Regional Distribution of Immunoreactive-Thyrotrophin-Releasing Hormone and Substance P, and Indoleamines in Human Spinal Cord

The regional distributions of thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) and substance P in postmortem human spinal cord were determined by radioimmunoassay in fresh tissue taken from 22 patients who died without known neurological disease. Dorsal, ventral, and intermediolateral spinal cord regions were obtained from different segmental levels (lumbar L1, 2, 3, and 4; thoracic groups T1-3, T4-6, T7-9, and T10-12) together with selective regions of grey matter of lumbar spinal cord. The effects on peptide levels of the age of the patient, the postmortem time interval, and freezing the tissue samples prior to assay were assessed. Levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were determined in regional lumbar and thoracic tissue using HPLC with electrochemical detection. Substance P was found in the highest concentration in the dorsal spinal cord, with no significant segmental differences. In contrast, TRH was present in higher levels in the ventral rather than the dorsal spinal cord, with segmental differences. There was a significant difference in the 5-HT/5-HIAA ratio between dorsal and ventral spinal cord, with the highest ratio in the ventral spinal cord. There were no significant differences in substance P, TRH, or 5-HT levels in spinal cords between 5 and 20 h postmortem or from patients aged between 65 and 90 years. Freezing the tissue (-80 degrees C for 24 h) prior to assay significantly reduced TRH and substance P levels compared to samples assayed immediately without prior freezing.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Thyrotrophin-Releasing Hormone Analogues Increase Dopamine Release from Slices of Rat Brain

Abstract: Rat brain slices were incubated with a high concentration of K⁺, thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH), or one of two biologically stable TRH analogues (CG 3509 or RX 77368). Basal release of endogenous dopamine, measured by electrochemical detection, was increased by K⁺ (30 m M ) from slices of hypothalamus, septum, nucleus accumbens, and striatum. CG 3509 (10⁵–10⁻³ M ) increased the release of dopamine from slices of nucleus accumbens, septum, and hypothalamus in a dose-dependent fashion, whereas RX 77368 (10⁻⁴ M ) increased the release of dopamine from the septum only. Neither analogue increased the release of striatal dopamine. The results provide further evidence for specific regional interactions between TRH and dopamine in rat brain.     

Sulphur-Containing Amino Acids Modulate Noradrenaline Release from Hippocampal Slices

Abstract: The l - and d -enantiomers of the sulphur-containing amino acids (SAAs)—homocysteate, homocysteine sulphinate, cysteate, cysteine sulphinate, and S-sulphocysteine—stimulated [³H]noradrenaline release from rat hippocampal slices in a concentration-dependent manner. The relative potencies of the l -isomers (EC₅₀ values of 1.05–1.96 mM) were of similar order to that of glutamate (1.56 mM), which was 10-fold lower than that of NMDA (0.15 mM), whereas the d -isomers exhibited a wider range of potencies (0.75 to >5 mM). All stimulatory effects of the SAAs were significantly inhibited by the voltage-sensitive Na⁺ channel blocker tetrodotoxin (55–71%) and completely blocked by addition of Mg²⁺ or Co²⁺ to the incubation medium. All SAA-evoked responses were concentration-dependently antagonized by the selective NMDA receptor antagonist d -(?)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (IC₅₀ values of 3.2–49.5 µM). 6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX), a non-NMDA receptor antagonist, at 100 µM inhibited the [³H]noradrenaline release induced by glutamate and NMDA (65 and 76%, respectively) and by all SAAs studied (65–85%), whereas 10 µM CNQX only inhibited the effects of S-sulpho-l -cysteine and l - and d -homocysteate (33, 32, and 44%, respectively). However, the more selective AMPA/kainic acid receptor antagonist 6-nitro-7-sulphamoylbenzo(f)quinoxaline-2,3-dione (100 µM), which did not antagonize the [³H]noradrenaline release induced by glutamate and NMDA, reduced only the S-sulpho-l -cysteine-evoked response (25%). Thus, the stimulation of Ca²⁺-dependent[³H]noradrenaline release from hippocampal slices elicited by the majority of the SAAs appears to be mediated by the NMDA receptor.     

Regional Distribution of Substance P- and Thyrotrophin-Releasing Hormone-Like Immunoreactivity and Indoleamines in the Rabbit Spinal Cord

The distribution of thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH), substance P, and the indoleamines [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)] has been examined in selected regions of the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord of the rabbit using sensitive radioimmunoassays for the first two and HPLC with electrochemical detection for the indoleamines. The levels of TRH- and substance P-like immunoreactivity (TRH-I and SP-I, respectively) were greatest in the ventral and dorsal grey matter, respectively. The level of TRH-I in most thoracic regions was greater than that in equivalent lumbar regions, but the only segmental difference in SP-I was in the ventral grey matter, where the lumbar segment contained more immunoreactivity. 5-HT and 5-HIAA were more evenly distributed than either peptide and showed no segmental variation in levels in equivalent regions, but the ventral grey matter contained significantly higher levels of 5-HT and had a greater 5-HT/5-HIAA ratio than all other regions. The absolute levels and the overall distribution of SP-I, TRH-I, and indoleamines in the thoracolumbar cord of the rabbit was very similar to that previously reported in both rats and humans, and the possible functional role of the peptides and indoleamines in spinal neurones is discussed.     

Differential Release of Endogenous 5-Hydroxytryptamine, Substance P., and Neurokinin A from Rat Ventral Spinal Cord in Response to Electrical Stimulation

Abstract: The release of endogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), substance P (SP), and neurokinin A (NKA) from superfused tissue slices of rat ventral lumbar spinal cord, where SP and NKA coexist with 5-HT in terminals of descending bulbospinal neurons, was investigated. Electrical field stimulation was performed using square-wave pulses of 2-ms duration and 30 mA stimulus intensity. The following four different patterns of stimulation were used: 2 Hz continuous, 20 Hz continuous, 20 Hz intermittent, and 50 Hz intermittent. 5-HT was measured in the slice superfusates by HPLC with electrochemical detection. SP and NKA were measured by radioimmunoassay. The release of 5-HT was significantly enhanced using all stimulation paradigms and the evoked release of 5-HT per pulse was independent of the stimulation frequency. The release was found to be calcium dependent and there was no increase in the efflux of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in response to stimulation. At 2 Hz (continuous), no significant increase in the release of SP was observed. Stimulation at higher frequencies yielded a significant increase in the release of SP per pulse. At 20 Hz, the release was increased by 73% (continuous) and 74% (intermittent), and at 50 Hz (intermittent) by 175% of basal efflux. The evoked release of NKA was also frequency dependent. At 2 Hz (continuous), no significant increase in the release of NKA was observed. At 20 Hz (intermittent), the evoked release per pulse was increased by 33% and at 50 Hz (intermittent) by 53% compared with the basal efflux of NKA. The results suggest that coexisting neurotransmitters/neuromodulators in the spinal cord may be released in different proportions depending on the stimulation frequency and that only 5-HT is released when the nerve terminal is activated by low-frequency stimulation.     

Opposite Effects of δ and μ Opioid Receptor Agonists on the In Vitro Release of Substance P-Like Material from the Rat Spinal Cord

Superfusion of slices from the dorsal half of the lumbar enlargement of rat spinal cord with Krebs-Henseleit medium supplemented with 30 microM bacitracin allowed the collection of substance P-like immunoreactive material (SPLI), which was released at a rate of approximately 10 pg/4 min. Tissue depolarization by an excess of K+ (30-60 mM) or veratridine (50 microM) induced a marked increase in SPLI outflow, provided that Ca2+ was present in the superfusing fluid. K+- or veratridine-induced SPLI overflow could be modulated in opposite directions by mu and delta opioid receptor agonists. Thus, the two preferential mu agonists Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-MePhe-Gly-ol (DAGO; 10 microM) and Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-MePhe-Met(O)5-OH (FK-33824; 0.1 microM) enhanced SPLI overflow from depolarized tissues, whereas the selective delta agonists Tyr-D-Thr-Gly-Phe-Leu-Thr (deltakephalin; 3 microM) and [2-D-penicillamine, 5-D-penicillamine]enkephalin (50 microM) reduced it. The effect of DAGO was antagonized by a low concentration (1 microM) of naloxone but not by the selective delta antagonist ICI-154129 (50 microM). In contrast, the latter drug prevented the inhibitory influence of delta agonists on K+-induced SPLI release. Complementary experiments with morphine (10 microM) and [2-D-alanine, 5-D-leucine]enkephalinamide (3 microM), in combination with 1 microM naloxone or 50 microM ICI-154129 for the selective blockade of mu or delta receptors, respectively, confirmed that the stimulation of mu receptors increased, whereas the stimulation of delta receptors reduced, SPLI overflow. The results suggest that, at the spinal level, and antinociceptive action of delta but not mu agonists might involve a presynaptic inhibition of substance P-containing primary afferent fibers.     

5-Hydroxytryptamine-Facilitated Release of Substance P from Rat Spinal Cord Slices Is Mediated by Nitric Oxide and Cyclic GMP

Abstract: The role of nitric oxide (NO) in the control of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced release of substance P was investigated in rat spinal cord in vitro. 5-HT facilitated the 60 m M K⁺-evoked release of substance P-like immunoreactive materials (SPLI) from the superfused rat dorsal spinal cord slices without affecting spontaneous SPLI release. The facilitatory effect of 5-HT was significantly inhibited by ICS 205-930 or granisetron (potent and specific 5-HT₃ receptor antagonists), by N ^G-monomethyl- l -arginine (NMMA, a NO synthase inhibitor), and by methylene blue or 1 H -[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3- a ]quinoxaline-1-one (MB or ODQ, respectively; both are inhibitors of soluble guanylyl cyclase) and was mimicked by 2-methylserotonin (2-m-5-HT, a selective 5-HT₃ receptor agonist), l -arginine (a precursor of NO), or 8-bromo-cyclic GMP. NMMA, MB, or ODQ inhibited the 2-m-5-HT-induced increase of cyclic GMP levels in the rat dorsal spinal cord slices. These data suggest that the facilitatory effect of 5-HT on the release of SPLI is mediated by the 5-HT₃ receptor and that the intracellular signaling is mediated via NO by an increase in cyclic GMP production.     

Nitric Oxide Regulates Substance P Release from Rat Spinal Cord Synaptosomes

Abstract: In order to determine whether nitric oxide (NO) acts directly upon nerve terminals to regulate the synaptic transmission at the level of spinal cord, effects of NO-donors on release of substance P (SP) and glutamic acid (Glu) were investigated by superfusion of synaptosomes prepared from the rat spinal cord. Basal levels of endogenous SP and Glu release were 5.99 ± 2.50 fmol/min/mg of protein and 26.2 ± 4.8 pmol/min/mg of protein, respectively. Exposure to a depolarizing concentration of KCI evoked 2.7- and 3.8-fold increases in SP and Glu release in a calcium-dependent manner, respectively. Sodium nitroprusside (NP) caused a reduction in the depolarization-evoked overflow of SP in a concentration-dependent manner without affecting its basal release, although it failed to affect either basal or evoked release of Glu. The reduction in SP overflow was also observed by the perfusion with S -nitroso- N -acetyl-penicillamine or membrane-permeable cyclic GMP, but not with cyclic AMP. NP caused the concentration-dependent increases in cyclic GMP levels in synaptosomes. Together with reports that excitatory amino acids stimulate NO synthase and release NO in the spinal cord, these data suggest that there may be an interaction between nerve terminals containing Glu and SP, and that NO may directly participate in the regulation of synaptic transmission in SP-containing nerve terminals, which may be mediated through the activation of guanylate cyclase and the increase in cyclic GMP levels.     

Capsaicin Does Not Change Tissue Levels of Glutamic Acid, Its Uptake, or Release in the Rat Spinal Cord

Capsaicin treatment (50 mg/kg, subcutaneous) of newborn rats resulted in 1 75% decrease of substance P immunoreactivity in the dorsal spinal cord of the adult animal, but failed to affect levels of the proposed sensory neurotransmitter glutamic acid or to alter high-affinity uptake of [3H]glutamic acid into synaptosomes of the same tissue. Furthermore, capsaicin (30 microM) in vitro had no influence on the release of [3H]glutamic acid from spinal cord P2 fractions of untreated adult rats, but induced a marked release of substance P. The results suggest that, in contrast to substance P fibers, neurons containing glutamic acid are not sensitive to capsaicin. Eleven other neurochemical parameters measured in the spinal cord did not appear to be changed by the treatment with capsaicin, suggesting a considerable neurochemical selectivity of the lesion.     

Active Uptake of Substance P Carboxy-Terminal Heptapeptide (5–11) into Rat Brain and Rabbit Spinal Cord Slices

We previously reported that nerve terminals and glial cells lack an active uptake system capable of terminating transmitter action of substance P (SP). In the present study, we demonstrated the existence of an active uptake system for SP carboxy-terminal heptapeptide, (5-11)SP. When the slices from either rat brain or rabbit spinal cord were incubated with [3H](5-11)SP, the uptake of (5-11)SP into slices was observed. The uptake system has the properties of an active transport mechanism: it is dependent on temperature and sensitive to hypoosmotic treatment and is inhibited by ouabain and dinitrophenol (DNP). In the brain, (5-11)SP was accumulated by means of a high-affinity and a low-affinity uptake system. The Km and the Vmax values for the high-affinity system were 4.20 x 10(-8) M and 7.59 fmol/10 mg wet weight/min, respectively, whereas these values for the low-affinity system were 1.00 x 10(-6) M and 100 fmol/10 mg wet weight/min, respectively. In the spinal cord, there was only one uptake system, with a Km value of 2.16 x 10(-7) M and Vmax value of 26.2 fmol/10 mg wet weight/min. These results suggest that when SP is released from nerve terminals, it is hydrolysed into (5-11)SP before or after acting as a neurotransmitter, which is in turn accumulated into nerve terminals. Therefore, the uptake system may represent a possible mechanism for the inactivation of SP.     

Release of Purines, Noradrenaline, and GABA from Rat Hippocampal Slices by Field Stimulation

Labelled adenine, noradrenaline (NA), and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were taken up by the transversely cut hippocampal slice. [3H]NA and [14C]GABA were retained as such, [3H]- (or [14C]-) adenine mainly as adenine nucleotides. There was a spontaneous overflow of all three types of compounds ranging from 0.1 (GABA) to 0.21 (NA) %/min. The rate of [3H]NA overflow increased rapidly during electrical field stimulation. The release rate was well maintained over a 15-min period. The rate of [14C]GABA release also increased rapidly but it was not maintained over a 15-min period even if uptake and/or metabolism was inhibited by nipecotic acid (1 mM) and aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA, 0.1 mM). The bulk of the purines was released after the stimulation period. For all compounds the amounts released were frequency- and calcium-dependent. At a frequency of 3 Hz a 10 V stimulation was sufficient to cause a maximal [3H]NA release and 20 V to cause maximal [14C]GABA release, but 14C-purine release was increased further by increasing the voltage to 40 V. The evoked purine release was inhibited by a nucleoside uptake inhibitor (dipyridamole). On stimulation of [3H]NA-labelled slices the released radioactivity was composed of greater than 95% unchanged NA. The specific activities of NA in the slice and in the superfusate were practically identical. In [3H]adenine-labelled slices the released radioactivity was composed of adenosine, inosine, and hypoxanthine, but the activity in the slice of ATP, ADP, and AMP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Hypothermia Prevents Biphasic Glutamate Release and Corresponding Neuronal Degeneration After Transient Spinal Cord Ischemia in the Rat

1. Spinal cord ischemia evoked a biphasic increase in CSF-Glu during 20 min of ischemia (40%) and at 2 hr after reperfusion (70%) in the nontreated group that was attenuated by all treated groups. But MK-801(15 g i.t.) did not affect the increased Glu at 2 hr (80%).2. The argyrophilia observed in laminae II–V at 8 hr after reperfusion was attenuated by hypothermia (33°C) and combination with MK-801, but the attenuation was less with MK-801.3. Mild hypothermia attenuated the biphasic increase in CSF-Glu and corresponding development of neuronal damage after spinal cord ischemia.4. Mild hypothermia with NMDA antagonism did not yield any further effects, suggesting that hypothermia itself plays a pivotal role in the protection.     

T-588 Enhances Neurite Outgrowth and Choline Acetyltransferase in Cultured Rat Spinal Ventral Horn Neurons

T-588(R(-)-1-(benzo(b)thiophen-5yl)-2-[2(N,N-diethylamino)ethoxy]ethanol hydrochloride) is a novel compound which has been shown to exhibit a wide range of neurotrophic effects both in vivo and in vitro. This compound can slow the motor deterioration of wobbler mouse motor neuron disease. However, it is not known whether this compound has a trophic effect on spinal motor neurons. We have studied the effect of T-588 on neurite outgrowth and choline acetyltransferase(ChAT) activity in primary explant cultures of ventral spinal cord of fetal rats(VSCC). Cultures were treated with T-588 from day 1 to 1 week. T-588 treated VSCC, compared with control VSCC, had a significant neurite promoting effect at ranged between 10^–8 molar(M) and 10^–5 M, with 2.3 to 5.3 fold increased over that of control VSCC. In T-588 treated VSCC, ChAT activity was increased 1.5 times over that of control at 10^–6, and 10^–5 M respectively. Our data showing T-588 has neurotrophic action on VSCC and suggests a potential use of T-588 in treating diseases that involve degeneration and death of spinal motor neurons, such as motor neuropathy and motor neuron disease.     

Evidence for Ascending and Descending Intraspinal as Well as Primary Sensory Somatostatin Projections in the Rat Spinal Cord

Somatostatin distribution was measured quantitatively in the rat spinal cord by radioimmunoassay. Rostro-caudally, somatostatin content was about 50% higher in lumbar-sacral cord than in cervical or thoracic levels. The dorso-ventral distribution is more uneven: somatostatin is highest in the dorsal horn, where the peptide is 15 times as concentrated as it is in the ventral white matter, the region of lowest concentration. However, measurable amounts of the peptide were found in all regions studied. Dorsal root ganglionectomy decreased somatostatin levels in the dorsal cord, supporting the previously proposed role for this peptide as a primary sensory neurotransmitter or modulator; but somatostatin content also was decreased both rostral and caudal to spinal transection, indicating the presence of ascending and descending somatostatin pathways within the spinal cord. Brain levels did not change. Met-enkephalin and substance P were also measured after the above surgical manipulations. Met-enkephalin content was not altered and substance P content was lowered significantly only after ganglionectomy. Although this study confirms the primary sensory neuron as the origin of a part of spinal cord somatostatin, it further indicates the presence of ascending and descending somatostatin pathways within the rat spinal cord.     

向蟾蜍脊髓灰质腹角注射谷氨酸钠对腓肠肌收缩的影响

首先绘制了蟾蜍脊髓灰质腹角运动神经元池的精确定位图谱,然后分别将浓度为1、0.5、0.1、0.01 mol/L的谷氨酸钠溶液及生理盐水（0.65% NaCl,对照组）微量（0.1 µL）注射到蟾蜍脊髓灰质腹角运动神经元池,采用BL-420F 生物机能实验系统记录腓肠肌收缩曲线,以收缩波的上升相持续时间、最大张力、张力变化速率、下降相持续时间为指标对各组腓肠肌的收缩曲线进行比较。结果：4组实验组腓肠肌的收缩形式是不同程度的强直收缩;各组收缩波的上升相持续时间、最大张力、张力变化速率在一定程度上存在谷氨酸钠量效依赖关系,且1 mol/L组腓肠肌强直收缩的张力、张力变化速率显著大于其他各组,这可能是由于谷氨酸钠与运动神经元上谷氨酸受体结合的数量不同造成的。     

Effect of Electroconvulsive Shock on the Uptake and Release of Noradrenaline and 5-Hydroxytryptamine in Rat Brain Slices

Abstract: The uptake and release of [³H]noradrenaline and [³H]-5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were studied in cerebral cortex slices from rats 30 min and 24 h after a single electroconvulsive shock (ECS) and 24 h after a series of five shocks given over 10 days. Both the K _m and V _max for 5-HT uptake were lower than controls 24 h after a single ECS, whereas after 5 ECS spread over 10 days both parameters remained depressed, though only the fall in V_max was significant. Noradrenaline uptake was not altered after a single ECS, but the V_max and K _m were elevated following chronic ECS treatment. Neither ECS treatment schedule had any effect on the potassium-stimulated release of either transmitter. It is possible that the changes in monoamine uptake seen following ECS are an adaptive response to alterations in the synaptic cleft concentration of these transmitters.     

Metabolism of Catecholamines in the Developing Spinal Cord of the Rat

The metabolism of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine (DA, dopamine) and norepinephrine (NE) both normally, and after the administration of levo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), has been studied in several regions of the developing spinal cord of the rat from fetal day (FD) 16 to the young adult stage. During late fetal (from FD 16) and most of neonatal life [to neonatal day (ND) 20], dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) were either just detectable or present in very low concentration in all regions in the untreated developing rat. However, the developing spinal cord possesses an enormous capacity to metabolize the large amounts of DA synthesized from injected L-DOPA. At the end of 1 h after 100 mg/kg i.p. of L-DOPA, DOPAC and HVA are 54 +/- 14 (n = 5) and 16 +/- 5 (n = 5) nmol/g, respectively, in the thoracic zona intermedia in the 12-h-old (ND 0.5) rat. This metabolic capability is already highly developed as early as FD 16, peaks during the first half of neonatal life (ND 4 for DOPAC, and ND 15 for HVA), and is considerably reduced toward the end of neonatal life (approximately ND 28) and in the young adult. Control experiments suggest that a substantial part of this synthesis (from L-DOPA) and metabolism of DA occurs in elements other than the descending monoaminergic nerve fibers. By comparison, the synthesis and metabolism of NE develop more slowly, peak in the latter half of neonatal life, and then decline to the level found in the young adult.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

NMDA and AMPA Receptors Evoke Transmitter Release from Noradrenergic Axon Terminals in the Rat Spinal Cord

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) stimulated release of [³H]noradrenaline (NA) from prelabelled rat spinal cord slices. The release was partially insensitive to tetrodotoxin (TTX) and was inhibited by the NMDA antagonist MK-801. Alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) also evoked release of [³H]NA, which was enhanced by blocking AMPA receptor desensitization with cyclothiazide. AMPA-evoked release was inhibited by the non-NMDA antagonist 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl-benzo(f)-quinoxaline (NBQX) but was not affected by TTX. NMDA and AMPA showed synergistic effects, indicating co-existence of NMDA and AMPA receptors on noradrenergic terminals. Kainate evoked [³H]NA release only at high concentrations and the release was not potentiated by blocking kainate receptor desensitization with concanavalin A. Thus, the results indicate that there are stimulatory presynaptic NMDA and AMPA receptors on noradrenergic axon terminals in the spinal cord and that they interact synergistically to evoke release of [³H]NA.     

Basic and Regulatory Mechanisms of In Vitro Release of Met-Enkephalin from the Dorsal Zone of the Rat Spinal Cord

Abstract: Under control conditions, superfused slices of the dorsal half of the lumbar enlargement from adult rats released Met-enkephalin-like material (MELM) that behaved as authentic Met-enkephalin under two different chromatographic procedures (Bio-gel filtration, HPLC). MELM release increased markedly on exposure of slices to batrachotoxin (0.5 μ M ) or to an excess of K⁺ (28 and 56 m M instead of 5.6 m M ). The K ⁺ -evoked release was totally dependent on the presence of Ca²⁺ in the super-fusing fluid whereas the spontaneous efflux of MELM was only partially Ca²⁺-dependent. Further experiments performed with tissues of polyarthritic rats indicated that the increase in their MELM levels was associated with a lower fractional rate constant of MELM release, therefore suggesting that spinal Met-enkephalin turnover might be reduced in chronically suffering animals. Examination of the possible modulation of MELM release by various neuroactive compounds present within the dorsal horn revealed that cholecystokinin (10 μ M ), but not its desulphated derivative, substance P-sulphoxide (10 μ M ), and to a lesser extent substance P, enhanced the K⁺-evoked MELM release. In contrast, γ-aminobutyric acid (10 μ M ) and (–)-baclofen (1 μ M ) partially prevented the stimulatory effect of K⁺ on MELM release. Other compounds such as serotonin, somatostatin, and neurotensin altered neither the spontaneous nor the K⁺-evoked release of MELM.     

Release of N-Acetylaspartylglutamate from Slices of Rat Cerebellum, Striatum, and Spinal Cord, and the Effect of Climbing Fiber Deprivation

Abstract: The release of endogenous N -acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) from slices of rat cerebellum, striatum, and spinal cord upon depolarization with 50 m M K⁺ was investigated. NAAG in superfusates was prepurified using an ion exchanger, esterified, and then quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Deuterated NAAG was used as internal standard. A depolarization-induced release of NAAG was found in all three regions. The release was Ca²⁺ dependent to over 85% in cerebellum and striatum, but only to approximately 70% in spinal cord. In addition, the effect of lesions of the olivocerebellar pathway on the K⁺-induced release of NAAG was studied: Treatment of the animals with 3-acetylpyridine reduced the release of NAAG from cerebellar hemispheres significantly, by about 40% compared with controls. These results suggest that part of the NAAG released from cerebellar slices on depolarization is related to climbing fibers. Implications of these findings concerning possible physiological roles of NAAG in the three CNS regions are discussed.