1-甲基-4-苯基-吡啶盐致多巴胺能细胞系MES23.5的死亡机制

通过测定环境毒素1-甲基-4-苯基-吡啶盐(MPP )作用于多巴胺能细胞系MES23．5后细胞存活率的变化及细胞线粒体膜电位(△ψM)、活性氧(ROS)、羟自由基、超氧化物岐化酶(SOD)的变化,发现MPP^ 作用于多巴胺能细胞系MES23．5,可导致细胞存活率显著性减少,浓度达到200mol／L以上后,细胞存活率的下降呈时间与MPP^ 浓度依赖;以200μmol/L MPP^ 作用细胞6∽48h后,△ψM逐渐下降、ROS、羟自由基逐渐增加,48h后SOD开始显著性减少。结果表明早期线粒体能量代谢障碍和膜电位变化导致ROS(尤其是羟自由基)含量增加是MPP^ 导致多巴胺能细胞氧化应激的原因,而细胞内自由基的清除机制受损,则最终导致细胞变性死亡。     

新多巴胺受体阻滞剂——四氢小檗碱对大鼠纹状体内乙酰胆碱含量的影响

作者证实四氢小檗碱(THB)很可能是一种新的多巴胺受体阻滞剂。大鼠腹腔注射100mg/kgTHB,纹状体内 ACh 含量与对照相比(47.9Pmol/mg组织,P<0.01)下降27.8%,相同剂量左旋四氢巴马汀(l-THP)可下降54.5%。腹腔注射典型的多巴胺受体阻滞剂氟哌啶醇5mg/kg下降45.1%。但在海马中上述三种药物均未见 ACh 含量的改变。结果再次提示:THB 和/l-THP 与氟哌啶醇相似,都具有多巴胺受体阻滞剂的作用特性。     

脑不对称性对Balb/c小鼠海马 IL-6水平的影响

研究了Balb/c小鼠海马内细胞因子白细胞介素 6 (interleukin 6 ,IL 6 )含量与脑不对称的关系。实验采用伸爪取食法将小鼠区分为左利、右利和双利鼠 ,分别于腹腔注射细菌脂多糖 (Lipopolysaccharide,LPS)或无菌生理盐水 (Saline ,NS) ,2h后快速断头 ,冰上快速分离两侧海马 ,制备海马脑组织匀浆 ,用ELISA法测定海马中IL 6蛋白含量。结果表明 :正常对照组中海马IL 6水平为右利鼠明显高于左利鼠 (P =0 0 0 1) ,左利鼠又明显高于双利鼠 (P =0 0 0 1) ,两侧海马之间无明显差别 ;注射LPS 2h后 ,海马IL 6总体水平没有变化 ,只在右利小鼠右侧海马IL 6含量明显升高 (P <0 0 5 ) ,明显高于左利 (P <0 0 0 1)和双利 (P <0 0 0 1) ,双利Balb/c小鼠两侧海马IL 6水平明显低于右利和左利小鼠。上述结果提示 ,在正常生理状态下及LPS刺激后引起的海马IL 6水平变化均与脑不对称性有关     

蝎毒耐热蛋白对MPTP诱导的帕金森病小鼠脑内小胶质细胞的影响

目的：进一步探讨蝎毒耐热蛋白（SVHRP）改善MPTP（1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine,MPTP）小鼠伴有空间学习记忆障碍的机制。方法：给予C57BL／6小鼠颈部皮下注射MPTP（20mg／kg）,连续8d,同时设立SVHRP治疗纽,观察小胶质细胞免疫反应活性的改变。结果：与盐水对照组相比,MPTP小鼠脑区OX-42免疫反应阳性小胶质细胞免疫反应活性明显增强。模型给药组与模型组相比OX-42免疫反应阳性小胶质细胞免疫反应活性明显降低。结论：SVHRP可以抑制MPTP诱发的小鼠脑内小胶质细胞的激活以减轻脑内神经炎症。     

MPTP对小鼠帕金森病造模条件探讨

目的观察不同剂量1-甲基-4-苯基-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶(MPTP)对小鼠行为学及脑黑质酪氨酸羟化酶、纹状体多巴胺含量的影响,探讨MPTP致帕金森病(Parkinson′s disease,PD)样小鼠模型的最佳条件。方法C57BL小鼠分别给与MPTP不同剂量处理,测定各组小鼠爬竿时间检测动物运动协调性,应用免疫组化方法和高效液相法观察不同模型组多巴胺能神经元的变化。结果模型组各组均出现不同程度爬竿时间延长,酪氨酸羟化酶阳性细胞数减少和多巴胺含量减少。结论MPTP处理可造成小鼠的帕金森病样症状,在此种动物模型中,应根据科研目的选择MPTP的应用剂量和给药途径。     

花生种子内源ABA含量变化及其与活力的关系

花生（Ａｒａｃｈｉｓ ｈｙｐｏｇａｅａ Ｌ．）种子发育过程中,胚轴内源ＡＢＡ 含量一直是增加的;种皮内源ＡＢＡ含量在果针入土后４０ ｄ 最大,然后急剧下降;子叶内源ＡＢＡ 含量在果针入土后６０ ｄ 出现高峰,然后有轻微下降。种子活力指数和萌发时内源ＡＢＡ 的净下降量有密切关系。甘露醇可促进离体胚内源ＡＢＡ 合成,１－甲基－３－苯基－５（３－［三氟甲基］－苯基－４－（１氢）－吡啶）抑制子叶内源ＡＢＡ 的合成,子叶和胚轴存在不同的ＡＢＡ 合成途径。种子早熟和早萌处理时,内源ＡＢＡ 含量都下降,胚轴在种子由发育向萌发转换中起着十分重要的作用     

高选择性不对称还原N,N-二甲基-3-酮-3-(2-噻吩)-1-丙胺的重组氧化还原酶催化性质及其酶促转化

【目的】通过表达多种重组立体选择性氧化还原酶,分析其催化不对称还原N,N-二甲基-3-酮-3-(2-噻吩)-1-丙胺(DKTP)的性质,从而构建酶促合成(S)-N,N-二甲基-3-羟基-3-(2-噻吩)-1-丙胺(DHTP)的反应体系。【方法】基于已有立体选择性氧化还原酶重组大肠杆菌,通过Ni离子亲和层析法纯化得到重组氧化还原酶,以DKTP为底物,考察不同重组氧化还原酶对DKTP的催化活性和选择性,进一步对高选择性酶促合成(S)-DHTP的重组酶CR2进行性质分析,并考察其在最适条件下不对称还原DKTP的过程。【结果】筛选获得产物构型为(S)-型的催化活性最高的酶为CR2,该酶米氏常数Km为0.135 mmol/L,kcat/Km为3.689 L/(mmol·s),最适p H 8.4(0.1 mol/L三乙醇胺缓冲液),最适反应温度为35°C,在10-45°C条件下和p H 7.5-8.5较为稳定,Zn2+离子对酶活有促进作用。CR2催化DKTP不对称还原反应6 h后,DHTP的产率达92.1%、光学纯度达99.9%。【结论】基于活性和选择性分析,获得不对称还原DKTP的目标酶CR2,其催化特性有利于高立体选择性还原DKTP生成度洛西汀中间体(S)-DHTP,从而为进一步提高酶促不对称还原DKTP的转化效率提供研究基础。     

高糖环境下持续性牵张力对子宫平滑肌细胞白介素-1和白介素-6表达的影响

目的:探讨高糖环境下持续性牵张力对大鼠子宫平滑肌细胞白介素-1(IL-1)、白介素-6(IL-6)表达的影响。方法:体外培养大鼠子宫平滑肌细胞,高糖作用不同时间后,观察高糖状态下大鼠子宫平滑肌细胞IL-1、IL-6表达变化情况。对高糖状态下的肌细胞施加持续性牵张力,明确牵张力对肌细胞IL-1、IL-6表达的影响以及高糖和牵张力之间的协同作用,同时采用晚期糖基化终末产物(AGEs)抑制剂拮抗高糖作用作为参照,并对结果进行分析。结果:随着高糖作用时间增加,肌细胞IL-1、IL-6表达也随之升高。牵张力也可促进肌细胞IL-1、IL-6表达增加,并可与高糖状态产生协同作用,这一过程可被高糖抑制剂部分阻断,但不能完全阻断。结论:高糖状态及牵张力均可促进肌细胞IL-1、IL-6表达增加,并有一定协同作用,AGEs参与了这一过程,但并不是唯一途径。     

耐力训练对ApoE-/-致AS小鼠IL-18和IL-10表达的影响

目的：深入观察耐力训练对载脂蛋白E基因敲除（ApoE^-/-）致动脉粥样硬化（AS）小鼠白介素18（IL-18）和白介素10（IL-10）的影响,探讨运动防治AS的可能机制。方法：选取8周龄雄性ApoE^-/-小鼠20只：随机分为2组（n=10）：AS模型组（AC组）和运动干预组（AE组）,AE组进行跑台耐力训练;选取8周龄C57BL/6J雄性小鼠10只作为正常对照组（CC组）。实验持续12周,取主动脉制作冰冻切片,分别用于观察主动脉AS斑块和病理变化以及主动脉IL-18、IL-10蛋白表达;采用ELISA法检测血清IL-18、IL-10水平。结果：①12周高脂膳食致ApoE^-/-小鼠发生典型的AS病变,耐力训练使AS斑块面积显著减少（P<0.01）,病变程度显著减轻。②与CC组比较,AC组、AE组小鼠血清IL-18和IL-10水平均显著升高（P<0.01）,且AC组IL-18/IL-10比值显著升高（P<0.01）。AE组血清IL-18水平及IL-18/IL-10比值均显著低于AC组（P<0.01）。③与CC组比较,AC组、AE组小鼠主动脉IL-10和IL-18蛋白表达均显著升高（P<0.01）,AE组IL-10表达显著高于AC组（P<0.05）,IL-18表达显著低于AC组（P<0.05）。结论：耐力训练通过降低血液和主动脉IL-18及提高IL-10水平,增强了主动脉血管抗炎能力,从而发挥抗AS的作用。     

一种不对称水解（R,S）-2,6-二甲基苯基氨基丙酸甲酯的新酯酶基因的克隆表达和酶学性质研究

本文将来自反硝化无色杆菌Achromobacterdenitrificans1104的酯酶基因EHest,转化大肠杆菌中,成功表达了具有不对称水解农药甲霜灵的中间体(R,S)-2,6-二甲基苯基氨基丙酸甲酯( MAP )活性的酯酶EHesterase。用重组酯酶EHesterase催化MAP 的水解,底物浓度50 g/L,反应1h的转化率29.5%,产物( R-酸)的eep 是85.1%。该酶的最适反应pH和温度分别为9.0和50℃,在50℃以下和pH5~9之间具有较好的稳定性。该酶水解MAP 的米氏动力学参数Vm、Km 分别是0.733 g/(L·min)和7.49 g/L。加入10%DMSO对酶EHesterase的立体选择性和催化速度有一定的促进作用。 Cu2+、Fe3+对酶活有明显抑制作用。该酶水解MAP 的活性与水解p-对硝基苯乙酸酯的活性数量级相当,是水解橄榄油活性的333倍。     

Plasmalogen Augmentation Reverses Striatal Dopamine Loss in MPTP Mice

Plasmalogens are a class of glycerophospholipids shown to play critical roles in membrane structure and function. Decreased plasmalogens are reported in the brain and blood of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. The present study investigated the hypothesis that augmenting plasmalogens could protect striatal dopamine neurons that degenerate in response to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) treatment in mice, a PD model. First, in a pre-treatment experiment male mice were treated for 10 days with the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-plasmalogen precursor PPI-1011 (10, 50 and 200 mg/kg). On day 5 mice received MPTP and were killed on day 11. Next, in a post-treatment study, male mice were treated with MPTP and then received daily for 5 days PPI-1011 (5, 10 and 50 mg/kg). MPTP treatment reduced serum plasmalogen levels, striatal contents of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites, serotonin, DA transporter (DAT) and vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2). Pre-treatment with PPI-1011 (10 and 50 mg/kg) prevented all MPTP-induced effects. Positive correlations were measured between striatal DA contents and serum plasmalogen levels as well as striatal DAT and VMAT2 specific binding. Post-treatment with PPI-1011 prevented all MPTP-induced effects at 50 mg/kg but not at lower doses. Positive correlations were measured between striatal DA contents and serum plasmalogen levels as well as striatal DAT and VMAT2 specific binding in the post-treatment experiment. PPI-1011 treatment (10 days at 5, 10 and 50 mg/kg) of intact mice left unchanged striatal biogenic amine contents. These data demonstrate that treatment with a plasmalogen precursor is capable of protecting striatal dopamine markers in an animal model of PD.     

Effect of MPTP on Dopamine Metabolism in Ames Dwarf Mice

Hypopituitary dwarf mice exhibit a heightened antioxidative capacity and live extensively longer than age-matched controls. Importantly, dwarf mice resist peripheral oxidative stress induced by paraquat, and behaviorally, they maintain cognitive function and locomotor activity at levels above those observed in old wild-type animals. We assessed monoaminergic neurotransmitters in nigrostriatal tract and cerebellum after the administration of the dopaminergic neurotoxin, MPTP. There was no significant change in mitochondrial monoamine oxidase (MAO)-B and total MAO activity in the substantia nigra and nucleus caudatus putamen of wild-type and dwarf mice. Coenzymes Q-9 and Q-10 were present in similar quantities, as were dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels in the cerebellum and nigrostriatal tract. MPTP set off tremor, hind limb abduction, and straub tail behavior and induced significant dopamine depletion in the striatum of both dwarf and normal mice. This study shows that the MAO activity and the coenzyme content of dwarf mice are similar to those of their wild-type controls and hence susceptible to MPTP-induced toxicity.     

Effect of Hemorrhagic Hypotension on Cortical Oxygen Pressure and Striatal Extracellular Dopamine in Cat Brain

This study investigated the relationships between blood pressure, cortical oxygen pressure, and extracellular striatal dopamine in the brain of adult cats during hemorrhagic hypotension and re-transfusion. Oxygen pressure in the blood of the cortex was measured by the oxygen dependent quenching of phosphorescence and extracellular dopamine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) by in vivo microdialysis. Following a 2 h stabilization period after implantation of the microdialysis probe in the striatum, the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was decreased in a stepwise manner from 132 ± 2 Torr (control) to 90 Torr, 70 Torr and 50 Torr, holding the pressure at each level for 15 min. The whole blood was then retransfused and measurements were continued for 90 min. As the MAP was lowered there was a decrease in arterial pH, from a control value of 7.37 ± 0.05 to 7.26 ± 0.06. The PaCO₂ decreased during bleeding from 32.3 ± 4.8 Torr to 19.6 ± 3.6 Torr and returned to 30.9 ± 3.9 Torr after retransfusion. The PaO₂ was 125.9 ± 15 Torr during control conditions and did not significantly change during bleeding. Cortical oxygen pressure decreased with decrease in MAP, from 50 ± 2 Torr (control) to 42 ± 1 Torr, 31 ± 2 Torr and 22 ± 2 Torr, respectively. A statistically significant increase in striatal extracellular dopamine, to 2,580 ± 714% of control was observed when MAP decreased to below 70 Torr and cortical oxygen pressure decreased to below 31 Torr. When the MAP reached 50 Torr, the concentration of extracellular dopamine increased to 18,359 ± 2,764% of the control value. A statistically significant decrease in DOPAC and HVA were observed during the last step of bleeding. The data show that decreases in systemic blood pressure result in decrease in oxygen pressure in the microvasculature of the cortex, suggesting vascular dilation is not sufficient to result in a full compensation for the decreased MAP. The decrease in cortical oxygen pressure to below 32 Torr is accompanied by a marked increase in extracellular dopamine in the striatum, indicating that even such mild hypoxia can induce significant disturbance in brain metabolism.     

Effect of Theanine,r-Glutamylethylamide,on Brain Monoamines and Striatal Dopamine Release in Conscious Rats

Theanine, r-glutamylethylamide, is one of the major components of amino acids in Japanese green tea. Effect of theanine on brain amino acids and monoamines, and the striatal release of dopamine (DA) was investigated. Determination of amino acids in the brain after the intragastric administration of theanine showed that theanine was incorporated into brain through blood-brain barrier via leucine-preferring transport system. The concentrations of norepinephrine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5HIAA) in the brain regions were unaffected by the theanine administration except in striatum. Theanine administration caused significant increases in serotonin and/or DA concentrations in the brain, especially in striatum, hypothalamus and hippocampus. Direct administration of theanine into brain striatum by microinjection caused a significant increase of DA release in a dose-dependent manner. Microdialysis of brain with calcium-free Ringer buffer attenuated the theanine-induced DA release. Pretreatment with the Ringer buffer containing an antagonist of non-NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) glutamate receptor, MK-801, for 1 hr did not change the significant increase of DA release induced by theanine. However, in the case of pretreatment with AP-5, (±)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid; antagonist of NMDA glutamate receptor, the theanine-induced DA release from striatum was significantly inhibited. These results suggest that theanine might affect the metabolism and/or the release of some neurotransmitters in the brain, such as DA.     

Effect of MPTP and l-Deprenyl on Antioxidant Enzymes and Lipid Peroxidation Levels in Mouse Brain

Abstract: Excessive free radical formation or antioxidant enzyme deficiency can result in oxidative stress, a mechanism proposed in the toxicity of MPTP and in the etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, it is unclear if altered antioxidant enzyme activity is sufficient to increase lipid peroxidation in PD. We therefore investigated if MPTP can alter the activity of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and the level of lipid peroxidation. l -Deprenyl, prior to MPTP administration, is used to inhibit MPP⁺ formation and its subsequent effect on antioxidant enzymes. MPTP induced a threefold increase in SOD activity in the striatum of C57BL/6 mice. No parallel increase in GSH-PX or CAT activities was observed, while striatal lipid peroxidation decreased. At the level of the substantia nigra (SN), even though increases in CAT activity and reduction in SOD and GSH-PX activities were detected, lipid peroxidation was not altered. Interestingly, l -deprenyl induced similar changes in antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation levels, as did MPTP. Taken together, these results suggest that an alteration in SOD activity, without compensatory increases in CAT or GSH-PX activities, is not sufficient to induce lipid peroxidation.     

pH-Induced Alterations in Dopamine Synthesis Regulation in Rat Brain Striatal Synaptosomes

Abstract: Dopamine synthesis regulation as a function of pH has been examined in rat brain striatal synaptosomes. Synthesis stimulation produced by lowering the incubation pH from 7.2 to 6.2 is accompanied by a significant increase in apparent A'm for tyrosine and in apparent Vmax. While these kinetic alterations are similar to those produced by the depolarizing agent veratridine, it does not appear that synthesis is stimulated at pH 6.2 via synaptosomal depolarization since (1) synthesis stimulation still occurs at pH 6.2 in a calcium-free medium in contrast to the calcium-dependency of veratridine- induced stimulation and (2) tyrosine uptake is not inhibited by incubation at pH 6.2, but is markedly inhibited by veratridine. In order to study how the regulatory properties of synaptosomal preparations vary according to pH, the ability of synaptosomal dopamine synthesis to respond to various agents was tested between pH 7.2 and 6.2. The stimulatory effects of veratridine, amphetamine, phenylethylamine and dibutyryl cyclic AMP at pH 7.2 were significantly diminished at pH 6.2. In addition, incubation at pH 6.2 antagonized the veratridine-induced inhibition of tyrosine uptake, suggesting an interference with the depolarization process. The inhibitory effects of dopamine and tyramine at pH 7.2 were also antagonized at pH 6.2. In contrast to the effects of pH 6.2 buffer, incubation at pH 6.6 does not markedly alter responses to the various drugs. The results suggest that, although basal dopamine synthesis rates can be increased by lowering the pH, synaptosomal regulatory properties are significantly altered as the pH is lowered below 6.6.     

Presynaptic Dopamine Dynamics in Striatal Brain Slices with Fast-scan Cyclic Voltammetry

Extensive research has focused on the neurotransmitter dopamine because of its importance in the mechanism of action of drugs of abuse (e.g. cocaine and amphetamine), the role it plays in psychiatric illnesses (e.g. schizophrenia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and its involvement in degenerative disorders like Parkinson''s and Huntington''s disease. Under normal physiological conditions, dopamine is known to regulate locomotor activity, cognition, learning, emotional affect, and neuroendocrine hormone secretion. One of the largest densities of dopamine neurons is within the striatum, which can be divided in two distinct neuroanatomical regions known as the nucleus accumbens and the caudate-putamen. The objective is to illustrate a general protocol for slice fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) within the mouse striatum. FSCV is a well-defined electrochemical technique providing the opportunity to measure dopamine release and uptake in real time in discrete brain regions. Carbon fiber microelectrodes (diameter of ~ 7 μm) are used in FSCV to detect dopamine oxidation. The analytical advantage of using FSCV to detect dopamine is its enhanced temporal resolution of 100 milliseconds and spatial resolution of less than ten microns, providing complementary information to in vivo microdialysis.     

大黄牡丹汤对实验性结肠炎小鼠血清细胞因子的影响

目的:探讨大黄牡丹汤对TNBS诱导的小鼠实验性结肠炎的治疗作用及作用机理。方法:采用三硝基苯磺酸(TNBS)法制作实验性结肠炎小鼠模型,给予大黄牡丹汤治疗,观察小鼠的一般状态和DAI评分、结肠组织学变化。采用Luminex液相芯片系统检测血清中白介素1β、白介素4和肿瘤坏死因子α的含量。结果:大黄牡丹汤对TNBS结肠炎小鼠的一般状况及DAI评分有改善作用、并能缓解结肠局部的炎症,可降低血清中白介素1β和肿瘤坏死因子α的含量的水平。结论:大黄牡丹汤具有一定地防治TNBS所诱导的小鼠结肠炎的作用,其机制可能与抑制白介素1β和肿瘤坏死因子α的分泌有关。     

Acute Stimulatory Effect of Estradiol on Striatal Dopamine Synthesis

Abstract: The acute effect of physiological doses of estradiol (E2) on the dopaminergic activity in the striatum was studied. In a first series of experiments, ovariectomized rats were injected with 17α or 17β E2 (125, 250, or 500 ng/kg of body weight, s.c.), and in situ tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity (determined by DOPA accumulation in the striatum after intraperitoneal administration of NSD 1015) was quantified. A dose-dependent increase in striatal TH activity was observed within minutes after 17β (but not 17α) E2 treatment. To examine whether E2 acts directly on the striatum, in a second series of experiments, anesthetized rats were implanted in the striatum with a push-pull cannula supplied with an artificial CSF containing [³H]tyrosine. The extracellular concentrations of total and tritiated dopamine (DA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) were measured at 20-min intervals. Addition of 10^?9M 17β (but not 17α) E2 to the superfusing fluid immediately evoked an ～50% increase in [³H]DA and [³H]DOPAC extracellular concentrations, but total DA and DOPAC concentrations remained constant. This selective increase in the newly synthesized DA and DOPAC release suggested that E2 affects DA synthesis rather than DA release. Finally, to determine whether this rapid E2-induced stimulation of DA synthesis was a consequence of an increase in TH level of phosphorylation, the enzyme constant of inhibition by DA (K_{i DA}) was calculated. Incubation of striatal slices in the presence of 10^?9M 17β (but not 17α) E2 indeed evoked an approximate twofold increase in the K_{i DA} of one form of the enzyme. It is concluded that physiological levels of E2 can act directly on striatal tissue to stimulate DA synthesis. This stimulation appears to be mediated, at least in part, by a decrease in TH susceptibility to end-product inhibition, presumably due to phosphorylation of the enzyme. The rapid onset of this effect, and the fact that the striatum does not contain detectable nuclear E2 receptors, suggest a nongenomic action of the steroid.     

Effect of Varying the Ionic Concentration of a Microdialysis Perfusate on Basal Striatal Dopamine Levels in Awake Rats

In vivo microdialysis was used to study the effects of Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ ion concentrations on basal extracellular (EC) levels of striatal DA and metabolites in awake rats on the second day (48 h) after implantation of a microdialysis probe. Basal EC striatal dopamine (DA) levels were markedly (90%) and reversibly reduced by removal and subsequent replacement of Ca2+ ions from the microdialysis perfusate. This implies that the EC DA in this preparation is primarily of synaptic origin. The addition and subsequent removal of 1.7 mM MgCl2 to the Mg2(+)-free perfusate produced a reversible decrease (20%) in basal EC DA levels. This decrease may reflect a competitive interaction between Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the process of vesicular release. Basal EC DA levels were also reduced (27%) by decreasing the K+ concentration of the perfusate from 4 mM to 3 mM. However, after restoring the K+ concentration to 4 mM, EC DA levels were slow to return to pretreatment levels. Basal EC 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid levels exhibited a parallel but diminished response to each manipulation of the ionic concentration of the perfusate. This study demonstrates that small variations in the concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ in the perfusate employed in microdialysis preparations will affect basal EC striatal DA and metabolite levels.