Inhibition Of Choline Uptake Research Articles

Characteristics of (3H)‐choline uptake into synaptosomes from rat hippocampus

Certain basic characteristics of choline uptake in nerve terminals were studied with synaptosomes from rat hippocampus. Synaptosomal [3H]‐choline uptake was clarified as specific and high affinity by low Km value (2.2 μM), Na+‐dependency and high sensitivity to hemicholinium‐3, a competitive inhibitor of choline uptake. Choline uptake into synaptosomes was linearly related to Na+ concentration and membrane potential. Extracellular Ca2+ modulated the choline uptake, but probably not through increase of intracellular Ca2+ because this modulation was not affected the by high K+‐depolarization. EGTA (2 mM) added for Ca2+ ‐free condition had a peculiar effect of decreasing choline uptake. These results suggest that Ca2+ may play an important role in regulating the metabolism of acetylcholine in the nerve terminals directly through the increase of acetylcholine release

C-fos Antisense oligonucleotide microinjected into the medial preoptic area modulates body temperature during heat and cold exposure

The analgesic activity of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) in neuropathic pain is well established. By contrast, its potential efficacy in the relief of acute pain has not been reported. The antinociceptive effect of ALCAR was, therefore, examined in the mouse hot-plate and abdominal constriction tests, and in the rat paw-pressure test. ALCAR (100 mg kg−1 s.c. twice daily for seven days) produced an increase of the pain threshold in both mice and rats. ALCAR was also able to reverse hyperalgesia induced by kainic acid and NMDA administration in the mouse hot-plate test. The antinociception produced by ALCAR was prevented by the unselective muscarinic antagonist atropine, the M1 selective antagonists pirenzepine and S-(-)-ET126, and by the choline uptake inhibitor hemicholinium-3 (HC-3). By contrast the analgesic effect of ALCAR was not prevented by the opioid antagonist naloxone, the GABAB antagonist CGP 35348, the monoamine synthesis inhibitor (α)-methyl-p-tyrosine, and the Gi-protein inactivator pertussis toxin. Moreover, ALCAR antinociception was abolished by pretreament with an antisense oligonucleotide (aODN) against the M1 receptor subtype, administered at the dose of 2 nmol per single i.c.v injection. On the basis of the above data, it can be postulated that ALCAR exerted an antinociceptive effect mediated by a central indirect cholinergic mechanism. In the antinociceptive dose-range, ALCAR did not impair mouse performance evaluated by the rota-rod and hole-board tests.

On the mechanism of the losartan-mediated inhibition of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in H9c2 cells

Phosphatidylcholine is the major phospholipid in mammalian tissues and the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine in H9c2 cells was previously shown to be stimulated by angiotensin II. In this study, we used the potent AT 1 receptor antagonist, losartan, to determine if the angiotensin II-mediated stimulation of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis was mediated by AT 1 receptors. H9c2 cells were incubated with angiotensin II in the absence or presence of various concentrations of losartan. The cells were then incubated with [ methyl- 3H]choline for an additional 60 min and the radioactivity incorporated into phosphatidylcholine and its choline-containing metabolites determined. Losartan at concentrations which block AT 1 receptors did not effect phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis mediated by angiotensin II. In contrast, higher concentrations of losartan inhibited radioactivity incorporated into phosphatidylcholine and its metabolites and this was due to a losartan-mediated reduction in choline uptake. Kinetic studies revealed that the losartan-mediated inhibition of choline uptake was competitive. High concentrations of losartan caused a translocation of CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase from the cytosolic (inactive) to the membrane (active) fraction likely as a compensatory mechanism for the losartan-mediated reduction in new phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis. Incubation of cells with PD123319, a potent AT 2-receptor antagonist, did not block the angiotensin II-mediated stimulation of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis. The results suggest that angiotensin II stimulates phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis independent of AT 1- and AT 2-receptor activation and losartan inhibits phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis by reducing choline uptake in H9c2 cells.

Centrally administered choline increases plasma prolactin levels in conscious rats

Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of choline, a precursor of acetylcholine (ACh) increased plasma prolactin levels in a time and dose-dependent manner in conscious rats. Pretreatment of rats with the cholinergic muscarinic antagonist, atropine (10 μg, i.c.v.), blocked the increase in plasma prolactin level. The increase was not influenced by pretreatment with the cholinergic nicotinic antagonist, mecamylamine (50 μg, i.c.v.). Pretreatment with hemicholinium-3 (HC-3; 20 μg, i.c.v.), a high affinity choline uptake inhibitor, attenuated the choline-induced increase of plasma prolactin levels. These results show that choline increases plasma prolactin levels by activating muscarinic receptors via presynaptic mechanisms.

Effect of neostigmine on concentration and extraction fraction of acetylcholine using quantitative microdialysis

A quantitative microdialysis method was used to determine the effect of local perfusion of 0, 100, 200, and 300 nM neostigmine (NEO) on acetylcholine (ACh) extracellular concentration and microdialysis extraction fraction ( E d) in the striatum of the rat. Because of the efficiency of AChE, the inhibition of this enzyme is expected to result in a substantial increase in ACh levels and a decrease in the E d of ACh. The extracellular concentration of ACh increased linearly with increasing concentrations of NEO. The control ACh concentration was determined to be 18.4±11.8 nM ( n=10; mean±S.E.M.) The ACh extracellular concentration for the remaining groups was determined to be 173±14 nM ( n=5), 329±52.5 nM ( n=13), and 581±109 nM ( n=10) for the 100, 200, and 300 nM NEO groups, respectively. Perfusion with 300 nM NEO resulted in a significant reduction in the E d of ACh (64.5±3.5% vs. 43.6±7.5%, P<0.05). In contrast to ACh, perfusion with 0, 1, and 10 μM hemicholinium-3, an inhibitor of high-affinity choline uptake, increased choline levels but did not affect the E d of choline. The effects on E d are consistent with E d being influenced by rapid clearance mechanisms.

Intracerebroventricular choline reverses hypotension induced by acute chemical sympathectomy.

1. The effect of centrally administered choline on blood pressure was investigated in rats made hypotensive by chemical sympathectomy. Chemical sympathectomy was produced by intravenous (i.v.) injection of 50 mg kg-1 of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of choline (50-150 micrograms) 2 h after 6-OHDA treatment increased blood pressure and reversed the hypotension in a dose-dependent manner without affecting the heart rate. The pressor response was associated with an increase in plasma vasopressin levels. 2. Pretreatment of rats with the nicotinic receptor antagonist, mecamylamine (50 micrograms, i.c.v.), but not the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine (10 micrograms, i.c.v.), blocked both the pressor and vasopressin responses to choline (150 micrograms). Pretreatment of rats with hemicholinium-3 (HC-3), a high affinity choline uptake inhibitor, greatly attenuated the pressor response to i.c.v. choline (150 micrograms). 3. The vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist, beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionyl-O-Me-Try,Arg) - vasopressin (10 micrograms kg-1; i.v.) given 5 min after i.c.v. choline, decreased the blood pressure but failed to return it to the pre-choline levels. Prazosine (0.5 mg kg-1; i.p.), an antagonist of alpha-adrenoceptors, also decreased blood pressure. Administration of both antagonists together eliminated the pressor response to choline, and the blood pressure was reduced further to below the pre-choline levels. 4. It is concluded that i.c.v. choline can increase blood pressure in rats made hypotensive by acute chemical sympathectomy through the activation of central nicotinic receptors by presynaptic mechanisms. An elevation in plasma levels of both vasopressin and catecholamines (possibly released from the adrenal medulla) is involved in the pressor response to choline.

Human erythrocyte choline uptake in uraemia: the role of intracellular substrate and an investigation into the effects of haemodialysis.

1. Erythrocyte choline transport was studied in 10 haemodialysis patients immediately before and after a haemodialysis session and in 10 control subjects. Choline uptake was measured in erythrocytes from normal and uraemic patients after washing in vitro and subsequent incubation in autologous plasma. Amines present in uraemic plasma were examined for their effect on choline transport in normal erythrocytes. 2. NMR spectroscopy was used to measure choline, trimethylamine and dimethylamine in erythrocyte extracts from nine control subjects, 32 subjects with renal impairment and nine samples from haemodialysis patients. 3. The increased choline influx in uraemic erythrocytes is significantly decreased by prior haemodialysis (mean Vmax pre-dialysis 146 +/- 20 mumol h-1 l-1, post-dialysis 113 +/- 13 mumol h-1 l-1 (P < 0.005). After in vitro washing there is a fall in Vmax, and no longer any significant difference between pre- and post-dialysis samples. There remains a significant difference in the erythrocyte choline Vmax between samples from patients with chronic renal failure and from normal subjects (P < 0.005). 4. Human plasma was found to contain factors capable of increasing choline uptake. Trimethylamine and dimethylamine were found to inhibit choline uptake. Trimethylamine and trimethylamine-N-oxide trans-stimulated choline efflux, but the major transport substrate present in erythrocyte extracts from all groups was choline, which was higher in those with renal impairment (71 +/- 10 mumol/l) than in haemodialysis patients (47 +/- 10 mumol/l) and control subjects with normal renal function (40 +/- 9 mumol/l). 5. Our data suggest that erythrocyte choline transport is increased in uraemia as a consequence of increased transporter number or activity, rather than the presence of intracellular substrate.

N- and C-terminal substance P fragments modulate striatal dopamine outflow through a cholinergic link mediated by muscarinic receptors.

The present study investigated whether the modulatory effects of substance P and substance P fragments on striatal dopamine release involve a cholinergic link. Rat striatal slices were incubated with substance P, substance P(1-4), substance P(1-7), substance P(5-11) and substance P(8-11) in the absence or presence of various agents which modify cholinergic transmissions, and endogenous dopamine outflow was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. The incubation of striatal slices with substance P and its N- and C-terminal fragments (1 nM) induced a significant overflow of endogenous dopamine. Neostigmine (150 nM) potentiated the effects of substance P and its fragments, whereas the incubation with hemicholinium-3 (50 microM) abolished the effects of the peptides on dopamine outflow. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and the inhibitor of choline uptake did not have intrinsic effects on dopamine outflow. The muscarinic antagonist atropine (1 microM) reversed completely the effects of substance P and its fragments, whereas the nicotinic antagonists dihydro-beta-erythroidine (0.5 microM) and pempidine (10 microM) were devoid of effects. None of the cholinergic antagonists modified dopamine outflow. The results suggest that substance P and several N- and C-terminal substance P fragments activate cholinergic neurons in striatal slices. The released acetylcholine induces an increased dopamine outflow, mediated by muscarinic receptors. These observations represent additional evidence which supports the functional interactions between substance P, acetylcholine and dopamine in the striatum. Furthermore, they show that substance P fragments may exert neuromodulatory effects through mechanisms similar to those underlying the effects of the parent peptide.

Synthesis and Release of Acetylcholine by the Isolated Perifused Trout Caudal Neurosecretory System

The neurons of the caudal neurosecretory system of teleosts contain, in addition to urotensin I and urotensin II, a high concentration of acetylcholine (T. Ichikawa, 1978,Gen. Comp. Endocrinol.35, 226–233). The isolated urophysis (and attached terminal spinal cord region) of the rainbow troutOncorhynchus mykisswas incubated with [3H]choline (0.2 MBq/ml) for 45 min at 22° in the presence of the cholinesterase inhibitor, physostigmine. Unreacted choline was removed by perifusion with fish Ringer solution. Incorporation of radioactivity into newly synthesized [3H]acetylcholine was 4.9 ± 2.1 × 105Bq/g wet tissue wt. When incubations were carried out in the presence of hemicholinium-3, an inhibitor of high-affinity choline uptake, or when physostigmine was omitted from the incubation buffer and/or when [3H]inulin was substituted for [3H]choline, the incorporation of radioactivity was greatly reduced (<0.5 × 105Bq/g). The release of [3H]acetylcholine from the preparation increased to 338 ± 59% of basal (P< 0.05) when the concentration of K+in the perifusion buffer was raised to 41 mM,but neither urotensin I (10−7M) nor urotensin II (10−6M) had a significant effect on release. The data indicate that the trout caudal neurosecretory system possesses a high-affinity uptake system for choline and that newly synthesized acetylcholine is released in response to a depolarizing stimulus.

Intracerebroventricular injection of choline increases plasma oxytocin levels in conscious rats

In the present study, we examined the effect of intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) injected choline on both basal and stimulated oxytocin release in conscious rats. I.c.v. injection of choline (50–150 μg) caused time- and dose-dependent increases in plasma oxytocin levels under normal conditions. The increase in plasma oxytocin levels in response to i.c.v. choline (150 μg) was greatly attenuated by the pretreatment of rats with atropine (10 μg; i.c.v.), muscarinic receptor antagonist. Mecamylamine (50 μg; i.c.v.), a nicotinic receptor antagonist, failed to suppress the effect of 150 μg choline on oxytocin levels. Pretreatment of rats with 20 μg of hemicholinium-3 (HC-3), a specific inhibitor of choline uptake into nerve terminals, greatly attenuated the increase in plasma oxytocin levels in response to i.c.v. choline injection. Osmotic stimuli induced by either oral administration of 1 ml hypertonic saline (3 M) following 24-h dehydration of rats (type 1) or an i.c.v. injection of hypertonic saline (1 M) (type 2) increased plasma oxytocin levels significantly, but hemorrhage did not alter basal oxytocin concentrations. The i.c.v. injection of choline (50, 150 μg) under these conditions caused an additional and significant increase in plasma oxytocin concentrations beyond that produced by choline in normal conditions. These data show that choline can increase plasma oxytocin concentrations through the stimulation of central cholinergic muscarinic receptors by presynaptic mechanisms and enhance the stimulated oxytocin release.

Alkylphosphocholines inhibit choline uptake and phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in rat sympathetic neurons and impair axonal extension.

At least 50% of the major axonal membrane lipid, phosphatidylcholine, of rat sympathetic neurons is synthesized in situ in axons [Posse de Chaves, Vance, Campenot and Vance (1995) J. Cell Biol. 128, 913-918]. In the same study we reported that, in a choline-deficient model for neuron growth, phosphatidylcholine synthesis in cell bodies is neither necessary nor sufficient for growth of distal axons. Rather, the local synthesis of phosphatidylcholine in distal axons is required for normal axon growth. We have now used three alkylphosphocholines (hexadecylphosphocholine, dodecylphosphocholine and octadecylphosphocholine) as inhibitors of PtdCho biosynthesis in a compartmented model for culture of rat sympathetic neurons. The experiments reveal that alkylphosphocholines decrease the uptake of choline into these neurons and inhibit PtdCho synthesis, but not via an effect on the activity of the enzyme CTP: phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase. We also show that when the distal axons, but not the cell bodies, are exposed to alkylphosphocholines, axonal elongation is inhibited, which is consistent with the hypothesis that phosphatidylcholine synthesis in axons, but not in cell bodies, is required for axonal elongation. The inhibitory effect of alkylphosphocholines on axon growth is most likely not mediated via a decrease in the activity of protein kinase C, since when this enzyme activity is down-regulated by treatment of the cells with phorbol ester, the alkylphosphocholines retain their ability to inhibit axonal growth.

Inhibition of choline uptake in syncytial microvillus membrane vesicles of human term placenta: Specificity and nature of interaction

The potency and nature of the inhibitory effect of various cationic drugs on the transport of choline across the placental syncytial microvillus membrane was investigated. Tetraethylammonium, a model substrate for organic cation transport, was a poor inhibitor. Enlarging the degree of alkylation of the quaternary ammonium increased the inhibitory effect, in proportion with increasing lipophilicity. Log concentration vs % control uptake curves showed marked differences in inhibitory potency for the different cationic drugs. Hemicholinium-3 inhibited mediated choline uptake in the micromolar range, whereas atropine and mepiperphenidol were less potent. The H 2-receptor antagonists cimetidine, ranitidine, and famotidine inhibited choline uptake in the millimolar ranges. Dixon analysis revealed a competitive nature of inhibition for hemicholinium-3 and atropine ( K i = 40 μM and 1.2 mM, respectively). Cimetidine interacted noncompetitively ( K i = 3.4 mM). Since relatively high concentrations were needed to reach half maximal inhibition, impairment of fetal choline supply due to maternal drug use during pregnancy is not to be expected.

Isolation of syncytial microvillous membrane vesicles from human term placenta and their application in drug-nutrient interaction studies

The initial step in placental uptake of nutrients occurs across the syncytial microvillous membrane of the trophoblast. This study was designed to isolate syncytial microvillous membrane vesicles (SMMV) of human term placenta, to validate their purity and viability, and to investigate the interaction of several commonly used drugs with the transport of two essential nutrients: alanine and choline. SMMV were isolated according to an established procedure, but instead of homogenization the initial preparation step was replaced by mincing of placental tissue followed by gently stirring to loosen the microvilli. These modifications doubled the protein recovery and increased the enrichment in alkaline phosphatase, whereas no substantial contamination with basal membranes nor interfering subcellular organelles was found. The functional viability of the vesicles was evaluated through the transport of alanine. In accordance with literature, uptake was sodium-dependent, inhibitable by structural analogues, and saturable. A number of cationic drugs were able to inhibit choline uptake, whereas no effect on alanine transport was observed. Anionic drugs, drugs of abuse, and catecholamines did not interfere with alanine transport either. In conclusion, our isolated SMMV provide a suitable tool for screening drug-nutrient interactions at the level of membrane transport. In view of the very low susceptibility of the alanine transporter to drug inhibition and the relatively high drug concentrations necessary to inhibit choline transport, it seems unlikely that clinically important drug interactions may occur with these nutrients.

Bovine serum albumin does not completely block synaptosomal cholinergic activities of presynaptically acting snake venom phospholipase A 2 enzymes

Bovine serum albumin (BSA), which binds fatty acids, was used to test the contribution of free fatty acid to the presynaptic toxicity of phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2) enzymes. The effects of BSA on inhibition of [ 14C]choline uptake and stimulation of [ 14C]acetylcholine (ACh) release in synaptosomes by PLA 2 enzymes that do not have a predominant presynaptic action at the neuromuscular junction (PS−) were compared with those on the cholinergic actions of PLA 2 enzymes that do have a predominant presynaptic action at the neuromuscular junction (PS+). The inhibition of choline uptake by the Naja naja atra PLA 2, a PS− PLA 2, was completely antagonized by BSA (0.5%); whereas that by β-bungarotoxin, a PS+ PLA 2, was unaffected by BSA. The inhibition of choline uptake by two other PS+ PLA 2 toxins (scutoxin and pseudexin) was partially antagonized by BSA. The effects of the PLA 2 enzymes were antagonized in the same manner by BSA whether on Na +-dependent or on Na +-independent choline uptake. Likewise, the stimulation of ACh release by two PS− PLA 2 enzymes (from Naja naja atra and Naja naja kaouthia snake venoms) was completely blocked by BSA; whereas that by β-bungarotoxin was unaffected and that by scutoxin and pseudexin was only partially antagonized by BSA. The results suggest that the PS− PLA 2 enzymes are completely dependent on fatty acid production for their cholinergic toxicity and that BSA can be used to investigate further the neurotoxic mechanisms of PS+ PLA 2 enzymes in synaptosomes.

Cholinergic lesions by 192 IgG-saporin and short-term recognition memory: Role of the septohippocampal projection

Two experiments examined the effects of cholinergic basal forebrain lesions by intraventricular and intrahippocampal infusions of the immunotoxin 192 IgG-saporin on recognition memory in an operant delayed-non-matching-to-position task in rats. Intraventricular infusions produced extensive reductions in cortical and hippocampal choline acetyltransferase activity in the first experiment. Behaviourally, a mixed delay-dependent/independent accuracy deficit and increased biased responding was observed post-lesioning. Thus, both mnemonic as well as non-mnemonic processes were affected by the lesion. This performance deficit was indistinguishable from the impairment induced by acute intraventricular injections of the choline uptake inhibitor hemicholinium-3, which suggests that cholinergic damage induced by 192 IgG-saporin disrupted performance. In the second experiment more discrete intrahippocampal 192 IgG-saporin lesions were made, which reduced hippocampal choline acetyltransferase activity about 57%, although this reduction was not as extensive as following intraventricular injections. Although intrahippocampal lesions also impaired non-matching accuracy, this effect failed to reach significance during most stages of the experiment. Scopolamine just failed to significantly impair (P = 0.053) performance in hippocampal lesioned rats more than in controls. The nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine did not affect the lesion-induced changes in performance. These results suggest that the cholinergic basal forebrain, including the septohippocampal system, is important for the mediation of recognition memory, and muscarinic receptor-mediated mechanisms may be of greater importance than alterations of nicotinic receptor-mediated processes in the septohippocampal system.

Hemicholinium-3 (HC3) blocks the effects of ethylcholine mustard aziridinium (AF64A) in the developing rat

Two- to 3-day-old rat pups received bilateral intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of 2.0 nmol/μl AF64A or vehicle. Half of the pups had been preinjected i.c.v. with hemicholinium-3 (HC3) and the other half with saline. The administration of AF64A impaired spatial learning/memory and caused brain damage characterized by marked loss of forebrain cortical/subcortical tissue and ventricular hypertrophy when these were assessed in adulthood. Neither the behavioral nor the histopathological effects of AF64A were observed in rats that had been pretreated with HC3. Since HC3 is a potent and relatively selective inhibitor of high affinity choline uptake (HACU), the results indicate that the toxic effects of AF64A in the neonatal rat are dependent upon its uptake via the HACU site. If as other research suggests, this site is primarily on Ach neurons in the neonatal rat, then the consequences of neonatal damage to cholinergic neurons are severe for forebrain development.

Volatile anesthetic agents inhibit choline uptake into rat synaptosomes.

Acetylcholine is an excitatory neurotransmitter associated with the maintenance of consciousness. Choline uptake is the rate-limiting step in acetylcholine synthesis and may be a target for the action of volatile anesthetic agents. [Methyl-3H]choline uptake was investigated using rat cortical synaptosomes. The preparation was exposed to air, as control, or equipotent partial pressures (2.4 rat MAC) of enflurane, halothane or isoflurane. In addition, the dose-response relation for halothane on [methyl-3H]choline uptake was studied. The maximum rate of uptake was reduced significantly by 24% in the presence of enflurane (5.5%, 2.4 rat MAC) and isoflurane (3.5%, 2.4 rat MAC) and by 38% in the presence of halothane (3%, 2.4 rat MAC) with no change in Michaelis constant in the presence of each agent. A linear relation between the inhibition of [methyl-3H]choline uptake and the concentration of halothane was observed up to 3% halothane above which there was no further inhibition. The concentration of halothane resulting in half-maximum inhibition of total choline uptake was 1.5%. Noncompetitive inhibition of [methyl-3H]choline uptake by volatile anesthetic agents has been demonstrated in the in vitro synaptosome preparation. If present in vivo reduction in anesthetic-sensitive choline uptake may reduce the presynaptic availability of acetylcholine and hence contribute to the process of anesthesia.

Effects of disrupting the cholinergic system on short-term spatial memory in rats

The effects of disrupting the muscarinic or nicotinic systems on short-term spatial memory were investigated using a delayed matching to position (DMTP) procedure. Rats were trained on the DMTP until stability and then divided into two groups: one group was implanted with an indwelling cannula aimed at the lateral ventricle. The cannulated group received injections of selective muscarinic antagonists (pirenzepine, M1; AFDX 116, M2; UH-AH 37, M1/M3) or hemicholinium-3 (a choline uptake inhibitor). The remaining animals were treated with conventional muscarinic antagonists (scopolamine, methyl scopolamine) or nicotinic channel blockers (mecamylamine, hexamethonium). Scopolamine, methyl scopolamine and UH-AH 37 disrupted all performance parameters in a non-specific but dose related manner. Pirenzepine disrupted accuracy in a delay, but not dose dependent manner, and exerted no other negative effects on performance. Hemicholinium-3-induced performance deficits showed some elements of effects seen following pirenzepine and scopolamine (delay dependent effects on accuracy, some negative effects on other motoric aspects of performance). AFDX 116 and hexamethonium had no significant effects on performance with respect to control. Mecamylamine reduced accuracy and increased response latencies at the highest dose tested. These data indicate that muscarinic antagonists are more effective at disrupting mnemonic performance than nicotinic blockers, and moreover, that distinct muscarinic receptors may have differential effects on cognitive performance.

Stimulation of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis by hemicholinium‐3, a potent inhibitor of choline uptake in human leukemic monocyte‐like U937 cells

The effect of hemicholinium-3 (HC-3) on choline uptake and phosphatidylcholine (PC) biosynthesis was examined in human leukemic monocyte-like U937 cells. HC-3 inhibited [3H]choline uptake in a dose- and time-dependent manner. After a 3 h treatment, HC-3 (100 microM) decreased choline uptake by as much as 80 per cent (p < 0.0001; n = 4). Reduction of incorporation of label into PC was also detected in a dose-dependent manner; the extent of inhibition, however, was always 10-20 per cent less than that observed in the total uptake. At 3 h HC-3 decreased the incorporation into PC by 65 per cent (p < 0.0001; n = 5). Kinetic studies in vivo showed that HC-3 inhibited total uptake and incorporation into PC differently, suggesting that the labelling of PC is not simply dictated by [3H]choline uptake. In separate experiments, cells were pretreated with 100 microM HC-3 for 3 h. After washing, the inhibitory effect on total uptake was no longer observed, while a 20 per cent stimulation of the incorporation into PC was obtained in these pretreated cells. In pulse-chase studies, the cells were prelabelled with [3H]choline for 30 min and chased with HC-3 for up to 3 h; the results showed a significant stimulation of incorporation into PC in a longer chase with 100 microM HC-3. After a 3 h treatment, the cytosolic CTP:cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase (CT) was activated by 56 per cent, while choline kinase (CK) was inhibited slightly. The stimulation of CT was not simply due to the intact HC-3 molecule, and there was no redistribution of CT between cytosol and microsomes. Taken together, the results suggest that HC-3 activates PC biosynthesis apart from the inhibitory effect on choline uptake.

Lidocaine inhibits choline uptake and phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in human leukemic monocyte-like U937 cells.

The effect of lidocaine on [3H]choline uptake and the incorporation of label into phosphatidylcholine (PC) in human monocyte-like U937 cells was investigated. Lidocaine inhibited the rate of choline uptake in a dose-dependent manner; at 3.2 mM it resulted in a drastic reduction, by as much as 65 per cent (n = 10; p < 0.0005) or 55 per cent (n = 10; p < 0.0006) in a 3- or 6-h incubation, respectively. Lidocaine also decreased the rate of choline incorporation into PC in a dose-dependent manner. At the highest dose, nearly 70 per cent or 45 per cent reduction was seen in a 3- or 6-h incubation, respectively. Analysis of choline-containing metabolites showed that the major label association with phosphocholine and PC was reduced to a similar extent which was also parallel to the inhibition of choline uptake. At 3.2 mM lidocaine, the reduction of choline uptake was shown to follow a competitive inhibition. In the case of [3H] choline incorporation into PC, the inhibitory pattern was shown to be of a mixed type. The pulse-chase study dissecting the effect on choline metabolism from that on total choline uptake indicated that lidocaine exerted an additionally inhibitory effect on intracellular choline metabolism into PC. In a separate protocol in which the labelled cells were first allowed to be chased until 3H-incorporation into PC reached a steady state, lidocaine no longer showed any effect. These results seem to exclude the possibility of enhanced PC breakdown and further suggest that the main inhibitory effect is on the CDP-choline pathway for PC biosynthesis. After a 3-h treatment, CTP: cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase (CYT) in both the cytosolic and microsomal fractions was inhibited by approximately 20 per cent, while choline kinase (CK) and choline phosphotransferase (CPT) remain relatively unchanged. There was no evidence for translocation of CYT between cytosol and microsomes. Taken together, we have demonstrated a dual inhibitory function of lidocaine which inhibits PC biosynthesis in addition to its ability to block choline uptake profoundly in U937 cells.