Effect of intermittent subchronic MK-801 administration on dopamine synthesis capacity and responsiveness in the prefrontal cortex.

AIM: The therapeutic potential of N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists, particularly ketamine, in mood disorders, is linked to their modulation of dopamine dynamics in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). However, conflicting effects of distinct NMDAR antagonists, like ketamine and phencyclidine, on mPFC dopamine levels stem from variances in their receptor affinity profiles. This study investigates the impact of intermittent subchronic administration of an NMDAR antagonist on dopamine synthesis capacity and responsiveness within the mPFC, focusing on Dizocilpine (MK-801), a highly selective NMDAR antagonist. METHODS: In vivo microdialysis and high-performance liquid chromatography assessed extracellular dopamine levels in the mPFC following subchronic MK-801 treatment. Locomotor activity was measured using a computed video tracking system. RESULTS: Intermittent subchronic MK-801 administration, followed by a 24-h withdrawal, preserved both dopamine synthesis capacity and responsiveness to MK-801 challenge in the mPFC. However, altered locomotor activity was observed, deviating from previous findings indicating impaired dopamine synthesis and responsiveness in the mPFC with twice-daily subchronic NMDAR antagonist treatment. CONCLUSION: These findings offer crucial biochemical insights into the diverse impacts of NMDAR antagonists on dopamine dynamics and the distinct therapeutic mechanisms associated with ketamine in depression treatment. However, further investigation is imperative to pinpoint potential inconsistencies stemming from variances in drug type, dosage, or administration frequency.

Novel psychoactive benzofurans strongly increase extracellular serotonin level in mouse corpus striatum.

We examined the effects of three benzofurans [1-(Benzofuran-5-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine (5-MAPB), 1-(Benzofuran-2-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine (2-MAPB), and 1-(Benzofuran-5-yl)-N-ethylpropan-2-amine (5-EAPB)] on the extracellular monoamine level in mouse corpus striatum by the microdialysis method and compared them with the effects of psychoactive 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The effects of benzofurans on the extracellular monoamine level were qualitatively analogous to that of MDMA, with an increase in serotonin (5-HT) level exceeding dopamine (DA) level. The effects of 2-MAPB and 5-EAPB were almost the same as the effect of MDMA. However, 5-MAPB strongly increased extracellular monoamine level than MDMA. These differences in the potency appear to have a structure-activity relationship. The administration of 5-MAPB (1.6 × 10(-4) mol/kg B.W.) resulted in the death of two-thirds of the mice. The same dose of MDMA did not cause any deaths. The administration of 5-MAPB (1.6 × 10(-4) mol/kg B.W.) produced a 3.41°C ± 0.28°C rise in rectal temperature after 1 hr, whereas the administration of MDMA (1.6 × 10(-4) mol/kg B.W.) produced an approximate 1.85°C ± 0.26°C rise. These results suggest that benzofurans have 5-HT toxicity similar to MDMA, and 5-MAPB has a higher risk of lethal intoxication than MDMA. Furthermore, 5-APB, the metabolic product of 5-MAPB demethylation, may be involved in the acute 5-HT toxicity and may cause lethal intoxication in mice.

[In vivo screening of illegal drug].

The neuro-behavioral observation scorebook that improved the previous observation methods of Irwin was followed, the test material was administered to 5 mice per each group, and the mean value of the obtained score was determined. The behavior of a normal animal was assumed to be point 0, animals showing suppressive behavior were scored in the minus region, and animals that showed excitement behavior were scored in the plus region. Each score was divided into three stages, according to the level of strength of the biological effect. The score of each observation item was totaled, and the level of the strength of the biological effect in the item was judged according to its mean value. These test methods of neuro-behavioral observations we proposed were able to detect the biological effects of a drug simply and promptly, and contributed sufficient data to support an administrative measure aimed at anticipating and improving the prevention of health damage in humans by non-regulated drugs from a scientific perspective. Recently, we developed a method of serial measurement of the quantity of monoamine in the mouse central nervous system by microdialysis, and performed it. The Kanagawa Prefectural Institute of Public Health conducted a study of the biological effect of non-regulated drugs. A characteristic here is what they examined about drug-dependency other than observing the behavior of the animal.

Pael receptor is involved in dopamine metabolism in the nigrostriatal system.

Pael receptor (Pael-R) has been identified as one of the substrates of Parkin, a ubiquitin ligase responsible for autosomal recessive juvenile Parkinsonism (AR-JP). When Parkin is inactivated, unfolded Pael-R accumulates in the endoplasmic reticulum and results in neuronal death by unfolded protein stress, suggesting that Pael-R has an important role in the pathogenesis of AR-JP. Here we report the analyses on Pael-R-deficient (KO) and Pael-R-transgenic (Tg) mice. The striatal dopamine (DA) level of Pael-R KO mice was only 60% of that in normal mice, while in Pael-R Tg mice, striatal 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) as well as vesicular DA content increased. Moreover, the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons of Pael-R Tg mice are more vulnerable to Parkinson's disease-related neurotoxins while those of Pael-R KO mice are less. These results strongly suggest that the Pael-R signal regulates the amount of DA in the dopaminergic neurons and that excessive Pael-R expression renders dopaminergic neurons susceptible to chronic DA toxicity.