Helmut Wachtel

Direct dopaminergic action of lisuride hydrogen maleate, an ergot derivative, in mice

Lisuride hydrogen maleate induced stereotyped behaviour in normal as well as in reserpinized mice. It antagonized the motor depression and hypothermia induced by reserpine. On i.p. administration the compound was about as effective as apomorphine and D-amphetamine. As with apomorphine and in contrast to D-amphetamine the effects of lisuride hydrogen maleate in reserpinized mice were not impaired by additional treatment with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine methylester. In untreated mice, the substance was very potent in lowering body temperature with significant hypothermia measured after dosages as low as 0.10 mg/kg i.p. Occurrence of stereotyped behaviour and hypothermia could be prevented by the dopaminergic antagonist haloperidol. From these data it is concluded that lisuride hydrogen maleate in addition to its interaction with serotoninergic systems is a potent dopaminergic agonist with a probably direct action on dopaminergic receptors. Further arguments in support of such an action of lisuride hydrogen maleate are, in addition to biochemical data, its serum prolactin lowering effect in rats, its strong emetic action in dogs and its effects on rat behaviour.

Synergism of the AMPA-antagonist NBQX and the NMDA-antagonist CPP with L-Dopa in models of Parkinson's disease

SummaryDegeneration of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons in Parkinsons disease results in an overactivity of excitatory glutamatergic projections from the subthalamic nucleus to the output nuclei of the basal ganglia resulting in rigidity and akinesia. In theory pharmacological blockade of these overactive systems should improve parkinsonian symptomatology. The selective AMPA-antagonist NBQX and the competitive NMDA-antagonist CPP are not effective in animal models of Parkinsons disease when given alone but ameliorate parkinsonian symptomatology and stimulate locomotor activity when co-administered with a threshold dose of L-Dopa. These synergistic effects are seen in the MPTP-treated (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) common marmoset and the rat with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions of the substantia nigra. Therefore competitive NMDA and non-NMDA antagonists may offer a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of Parkinsons disease.

Characteristic behavioral alterations in rats induced by rolipram and other selective adenosine cyclic 3′,5′-monophosphate phosphodiesterase inhibitors

The significance of a characteristic symptomatology (hypothermia, hypoactivity, forepaw shaking, grooming, head twitches) as a potential in vivo correlate of enhanced availability of brain adenosine cyclic 3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP) was examined in rats following systemic administration of various doses of dibutyryladenosine cAMP (dBcAMP) or of the phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors rolipram, Ro 20-1724, ICI 63-197, isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX), theophylline, cartazolate, and papaverine. The various PDE inhibitors could be assigned to three groups according to the pattern of behavioral alterations they induced. Rolipram, Ro 20-1724, and ICI 63-197 (group 1) caused hypothermia, hypoactivity, forepaw shaking, grooming, and head twitches. All behavioral effects were mimicked by dBcAMP but not dBcGMP. The order of potency and effective dosage range to induce the behavioral alterations were, in descending order, rolipram (0.09–1453 μmol/kg IP), ICI 63-197 (0.48–119 μmol/kg IP), Ro 20-1724 (5.6-1438 μmol/kg IP), corresponding with the recently reported efficacy of the drugs to elevate rat brain cAMP in vivo. Comparatively high doses of the alkylxanthine PDE inhibitors IBMX and theophylline (group 2) caused hypothermia, forepaw shaking, grooming, and head twitches concomitantly with a decline of the motor stimulatory effect, suggesting enhanced availability of brain cAMP. The order of potency and the effective dosage range to induce the behavioral alterations were, in descending order, IBMX (28.1–113 μmol/kg IP) and theophylline (139–555 μmol/kg IP). The third group, papaverine (295–1179 μmol/kg IP) and cartazolate (21.5–345 μmol/kg IP), caused only hypothermia and hypoactivity. The differences in the behavioral pattern of the two latter groups of compounds in comparison with dBcAMP and the selective cAMP PDE inhibitors are discussed with regard to their additional interference with adenosine actions besides their nonselective PDE inhibitory action.

Dual action on central dopamine function of transdihydrolisuride, a 9, 10-dihydrogenated analogue of the ergot dopamine agonist lisuride

Abstract Transdihydrolisuride (TDHL), a 9, 10-dihydrogenated analogue of the ergot dopamine (DA) agonist lisuride (LIS), was investigated for its influence on central dopaminergic functions in rats and mice after single i.p. administration. TDHL (0.39–25 mg/kg) unexpectedly induced catalepsy and antagonized apomorphine-induced stereotypes in rats; it was approx. 3–5 times less potent than the DA antagonist haloperidol. TDHL (0.025–6.25 mg/kg) caused hypokinesia and antagonized the apomorphine-induced hyperactivity in rats. Pre-treatment with TDHL (0.78–12.5 mg/kg) which per se did not alter thermoregulation at room temperature, antagonized the hypothermia induced by the DA agonist apomorphine (5 mg/kg i.p.) in mice. These DA antagonistic properties contrasted with the prolactin (PRL) lowering effect of TDHL (0.01–10 mg/kg p.o.) in reserpinized female rats thus indicating DA agonist function. PRL inhibition tended to be longer lasting (>8h) than after LIS (0.01–1 mg/kg p.o.) with comparable potency. In healthy volunteers TDHL (0.2–1 mg p.o.) effectively lowered PRL levels with similar potency but with a markedly longer duration of action than LIS (>24h after 0.5 mg TDHL). In contrast to the side effects after acute LIS treatment, no comparable adverse reactions such as nausea, emesis or postural hypotension typical for DA agonists could be observed with effective PRL lowering doses of TDHL. The unique profile of TDHL on DA functions suggests its usefulness as a potent, longlasting PRL inhibitor with less unwanted effects. The behavioural findings indicate the potential usefulness of TDHL as a neuroleptic, which due to its partial DA agonistic action, should lack typical extrapyramidal or neuroendocrine side effects of classic DA receptor blocking agents. Possible implications of the dual function of TDHL upon central DA receptors are discussed with regard to the incidence of side effects or selectivity of action for other conceivable therapeutic indications.

The competitive NMDA antagonist CPP protects substantia nigra neurons from MPTP-induced degeneration in primates

SummaryDegeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons is the primary histopathological feature of Parkinsons disease. The neurotoxin MPTP (1-methyl-4phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) induces a neurological syndrome in man and non-human primates very similar to idiopathic Parkinsons disease by selectively destroying dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons. This gives rise to the hypothesis that Parkinsons disease may be caused by endogenous or environmental toxins. Endogenous excitatory amino acids (EAAs) such as l-glutamate could be involved in neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinsons disease. We report in this study that the competitive NMDA antagonist CPP (3-((±)-2-carboxypiperazin-4yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid) protects nigral tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive neurons from degeneration induced by systemic treatment with MPTP in common marmosets. This indicates that EAAs are involved in the pathophysiological cascade of MPTP-induced neuronal cell death and that EAA antagonists may offer a neuroprotective therapy for Parkinsons disease.

Do NMDA receptor antagonists protect against MPTP-toxicity? Biochemical and immunocytochemical analyses in black mice

We investigated whether excitatory amino acids acting at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of the L-glutamate receptor contribute to the dopaminergic neurotoxicity induced by systemic administration of the Parkinsons syndrome-inducing toxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in C57Bl/6 mice. The MPTP-regimen chosen (30-40 mg/kg body weight subcutaneously) resulted a 60-70% depletion of striatal dopamine (DA) content and a 20% reduction of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive (TH-IR) cells in the substantia nigra pars compacta 20 days after administration. Repeated systemic coadministration of the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 or of the novel competitive NMDA receptor antagonist CGP 40116 did not protect against MPTP-induced striatal DA depletion 20 days after toxin administration. Additionally, no short-term protective effects of MK-801 on striatal DA content were observed 24, 48, and 96 h, respectively, after exposure to MPTP. A slight and non-significant attenuation (approximately 10%) of the MPTP-induced decrease in the number of nigral TH-IR cells was observed after MK-801- and CGP 40116-treatment. We conclude that neurotoxicity of systemically administered MPTP is not substantially antagonized by NMDA receptor antagonists in mice.

Close correlation between behavioural response and binding in vivo for inhibitors of the rolipram-sensitive phosphodiesterase

The antidepressant rolipram interacts in vitro with a binding site in brain tissue labeled by3H-rolipram. A3H-rolipram binding assay was employed in vivo to compare the affinity of rolipram-related compounds and reference phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors with their potency in behavioural measures for potential antidepressant property. In two species, mice and rats, the potency of a number of compounds to antagonise reserpine-induced hypothermia (mice) and to induce head twitches (rats) was determined, as well as their potency to displace3H-rolipram from forebrain binding sites in vivo. The treatment schedules for the two series of experiments were identical. Significant correlations between pharmacological effects and displacement of3H-rolipram binding in vivo were observed in both species. Since the reference PDE inhibitors closely fit into the binding-pharmacological activity relationship, the PDE inhibitory properties of the substances involved are discussed.

The type IV phosphodiesterase specific inhibitor mesopram inhibits experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in rodents

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an autoimmune disease with pathological features reminiscent of those seen in multiple sclerosis and thus serves as an animal model for this disease. Inhibition of type IV phosphodiesterase (PDE IV) in animals with this disease has been shown to result in amelioration of disease symptoms. Here we describe the immunomodulatory activity of the novel potent and selective PDE IV inhibitor mesopram. In vitro, mesopram selectively inhibits the activity of type 1 helper T (Th1) cells without affecting cytokine production or proliferation of type 2 helper T (Th2) cells. Administration of mesopram to rodents inhibits EAE in various models. Clinically, EAE is completely suppressed by mesopram in Lewis rats. This is accompanied by a reduction of inflammatory lesions in spinal cord and brain. RT-PCR analysis revealed a marked reduction in the expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the brains of these animals. Furthermore, the ex vivo production of Th1 cytokines by activated spleen cells derived from mesopram-treated animals is significantly reduced compared to vehicle-treated controls. Amelioration of the clinical symptoms is also observed during chronic EAE in mesopram-treated SJL mice as well as in relapsing-remitting EAE in SWXJ mice using a therapeutic treatment regimen. These data demonstrate the anti-inflammatory activity of mesopram and provide a rationale for its clinical development.

Effects of locally applied dopamine to the nucleus accumbens on the motor activity of normal rats and following α-methyltyrosine or Reserpine

The motor activity of rats was investigated following bilateral application of various doses (0–80 μg) of dopamine to the nucleus accumbens. A high dose (80 μg) of dopamine increased the motor activity of normal as well as α-methyltyrosine- and reserpine-treated rats. It also increased the late motor activity (6–9 min) of normal rats, probably due to stimulation of postsynaptic dopamine receptors. Lower doses (10–40 μg) of dopamine suppressed initial (0–3 min) motor activity of normal rats, perhaps due to stimulation of dopamine autoreceptors on the dopamine nerve terminals in the nucleus accumbens with a subsequent inhibition of dopamine neurotransmission. An intermediate dose (40 μg) of dopamine was able to restore the motor activity of α-methyltyrosine-treated but not of reserpine-treated rats at all time intervals. This difference, indicating a restoration of the normal pattern of habituation by dopamine only in animals pretreated with α-methyltyrosine, suggests that normal behaviour is dependent on release of dopamine by nerve impulses.

NBQX (6-nitro-sulfamoyl-benzo-quinoxaline-dione) and CPP (3-carboxy-piperazin-propyl phosphonic acid) potentiate dopamine agonist induced rotations in substantia nigra lesioned rats.

Degeneration of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons in primate models of Parkinsons disease (PD) leads to an overactivity of excitatory glutamatergic projections from the subthalamic nucleus (STN) to the output nuclei of the basal ganglia resulting in rigidity and akinesia. The selective alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) antagonist 6-nitro-sulfamoyl-benzo-quinoxaline-dione (NBQX) and the competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist 3-carboxy-piperazin-propyl phosphonic acid (CPP) ameliorate parkinsonian symptomatology when co-administered with threshold doses of L-DOPA in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated common marmosets and induce rotations in rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions of the substantia nigra (SN). Here we report that in the 6-OHDA-lesioned rat NBQX and CPP induce contralateral rotations when combined with threshold doses of the direct dopamine agonists lisuride or apomorphine. AMPA antagonists and competitive NMDA antagonists may therefore be suitable as adjuvants for the treatment of PD.