Russell A. Nicholson

Sodium channel inhibition by anandamide and synthetic cannabimimetics in brain

Anandamide is a prominent member of the endocannabinoids, a group of diffusible lipid molecules which influences neuronal excitability. In this context, endocannabinoids are known to modulate certain presynaptic Ca(2+) and K(+) channels, either through cannabinoid (CB1) receptor stimulation and second messenger pathway activation or by direct action. We investigated the susceptibility of voltage-sensitive sodium channels to anandamide and other cannibimimetics using both biochemical and electrophysiological approaches. Here we report that anandamide, AM 404 and WIN 55,212-2 inhibit veratridine-dependent depolarization of synaptoneurosomes (IC(50)s, respectively 21.8, 9.3 and 21.1 microM) and veratridine-dependent release of L-glutamic acid and GABA from purified synaptosomes [IC(50)s: 5.1 microM (L-glu) and 16.5 microM (GABA) for anandamide; 1.6 microM (L-glu) and 3.3 microM (GABA) for AM 404, and 12.2 (L-glu) and 14.4 microM (GABA) for WIN 55,212-2]. The binding of [3H]batrachotoxinin A 20-alpha-benzoate to voltage-sensitive sodium channels was also inhibited by low to mid micromolar concentrations of anandamide, AM 404 and WIN 55,212-2. In addition, anandamide (10 microM), AM 404 (10 microM) and WIN 55,212-2 (1 microM) were found to markedly block TTX-sensitive sustained repetitive firing in cortical neurones without altering primary spikes, consistent with a state-dependent mechanism. None of the inhibitory effects we demonstrate on voltage-sensitive sodium channels are attenuated by the potent CB1 antagonist AM 251 (1-2 microM). Anandamides action is reversible and its effects are enhanced by fatty acid amidohydrolase inhibition. We propose that voltage-sensitive sodium channels may participate in a novel signaling pathway involving anandamide. This mechanism has potential to depress synaptic transmission in brain by damping neuronal capacity to support action potentials and reducing evoked release of both excitatory and inhibitory transmitters.

Inhibition of respiratory and bioenergetic mechanisms by hydrogen sulfide in mammalian brain.

The biochemical effects of hydrogen sulfide were investigated by treating enzyme homogenates and synaptosomes prepared from mammalian brain with sodium sulfide. Brain cytochrome c oxidase activity was highly sensitive to inhibition by sodium sulfide, as demonstrated by an IC50 of 0.13 microM. Sodium sulfide was also found to inhibit carbonic anhydrase activity in cerebellum, frontal cortex, and hippocampus. Synaptosomal oxygen consumption was significantly reduced as the concentration of sodium sulfide was increased from 20 to 100 microM; this was accompanied by a concentration-dependent depolarization of the synaptosomal mitochondrial membrane in situ and a reduction in synaptosomal ATP concentration. In other experiments using synaptosomes, sodium sulfide caused a significant calcium-independent increase in the extracellular accumulation of L-glutamate, inhibited Na+-dependent uptake of [3H]glutamate, but was unable to influence intrasynaptosomal free ionic Ca2+. Parallel studies conducted in vivo showed that rats exposed over a 5-d period to hydrogen sulfide (100 ppm for 3 h/d) had significantly higher concentrations of L-glutamate in the hippocampus compared to control animals. In summary, our results indicate that sulfide causes extensive disruption to respiratory and related mitochondrial functions in mammalian brain in vitro. The reduced capacity of nerve endings to take up L-glutamate may contribute to the raised L-glutamate levels observed in vivo.

Stereoselective modulatory actions of oleamide on GABAA receptors and voltage-gated Na+ channels in vitro: a putative endogenous ligand for depressant drug sites in CNS

cis‐9,10‐octadecenoamide (‘oleamide’) accumulates in CSF on sleep deprivation. It induces sleep in animals (the trans form is inactive) but its cellular actions are poorly characterized. We have used electrophysiology in cultures from embryonic rat cortex and biochemical studies in mouse nerve preparations to address these issues. Twenty μM cis‐oleamide (but not trans) reversibly enhanced GABAA currents and depressed the frequency of spontaneous excitatory and inhibitory synaptic activity in cultured networks. cis‐oleamide stereoselectively blocked veratridine‐induced (but not K+‐induced) depolarisation of mouse synaptoneurosomes (IC50, 13.9 μM). The cis isomer stereoselectively blocked veratridine‐induced (but not K+‐induced) [3H]‐GABA release from mouse synaptosomes (IC50, 4.6 μM). At 20 μM cis‐oleamide, but not trans, produced a marked inhibition of Na+ channel‐dependent rises in intrasynaptosomal Ca2+. The physiological significance of these observations was examined by isolating Na+ spikes in cultured pyramidal neurones. Sixty‐four μM cis‐oleamide did not significantly alter the amplitude, rate of rise or duration of unitary action potentials (1 Hz). cis‐Oleamide stereoselectively suppressed sustained repetitive firing (SRF) in these cells with an EC50 of 4.1 μM suggesting a frequency‐ or state‐dependent block of voltage‐gated Na+ channels. Oleamide is a stereoselective modulator of both postsynaptic GABAA receptors and presynaptic or somatic voltage‐gated Na+ channels which are crucial for synaptic inhibition and conduction. The modulatory actions are strikingly similar to those displayed by sedative or anticonvulsant barbiturates and a variety of general anaesthetics. Oleamide may represent an endogenous modulator for drug receptors and an important regulator of arousal.

Effects of the essential oil constituent thymol and other neuroactive chemicals on flight motor activity and wing beat frequency in the blowfly Phaenicia sericata.

BACKGROUND The effects were evaluated of the plant terpenoid thymol and eight other neuroactive compounds on flight muscle impulses (FMIs) and wing beat frequency (WBF) of tethered blowflies (Phaenicia sericata Meig.). RESULTS The electrical activity of the dorsolongitudinal flight muscles was closely linked to the WBF of control insects. Topically applied thymol inhibited WBF within 15-30 min and reduced FMI frequency. Octopamine and chlordimeform caused a similar, early-onset bursting pattern that decreased in amplitude with time. Desmethylchlordimeform blocked wing beating within 60 min and generated a profile of continuous but lower-frequency FMIs. Fipronil suppressed wing beating and induced a pattern of continuous, variable-frequency spiking that diminished gradually over 6 h. Cypermethrin- and rotenone-treated flies had initial strong FMIs that declined with time. In flies injected with GABA, the FMIs were generally unidirectional and frequency was reduced, as was seen with thymol. CONCLUSIONS Thymol readily penetrates the cuticle and interferes with flight muscle and central nervous function in the blowfly. The similarity of the action of thymol and GABA suggests that this terpenoid acts centrally in blowflies by mimicking or facilitating GABA action.

The sleep hormone oleamide modulates inhibitory ionotropic receptors in mammalian CNS in vitro

We examine the sensitivity of GABAA and glycine receptors (same ionotropic superfamily) to oleamide. We address subunit‐dependence/modulatory mechanisms and analogies with depressant drugs. Oleamide modulated human GABAA currents (α1β2γ2L) in oocytes (EC50, 28.94±s.e.mean of 1.4 μM; Maximum 216%±35 of control, n=4). Modulation of human α1 glycine homo‐oligomers (significant), was less marked, with a lower EC50 (P<0.05) than GABA receptors (EC50, 22.12±1.4 μM; Maximum 171%±30, n=11). Only the hypnogenic cis geometric isomer enhanced glycine currents (without altering slope or maximal current, it reduced the glycine EC50 from 322 to 239 μM: P<0.001). Modulation was not voltage‐dependent or associated with a shift in Er. β1 containing GABAA receptors (insensitive to many depressant drugs) were positively modulated by oleamide. Oleamide efficacy was circa 2× greater at α1β1γ2L than α1β2γ2L (P=0.007). Splice variation in γ subunits did not alter oleamide sensitivity. cis‐9,10‐Octadecenoamide had no effect on the equilibrium binding of [3H]‐muscimol or [3H]‐EBOB to mouse brain membranes. It does not directly mimic GABA, or operate as a neurosteroid‐, benzodiazepine‐ or barbiturate‐like modulator of GABAA‐receptors. The transport of [3H]‐GABA into mouse brain synaptoneurosomes was unaffected by high micromolar concentrations of cis‐9,10‐octadecenoamide. Oleamide does not enhance GABA‐ergic currents or prolong IPSCs by inhibiting GABA transport. Oleamide is a non‐selective modulator of inhibitory ionotropic receptors. The sleep lipid exerts its effects indirectly, or at a novel recognition site on the GABAA complex.

Pinostrobin from Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. inhibits sodium channel-activated depolarization of mouse brain synaptoneurosomes.

This investigation focuses on the in vitro neuroactive properties of pinostrobin, a substituted flavanone from Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. of the Fabaceae family. We demonstrate that pinostrobin inhibits voltage-gated sodium channels of mammalian brain (IC(50)=23 µM) based on the ability of this substance to suppress the depolarizing effects of the sodium channel-selective activator veratridine in a synaptoneurosomal preparation from mouse brain. The resting membrane potential of synaptoneurosomes was unaffected by pinostrobin. The pharmacological profile of pinostrobin resembles that of depressant drugs that block sodium channels.

A rapid and sensitive assay for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) toxins using mouse brain synaptoneurosomes

A membrane potential assay using mouse brain synaptoneurosomes was evaluated for the determination of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) toxin content of mussels and other bivalve species important to the shellfish industry. The assay relies on the ability of PSP toxins to block veratridine-induced depolarization of synaptoneurosomes. Changes in the membrane potential of synaptoneurosomes were monitored using the voltage-sensitive fluorescent probe rhodamine 6G. Standard saxitoxin was found to be a potent inhibitor of the membrane depolarizing effects of the sodium channel activator veratridine (I(50) ca. 4 nM). Likewise, shellfish extracts containing PSP toxins inhibited veratridine-induced depolarization. Neither saxitoxin or shellfish extracts had any discernible effect on the resting membrane potential of synaptoneurosomes. When synaptoneurosomal results for extracts of mussels (n=120) and other shellfish (n=29) were correlated with official mouse toxicity assay data there was very good agreement (r(2)=0.84 and 0.86, respectively), indicating that the in vitro assay has utility for a variety of commercially relevant shellfish species. Our investigation suggests that the mouse synaptoneurosome assay is of similar sensitivity to the official CD1 mouse toxicity assay. The synaptoneurosome fraction can be prepared quickly (approx. 40 min) and an individual assay takes less than 7 min. Since 20 such assays can be performed using material from a single CD1 mouse brain, there is considerable opportunity for reducing the number of animals required in conventional PSP monitoring while retaining the same animal system.

Anesthetic-like Interaction of the Sleep-inducing Lipid Oleamide with Voltage-gated Sodium Channels in Mammalian Brain

Backgroundcis- 9,10-Octadecenoamide (cOA) accumulates in cerebrospinal fluid during sleep deprivation and induces sleep in animals, but its cellular actions are poorly characterized. In earlier studies, like a variety of anesthetics, cOA modulated &ggr;-aminobutyric acidA receptors and inhibited transmitter release/burst firing in cultured neurones or synaptoneurosomes. MethodsHere, radioligand binding ([3H]batrachotoxinin A 20-&agr;-benzoate and mouse central nervous system synaptoneurosomes) and voltage clamp (whole cell recording from cultured NIE115 murine neuroblastoma) confirmed an interaction with neuronal voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSC). ResultscOA stereoselectively inhibited specific binding of toxin to VGSC (inhibitor concentration that displaces 50% of specifically bound radioligand, 39.5 &mgr;m). cOA increased (4×) the Kd of toxin binding without affecting its binding maximum. Rate of dissociation of radioligand was increased without altering association kinetics, suggesting an allosteric effect (indirect competition at site 2 on VGSC). cOA blocked tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium currents (maximal effect and affinity were significantly greater at depolarized potentials;P < 0.01). Between 3.2 and 64 &mgr;m, the block was concentration-dependent and saturable, but cOA did not alter the V50 for activation curves or the measured reversal potential (P > 0.05). Inactivation curves were significantly shifted in the hyperpolarizing direction by cOA (maximum, −15.4 ± 0.9 mV at 32 &mgr;m). cOA (10 &mgr;m) slowed recovery from inactivation, with &tgr; increasing from 3.7 ± 0.4 ms to 6.4 ± 0.5 ms (P < 0.001). cOA did not produce frequency-dependent facilitation of block (up to 10 Hz). ConclusionsThese effects (and the capacity of oleamide to modulate &ggr;-aminobutyric acidA receptors in earlier studies) are strikingly similar to those of a variety of anesthetics. Oleamide may represent an endogenous ligand for depressant drug sites in mammalian brain.

A rapid assay for the brevetoxin group of sodium channel activators based on fluorescence monitoring of synaptoneurosomal membrane potential

A functional pharmacologically-based assay for the brevetoxin group of sodium channel activators was developed using synaptoneurosomes isolated from the brains of CD1 mice. The assay can detect the depolarizing effect of brevetoxin congeners PbTx-2 and PbTx-3 as enhancements of the veratridine-dependent increase in fluorescence of the voltage-sensitive fluorescent probe rhodamine 6G. The assay is relatively rapid and can detect brevetoxin activity in the nanomolar range. The synaptoneurosomal assay has been used to analyse mussel tissue extracts spiked with PbTx-2, and composite toxicity, expressed as PbTx-3 equivalents in extracts of oysters naturally exposed to brevetoxins. In this latter context, the synaptoneurosomal technique was shown to compare favorably with the cytotoxicity assay, the receptor binding assay and HPLC/MS. Our results support the concept that this membrane potential assay detects brevetoxins based on their interaction with sodium channels.

The effect of dihydropyrazoles on release of [3H]GABA from nerve terminals isolated from mammalian cerebral cortex

Abstract Two dihydropyrazoles (RH 3421 and RH 5529) were examined for their effects on release of [ 3 H]GABA from superfused synaptosomes isolated from guinea pig central nervous system. Both compounds reduced the spontaneous release of [ 3 H]GABA from resting synaptosomes. RH 3421 and RH 5529 inhibited veratridine-induced release of neurotransmitter at low concentrations and in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory potency was greater for RH 3421 (IC 50 = 40 n M ) than RH 5529 (IC 50 = 450 n M ). In addition, both dihydropyrazoles markedly decreased the release of [ 3 H]GABA evoked by the α-cyanopyrethroid deltamethrin and scorption ( Leiurus quinquestriatus ) venom. At 10 μ M , RH 3421 failed to influence 25 m M potassium-induced release of [ 3 H]GABA, although significant inhibitory effects were observed with RH 5529 at this concentration. Our results demonstrate that presynaptic sites sensitive to the action of dihydropyrazoles exist in mammalian central nervous system. RH 3421 and RH 5529, like tetrodotoxin, are potent inhibitors of both spontaneous release of neurotransmitter and the transmitter releasing effects of sodium channel activators in guinea pig cortex. RH 3421 is highly selective in this respect while RH 5529 is less specific and at high concentrations perturbs an additional mechanism involved in transmitter secretion.