British journal of pharmacology
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Comparative Study
Evidence for the participation of glutamate in reflexes involving afferent, substance P-containing nerve fibres in the rat.
1. Responses mediated, either peripherally or centrally, by substance P-containing primary afferent C-fibres were investigated in the rat following impairment of axonal transport by colchicine (120 micrograms kg-1, i.p., daily for 3 days), and after treatment with the tachykinin antagonist SR-140333 (10-100 micrograms kg-1, i.v.) or the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist MK-801 (100 micrograms kg-1). 2. Peripheral effects mediated by afferent C-fibres were measured by plasma protein extravasation (Evans blue method), following antidromic stimulation of the sciatic nerve, topical application of mustard oil and, as control, i.v. injection of substance P. ⋯ SR-140333 was effective only on peripherally mediated responses. 7. The recent evidence for the concomitant release of glutamate and substance P from central terminals of afferent C-fibres, known to mediate reflexes abolished after capsaicin treatment allows the following conclusions: (a) the inhibition by MK-801 indicates an essential role for glutamate in the central transmission of these reflexes; (b) tachykinin antagonists such as SR-140333 do not affect these responses when administered systemically. Centrally released substance P could be involved in functions of the CNS other than those investigated here unless the access of neurokinin antagonists to their receptors in the CNS is insufficient.
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1. In rats, the interaction between the mu-opioid agonist dermorphin and the delta-opioid agonist [D-Ala2, Glu4]deltorphin was studied in binding experiments to delta-opioid receptors and in the antinociceptive test to radiant heat. 2. When injected i.c.v., doses of [D-Ala2, Glu4]deltorphin higher than 20 nmol produced antinociception in the rat tail-flick test to radiant heat. ⋯ At the dosage used, naltrindole occupied more than 98% of brain delta-opioid receptors without affecting mu-opioid-receptors. 7. These data suggest that in the rat tail-flick test to radiant heat, mu- and delta-opioid agonists co-operate positively in evoking an antinociceptive response. Although interactions between different opioid pathways cannot be excluded, in vitro binding results indicate that this co-operative antinociception is probably mediated by co-activation of the delta-opioid receptors at the cellular level by the mu- and delta-agonist.
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1. The neuromuscular effects of the short-acting aminosteroid muscle relaxant Org-9487 have been studied in the in vitro rat phrenic nerve/hemidiaphragm preparation by use of twitch tension and electrophysiological recording techniques. 2. Org-9487 (5-100 microM) produced a concentration-dependent decrease in the amplitude of twitches (0.1 Hz) and tetanic contractions (50 Hz) evoked by motor nerve stimulation. ⋯ This was because Org-9487 increased the quantal content of the first endplate current in the train without affecting acetylcholine release towards the latter part of the train. 5. Org-9487 (10 microM) produced a voltage-dependent decrease in the time constant of decay of endplate currents at 32 degrees C and 0.5 Hz, indicative of a block of endplate ion channels. The blocking rate constant increased with membrane hyperpolarization.
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1. The aim of this study was to determine whether an inhalation of ovalbumin (OA, 10 or 20 mg ml-1) by conscious OA-sensitized guinea-pigs leads to airway hyperreactivity to spasmogens 24 h later. In contrast to most previous studies, the spasmogens (5-HT, methacholine (MCh), U-46619 and adenosine) were administered by inhalation and airway function was measured in conscious guinea-pigs. 2. ⋯ When 5-HT or MCh were used as the spasmogens, an opposing decrease in responsiveness was observed. This was presumed to be due to an inhibition of cholinergic pathways by the OA challenge. Adenosine caused a bronchoconstriction in the sensitized animals but this was not enhanced by the OA challenge.
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1. Purine analogues have been examined for anxiolytic- and anxiogenic-like activity in mice, by use of the elevated plus-maze. 2. The selective A1 receptor agonist, N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) had marked anxiolytic-like activity at 10 and 50 microg kg(-1), with no effect on locomotor performance at these doses. 3. ⋯ Administration of DPMA in combination with anxiolytic doses of CPA prevented the anxiolytic-like activity of the latter. 7. The results suggest that the selective activation of central A1 adenosine receptors induces anxiolytic-like behaviour, while the activation of A2 sites causes locomotor depression and reduces the effects of A1 receptor activation. The absence of any effect of CPX alone suggests that the receptors involved in modulating behaviour in the elevated plus-maze in mice are not activated tonically by endogenous adenosine.