to the brain region, probably because of the distribution of NMDA receptors. Moreover, the actions of the drug on NMDA receptors appear to differ between the hippocampus and thalamus. These regionally differential actions of ketamine may reflect characteristics of anaesthesia induced by this drug.