Inhibitory Effect Of Gamma-aminobutyric Acid Research Articles

Stress-Induced Alteration in Chloride Transporters in the Trigeminal Nerve May Explain the Comorbidity between Depression and Migraine

Migraine is frequently comorbid with depression and anxiety disorders. In the case of depression and panic disorder, the associations seem to be bidirectional. Stress (activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) is thought to be involved in increasing the attack frequency. In the current review, it is argued that elevated levels of cortisol increase the function of chloride-ion transporter NKCC1 and decrease the function of chloride-extruder KCC2 in the trigeminal nerve. This leads to a diminished inhibitory effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and an enhanced likelihood of a migraine attack. Since migraine attacks themselves are stressful, and since brain areas are activated that could contribute to panic, anxiety and depression, a number of self-sustaining circular processes could occur that would explain the bi-directionality of the associations. On the basis of this hypothesis, several novel therapeutic approaches to counter the pathological process can be proposed. These include inhibition of corticotrophin releasing factor by CRF1 receptor antagonists, blockade of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) at the MC2 receptor, and inhibition of the hyperactive NKCC1 chloride-transporter.

Distribution and quantitative detection of GABAA receptor in Carassius auratus gibelio

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in brain, is synthesized from glutamate and metabolized to succinic semialdehyde by glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and GABA transaminase (GABA-T), respectively. The fast inhibitory effect of GABA is mediated by GABA type A (GABAA) receptors that are associated with several neurological disorders, and GABAA receptors are targets of several therapeutic agents. To date, information on the distribution and quantity of GABAA receptors in Carassius auratus gibelio is still limited. We investigated for the first time, the tissue-specific distribution of GABAARβ2a and GABAARβ2b, the two subunits of the predominant GABAA receptor subtype (α1β2γ2), and then, the expression of GABAARβ2a, GABAARβ2b, GAD, and quantified GABA-T genes in different tissues by quantitative real-time PCR method and compared different expressions between two developmental stages of C. auratus gibelio. Results showed that GABAARβ2a and GABAARβ2b genes expressed in both brain and peripheral organs using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. In addition, the majority of GABAARβ2a, GABAARβ2b, GAD, and GABA-T were mainly synthesized in brain; however, a considerable amount of GABA-T was secreted from the peripheral tissues, especially in the liver. Moreover, the expression of GABAARβ2a and GABAARβ2b genes in different tissues varied with body weight change. This study provides a reference for further studies on GABA and GABAA receptors subunits and an insight on the possible pharmacological properties of the GABAA receptor in C. auratus gibelio.

Expression and distribution of GABA and GABAB-receptor in the rat adrenal gland.

The inhibitory effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the central and peripheral nervous systems and the endocrine system are mediated by two different GABA receptors: GABAA-receptor (GABAA-R) and GABAB-receptor (GABAB-R). GABAA-R, but not GABAB-R, has been observed in the rat adrenal gland, where GABA is known to be released. This study sought to determine whether both GABA and GABAB-R are present in the endocrine and neuronal elements of the rat adrenal gland, and to investigate whether GABAB-R may play a role in mediating the effects of GABA in secretory activity of these cells. GABA-immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed in the superficial cortex. Some GABA-immunoreactive nerve fibers were found to be associated with blood vessels. Double-immunostaining revealed GABA-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the cortex were choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-immunonegative. Some GABA-immunoreactive nerve fibers ran through the cortex toward the medulla. In the medulla, GABA-immunoreactivity was seen in some large ganglion cells, but not in the chromaffin cells. Double-immunostaining also showed GABA-immunoreactive ganglion cells were nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-immunopositive. However, neither immunohistochemistry combined with fluorescent microscopy nor double-immunostaining revealed GABA-immunoreactivity in the noradrenaline cells with blue-white fluorescence or in the adrenaline cells with phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT)-immunoreactivity. Furthermore, GABA-immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed in close contact with ganglion cells, but not chromaffin cells. Double-immunostaining also showed that the GABA-immunoreactive nerve fibers were in close contact with NOS- or neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY)-immunoreactive ganglion cells. A few of the GABA-immunoreactive nerve fibers were ChAT-immunopositive, while most of the GABA-immunoreactive nerve fibers were ChAT-immunonegative. Numerous ChAT-immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed in close contact with the ganglion cells and chromaffin cells in the medulla. The GABAB-R-immunoreactivity was found only in ganglion cells in the medulla and not at all in the cortex. Immunohistochemistry combined with fluorescent microscopy and double-immunostaining showed no GABAB-R-immunoreactivity in noradrenaline cells with blue-white fluorescence or in adrenaline cells with PNMT-immunoreactivity. These immunoreactive ganglion cells were NOS- or NPY-immunopositive on double-immunostaining. These findings suggest that GABA from the intra-adrenal nerve fibers may have an inhibitory effect on the secretory activity of ganglion cells and cortical cells, and on the motility of blood vessels in the rat adrenal gland, mediated by GABA-Rs.

Blocking conversion of GABAergic inhibition as a potential mechanism of propofol-mediated brain protection following resuscitation

Animal experiments and clinical studies have indicated that propofol pretreatment significantly improves post-resuscitation recovery of neuronal functions. However, current theories on how propofol enhances the inhibitory effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) cannot fully explain its protective action on the brain. Recent studies have suggested that during the process of resuscitation, the effect of GABA is converted from inhibitory to excitatory, via a mechanism that is closely associated with activation of microglia and downregulation of the K(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter 2 (KCC2). We propose a hypothesis that propofol protects the brain through inhibiting the conversion of GABAergic inhibition into excitation during resuscitation. Activation of microglia, downregulation of KCC2, and correlations between these effects and the protective actions of propofol, may reveal the molecular mechanisms of propofol-mediated brain protection. Further investigations into the protective mechanisms of general anesthetics on the brain represented by propofol will help to guide rational clinical drug use, and will contribute to the discovery and development of novel brain-protective drugs to prevent perioperative cardiopulmonary resuscitation-associated brain injury.

Cellular and subcellular localization of the GABAB receptor 1a/b subunit in the rat periaqueductal gray matter

The inhibitory effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurotransmission in the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) are mediated, at least partly, by metabotropic GABA(B) receptor subtypes whose cellular and subcellular localization is still unknown. We performed immunohistochemical experiments with an antibody against GABA(B) receptor subtype 1a/b (GABA(B)R(1a/b)) by using light and electron microscopy. On light microscopy, GABA(B)R(1a/b) immunoreactivity (IR) was in all columns, defined by cytochrome oxidase histochemistry. Neuropil labeling was strongest in the lateral portion of dorsolateral PAG. Labeled neurons, albeit not numerous, were in ventrolateral, dorsal, and medial subdivisions and were sparser in dorsolateral PAG. Labeling was mostly on the soma of PAG neurons. Sometimes GABA(B)R(1a/b) IR spread along proximal dendrites; in these cases bipolar neurons were the most common type. On electron microscopy, GABA(B)R(1a/b) IR was mainly on dendrites (54.92% of labeled elements) and axon terminals (21.90%) making synapses with labeled and unlabeled postsynaptic elements. Presynaptic labeling was also on unmyelinated and myelinated axons (overall 8% of all labeled elements). Postsynaptically, GABA(B)R(1a/b) IR was at extrasynaptic sites on dendritic shafts; spines were always unlabeled. On axon terminals, GABA(B)R(1a/b) IR was on extrasynaptic membranes and sometimes on presynaptic membrane specializations. Of the labeled elements, 13.03% elements were distal astrocytic processes (dAsPs) surrounding both symmetric and asymmetric synapses whose pre- and postsynaptic elements were often labeled. Immunoreactive dAsPs were around the soma and dendrites of both labeled and unlabeled neurons. These findings provide insights into the intrinsic PAG organization and suggest that presynaptic, postsynaptic, and glial GABA(B) receptors may play crucial roles in controlling PAG neuronal activity.

GABA inhibition of immortalized gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuronal excitability involves GABA(A) receptors negatively coupled to cyclic adenosine monophosphate formation.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been implicated in the regulation of reproduction, particularly in the developmental modulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. GnRH neurons are innervated by GABA-containing processes, and the administration of GABA stimulates and inhibits GnRH secretion in vivo and in vitro. We have previously shown that GABA can exert both of these actions in sequence, by acting directly on immortalized GnRH neurons. While the stimulation is the result of a GABA(A) receptor-mediated depolarization of the plasma membrane, the mechanism involved in the delayed inhibition is the subject of the present investigation. GABA (1 nM-10 microM) decreased the intracellular concentration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. This effect was blocked by bicuculline and mimicked by muscimol but not by baclofen. To analyze the effect of GABA on cellular excitability, we used fura-2 loaded GT1-7 cells. Activation of voltage-sensitive calcium channels by high K+-induced depolarization (35 mM) increased [Ca2+]i. GABA (10 microM) and muscimol (10 microM) reduced the amplitude of K+-induced [Ca2+]i transients. This inhibition was blocked by forskolin (20 microM) or 8-Br-cAMP (1 mM). Altogether, these results show that GABA(A) receptors mediate a sustained inhibitory effect of GABA on GnRH neurons, and suggest the involvement of the cAMP pathway decreasing cellular excitability.

The inhibitory effects of (gamma)-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on growth hormone secretion in the goldfish are modulated by sex steroids.

Double-labelling studies at the electron microscopic level demonstrated that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-immunoreactive nerve endings are associated with growth-hormone-secreting cells in the proximal pars distalis of the goldfish pituitary gland, suggesting that GABA may be important for the control of growth hormone release in this species. An in vitro assay for GABA-transaminase activity demonstrated that the pituitary is a site for the metabolism of GABA to succinic acid. In vitro, GABA or the GABA antagonists bicuculline and saclofen did not affect the rate of growth hormone release from dispersed pituitary cells in static incubation. In contrast, intracerebroventricular injection of GABA reduced serum growth hormone levels within 30 min. During the seasonal gonadal cycle, intraperitoneal injection of GABA was without effect in sexually regressed goldfish, but caused a significant decrease in serum growth hormone levels in sexually recrudescent animals. Intraperitoneal implantation of solid silastic pellets containing oestradiol increased serum GH levels fivefold in sexually regressed and recrudescent goldfish; in both groups, GABA suppressed the oestradiol-stimulated increase in circulating growth hormone levels. The effect of oestradiol on basal serum growth hormone levels was specific since progesterone and testosterone were without effect. However, in recrudescent animals treated with progesterone and testosterone, the inhibitory effects of GABA on serum growth hormone levels were absent, indicating a differential role for these steroids in growth hormone release. Taken together, these results demonstrate that GABA has an inhibitory effect on growth hormone release in goldfish.

Effect of gonadal steroids and gamma-aminobutyric acid on LH release and dopamine expression and activity in the zona incerta in rats.

A dopaminergic system in the zona incerta stimulates LH release and may mediate the positive feedback effects of the gonadal steroids on LH release. In this study the mechanisms by which steroids might increase dopamine activity in the zona incerta were investigated. In addition, experiments were conducted to determine whether the inhibitory effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on LH release in the zona incerta are due to suppression of dopamine activity in this area or conversely whether the stimulatory effects of dopamine on LH release are due to suppression of a tonic inhibitory GABAergic system. Ovariectomized rats were treated s.c. with oil, 5 micrograms oestradiol benzoate or 5 micrograms oestradiol benzoate followed 48 h later by 0.5 mg progesterone, and killed 54 h after the oestradiol benzoate injection. At this time the LH concentrations were suppressed in the oestradiol benzoate group and increased in the group treated with oestradiol benzoate and progesterone. The ratio of tyrosine hydroxylase:beta-actin mRNA in the zona incerta was significantly increased by the oestradiol benzoate treatment, but the addition of progesterone resulted in values similar to those in the control group. At the same time, the progesterone treatment increased tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the zona incerta as indicated by an increase in L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) accumulation after 100 mg 3-hydroxybenzylhydrazine hydrochloric acid (NSD1015) kg-1 and an increase in dopamine release as indicated by a increase in dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) concentrations (one of the major metabolites of dopamine). Ovariectomized rats treated with oestradiol benzoate plus progesterone were also injected i.p. with 75 mg gamma-acetylenic GABA kg-1 (a GABA transaminase inhibitor) to increase GABA concentrations in the brain. This treatment had no effect on the ratio of tyrosine hydroxylase:beta-actin mRNA but decreased L-DOPA accumulation and DOPAC concentrations in the zona incerta, indicating a post-translational inhibition of dopamine synthesis and release. Treatment of ovariectomized rats with oestradiol benzoate followed by 100 mg L-DOPA i.p. to increase dopamine concentrations in the whole brain had no effect on glutamic acid decarboxylase mRNA expression in the zona incerta, although it increased the glutamic acid decarboxylase:beta-actin mRNA ratio in other hypothalamic areas (that is, the medical preoptic area, ventromedial nucleus and arcuate nucleus). In conclusion, the steroids act to increase dopamine activity in different ways: oestrogen increases tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA expression and progesterone acts after translation to increase tyrosine hydroxylase activity and dopamine release (as indicated by increases in DOPAC concentrations). This latter effect may be due to progesterone removing a tonic GABAergic inhibition from the dopaminergic system.

Identification and preclinical testing of novel antiepileptic compounds.

Procedures for identifying novel antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are changing and need to change more. Widespread reliance on two primary screens has led to the identification of novel compounds that resemble either phenytoin (suppressing high-frequency repetitive firing in cultured neurons and prolonging inactivation of voltage-dependent sodium channels identified by the maximal electroshock test) or benzodiazepines (potentiating the inhibitory effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), identified by the threshold pentylenetetrazol test). Advances in molecular neurobiology have identified specific molecular targets (subunits of ion channels, neurotransmitter receptors, and transporters) and have made them available in a form permitting high-throughput screening. AEDs can be designed to interact with specific sites on the target molecules. Alternatively, the molecular screens can be used to identify active components in natural products, including folk remedies. Preclinical in vivo screens can be improved by using animals with genetic or acquired epilepsies that have similar modifications in the properties of the target molecules as do human epilepsy syndromes. Future work is likely to define molecular targets for AEDs that will block or reverse chronic epileptogenesis.

Glucose Modulates γ-Aminobutyric Acid Release from the Pancreatic βTC6 Cell Line

To determine if endogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is secreted by a pancreatic beta-cell-derived cell line and to determine the effects of glucose on GABA release, beta TC6 cultures were incubated in the presence of 1 or 10 mmol/l glucose for 12 h and then subjected to a 2-h secretion test in Krebs-Ringer buffer containing 1 or 10 mmol/l glucose. beta TC6-conditioned medium was collected at 15, 30, 60, and 120 min after glucose stimulation for GABA analysis by high pressure liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection. After 30 min, medium GABA concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in cultures that were exposed to high glucose during both the 12-h incubation period and the 2-h secretion test than in the remaining three glucose combinations. To address possible roles of beta-cell-derived GABA, the effect of GABA on glucagon secretion from pancreatic alpha TC6 cells was tested at concentrations released from beta TC6 cells. Inhibition of glucagon secretion by alpha TC6 cells was observed in the presence of GABA at concentrations equivalent to concentrations secreted by beta TC6 cells. The inhibitory effects of GABA on glucagon secretion by alpha TC6 cells were blocked by the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline and were dissociated from the inhibitory effects of glucose. Together, these results provide the first documentation that endogenous GABA is released from a highly differentiated beta-cell line and that glucose and GABA independently attenuate glucagon secretion by a pancreatic alpha-cell line.

Mechanism of action of gamma-aminobutyric acid on frog melanotrophs.

We have previously demonstrated that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a potent regulator of secretory and electrical activity in melanotrophs of the frog pituitary. The aim of the present study was to investigate the intracellular events which mediate the response of melanotrophs to GABA. We first observed that GABA (1-100 microM) inhibited both basal and forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP (cAMP) formation. The inhibitory effect of GABA on cAMP levels was mimicked by the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen (100 microM) and totally abolished by a 4-h pretreatment with pertussis toxin (0.1 microgram/ml). In contrast, the specific GABAA agonist 3-aminopropane sulphonic acid (3APS) did not affect cAMP production. Both GABA and 3APS (100 microM each) induced a biphasic effect on alpha-MSH release from perifused frog neurointermediate lobes, i.e. a transient stimulation followed by an inhibition of alpha-MSH secretion. Administration of forskolin (10 microM) prolonged the stimulatory phase and attenuated the inhibitory phase evoked by GABA and 3APS, indicating that cAMP modulates the response of melanotrophs to GABAA agonists. Ejection of 3APS (1 microM) in the vicinity of cultured melanotrophs caused a massive increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). The stimulatory effect of 3APS on [Ca2+]i was abolished when the cells were incubated in a chloride-free medium. The formation of inositol trisphosphate was not affected by 3APS, suggesting that the increase in [Ca2+]i cannot be ascribed to mobilization of intracellular calcium stores. omega-Conotoxin did not alter the secretory response of frog neurointermediate lobes to 3APS, while nifedipine blocked the stimulation of alpha-MSH secretion induced by 3APS. In conclusion, the present data indicate that, in frog pituitary melanotrophs, (i) the stimulatory phase evoked by GABAA agonists can be accounted for by an influx of calcium through L-type calcium channels, (ii) the inhibitory effect evoked by GABAB agonists can be ascribed to inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity and (iii) cAMP attenuates the inhibitory phase evoked by GABAA agonists. Taken together, these data suggest that activation of GABAB receptors may modulate GABAA receptor function.

Visualization of gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptors on proopiomelanocortin-producing neurons in the rat hypothalamus.

It has recently been shown that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and central-type benzodiazepine receptor agonists inhibit the expression of the POMC gene and the release of POMC-derived peptides from hypothalamic neurons. To determine whether the inhibitory effect of GABA could be accounted for by a direct action on POMC neurons, we investigated the localization of the beta 1-subunit of the GABAA-benzodiazepine-receptor complex in the arcuate nucleus. Using a monoclonal antibody raised against a synthetic fragment of the beta 1-subunit, we demonstrate the presence of GABAA receptor on POMC neurons. The proportion of POMC neurons that exhibit immunoreactivity for the beta 1-subunit of the GABAA receptor was not significantly different in the posterior portion (73.0-76.0%) and anterior portion (61.3-62.7%) of the arcuate nucleus. The data also revealed that in the arcuate nucleus, a majority of neurons that were immunostained by the antibody to the beta 1-subunit were not POMC positive. The present results support the concept that GABAA and central-type benzodiazepine receptor agonists exert a direct inhibitory action on POMC neurons. The data also indicate the existence of subsets of POMC neurons within the arcuate nucleus.

GABA modulates neurotransmission in sinus node via stimulation of GABAA receptor

The neuromodulator role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the sinus node of the guinea pig heart was examined. GABA inhibited the electrical transmural stimulation (ETS)-evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine (NE) from the sinus node. Muscimol mimicked and bicuculline antagonized the inhibitory effect of GABA. However, the ETS-evoked release of [3H]NE was not inhibited by muscimol in the presence of atropine. The ETS-evoked release of [3H]acetylcholine (ACh) from the sinus node was enhanced by muscimol, and this effect was antagonized by bicuculline. As the ETS-evoked release of [3H]ACh was reduced by bicuculline alone, the endogenous GABA released by ETS is probably involved in the release of ACh. We propose that GABA, as a neuromodulator, inhibits activity of the adrenergic neuron due to stimulation of the cholinergic neuron via the GABAA receptor present in the sinus node.

GABAB receptor modulation of the release of substance P from capsaicin‐sensitive neurones in the rat trachea in vitro

1. The role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as an inhibitory transmitter in the central nervous system is well documented. Recently, GABAA and GABAB receptors have been identified in the peripheral nervous system, notably on primary afferent neurones (PAN). We have utilised a multi-superfusion system to investigate the effect of selective GABA receptor agonists and antagonists on the release of substance P (SP) from the rat trachea in vitro. 2. GABA (1-100 microM) did not affect spontaneous release of SP-like immunoreactivity (LI) but caused dose-related inhibition of calcium-dependent potassium (60 mM)-stimulated SP-LI release. The greatest inhibition of 77.7 +/- 18.8% was observed at 100 microM. 3. The inhibitory effect of GABA was mimicked by the GABAB receptor agonist, (+/-)-baclofen (1-100 microM), but not the GABAA receptor agonist, 3-amino-1-propane-sulphonic acid (3-APS, 1-100 microM). Baclofen (100 microM) had no effect on SP-LI release stimulated by capsaicin (1 microM). 4. The inhibitory effect of baclofen (30 microM) was significantly reduced by prior and concomitant exposure to the GABAB receptor antagonist, phacolofen (100 microM) but not the GABAA receptor antagonist, bicuculline (10 microM). Neither antagonist, alone, affected spontaneous or potassium-stimulated SP-LI release. 5. We conclude that activation of pre-synaptic GABAB receptors on the peripheral termini of PANs in the rat trachea inhibits SP-LI release and suggest that GABAB receptor agonists may be of value in the therapeutic treatment of asthma.

GABAA receptor‐mediated stimulation of non‐adrenergic non‐cholinergic neurones in the dog ileocolonic junction

1. The inhibitory effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the GABAA receptor agonist homotaurine and the GABAB receptor agonist (+/-)-baclofen were investigated on circular muscle strips of the dog terminal ileum and ileocolonic junction. 2. In the presence of atropine, GABA and homotaurine induced concentration-dependent relaxations, similar to the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC)-mediated relaxations evoked by electrical stimulation or by acetylcholine. The ileocolonic junction was more sensitive to GABA and homotaurine than the ileum. (+/-)-Baclofen had no effect. Cross desensitization only occurred between GABA and homotaurine. 3. The GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline shifted the concentration-response curves to GABA and homotaurine to the right. The maximal relaxation to GABA remained unaffected. 4. GABA-induced relaxations were not inhibited by timolol, guanethidine, domperidone, hexamethonium and desensitization to ATP, but were abolished by tetrodotoxin. 5. Bicuculline, and pretreatment with GABA or (+/-)-baclofen had no effect on the NANC-evoked relaxations to electrical stimulation and acetylcholine. 6. In conclusion, GABA stimulates GABAA receptors located on inhibitory NANC neurones in the dog ileocolonic junction. Our results suggest that it is unlikely that GABA is the final inhibitory NANC neurotransmitter.

Excitatory amino acids release endogenous acetylcholine from rat striatal slices: Regulation by gamma-aminobutyric acid

Endogenous acetylcholine release from rat striatal slices in response to several excitatory amino acids and its regulation by gamma-aminobutyric acid were investigated using a chemiluminescent reaction to detect this release continuously. The amount of acetylcholine released by glutamate (1 ?M) was 60% of that released by KCl (50 mM). Quisqualic acid and kainic acid, both 1 ?M, elicited only half as much acetylcholine release as did 1 ?M of glutamic acid or N- methyl- d -aspartate . Only the effects of glutamate or N- methyl- d -aspartate were blocked by ?-aminoadipic acid, but not by glutamic acid diethylester, both at 100 ?M. Gamma-aminobutyric acid modulated acetylcholine release evoked by either high potassium or glutamate. However, the inhibitory effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid was greater (54%) when the slices were stimulated by glutamate than when depolarized by KCl (40%). These actions were completely reversed by picrotoxin or bicuculline, both at 100 ?M. It is concluded on the one hand that glutamate elicits acetylcholine release by acting on the N- methyl- d -aspartate receptor. On the other hand, gamma-aminobutyric acid inhibited to a greater extent endogenous acetylcholine release evoked by glutamate than that evoked by potassium. These findings suggest that gamma-aminobutyric acid exerts an important regulation on cholinergic neurons stimulated by the glutamatergic corticostriatal pathway.

Different γ-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Subtypes are Involved in the Regulation of Opiate-Dependent and Independent Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone Secretion

The neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) appears to be involved in the control of gonadotropin secretion. These studies were conducted 1) to evaluate the effect of GABAergic drugs on in vitro LHRH secretion and 2) to characterize the role of different types of GABA receptors (the GABA-A and GABA-B subtypes) in these actions. Arcuate nuclei-median eminence fragments were incubated in vitro, and the release of LHRH, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), arginine vasopressin, and oxytocin was measured by RIA. Both GABA and muscimol at different concentrations induced an increase in LHRH release, but did not affect the release of arginine vasopressin and oxytocin. This stimulatory effect was blocked by the specific GABA antagonist bicuculline, suggesting the involvement of GABA-A type receptors. Muscimol-stimulated LHRH release was not affected by the presence of phentolamine, suggesting that the stimulatory effect of GABA-A receptors on LHRH release is not mediated by interactions with the noradrenergic system. PGE2 has been shown to be a potent secretagogue of LHRH from the median eminence in vitro, and in this model the stimulatory effect of PGE2 was enhanced by muscimol. Baclofen, a specific GABA-B type receptor agonist, had no effect on basal LHRH release, but completely suppressed naloxone-stimulated LHRH and PGE2 secretion. The inhibitory effect of baclofen was blocked by the presence of 5-aminovalerate, a drug that has been shown to block the inhibitory effect of baclofen on NE release from noradrenergic terminals. This suggests the possibility that GABA-B receptors interacting with noradrenergic terminals may be responsible for the inhibitory effect of baclofen on naloxone stimulation. This study uncovered both stimulatory and inhibitory effects of GABA on LHRH release after activation of GABA-A or GABA-B receptors, respectively. Further, the data show possible relationships among the GABAergic, endogenous opiate peptide, and noradrenergic systems in the control of LHRH release from the hypothalamus.

Central inhibition by gamma-aminobutyric acid of the release of vasopressin by carbachol in the rat.

1. gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibited the antidiuretic response and the increased urinary excretion of vasopressin produced by carbachol when both drugs were injected into a lateral cerebral ventricle (i.c.v.) in the water-loaded rat under ethanol anaesthesia. 2. The inhibitory effect of GABA was mimicked by muscimol and 3-amino-1-propane sulphonic acid (3-APS) and blocked by bicuculline. 3. GABA injected i.v. or into the cisterna magna (i.cist.) did not inhibit the release of vasopressin by carbachol injected i.c.v. 4. The results suggest a role for GABA as a putative inhibitory transmitter in the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system, acting directly on the supraoptic or paraventricular nuclei in the anterior hypothalamus.

Evidence for a dual effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid on thyrotropin (TSH)-releasing hormone-induced TSH release from perifused rat pituitaries.

The effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the spontaneous and TRH-induced TSH release were investigated in vitro on perifused rat pituitaries. The dynamic pattern of TSH release was measured in response to a 6-min pulse of TRH (10 nM) with or without GABA addition. GABA had no effect on spontaneous TSH release but exhibited a dual effect on TSH-stimulated release according to the dose (as calculated by the induced-basal ratio): a potentiation of the TSH response to TRH at the lowest concentrations tested (less than or equal to 10 nM) and an inhibition for GABA concentrations equal or higher than 100 nM. The GABA potentiation was mimicked by muscimol (10 microM) and isoguvacine (10 nM) but not by baclofen (1 microM). Bicucullin (1 microM) or picrotoxin (1 microM) added 15 min before GABA was unable to reverse the GABA potentiation of the TSH response, although SR 95103 (1 and 10 microM), a specific GABA A antagonist, partially or totally antagonized this response. Diazepam (7 nM) was able to potentiate the TSH response by 216% when GABA was added to the system at a concentration (60 nM) which does not modify by itself the TSH response. The inhibitory effect of GABA (100 nM) was completely abolished by bicucullin (1 microM), by picrotoxin (1 microM), and by SR 95103 (1 microM). Picrotoxin not only blocked the inhibitory action of GABA but significantly (P less than 0.05) potentiated the TSH response to TRH. Our data suggest a dual GABA-ergic control of TRH-stimulated TSH release directly on the pituitary, probably mediated by two different kinds of GABA receptors: a GABA A receptor site mediating the inhibitory effect and a nonclassical GABA A receptor site of higher affinity for its stimulatory action.

Effects of GABA and homotaurine on the colonic motility of the guinea pig

The effects of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and homotaurine (3-aminopropane sulfonic acid) on propulsive activity of the isolated segment, and on longitudinal and circular muscle strips were investigated in the guinea-pig distal colon. GABA (0.1 and 1 mM) inhibited spontaneous propulsive activity with a reduction of longitudinal tension of the segment. Homotaurine (1 mM) slightly inhibited spontaneous propulsive activity. GABA (0.01-1 mM) relaxed both longitudinal and circular muscle strips. Homotaurine (1 mM) slightly relaxed circular muscle strip. Desensitization to GABA and homotaurine was observed. The inhibitory effects of GABA on both muscle strips were abolished by tetrodotoxin or atropine, but not by bicuculline. Carbachol-induced contractions on both muscle strips were not influenced by GABA or homotaurine. These results suggest that GABA-induced inhibition of propulsive activity in the isolated colonic segment may result from activation of GABAB receptor on the cholinergic neurones in the wall, which in turn leads to reduction of release of transmitter acetylcholine.