Inflammation as a causative factor in the aetiology of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting mainly the elderly, although a small proportion of PD patients develop the illness at a much younger age. In the former group, idiopathic PD patients, the causes of the illness have been the subject of longstanding debate with environmental toxins, mitochondrial dysfunction, abnormal protein handling and oxidative stress being suggested. One problem has been that the epidemiology of PD has offered few clues to provide evidence for a single major causative factor. Comparatively recently it has been found that in both patients and experimental models of PD in animals neuroinflammation appears to be a ubiquitous finding. These cases present with all of the classical features of inflammation including phagocyte activation, increased synthesis and release of proinflammatory cytokines and complement activation. Although this process is vital for normal function and protection in both the CNS, as in the periphery, it is postulated that in the aetiology of PD this process may spiral out of control with over activation of microglia, over production of cytokines and other proinflammatory mediators as well as the release of destructive molecules such as reactive oxygen species. Given that dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra are relatively vulnerable to 'stress' and the region has a large population of microglia in comparison to other CNS structures, these events may easily trigger neurodegeneration. These factors are examined in this review along with a consideration of the possible use of anti-inflammatory drugs in PD.

Glutamatergic control over brain dopamine release in vivo and in vitro.

Substantial evidence supports an important role for the excitatory neurotransmitter L-glutamate as a modulator of dopamine release in the central nervous system. All of the established glutamate receptor subtypes identified to date have been implicated in the regulation of dopamine release. It appears that glutamate can exert both facilitatory and inhibitory control over dopamine release and that this may be both phasic and tonic in nature. This regulatory role suggests that drugs acting at glutamate receptors may be potentially useful therapeutic agents in neurological disorders such as parkinsonism and schizophrenia.

Repeated but not acute clomipramine decreases the effect of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation on serotonergic transmission between the raphe nuclei and frontal cortex.

The effect of acute or repeated treatment with the antidepressant clomipramine (CIM) on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) evoked changes in extracellular 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the raphe nuclei and frontal cortex of the same rat has been studied using microdialysis. Acute injection of CIM (10 or 20 mg/kg) caused an increase in raphe extracellular 5-HT but did not significantly alter extracellular 5-HT in the frontal cortex. Infusion of 25 microM NMDA into the raphe decreased extracellular 5-HT in this region and increased terminal extracellular 5-HT in the frontal cortex. In contrast, infusion of 100 microM NMDA into the raphe was followed by an increase in local dialysate 5-HT and a decrease in 5-HT release in the cortex. When NMDA infusion, at either 25 or 100 microM was preceded by one acute injection of CIM the effects of NMDA on 5-HT release in both brain structures were generally more marked than in vehicle injected controls. Repeated (15 day) treatment with CIM (10 or 20 mg/kg) caused a dose-dependent increase in basal extracellular 5-HT in both raphe and frontal cortex. In these animals, however, the effects of infusion of both 25 and 100 microM NMDA on 5-HT release in raphe and frontal cortex were greatly attenuated or abolished. This suggests that adaptive functional changes occur in NMDA receptor function during treatment with an antidepressant. The possible significance of this in the aetiology and treatment of depression is discussed.

The effect of the novel antidepressant tianeptine on the concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine in rat hippocampal dialysates in vivo.

Tianeptine is a novel tricyclic antidepressant which, in marked contrast to other antidepressants, increases the uptake of 5-HT in brain tissue and blood platelet preparations ex vivo. In the present study it was shown, by microdialysis, that tianeptine (10 mg/kg i.p.), whether given as a single dose or as daily doses for 14 days, attenuated the K(+)-evoked rise of extracellular 5-HT in the hippocampus in vivo. Tianeptine (10 mg/kg i.p.), given acutely, did not reduce basal levels of 5-HT in hippocampal dialysates in the presence of the 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, citalopram. These results suggest mutually opposing effects of tianeptine and citalopram on neuronal uptake of 5-HT. Their significance in relation to the role of 5-HT in the action of antidepressants is discussed.

Effect of intracranial pressure on cerebrospinal fluid formation in isolated brain ventricles.

The effect of intracranial pressure on cerebrospinal fluid formation has been studied in cats by ventricular perfusion with the aqueduct of Sylvius blocked (isolated ventricular perfusion). It has been found that intracranial pressure has a considerable effect on the rate of cerebrospinal fluid formation, while increases in pressure cause a significant and prolonged decrease in cerebrospinal fluid formation. The effect was observed in animals whether they were initially perfused under lower or under higher intracranial pressure. Cerebrospinal fluid absorption has been studied under the above conditions and it has been noted that the ventricles are capable of significant cerebrospinal fluid absorption, since in isolated ventricles cerebrospinal fluid formation and absorption were in balance at physiological intracranial pressure. In addition, cerebrospinal fluid formation rate within the isolated brain ventricles has been compared with the formation rate in the whole cerebrospinal fluid system. Since only about 30% of the total cerebrospinal fluid formation was observed by isolated ventricular perfusion, it seems that the brain ventricles are not the exclusive site of cerebrospinal fluid formation.

Tonic desensitization of hippocampal alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors regulates 5-hydroxytryptamine release in vivo.

Strong evidence implicates glutamate as an excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. In the present study we have investigated the effects of different concentrations of the excitatory amino acid agonist alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid on release of 5-hydroxytryptamine in rat hippocampus using in vivo microdialysis. Infusion of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid at 1 microM led to an increase in dialysate 5-hydroxytryptamine. In contrast 100 microM alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid decreased extracellular 5-hydroxytryptamine, collected in 30 min samples, and this decrease was sustained for several hours. alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor desensitization is well documented in vitro, and is reversed by the drug diazoxide. We therefore studied the possibility that this was occurring in hippocampus in vivo. Collection of dialysates at 5 min time intervals revealed a brief increase in dialysate 5-hydroxytryptamine in response to 100 microM alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid, although basal level of 5-hydroxytryptamine was below the level of detection. When 100 microM agonist was co-infused with 500 microM diazoxide, a substantial and prolonged increase in dialysate 5-hydroxytryptamine was seen. Diazoxide alone was observed to cause an increase in extracellular 5-hydroxytryptamine. Diazoxide is known to active ATP-dependent K+ channels, however, cromakalim (100 microM), an activator of ATP-dependent K+ channels, reduced hippocampal 5-hydroxytryptamine release, suggesting that the effect of diazoxide is not the result of such an action.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of tianeptine on stress-induced behavioural deficits and 5-HT dependent behaviour.

The novel tricyclic antidepressant drug tianeptine had an antidepressant-like effect on a rat model of depression based on the deficit in open field activity observed on the day after 2 h restraint. Thus, when tianeptine (10 mg/kg IP) was given 2 h after the end of the restraint to either untreated rats or to animals previously given 10 mg/kg of the drug per day for 13 days, then the deficit was opposed. Tianeptine, given acutely but not chronically, moderately enhanced the 5-HT1C receptor-dependent hypolocomotor effect of m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) but did not alter other 5-HT1 receptor subtype-dependent behaviour. Acute but not chronic tianeptine also decreased 5-HT2 receptor-dependent body shakes induced by 5-hydroxytryptophan. Shakes induced by the 5-HT2 agonist 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2 aminopropane (DOI) were unaffected. The results are discussed in relation to the possible mechanism of antidepressant action of tianeptine.

AMPA receptors modulate extracellular 5-hydroxytryptamine concentration and metabolism in rat striatum in vivo.

We have investigated the effects of infusing the excitatory amino acid agonist alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) on extracellular levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in rat striatum using in vivo microdialysis. AMPA (50-500 microM) caused a concentration-dependent increase in extracellular 5-HT, while having the converse effect on 5-HIAA. At the highest agonist dose the decrease in dialysate 5-HIAA was followed by a significant increase in this metabolite. Two hundred micromolar 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX), a competitive non-NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist, reversed the effects of a 100 microM AMPA on dialysate 5-HT and 5-HIAA. Co-infusion of AMPA with tetrodotoxin (TTX) abolished the effects of 100 microM AMPA, but only partially reversed the effect of 500 microM AMPA on 5-HT release. We have also investigated whether AMPA receptor desensitization, a well documented event, plays a role in AMPA receptor modulation of striatal 5-HT release. Diazoxide (500 microM), a drug which prevents AMPA receptor desensitization, failed to augment the effect of 100 microM AMPA on 5-HT release. Diazoxide alone significantly decreased 5-HT release, as did the drug cromakalim (100 microM), probably as a result of their common action as activators of ATP-dependent K+ channels. It is concluded that AMPA receptors play a role in regulating both 5-HT release and metabolism in rat striatum. However, AMPA receptor desensitization does not appear to play a role in this process in this structure.

The regulation of NMDA-evoked dopamine release by nitric oxide in the frontal cortex and raphe nuclei of the freely moving rat.

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-regulated release of dopamine (DA) in the frontal cortex and raphe nuclei of the freely moving rat was measured using in vivo microdialysis. The effects of infusing the NMDA antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP5; 100 microM), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7NI; 1 mM) or the nitric oxide donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP; 500 microM-5 mM) were studied. The infusion of NMDA caused a significant decrease in DA levels in both regions and these effects were reversed by AP5. AP5 alone was seen to increase DA, indicating that NMDA receptors tonically regulate DA release in these brain regions. 7NI also increased extracellular DA levels when administered alone and reversed the effects of NMDA in both regions. The NO donor SNAP (500 microM(-1) mM) caused a dose-dependent decrease in extracellular DA in the RN. However in the frontal cortex the highest concentration of SNAP caused extracellular dopamine to increase. These results suggest that the regulation of NMDA-evoked DA release by NO occurs in both of the brain regions studied, although the manner in which the regulation occurs seems to differ between the two.

Effect of tetanus toxin on basal and evoked release of 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine in rat hippocampus in vivo.

Tetanus toxin is a potent neurotoxin which produces seizures and usually death in mammals. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of tetanus toxin on extracellular basal and evoked release of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA) and their metabolites in vivo, 7 days after toxin injection into the hippocampus of rats. Tetanus toxin decreased both basal and evoked release of 5-HT and DA. The 5-HT metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) was not significantly decreased in the extracellular space. Of the DA metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) concentration was decreased while that of homovanillic acid (HVA) was unchanged. These findings are considered in light of the possible contributory role that a decrease in monoamine concentration in the hippocampus might have in the effects of tetanus toxin.

N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors regulate 5-HT release in the raphe nuclei and frontal cortex of freely moving rats: differential role of 5-HT1A autoreceptors.

The effects of infusing N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) into the raphe nuclei on release of 5-HT in this brain region and also the frontal cortex of the same animal were studied using in vivo microdialysis in freely moving rats. Infusion of 25 microM NMDA into the raphe led to a substantial decrease in dialysate 5-HT in this region and a prolonged increase in terminal 5-HT release in the frontal cortex. These effects were blocked by the specific NMDA receptor antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (D-AP5; 100 microM). When 25 microM NMDA was co-infused into the raphe with the selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist (N-¿2-¿4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl¿ethyl-N-(2-pyridinyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide) (WAY-100635; 1.0 microM) the effect of NMDA infusion was unaltered. WAY-100635 infused alone into the raphe did not alter local 5-HT or extracellular 5-HT in the cortex. Infusion of 100 microM NMDA into the raphe was followed by an increase in local dialysate 5-HT and a decrease in 5-HT release in the cortex. These changes were reversed by D-AP5. Following infusion of 100 microM NMDA with 1.0 microM WAY-100635 into the raphe local 5-HT release was still increased, however, the decrease in 5-HT observed in the frontal cortex was abolished. These data suggest that the degree of NMDA receptor activation leads to dramatically different outcomes with regard to serotonergic transmission to the frontal cortex. Furthermore, there appears to be a differential role of the 5-HT1A autoreceptor in regulating these effects. These data are discussed in relation to other studies on the regulation of serotonergic transmission in ascending pathways.

Chronic clomipramine administration reverses NMDA-evoked decreases in dopamine release in the raphe nuclei.

The effect of acute or chronic treatment with the antidepressant clomipramine (CIM) on basal and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) evoked release of dopamine (DA) in rat raphe has been studied using microdialysis. Acute injection of CIM (10 or 20 mg/kg) caused a decrease in raphe DA release, as did infusion of NMDA (25-100 microM) into this region. When NMDA infusion was preceded by a single acute injection of CIM no differences between NMDA and NMDA plus CIM treated groups was observed. Chronic (15 day) treatment with CIM caused a dose-dependent increase in basal extracellular DA. In addition the effect of infusing NMDA into the raphe on DA release was markedly reduced or abolished. This suggests that adaptive changes occur in NMDA receptor function during treatment with CIM.

Reduction of quantal size by vesamicol (AH5183), an inhibitor of vesicular acetylcholine storage.

Isolated unparalysed mouse phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparations were indirectly stimulated in the presence of 2-(4-phenylpiperidino)cyclohexanol (AH5183, vesamicol). Spontaneous miniature endplate potentials were subsequently studied. They exhibited a large depression of amplitude which was more profound at higher stimulation frequencies and drug concentration. No post-junctional effects of the drug were observed. Since the drug blocks storage of acetylcholine by isolated synaptic vesicles, it is argued that the results support the theory of vesicular release of acetylcholine.

N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors modulate extracellular dopamine concentration and metabolism in rat hippocampus and striatum in vivo.

The effects of infusing N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), and the specific NMDA receptor antagonist D-2-amino-5-phosphono-propionic acid (D-AP5) into rat hippocampus and striatum on extracellular dopamine (DA) and its metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) were studied using intracerebral microdialysis. In striatum NMDA increased DA extracellularly in a concentration-dependent manner. Against a 10 microM concentration of NMDA the increase in striatal DA was opposed by D-AP5 (10 microM in all experiments), which when infused alone significantly reduced DA concentration. Infusion of NMDA altered DOPAC level in a complex manner, with 10 microM concentration causing a significant increase 2 h after infusion, while 100 microM NMDA caused a transient decrease in the metabolite. None of treatments altered striatal dialysate HVA. In hippocampus NMDA infusion decreased dialysate DA in a concentration-dependent manner, and the decrease caused by 10 microM NMDA was reversed by D-AP5. When given alone the antagonist was without effect. NMDA infusion elevated hippocampal dialysate DOPAC and HVA, while HVA was decreased following D-AP5 infusion. These data indicate that DA release is regionally controlled by excitatory amino acids, but in differential manner.

The effect of sodium valproate on extracellular GABA and other amino acids in the rat ventral hippocampus: an in vivo microdialysis study.

We report the effects of i.p. administration of sodium valproate (VPA) on extracellular concentrations of various amino acids in the rat ventral hippocampus studied using in vivo microdialysis, followed by HPLC with fluorometric detection. At the doses used (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg), VPA had no effect on extracellular aspartate, glutamine and taurine, whilst inducing a small, but not statistically significant increase in glutamate at 200 and 400 mg/kg. In contrast, VPA administration produced a biphasic effect on extracellular GABA levels which was dependent on the dose used. At 100 mg/kg, VPA reduced GABA concentrations by 50% when compared to basal. 200 mg/kg VPA had virtually no effect, whilst 400 mg/kg VPA raised extracellular GABA levels to 200% of basal. The results are discussed in relation to the known pharmacological and anticonvulsant actions of VPA.

Impulse-dependent and tetrodotoxin-sensitive release of GABA in the rat's substantia nigra measured by microdialysis.

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) release in the rat substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNR) was studied by microdialysis coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography and fluorimetric detection. Electrical stimulation of striatonigral axons in the internal capsule (IC) increased nigral GABA release in conscious and halothane-anaesthetized rats. This was prevented by intranigral infusion of tetrodotoxin (TTX) while basal GABA release was unaffected. Calcium-free, cobalt-containing (2 mM CoCl2) artificial cerebrospinal fluid reduced basal GABA overflow but not that evoked with high K+ (100 mM). Extracellular levels of glutamate (GLU) and taurine (TAU) were not modified by IC stimulation, TTX or 0 Ca2+ although high K+ promoted GABA and TAU release but not that of GLU. These data demonstrate an impulse-and sodium-dependent release of GABA from nigral afferent neurones which contribute little to the extracellular concentration of GABA under steady-state conditions.

Extracellular levels of glutamate and aspartate in the entopeduncular nucleus of the rat determined by microdialysis: regulation by striatal dopamine D2 receptors via the indirect striatal output pathway?

This study used intracerebral microdialysis to monitor the outputs of excitatory amino acids in the entopeduncular nucleus (EPN) of conscious or halothane-anaesthetized rats, in an attempt to obtain direct biochemical evidence for the theory that neuronal inputs to the EPN by the indirect striatal output pathway are glutamatergic and regulated primarily by dopamine D2 receptors in the striatum. In dopamine-intact animals, both glutamate and asparate were readily detectable in EPN dialysates. Recoveries of both amino acids were increased bilaterally by local perfusion with veratridine (100 microM, given under halothane anaesthesia), pretreatment with reserpine (4 mg/kg, i.p., 24 h beforehand), unilateral pretreatment of the medial forebrain bundle with 6-OHDA (8 microg/4 microl), and by the systemic (1 mg/kg, i.p.) or bilateral intrastriatal (7 microg/0.5 microl under halothane anaesthesia) administration of the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist haloperidol, but not raclopride (2 mg/kg, i.p.). The dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 was ineffective both systemically (0.25 mg/kg, i.p.) and intrastriatally (0.125 microg/0.5 microl/side), as also were control intrastriatal injections of saline (0.5 microl/side). By contrast, the dopamine D2/3 receptor agonist quinpirole (4 mg/kg, i.p.) lowered the outputs of glutamate and aspartate in the EPN of reserpine-treated and normal individuals, whilst the dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF 38393 (30 mg/kg, i.p.) was inactive; however, both drugs caused behavioural arousal. The dopamine D2/3 receptor agonist RU 24213 reversed reserpine-induced akinesia, yet paradoxically increased glutamate (not aspartate) output in the EPN still further. The combination of benserazide (30 mg/kg, i.p.) and L-DOPA (50 mg/kg, i.p.) evoked intense contraversive circling in unilaterally 6-OHDA-lesioned rats, together with a drop in EPN glutamate (but not aspartate) output in the intact but not lesioned hemisphere. These results offer biochemical support for the hypothesis that excitatory neurones innervating the EPN via the indirect striatal output pathway, may utilise glutamate and/or aspartate as their neurotransmitter. They further endorse the view that the EPN receives information from striatal D2 and not D1 receptors via excitatory synapses, which become hyperactive following dopamine depletion or inactivation, and which are subject to control by the contralateral as well as by the ipsilateral hemisphere. The results obtained with RU 24213 and L-DOPA, however, indicate that dopaminergic behaviours can also occur independently of glutamate or aspartate release in the EPN.

Biphasic modulation of GABA release by nitric oxide in the hippocampus of freely moving rats in vivo.

The effect of altering hippocampal nitric oxide (NO) levels on basal and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-evoked release of GABA has been studied in freely moving rats. N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) increased extracellular GABA in a concentration-dependent manner. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-nitro-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME; 100 microM) increased basal GABA release, and also enhanced release of GABA evoked by NMDA (100 microM) compared with the same concentration of NMDA infused alone. 200 microM L-NAME increased basal dialysate GABA, but to a lesser extent than the 100 microM concentration of the drug, and the NMDA-induced release of GABA was decreased. 1.0 mM L-NAME significantly decreased basal extracellular GABA, while abolishing the NMDA-evoked release of the amino acid. The actions of L-NAME were not mimicked by its much less active isomer D-nitro-arginine-methyl ester. The NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine decreased dialysate GABA at a 500 microM concentration but increased the extracellular level of the transmitter when infused at 1.0 and 2.0 mM concentrations. These data suggest that NO may mediate both excitatory and inhibitory functions in vivo.

The effect of valproic acid on 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentration in hippocampal dialysates in vivo.

The effect of valproic acid (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg i.p.) on extracellular 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) has been studied using intracerebral microdialysis of the ventral hippocampus. Valproate caused a dose-dependent increase in dialysate 5-HT, but in contrast no effect on 5-HIAA level was observed. These findings are considered with regard to a possible role of 5-HT in mediating the anticonvulsant action of valproate.

8-OH-DPAT increases corticosterone but not other 5-HT1A receptor-dependent responses more in females.

The 5-HT1A receptor subtype agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) (50-1000 micrograms/kg s.c.) dose dependently increased rat plasma corticosterone. Tube restraint for 30 min also increased plasma corticosterone; this effect was completely blocked by (-)-pindolol (1 mg/kg i.p.). Increases of corticosterone following either 8-OH-DPAT injection or restraint were significantly greater in female animals. The restraint stress-induced changes but not those due to 8-OH-DPAT were decreased by pretreatment with the tranquiliser chlordiazepoxide (10 mg/kg i.p.). In anaesthetized rats, restraint no longer significantly affected corticosterone levels but 8-OH-DPAT caused increases which (though much attenuated) were significantly greater in the females. Dose-dependent increases of plasma corticosterone also resulted on infusing 8-OH-DPAT (500-1500 ng) into the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus; increases were significantly greater in the females. As mentioned in the discussion, these results may be relevant to the greater incidents of depression in women and the possible role of adrenal corticoids in the illness.