Receptor-mediated Inhibition Of Acetylcholine Release Research Articles

In Vitro Effects of Organophosphorus Anticholinesterases on Muscarinic Receptor-Mediated Inhibition of Acetylcholine Release in Rat Striatum

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro modulation of muscarinic autoreceptor function by the organophosphorus (OP) anticholinesterases chlorpyrifos oxon, paraoxon, and methyl paraoxon. Acetylcholine (ACh) release was studied by preloading slices from rat striatum with [3H]choline and depolarizing with potassium (20 mM) in perfusion buffer containing hemicholinium-3 (to prevent reuptake of radiolabeled choline). Under these conditions, chlorpyrifos oxon, paraoxon, and methyl paraoxon (0.1–10 μM) all reduced ACh release in a concentration-dependent manner. Addition of the carbamate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor physostigmine (20 μM) to the perfusion buffer also decreased ACh release. When physostigmine was present, the three oxons had no additional effect on ACh release. Concentration-dependent inhibition of AChE activity in striatal slices perfused with chlorpyrifos oxon (0.1, 1, and 10 μM) suggested AChE inhibition was responsible for oxon-mediated alterations in ACh release. To differentiate between direct and indirect actions of the OP toxicants on muscarinic autoreceptors, we compared the effects of the oxons on ACh release under two conditions, i.e., tissues were perfused with buffer containing only hemicholinium-3 or with buffer containing hemicholinium-3, physostigmine, and the nonselective muscarinic receptor blocker atropine (100 nM). In the presence of only hemicholinium-3, concentration-dependent inhibition of ACh release was again noted for all oxons, similar to the effects of the muscarinic agonists carbachol and cis-dioxolane. In the presence of physostigmine and atropine, the relative potencies of all agents were markedly reduced. Interestingly, carbachol, cis-dioxolane, paraoxon, and methyl paraoxon all decreased ACh release as before, but chlorpyrifos oxon (100–300 μM) actually increased ACh release. Together, the results suggest that chlorpyrifos oxon, paraoxon, and methyl paraoxon can activate muscarinic autoreceptors indirectly through inhibition of AChE. Both paraoxon and methyl paraoxon also directly activate whereas chlorpyrifos oxon blocks muscarinic autoreceptor function. Qualitative differences in the direct actions of these oxons at this presynaptic regulatory site could contribute to differential toxicity with high-dose exposures.

Effects of cannabinoids on adrenaline release from adrenal medullary cells.

1. The objective of the present study was to analyse the peripheral effects of cannabinoids on adrenaline release from adrenal chromaffin cells. 2. In pithed rabbits with electrically stimulated sympathetic outflow, intravenous injection of the cannabinoid receptor agonists WIN55212-2 and CP55940 (5, 50 and 500 microg x kg(-1)) markedly lowered the plasma adrenaline concentration. The effect of WIN55212-2 was attenuated by the selective CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR141716A (500 microg x kg(-1)). WIN55212-3 (same doses as WIN55212-2), the enantiomer of WIN55212-2 lacking affinity for cannabinoid receptors, had no effect on the plasma adrenaline concentration. 3. In rabbit isolated adrenal glands, the release of adrenaline elicited by electrical stimulation was measured by fast cyclic voltammetry. Electrically-evoked adrenaline release was inhibited by WIN55212-2 (0.3, 1, 3 and 10 microM) and this effect was antagonized by SR141716A (1 microM). The non-cholinergic component of adrenaline release observed after blockade of nicotinic (by hexamethonium 100 microM) and muscarinic (by atropine 0.5 microM) acetylcholine receptors was not depressed by WIN55212-2. WIN55212-3 (10 microM) had no effect on adrenaline release. 4. No detectable specific CB1 receptor binding and mRNA expression were found in rabbit adrenal glands with autoradiography and in situ hybridization. 5. The results show that cannabinoids inhibit adrenaline secretion in rabbit isolated adrenal glands; the likely mechanism is a presynaptic CB1 receptor-mediated inhibition of acetylcholine release from preganglionic sympathetic neurons. The inhibition of adrenaline secretion in adrenal glands most probably accounts for the decrease in the plasma adrenaline concentration observed after cannabinoid administration in pithed rabbits.

Inhibition of hippocampal acetylcholine release by cannabinoids: reversal by SR 141716A

Two synthetic cannabinoids, WIN 55,212-2 { R-(+)-(2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-[{4-morpholinylmethyl]pyrol [1,2,3- de]-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl)(1-naphthalenyl)methanone monomethanesulfonate} (5.0 and 10 mg/kg i.p.) and CP 55,940 {[1 a,2-( R)-5-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-2-[5-hydroxy-2-(3-hydroxypropyl)cyclohexyl]-phenol} {[1 a,2-( R)-5-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-2-[5-hydroxy-2-(3-hydroxypropyl)cyclohexyl]-phenol} (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg i.p.), inhibited acetylcholine release in the rat hippocampus. The inhibition was prevented by the cannabinoid receptor antagonist, SR 141716A { N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4- chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1 H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide} HCl, at the dose of 0.1 mg/kg i.p. Higher doses of SR 141716A (1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg i.p.) themselves increased hippocampal acetylcholine release, suggesting that acetylcholine output is tonically inhibited by endogenous cannabinoids. The results also suggest that the negative effects of marijuana on learning and memory may depend on cannabinoid receptor-mediated inhibition of acetylcholine release.

Opioid receptor-mediated control of acetylcholine release in human neocortex tissue.

The effects of various opioid receptor agonists and antagonists on evoked acetylcholine release were studied in slices of human neocortex prelabelled with [3H]-choline, superfused and depolarized electrically (2 min, 3 Hz, 2 ms, 24 mA) or by K+ (20 mM). The delta-opioid receptor agonist DPDPE and the kappa-opioid receptor agonist U50488 reduced the evoked [3H]-overflow (acetylcholine release) in a concentration-dependent fashion; the delta-opioid receptor antagonist naltrindole and the kappa-opioid receptor antagonist norbinaltorphimine, respectively, antagonized these effects. Application of the mu-opioid receptor agonist DAGO also resulted in an inhibition of acetylcholine release; however, both delta- and kappa-opioid receptor antagonists were able to block this effect. The mu-opioid receptor agonists morphine and (+)-nortilidine had no effect. These results indicate that acetylcholine release in human neocortex is inhibited through delta- and kappa-opioid receptors, but not through mu-opioid receptors. Acetylcholine release was significantly increased by the delta-opioid receptor antagonist naltrindole in the presence of a mixture of peptidase inhibitors providing evidence for a delta-opioid receptor-mediated inhibition of acetylcholine release by endogenous enkephalin. K(+)-evoked acetylcholine release in the presence of TTX was inhibited by U50488, but not by DPDPE, suggesting the presence of kappa-opioid receptors on cholinergic terminals and the localization of delta-receptors on cortical interneurons. Therefore, the potent effect of DPDPE on acetylcholine release is likely to be indirect, by modulation of intrinsic cortical neurons. These interneurons probably do not use GABA as neurotransmitter since both GABAA and GABAB receptor agonists (muscimol and baclofen, respectively) were without effect on acetylcholine release.

5-HT 1A receptor-mediated inhibition of acetylcholine release from guinea pig myenteric plexus: Potential mechanisms

The mechanisms through which presynaptic 5-HT 1A receptors cause inhibition of acetylcholine release from the guinea pig myenteric plexus were investigated. The selective 5-HT 1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di- n-propylamino)-tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) caused concentration-dependent inhibitions of the electrically evoked release of [ 3H]acetylcholine from myenteric plexus preparations that had been preincubated with [ 3H]choline. The inhibitory effects were not modified by the activator of adenylyl cyclase, forskolin (10 μM), the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, AH 21–132 (100 μM), or after pretreatment of the guinea, pigs with pertussis toxin (60 μg/kg). In contrast, the protein kinase C activator 4β-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (0.1 μM) prevented the release-inhibiting effect of 8-OH-DPAT, whereas the inactive isomer 4α-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (0.1 μM) was without effect. The results suggest that the presynaptic 5-HT 1A receptor is not coupled to a pertussis toxin sensitive G protein or to adenylyl cyclase. However, protein kinase C seems to be involved in the mechanism of inhibition of acetylcholine release by presynaptic 5-HT 1A receptors.

Activation of dopamine D1 receptors does not affect D2 receptor-mediated inhibition of acetylcholine release in rabbit striatum

The possible involvement of dopamine D1 receptors in the regulation of acetylcholine release in the rabbit caudate nucleus was investigated. Caudate slices, preincubated with [3H]choline, were superfused continuously and subjected to electrical field stimulation with only a single pulse. In agreement with the view that the release of acetylcholine evoked by a single electrical pulse is not influenced by endogenous transmitters, atropine and domperidone failed to increase the evoked release of [3H]acetylcholine, whereas oxotremorine and quinpirole caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of transmitter release. Neither the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 nor the D1 agonist SKF 38393 in a concentration range of 0.01-1 mumol/l changed the evoked [3H]acetylcholine release. The inhibitory effect of the dopamine D2 receptor agonist quinpirole was virtually abolished in the presence of 0.1 mumol/l domperidone and diminished in the presence of 1 mumol/l SCH 23390. It remained unchanged in the presence of 1 mumol/l SKF 38393. It is concluded that the inhibition of acetylcholine release by dopamine is mediated exclusively via presynaptic dopamine D2 receptors and that the antagonistic effect of SCH 23390 on the inhibition of acetylcholine release by quinpirole is due to its interaction with dopamine D2 rather than D1 receptors located on cholinergic nerve terminals.

Influence of acute and chronic chlorimipramine treatment on the 5-HT receptor-mediated modulation of acetylcholine release from the cerebral cortex of freely moving guinea-pigs

1. Acetylcholine (ACh) release from the cerebral cortex of freely moving guinea-pigs, implanted with epidural cups, was studied. 2. A single dose of chlorimipramine (Cl-Imip, 10 mg kg-1, s.c.), reduced the cortical ACh release both in normal and in chronically (10 mg kg-1 daily, s.c., for 14 days) Cl-Imip-treated guinea-pigs; the 5-HT3 antagonist MDL 72222 (1 mg kg-1, s.c.) antagonized this effect. 3. A single dose of Cl-Imip significantly reduced the effect of the 5-HT1A agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylaminotetralin) (8-OH-DPAT, 0.1 mg kg-1, s.c.), which nearly doubled the cortical ACh release in control animals. MDL 72222 restored to normal the response to 8-OH-DPAT reduced by the anti-depressant. 4. A single dose of Cl-Imip did not change the inhibitory, MDL 72222-sensitive, effect induced by the 5-HT3 agonist 2-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (2-methyl-5-HT, 500 micrograms, i.c.v.). 5. In chronically Cl-Imip-treated guinea-pigs, the facilitatory effect of 8-OH-DPAT was no longer present, while the inhibitory, MDL 72222-sensitive, effect of 2-methyl-5-HT was maintained. 6. These results indicate that the 5-HT1A receptor-mediated increase in ACh release is reduced by prolonged Cl-Imip treatment, while the 5-HT3 receptor-mediated inhibition of ACh release is unaffected. The relevance of these findings to the antidepressant mechanism of Cl-Imip is discussed.

Parainfluenza virus infection damages inhibitory M2 muscarinic receptors on pulmonary parasympathetic nerves in the guinea-pig.

1. The effect of viral infection on the function of neuronal M2 muscarinic autoreceptors in the lungs was studied in anaesthetized guinea-pigs. 2. Guinea-pigs were inoculated intranasally with either parainfluenza type 3 or with a vehicle control. Four days later the animals were anaesthetized, paralysed and artificially ventilated. Pulmonary inflation pressure, tidal volume, blood pressure, and heart rate were recorded. Both vagus nerves were cut and electrical stimulation of the distal portions caused bronchoconstriction (measured as an increase in pulmonary inflation pressure) and bradycardia. 3. In control animals, pilocarpine (1-100 micrograms kg-1, i.v.) attenuated vagally-induced bronchoconstriction by stimulating inhibitory M2 muscarinic receptors on parasympathetic nerves in the lungs. Conversely, blockade of these receptors with the antagonist gallamine (0.1-10 mg kg-1, i.v.) produced a marked potentiation of vagally-induced bronchoconstriction. These results confirm previous findings. 4. In guinea-pigs infected with parainfluenza virus, pilocarpine did not inhibit vagally-induced bronchoconstriction. Furthermore, gallamine did not potentiate vagally-induced bronchoconstriction to the same degree as in uninfected controls. 5. There was no increase in baseline pulmonary inflation pressure in the infected animals over the controls. Receptors on airway smooth muscle were unchanged by viral infection since large doses of pilocarpine caused equivalent bronchoconstriction in both groups of animals. Gallamine inhibited the vagally-induced fall in heart rate equally in both groups of animals indicating that virus-induced changes in M2 receptor function on pulmonary parasympathetic nerves are not part of a generalized decrease in M2 receptor function. 6. These results demonstrate that the M2 muscarinic receptor-mediated inhibition of acetylcholine release from parasympathetic nerves in the lungs is decreased in animals infected with parainfluenza virus. Loss of this inhibition would result in increased release of acetylcholine from the parasympathetic nerves and may explain virus-induced airway hyperresponsiveness.

Do presynaptic opiate receptors and α-adrenoceptors alter acetylcholine release from a sympathetic ganglion by a similar mechanism?

The present experiments tested the possible involvement of a calcium-sensitive mechanism in the α-adrenoceptor-and opiate receptor-mediated inhibition of acetylcholine release from the cat superior cervical ganglion. First, the calcium-dependence of evoked acetylcholine release was measured in the presence and absence of the α-adrenoceptor agonist noradrenaline or of the opiate receptor agonist [Met 5]enkephalin-Arg 6-Phe 7. When ganglia were perfused with Krebs medium containing [Ca 2+] = 2.4, 1.2, 0.6, 0.2 mM, evoked release of acetylcholine was depressed by both agonists and the inhibition increased with reduced levels of extracellular Ca 2+; this was especially evident when calcium in the medium was reduced to 0.2 mM. Second, the effects of both noradrenaline and [Met 5]enkephalin-Arg 6-Phe 7 on calcium influx into presynaptic nerve endings was determined by measuring the accumulation of 45Ca into ganglia in the presence and absence of either drug. Both agonists reduced the stimulation-induced increase in 45Ca accumulation. The effect of noradrenaline to reduce calcium influx was blocked by yohimbine or by phentolamine; the effect of [Met 5]enkephalin-Arg 6-Phe 7 to decrease 45Ca accumulation by ganglia was blocked by naloxone. It is concluded that activation of presynaptic opiate receptors and α-adrenoceptors in the cat superior cervical ganglion can alter acetylcholine release by a similar mechanism, i.e. to reduce Ca 2+ influx during preganglionic nerve stimulation.