Amines In CNS Research Articles

Effect of acute progestational hypoxia on the content of biogenic amines in the brain of albino rat pups: Peptide correction.

We studied the effect of exposure to acute hypobaric hypoxia in the progestational period on the content of biogenic amines in the brainstem and cerebral cortex in rat pups of different age. The possibility of correcting hypoxia-induced changes with regulatory peptides was evaluated. We found that early antenatal hypoxia disturbs maturation of catecholaminergic systems in the brain. It should be emphasized that the differences from the control varied depending on the age of rat pups. Single intranasal administration of Semax heptapeptides and beta-casomorphine-7 to pregnant females prevented changes in the content of biogenic amines in CNS of the offspring during postnatal ontogeny.

Effects of 4-(4-bromophenyl)-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline hydrochloride on acute gastric lesions, acid secretion in rats and on some hemodynamic parameters in cats.

The effectiveness of 4-(4-bromophenyl)-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline hydrochloride (AN12) on acute ulcer models and gastric acid secretion in rats was compared with the action of the histamine H2-receptor antagonist roxatidine (R). AN12 or R given orally, produced significant, dose-dependent decreases in stress- and indomethacin-induced ulcers. The ED50 value of AN12 and R were 0.40 (0.27-0.60) and 13.27 (9.13-19.29) mg/kg, respectively, for stress ulcers and 0.68 (0.17-2.61) and 25 mg/kg, respectively, for indomethacin ulcers. The length and number of ethanol-provoked gastric damages were significantly reduced by R (50 and 100 mg/kg p.o.) but not by AN12 (0.5-2 mg/kg p.o.). In pylorus-ligated rats, AN12 (2 mg/kg p.o.) and R (50 and 100 mg/kg p.o.) significantly inhibited basal gastric acid secretion, increased pH and decreased acidity. The influence of AN12 (2 mg/kg) on the volume of stomach juice was close to that of R (100 mg/kg), AN12 (0.1-1.0 mg/kg i.v.) did not significantly affect the hemodynamics of anesthesized cats. It is suggested that the influence of some CNS amine neurotransmitters may be included in part, in the effects of AN12.

Burn trauma induces anorexia and aberrations in CNS amine neurotransmitters.

A 30% surface area, full-thickness, open-flame burn of guinea pigs induced significant anorexia and rapid loss of body weight. Analysis of regional brain concentrations of amine neurotransmitters suggested burn-specific elevation of serotonergic neurotransmission, reduction of dopamine metabolism, and elevation of norepinephrine concentrations in brain areas thought to control feeding. These data suggest that specific regional aberrations in each of these amine neurotransmitters may contribute to the anorexia associated with major thermal injury.

Regional distribution of catalase in the adult rat brain.

Catalase activity was measured in 11 areas of perfused adult rat brain. The hypothalamus and substantia nigra contained the highest activities. The corpus callosum, a white-matter structure, contained intermediate activity. The caudate-putamen and frontal cortex contained the lowest activities. Regional catalase bears some relationship to the reported distribution of microperoxisomes, but considerable activity is present in areas with few microperoxisomes. Catalase may function as one of the systems detoxifying H2O2 formed in CNS amine metabolism.

Gamma-butyrolactone sleep: A 24-hour rhythm paralleling normal sleep in the rat and CNS amine changes

The duration of sleep induced by a fixed dose of gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) (350 mg/kg, IP) follows the normal circadian sleep pattern of rats. GBL sleep duration is maximal at 1800 hr and minimal at 0600 hr. CNS amine changes are not extensive, but when normal sleep is anticipated, GBL treatment increases dopamine and serotonin levels and decreases norepinephrine levels.

Rhythms of acth and corticosteroid secretion in health and disease, and their experimental modification

Detailed (q 5–30 min) sampling studies of both plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations in normal human subjects demonstrates an early morning major circadian rise and a decline over the subsequent 24 h period, on which are superimposed lesser, episodic fluctuations (both synchronous and asynchronous) of plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations. Marked concordance of bioassayable and immunoassayable plasma ACTH concentrations is present. The results of studies of ACTH-cortisol periodicity in patients with localized CNS disease or ocular blindness support the thesis of a neural origin of such periodicity. It is suggested that such a periodicity is endogenous, with the observed time of peaking related to some aspect(s) of the sleep-wake cycle, but synchronized by the dark-light cycle. Animal studies indicate that altered feeding schedules (without alteration of light-dark cycles) can alter the phase of corticosteroid periodicity, perhaps by alteration of the sleep-wake cycle. The presence of abnormal pituitary-adrenal periodicity in patients with Cushing's disease in remission lends support to the thesis of a neural etiology of this disease. Alteration of neonatal corticosteroid levels in the rat is associated with only temporary disruption of the normal periodicity of plasma cortocosteroid levels, and alterations of neonatal CNS amine content is not associated with any disruption of such periodicity.