dizocilpine-maleate and glutamic-acid-diethyl-ester

Changes of evoked potentials under the influence of NBQX (a non-NMDA receptor antagonist), MK-801 (a NMDA receptor antagonist) and GDEE (a nonselective antagonist of glutamate receptor) were studied. GDEE augmented potentiation and was marked progression of potentiation with increasing number of stimuli. There was no potentiation of responses in relation to the number of stimulus in a series in experiments with both MK-801 and NBQX. Interpretation of results with NBQX and MK-801 is difficult.

Topics: Animals; Dizocilpine Maleate; Evoked Potentials; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Glutamates; Male; Quinoxalines; Rats; Receptors, AMPA

Seizures were induced in immature 18-day-old rats by i.p. administration of homocysteine (11 mmol/kg) and the effects of selected antagonists of NMDA receptors [MK-801 (0.5 mg/kg), AP7 (0.33 mmol/kg), CGP 40116 (10 mg/kg)] and non-NMDA receptors [GDEE (4 mmol/kg), NBQX (two doses, 30 mg/kg each)] were studied. The effect of MgSO4 (two doses, 2 mmol/kg each) was also tested. The anticonvulsant effect was evaluated not only from the behavioral manifestations of seizures, but also in terms of some indicators of brain energy metabolism. Rat pups were sacrificed during generalized clonic-tonic seizures, corresponding to 16-45 min after homocysteine administration. Comparable time intervals were used for sacrificing the pups which had received the protective drugs. In contrast to neonatal rats, in which only NMDA antagonists could prevent homocysteine-induced seizures, both NMDA and non-NMDA receptor antagonists exerted an anticonvulsant effect in 18-day-old rats. In addition, the pronounced anticonvulsant effect could be achieved by the combined treatment with low subthreshold doses of NMDA (MK-801) and non-NMDA (NBQX) receptor antagonists. The protection was evident not only in suppressing behavioral symptoms of seizures, but also in preventing most of the metabolic changes accompanying seizures, mainly glycogen degradation. More than a sevenfold accumulation of lactate occurring during seizures was markedly reduced by all the tested drugs, but was not completely eliminated. All antagonists, when given alone in the same doses as those used for seizure protection, remained without any effect on lactate levels. Comparison of the present data with previous findings concerning neonatal rats suggests that there may be a developmental change in anticonvulsant efficacy of non-NMDA receptor antagonists against homocysteine-induced seizures in rats.

Topics: 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate; Age Factors; Animals; Anticonvulsants; Behavior, Animal; Brain Chemistry; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Energy Metabolism; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Glutamates; Homocysteine; Male; Neuroprotective Agents; Quinoxalines; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Seizures

Homocysteine induces seizures in adult, as well as in immature, experimental animals, but the mechanism of its action is still unknown. The aim of the present study was to examine whether homocysteine in immature animals may act via excitatory amino acids receptors. Seizures were induced in 7-day-old rats by ip administration of homocysteine (16.5 mmol/kg) and the effects of selected antagonists at NMDA and non-NMDA receptor sites were investigated. The anticonvulsant effect was evaluated not only in terms of behavioral changes, but also in terms of some indicators of brain energy metabolism. Rat pups were sacrificed during generalized clonic-tonic seizures, corresponding approximately to 15-30 min after homocysteine administration. Comparable time intervals were used for sacrificing pups in the groups with protective drugs. Non-NMDA antagonists, L-glutamic acid diethylester (GDEE) (4 mmol/kg, ip) and 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl-benzo (F) quinoxaline (NBQX) (two doses, 30 mg/kg each, ip), failed to protect neonatal rats against homocysteine-induced seizures. Although NBQX prevented the tonic phase, the severity of clonic movements was even more pronounced. Metabolic changes accompanying the seizures (decreases of glucose and glycogen and a rise of lactate) were also not influenced by GDEE or NBQX pretreatment. On the contrary, NMDA antagonists, both competitive (AP7, 0.33 mmol/kg, ip) and noncompetitive (MK-801, 0.5 mg/kg, ip), had a clear-cut anticonvulsant effect. They not only suppressed the behavioral signs of seizures, but also prevented most of the metabolic changes accompanying seizures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate; Amino Acids; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Anticonvulsants; Dizocilpine Maleate; Glutamates; Homocysteine; Male; Neuroprotective Agents; Quinoxalines; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, Amino Acid; Receptors, AMPA; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Seizures

Topics: Animals; Anticonvulsants; Cocaine; Death; Dextrorphan; Dizocilpine Maleate; Glutamates; Kynurenic Acid; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Neurotoxins; Piperazines; Receptors, Neurotransmitter; Seizures

A comparative study was performed to assess effects of different antagonists of glutamate receptors on spatial discrimination of rats in 8-arm radial and water mazes. Noncompetitive NMDA receptor blocker MK-801 in the dose 0.10 mg/kg and higher impaired the accuracy of performance in radial maze, whereas in the doses 0.05--0.30 mg/kg in water maze. Quisqualate IAMPA- and 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (2-APB) I antagonists glutamate diethyl ester (250--500 mg/kg) and 2-APB (50--100 mg/kg), respectively, only increased time to complete radial maze performance and failed to alter choice accuracy. Both antagonists at the same doses did not affect performance of water maze task. The involvement of each type of glutamate receptors in different stages of spatial discrimination process in rats was discussed.

Topics: Animals; Dizocilpine Maleate; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Glutamates; Male; Memory; N-Methylaspartate; Quisqualic Acid; Rats; Receptors, Glutamate; Spatial Behavior

The involvement of excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptors in mediation of the toxic effects of cocaine was studied in male ICR mice. Cocaine HCl (90 mg/kg, IP) induced seizures in 95% and death within 24 h in 68% (n = 135) of the animals. There was a significant correlation (r = .54) between the time to onset of convulsions and the time to death in mice which died within 30 min of injection (n = 84). Pretreatment with selected EAA receptor antagonists 15 min prior to cocaine differentially blocked cocaine toxicity. Selective N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonists (MK-801, dextrorphan, CPP) decreased both the incidence of seizures and mortality. A nonselective EAA antagonist, kynurenic acid, decreased lethality in doses which did not reduce convulsions. A similar action was observed following pretreatment with the selective kainic acid/AMPA receptor antagonist, GDEE. Antagonists at EAA receptors can provide significant protection against cocaine-induced toxicity. Moreover, the data provide evidence for the involvement of both NMDA and non-NMDA receptor subtypes in aspects of cocaine toxicity.

Topics: 6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione; Animals; Anticonvulsants; Cocaine; Death; Dextrorphan; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Glutamates; Kynurenic Acid; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Piperazines; Quinoxalines; Receptors, Glutamate; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Receptors, Neurotransmitter; Seizures; Time Factors

N-Acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) is a dipeptide, and has been demonstrated to be a putative neurotransmitter in the brain. We hereby report the toxicity of NAAG in sagittal slices of mouse brain, in vitro, which is prevented by both N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptor antagonists. Incubation of mouse brain slices with NAAG resulted in dose-dependent leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and potassium from the slices into the medium. Significant leakage of LDH was observed when the slices were incubated with 0.1 pM NAAG. Significant leakage of LDH from the slice was observed only when a very high concentration of L-glutamic acid (10 microM) was added to the incubatio medium. Prior incubation with NMDA (MK-801) or non-NMDA (glutamate diethyl ester, (GDEE] receptor antagonists protected the slices against NAAG-mediated neurotoxicity, indicating the possible involvement of both of these classes of receptors in the toxic action of NAAG.

Topics: Animals; Brain; Dipeptides; Dizocilpine Maleate; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Glutamates; In Vitro Techniques; Kinetics; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Male; Mice; N-Methylaspartate; Neurotoxins; Potassium; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate

The effects of excitatory amino acid antagonists on increased cortical acetylcholine release and behavioral hyperactivity induced by naloxone in morphine tolerant guinea pigs and mice were studied. The results show that the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) antagonist MK-801 (0.1-1 mg/kg, i.p.) injected 30 min before naloxone (3 mg/kg, s.c.) dose-dependently prevented the neurochemical and behavioral signs of morphine withdrawal in guinea pigs and mice. The non-selective antagonist glutamic acid diethylester only at 100 mg/kg i.p. reduced the naloxone-induced increase of cortical acetylcholine release without affecting the behavioral changes. These findings indicate that the activation of excitatory amino acid receptors, mainly the NMDA receptors, plays a relevant role in the expression of opiate abstinence.

Topics: Acetylcholine; Animals; Cerebral Cortex; Dizocilpine Maleate; Drug Implants; Drug Tolerance; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Glutamates; Guinea Pigs; Kinetics; Mice; Morphine; N-Methylaspartate; Naloxone; Parietal Lobe; Psychotropic Drugs; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome

GDEE, an antagonist of the AA2 or quisqualic acid category of excitatory amino acid receptor, decreases behavioral activity and locomotor stimulation induced by cocaine and amphetamine when locally injected into the nucleus accumbens. The present experiment was intended to examine the effects of systemic GDEE and other excitatory amino acid antagonists on stimulant-induced locomotor activity. GDEE markedly attenuated the stimulant effect of amphetamine, and partially blocked the effects of phencyclidine (PCP). Apomorphine-induced cage climbing behavior was partially decreased by lower dosages of GDEE, but was almost completely blocked by the highest dosage tested. Amphetamine-induced stimulation of locomotor activity was not decreased by any of the other excitatory amino acid antagonists that were tested, including MK-801, 2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (APH), or CNQX. APH decreased stereotypy only at a high dosage (250 mg/kg), which also produces ataxia. Several other compounds, including L-glutamic acid gamma ethyl ester (GMEE), L-glutamic acid, glycine, and L-glutamine did not block amphetamine-induced stimulation in molar dosages equivalent to the highest dosage of GDEE (8 mmol/kg). It is concluded that the AA2 excitatory amino acid receptor is important in the expression of activating effects of stimulant drugs.

Topics: 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate; 6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione; Amino Acids; Amphetamine; Animals; Apomorphine; Behavior, Animal; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Dibenzocycloheptenes; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Glutamates; Mice; Motor Activity; Phencyclidine; Quinoxalines; Receptors, Amino Acid; Receptors, Cell Surface; Stereotyped Behavior

Bilateral inferior olive lesions, produced by systemic administration of the neurotoxin 3-acetylpyridine (3AP) produce a proconvulsant state specific for strychnine-induced seizures and myoclonus. We have proposed that these phenomena are mediated through increased excitation of cerebellar Purkinje cells, through activation of glutamate receptors, in response to climbing fiber deafferentation. An increase in quisqualic acid (QA)-displaceable [3H]AMPA [(RS)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-propionic acid] binding in cerebella from inferior olive-lesioned rats was observed, but no difference in [3H]AMPA binding displaced by glutamate, kainic acid (KA) or glutamate diethylester (GDEE) was seen. The excitatory amino acid antagonists GDEE and MK-801 [(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclo-hepten-5,10 imine] were tested as anticonvulsants for strychnine-induced seizures in 3AP inferior olive-lesioned and control rats. Neither drug effected seizures in control rats, however, both GDEE and MK-801 produced a leftward shift in the strychnine-seizure dose-response curve in 3AP inferior olive-lesioned rats. GDEE also inhibited strychnine-induced myoclonus in the lesioned group, while MK-801 had no effect on myoclonus. The decreased threshold for strychnine-induced seizures and myoclonus in the 3AP-inferior olive-lesioned rats may be due to an increase in glutamate receptors as suggested by the [3H]AMPA binding data.

Topics: alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid; Animals; Anticonvulsants; Dizocilpine Maleate; Epilepsies, Myoclonic; Glutamates; Ibotenic Acid; Male; Olivary Nucleus; Pyridines; Quisqualic Acid; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Seizures; Strychnine; Tritium