Activation of CCK-A receptors induces elevation of plasma corticosterone in rats.

Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) and ceruletide (1 microgram/kg) produced a pronounced increment of plasma corticosterone levels at 30 min after intraperitoneal administration. The response to these peptides was suppressed by pretreatment with a selective antagonist for CCK-A receptors, (-)L-364,718, in a dose-related manner, but not with an antagonist for CCK-B receptors, (+)L-365,260. However, (-)L-364,718 itself had no effect on basal levels of plasma corticosterone. These results indicate that peripheral administration of CCK-8 and ceruletide stimulates the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis through the activation of CCK-A receptors, but not CCK-B receptors.     

Dopamine Affects the Change of Pain-Related Electrical Activity Induced by Morphine Dependence

Morphine is among the most effective analgesics. However, many evidences suggest that, besides the well-know analgesic activity, repeated opioids treatment can induce some side effects such as dependence, hyperalgesia and tolerance. The mechanism of noxious information transmission in the central nervous system after dependence is not clear. An important neurotransmitter, dopamine (DA) participates not only in the process of opioid dependence but also in pain modulation in the central nervous system. In the present study we observed changes of electrical activities of pain-excitation neurons (PENs) and pain-inhibition neurons (PINs) in the caudate nucleus (Cd) following the development of morphine dependence. We also observed the role of DA on these changes. Our results revealed that both the latency of PEN discharges and the inhibitory duration of PIN discharges decreased, and the net increased values of PEN and PIN discharges increased in the Cd of morphine dependent rats. Those demonstrated that electrical activities of both PENs and PINs increased in morphine dependent rats. DA inhibited the electrical activities of PENs and enhanced those of PINs in morphine dependent rats.     

Effects of CCK antagonists on CCK-induced suppression of locomotor activity in mice.

Sulfated cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) was administered either intraperitoneally or into the cerebral ventricle of fully conscious mice, and locomotor activity was quantified. CCK-8 administered by either route suppressed locomotor activity. Subcutaneously administered selective CCK-A receptor antagonist, L-364,718 (1 mg/kg), reversed the inhibitory effect of centrally as well as peripherally administered CCK-8, but the selective CCK-B receptor antagonist, L-365,260 (1 mg/kg), did not. These results demonstrate that centrally as well as peripherally administered CCK-8 suppresses locomotor activity in mice through an interaction with CCK-A, but not CCK-B, receptors.     

MK-801 changes the role of glutamic acid on modulation of algesia in nucleus accumbens

Dizocilpine maleate (MK-801) causes the blockage of the glutamic acid (Glu) receptors in the central nervous system that are involved in pain transmission. However, the mechanism of action of MK-801 in pain-related neurons is not clear, and it is still unknown whether Glu is involved in the modulation of this processing. This study examines the effect of MK-801, Glu on the pain-evoked response of pain-excitation neurons (PENs) and pain-inhibition neurons (PINs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of rats. The trains of electric impulses applied to the sciatic nerve were used as noxious stimulation. The electrical activities of PENs or PINs in NAc were recorded by a glass microelectrode. Our results revealed that the lateral ventricle injection of Glu increased the discharged frequency and shortened the discharged latency of PEN, and decreased the discharged frequency and prolonged the discharged inhibitory duration (ID) of PIN in NAc of rats evoked by the noxious stimulation, while intra-NAc administration of MK-801 produced the opposite response. On the basis of above findings we can deduce that Glu, MK-801 and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor are involved in the modulation of nociceptive information transmission in NAc.     

Dopamine Involved in the Nociceptive Modulation in the Parafascicular Nucleus of Morphine-Dependent Rat

Dopamine regulates pain perception in some areas of the central nervous system. Previously, we have confirmed that dopamine potentiated the electric activities of the evoked discharges of pain-excited neurons (PENs) and inhibited those of pain-inhibited neurons (PINs) in the parafascicular nucleus (Pfn) of normal rats. The mechanism of action of dopamine on pain-related neurons in the Pfn of morphine-dependent rat is still unknown. The present study aimed to determine the effects of dopamine and its receptor antagonist droperidol on the pain-evoked responses of the PEN and PIN in the Pfn of morphine-dependent rats, and to compare the effects between the morphine-dependent rat and the normal rat. The trains of electric impulses applied to the sciatic nerve were used as noxious stimulation. The discharges of PEN or PIN in the Pfn were recorded by using a glass microelectrode. The results showed that intra-Pfn microinjection of dopamine decreased the frequency of noxious stimulation-induced discharges of PEN and increased the frequency of PIN. The intra-Pfn administration of droperidol produced an opposite effect. These results demonstrated that dopamine is involved in nociceptive modulation in the morphine-dependent rat, the responses to noxious stimulation between normal rat and morphine-dependent rat are completely opposite. The effect of dopamine is through the dopamine D₂ receptor of PENs and PINs in Pfn. The results suggest that the dopamine system of the Pfn may become a therapeutic target for analgesia and the treatment of morphine dependence.     

Cholecystokinin-8 induces intracellular calcium signaling in cultured myenteric neurons from neonatal guinea pigs

The responsiveness of cultured myenteric neurons to cholecystokinin (CCK-8) was examined using fura-2-based digital microfluorimetric measurement of intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)). CCK-8 (10(-10)-10(-6)M) evoked concentration-dependent increases in percentage of neurons responding (8-52%) and delta[Ca(2+)](i) (76-169 nM). Gastrin (1 microM) also induced an increase in [Ca(2+)](i) in 29+/-6% of neurons (delta[Ca(2+)](i): 71+/-3 nM). L-364,718, an antagonist for the CCK-A receptor, blocked [Ca(2+)](i) response to CCK-8. Removal of extracellular calcium eliminated CCK-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increments, as did the addition of the calcium channel inhibitors nickel (1mM) and lanthanum (5mM). Nifedipine (1-50 microM) dose-dependently attenuated CCK-caused [Ca(2+)](i) responses. CCK evokes [Ca(2+)](i) signaling in myenteric neurons by the influx of extracellular calcium, likely through L-type calcium channels.     

Morphine dependence changes the role of droperidol on pain-related electric activities in caudate nucleus

Droperidol causes the blockage of the dopamine receptors in the central nervous system that are involved in pain transmission. However, the mechanism of action of droperidol in pain-related neurons is not clear, and it is still unknown whether opioids are involved in the modulation of this processing. The present study examines the effect of droperidol on the pain-evoked response of pain-excitation neurons (PENs) and pain-inhibition neurons (PINs) in the caudate nucleus (Cd) of rats. The trains of electric impulses applied to the sciatic nerve were used as noxious stimulation. Our results revealed that droperidol decreased the frequency of PEN discharge, and increased the frequency PIN discharge evoked by the noxious stimulation in the Cd of normal rats, while administration of droperidol to morphine-dependent rats produced the opposite response. Those demonstrated that droperidol is involved in the modulation of nociceptive information transmission in Cd, and there were completely opposite responses to painful stimulation between normal and morphine-dependent rats after administration of droperidol.     

Functional CCK-A and Y2 receptors in guinea pig esophagus

Effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8), peptide YY (PPY), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and their analogs on muscle contractions of esophageal strips were investigated. CCK-8 induced a tetrodotoxin and atropine-sensitive contraction. The relative potencies for CCK related peptides to induce contractions were CCK-8 > desulfated CCK-8 > gastrin-17-I. The CCK-A receptor antagonist L-364,718 was 300-fold more potent than the CCK-B receptor antagonist L-365,260 at inhibiting CCK-8-induced contraction. These indicate that neural CCK-A receptors mediate this contraction. PYY or NPY did not cause muscle contraction or inhibit muscle contraction induced by carbachol, endothelin-1 or KCl. However, both PYY and NPY concentration-dependently inhibited contraction induced by CCK-8. This inhibition was not affected by nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors L-NMMA or L-NAME. The relative potencies of PYY related peptides to inhibit CCK-8 induced contraction were PYY > NPY > NPY13-36 > [Leu(31), Pro(34)]NPY > pancreatic polypeptide (PP). We conclude that CCK interacts with neural CCK-A receptors to cause esophageal muscle contraction. PYY and NPY interact with Y2 receptors to inhibit this CCK-induced muscle contraction by an effect not related to NO.     

大鼠侧脑室注射精氨酸加压素对针刺镇痛的影响

以钾离子透入法引起大鼠甩尾反应为指标,测定动物的痛阈。由侧脑室注射精氮酸加压素(AVP)后,大鼠痛阈升高33.6％～68.5％,针刺镇痛效应明显加强,痛阈提高202.4％～302.7％。脑室注射抗精氨酸加压素血清,动物痛阈虽无明显变化,但针刺镇痛效应明显削弱,痛阈仅增加41.6％～71.0％。注射抗β-内啡肽血清和抗强啡肽A血清并不阻断AVP增强针刺镇痛效应。本工作的结果提示,脑内AVP参与针刺镇痛,这种作用与脑内内源性β-内啡肽和强啡肽的关系不甚密切。     

Anti-inflammatory effects of leptin and cholecystokinin on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats: role of capsaicin-sensitive vagal afferent fibers

Leptin and cholecystokinin (CCK) have a synergistic interaction in the suppression of food intake, and afford similar gastroprotective activity. The present study was designed to investigate the putative protective effects of CCK and leptin on acute colonic inflammation. Leptin or CCK-8s was injected to rats intraperitoneally immediately before and 6 h after the induction of colitis with acetic acid. CCK-A receptor antagonist (L-364,718) or CCK-B receptor antagonist (L-365,260) was injected intraperitoneally 15 min before leptin or CCK treatments. In a group of rats, vagal afferent fibers were denervated by topical application of capsaicin on the cervical vagi. Rats were decapitated at 24 h, and the distal 8 cm of the colon were removed for macroscopic scoring, determination of tissue wet weight index (WWI), histologic assessment and tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. All inflammation parameters were increased by acetic acid-induced colitis compared to control group. Leptin or CCK-8s treatment reduced these parameters in a similar manner, while co-administration of leptin and CCK was found to be more effective in reducing the macroscopic score and WWI. CCK-8s-induced reduction in the score and WWI was prevented by CCK-A, but not by CCK-B receptor antagonist, whereas neither antagonist altered the inhibitory effect of leptin on colitis-induced injury. On the other hand, perivagal capsaicin prevented the protective effects of both CCK-8s and leptin on colitis. Our results indicate that leptin and CCK have anti-inflammatory effects on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats, which appear to be mediated by capsaicin-sensitive vagal afferent fibers involving the reduction in colonic neutrophil infiltration.     

Effects of Cholecystokinin Peptides and GV 150013, a Selective CholecystokininB Receptor Antagonist, on Electrically Evoked Endogenous GABA Release from Rat Cortical Slices

The effects of cholecystokinin (CCK) agonists and antagonists on spontaneous and electrically evoked endogenous GABA release from rat cerebral cortex slices were evaluated. Neither the nonselective and CCK(B)-selective receptor agonists CCK-8S (3-1,000 nM) and CCK-4 (3-1,000 nM), respectively, nor the selective CCK(B) and CCK(A) receptor antagonists GV 150013 (3-30 nM) and L-364,718 (10-100 nM), respectively, significantly affected spontaneous GABA release. CCK-8S (1-1,000 nM) and CCK-4 (1-1,000 nM) increased the electrically (5 and 10 Hz)-evoked GABA release. On the contrary, GV 150013 (10 and 30 nM) significantly decreased the electrically evoked GABA release only when the slices were stimulated at the higher 10 Hz frequency. The CCK-8S- and CCK-4-induced increases in electrically evoked GABA release were counteracted by GV 150013, but not by L-364,718. Furthermore, GV 150013 at 3 nM shifted to the right the CCK-4 concentration-response curve, whereas at the higher 10 nM concentration it dramatically flattened the curve. Finally, in cortical slices obtained from rats chronically treated with GV 150013, the concentration-response curve of CCK-4 was shifted to the left and the peak effect of the peptide was significantly higher than that observed in naive animals. These results suggest that CCK increases electrically evoked, but not spontaneous, endogenous GABA release from rat cortical slices, possibly by activating local CCK(B) receptors. In addition, chronic treatment with the novel CCK(B) receptor antagonist GV 150013 leads to an enhanced responsiveness of cortical slices to CCK-4 application.     

Cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) has no effect on heart rate in rats lacking CCK-A receptors.

Heart rate responses to i.v. administration of cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) were investigated in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats lacking CCK-A receptors and control Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats. The heart rate decreased after i.v. administration of 3 nmol.kg(-)(1) of CCK-8 in LETO rats, but not in OLETF rats. Bradycardia in the LETO rats disappeared after treatment with MK-329, but not after treatment with L-365,260. The expression of CCK-A receptor precursor mRNA was found exclusively in the atrium in LETO rats. These results suggest that CCK-8 decreases heart rate via CCK-A receptors located in the atrium of the rats.     

Effects of exogenous cholecystokinin octapeptide on acquisition of naloxone precipitated withdrawal induced conditioned place aversion in rats

Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8), a gut-brain peptide, regulates a variety of physiological behavioral processes. Previously, we reported that exogenous CCK-8 attenuated morphine-induced conditioned place preference, but the possible effects of CCK-8 on aversively motivated drug seeking remained unclear. To investigate the effects of endogenous and exogenous CCK on negative components of morphine withdrawal, we evaluated the effects of CCK receptor antagonists and CCK-8 on the naloxone-precipitated withdrawal-induced conditioned place aversion (CPA). The results showed that CCK2 receptor antagonist (LY-288,513, 10 μg, i.c.v.), but not CCK1 receptor antagonist (L-364,718, 10 μg, i.c.v.), inhibited the acquisition of CPA when given prior to naloxone (0.3 mg/kg) administration in morphine-dependent rats. Similarly, CCK-8 (0.1-1 μg, i.c.v.) significantly attenuated naloxone-precipitated withdrawal-induced CPA, and this inhibitory function was blocked by co-injection with L-364,718. Microinjection of L-364,718, LY-288,513 or CCK-8 to saline pretreated rats produced neither a conditioned preference nor aversion, and the induction of CPA by CCK-8 itself after morphine pretreatments was not significant. Our study identifies a different role of CCK1 and CCK2 receptors in negative affective components of morphine abstinence and an inhibitory effect of exogenous CCK-8 on naloxone-precipitated withdrawal-induced CPA via CCK1 receptor.     

The difference in mRNA expressions of hypothalamic CCK and CCK-A and -B receptors between responder and non-responder rats to high frequency electroacupuncture analgesia

The present study was performed to determine whether the expression levels of the hypothalamic cholecystokinin (CCK) and its receptors are associated with the responsiveness to high frequency electroacupuncture (EA) analgesia in rats. EA stimulation (100 Hz, 0.5 ms pulse width, 0.2-0.3 mA) was delivered to the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint of male Sprague-Dawley rats for 20 min without anesthetics or holder restraint. The analgesic effect of EA was quantified using a tail flick latency test, and subsequently animals were allocated to responder or non-responder groups. The hypothalamus of rats in each group was dissected and RNA was purified. The mRNA expressions of CCK, and CCK-A and -B receptor were determined by real-time RT-PCR. CCK mRNA levels were not significantly different in the two groups, whereas both CCK-A and -B receptors were significantly more expressed in non-responders. These results suggest that the level of CCK receptor mRNA expression in the hypothalamus, rather than CCK mRNA, has an important relationship with the individual variations to high frequency EA analgesia in rats.     

Chemical modification of cholecystokinin-A receptors in rat pancreatic membranes.

Chemical modification of amino acids was used to probe the molecular structure of the cholecystokinin-A (CCK-A) receptor on rat pancreatic membranes. Radioligand binding studies with [3H]N-(2,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2-oxo-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-3- yl)1H- 2-carboxamide [(+/-)-[3H]L-364,718], a tritiated highly potent CCK-A receptor antagonist, enabled the evaluation of the effects caused by the modifying reagents. The apparent fragility of the receptor protein necessitated the development of a modification procedure without wash and centrifugation steps. Treatment of a concentrated membrane preparation with the group-specific agents N-ethylmaleimide, phenylglyoxal and diethylpyrocarbonate, subsequent dilution and incubation at lower temperatures (20 degrees C instead of the more generally used 37 degrees C) proved successful. All modifiers affected the binding characteristics for both agonists and antagonists considerably. CCK-A receptor coupling to guanosine-nucleotide-binding proteins was substantially diminished upon modification with N-ethylmaleimide and diethylpyrocarbonate, as could be concluded from the effects on the (+/-)-[3H]L-364,718 displacement by the cholecystokinin C-terminal octapeptide (CCK-8). The ligand-binding site was affected by all three reagents, as could be inferred from the specific protection obtained with the CCK-A receptor antagonist, lorglumide. It therefore appears that sulfhydryl, arginyl, and histidyl residues form an essential part of the ligand-binding domain on the CCK-A receptor and that sulfhydryl and histidyl residues are also involved in the signal-transduction pathway.     

Analgesic effect of electroacupuncture on chronic neuropathic pain mediated by P2X3 receptors in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate disodium (ATP) gated P2X receptors, especially the subtype P2X(3), play a key role in transmission of pain signals in neuropathic pain, ATP has been documented to play a significant role in the progression of pain signals, suggesting that control of these pathways through electroacupuncture (EA) is potentially an effective treatment for chronic neuropathic pain. EA has been accepted to effectively manage chronic pain by applying the stimulating current to acupoints through acupuncture needles. To determine the significance of EA on neuropathic pain mediated by P2X(3) receptors in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were recorded, and the expression of P2X(3) receptors in the DRG neurons was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH). In addition, the currents which were evoked in DRG neurons isolated from rats following chronic constriction injury (CCI) by the P2X(3) receptors agonists i.e. ATP and α,β-methylen-ATP (α,β-meATP) were examined through the experimental use of whole cell patch clamp recording. The present study demonstrates that EA treatment can increase the MWT and TWL values and decrease the expression of P2X(3) receptors in DRG neurons in CCI rats. Simultaneously, EA treatment attenuates the ATP and α,β-meATP evoked currents. EA may be expected to induce an apparent induce analgesic effect by decreasing expression and inhibiting P2X(3) receptors in DRG neurons of CCI rats. There is a similar effect on analgesic effect between rats with contralateral EA and those with ipsilateral EA.     

Vagal CCK and 5-HT(3) receptors are unlikely to mediate LPS or IL-1beta-induced fever

Previous studies suggested that peripheral immune mediators may involve intermediates acting on the vagus nerve, such as CCK or serotonin (5-HT). We have therefore investigated a possible role for vagal CCK-A and 5-HT(3) receptors in the febrile response after intraperitoneal human recombinant interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Unanesthetized, adult male rats instrumented with abdominal thermistors were given intraperitoneal CCK-8 sulfate (100 or 150 microgram/kg) or 2-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine maleate (4 mg/kg). In other experiments, rats were treated with either antagonists to the 5-HT(3) receptor (ondansetron HCl; 100 microgram/kg) or the CCK-A receptor (L-364,718, 100 or 200 microgram/kg) in combination with LPS or IL-1beta. CCK administration caused a short-lived hypothermia, but interference with the action of endogenous CCK at CCK-A receptors was without effect on IL-1beta- or LPS-induced fever. Neither activation of 5-HT(3) receptors nor blockade of 5-HT(3) receptors affected body temperature or LPS fever. Taken together, our data support the idea that vagal afferents responsive to pyrogenic cytokines may be different from those responsive to CCK or 5-HT.     

Enterostatin inhibition of dietary fat intake is dependent on CCK-A receptors

Enterostatin, a pentapeptide released from the exocrine pancreas and gastrointestinal tract, selectively inhibits fat intake through activation of an afferent vagal signaling pathway. This study investigated if the effects of enterostatin were mediated through a CCK-dependent pathway. The series of in vivo and in vitro experiments included studies of 1) the feeding effect of peripheral enterostatin on Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats lacking CCK-A receptors, 2) the effect of CCK-8S on the intake of a two-choice high-fat (HF)/low-fat (LF) diet, 3) the effects of peripheral or central injection of the CCK-A receptor antagonist lorglumide on the feeding inhibition induced by either central or peripheral enterostatin, and 4) the ability of enterostatin to displace CCK binding in a 3T3 cell line expressing CCK-A receptor gene and in rat brain sections. The results showed that OLTEF rats did not respond to enterostatin (300 microg/kg ip) in contrast to the 23% reduction in intake of HF diet in Long Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) control rats. CCK (1 microg/kg ip) decreased the intake of the HF diet in a two-choice diet regime with a compensatory increase in intake of the LF diet. Peripheral injection of lorglumide (300 microg/kg) blocked the feeding inhibition induced by either near-celiac arterial or intracerebroventricular enterostatin, whereas intracerebroventricular lorglumide (5 nmol icv) only blocked the response to intracerebroventricular enterostatin but not to arterial enterostatin. Enterostatin did not bind on CCK-A receptors because neither enterostatin nor its analogs VPDPR and beta-casomorphin displaced [3H]L-364,718 from CCK-A receptors expressed in 3T3 cells or the binding of 125I-CCK-8S from rat brain sections. The data suggest that both the peripheral and central responses to enterostatin are mediated through or dependent on peripheral and central CCK-A receptors.     

强电针穴位对背角神经元镇痛效应广泛性的中枢机制

实验用雄性大鼠,玻璃微电极细胞外记录Ｔ１２－Ｌ１脊髓背角会聚神经元对后爪伤害性刺激的反应,观察到低强度（２Ｖ）电针作用于与痛源接近的“足三里”穴对背角神经元的伤害性反应有明显的抑制作用,而远隔穴位“下关”穴则无效。而当采用超过Ｃ类纤维阈值１８Ｖ电针时,则远隔穴位“下关”也有明显的镇痛作用。表现为强电针穴位镇痛作用的广泛性。而损毁ＮＲＭ后,强电针（１８Ｖ）远节段“下关”穴的镇痛作用消失,而近节段“足     

Central antalgic activity of resveratrol

A single dose of resveratrol (25 μg/10μl) was injected directly into the right lateral cerebral ventricle (icv) of Wistar rats via an implanted cannula in order to study the analgesic properties of the compound. A control group of rats received 10 μl NaCl 0.9%. The lengthening of the time to reaction to painful stimuli was assessed in the radiant heat tail-flick latency time test. In this study, the response to painful stimuli of the animals treated with resveratrol had a bimodal profile with hypoalgesia or hyperalgesia. In the selected experimental conditions, resveratrol had a definite analgesic effect; the increase in time to reaction ranged from 100-120% (8 rats) to 600-700% (9 rats). In this experiment resveratrol exerts evident central antalgic effects in the majority of rats, which are related to the individual level of excitation and vigilance at baseline. Antinociceptive induced by resveratrol icv injection was maximal at 4-10 min and lasted no longer than 15 min. The effect of resveratrol to produce analgesia after a single icv injection may be interesting for preventing chronic pain.