piperidines and 1-3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine

The aim of this study was to characterize the interaction of adenosine A1-receptor and cannabinoid CB1-receptor antagonists in the water maze and object-location tasks, and to evaluate the participation of glutamatergic neurotransmission in the hippocampus in the learning enhancement induced by the coadministration of both antagonists. Our results show that coadministration of ineffective doses of DPCPX (8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine) (an A1-receptor antagonist) and AM251 (N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-iodophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide) (a CB1-receptor antagonist) in different proportions enhanced the acquisition of spatial learning. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor blockade disrupted the effects of the selected drug combination [AM251 0.25 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.)+DPCPX 0.30 mg/kg i.p.] either in the water maze or in the object-location task. Moreover, this drug combination induced a significant ex-vivo enhancement in glutamate release into hippocampal slices. In addition, the blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors with MK-801 (0.25 µg/site) infused into the hippocampal CA1 area reversed the effects of coadministration, as evaluated in the object-location task. In conclusion, this is the first study to show that A1-receptor and CB1-receptor antagonists might interact on hippocampal neurons to enhance spatial memory in mice.

Topics: Adenosine A1 Receptor Antagonists; Animals; Dizocilpine Maleate; Glutamic Acid; Hippocampus; Male; Mice; Piperidines; Pyrazoles; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; Spatial Behavior; Synaptic Transmission; Xanthines

R-type calcium channels in postsynaptic spines signal through functional calcium microdomains to regulate a calcium/calmodulin-sensitive potassium channel that in turn regulates postsynaptic hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP). Here, we ask whether R-type calcium channels in presynaptic terminals also signal through calcium microdomains to control presynaptic LTP. We focus on presynaptic LTP at parallel fiber to Purkinje cell synapses in the cerebellum (PF-LTP), which is mediated by calcium/calmodulin-stimulated adenylyl cyclases. Although most presynaptic calcium influx is through N-type and P/Q-type calcium channels, blocking these channels does not disrupt PF-LTP, but blocking R-type calcium channels does. Moreover, global calcium signaling cannot account for the calcium dependence of PF-LTP because R-type channels contribute modestly to overall calcium entry. These findings indicate that, within presynaptic terminals, R-type calcium channels produce calcium microdomains that evoke presynaptic LTP at moderate frequencies that do not greatly increase global calcium levels.

Topics: Adenosine A1 Receptor Antagonists; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Calcium; Calcium Channel Blockers; Calcium Channels, R-Type; Calcium Signaling; Cerebellum; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Electric Stimulation; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; GABA Antagonists; In Vitro Techniques; Long-Term Potentiation; Membrane Microdomains; Neural Pathways; Nickel; omega-Agatoxin IVA; omega-Conotoxin GVIA; Patch-Clamp Techniques; Phosphinic Acids; Piperidines; Presynaptic Terminals; Propanolamines; Purkinje Cells; Pyrazoles; Quinoxalines; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Sodium Channel Blockers; Spider Venoms; Tetrodotoxin; Xanthines

Marijuana is a widely used drug that impairs memory through interaction between its psychoactive constituent, Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC), and CB(1) receptors (CB1Rs) in the hippocampus. CB1Rs are located on Schaffer collateral (Sc) axon terminals in the hippocampus, where they inhibit glutamate release onto CA1 pyramidal neurons. This action is shared by adenosine A(1) receptors (A1Rs), which are also located on Sc terminals. Furthermore, A1Rs are tonically activated by endogenous adenosine (eADO), leading to suppressed glutamate release under basal conditions. Colocalization of A1Rs and CB1Rs, and their coupling to shared components of signal transduction, suggest that these receptors may interact. We examined the roles of A1Rs and eADO in regulating CB1R inhibition of glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the rodent hippocampus. We found that A1R activation by basal or experimentally increased levels of eADO reduced or eliminated CB1R inhibition of glutamate release, and that blockade of A1Rs with caffeine or other antagonists reversed this effect. The CB1R-A1R interaction was observed with the agonists WIN55,212-2 and Delta(9)-THC and during endocannabinoid-mediated depolarization-induced suppression of excitation. A1R control of CB1Rs was stronger in the C57BL/6J mouse hippocampus, in which eADO levels were higher than in Sprague Dawley rats, and the eADO modulation of CB1R effects was absent in A1R knock-out mice. Since eADO levels and A1R activation are regulated by homeostatic, metabolic, and pathological factors, these data identify a mechanism in which CB1R function can be controlled by the brain adenosine system. Additionally, our data imply that caffeine may potentiate the effects of marijuana on hippocampal function.

Topics: Adenosine; alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Benzoxazines; Biophysics; CA1 Region, Hippocampal; Caffeine; Calcium Channel Blockers; Dronabinol; Electric Stimulation; Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials; GABA Antagonists; Glutamic Acid; In Vitro Techniques; Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Morpholines; Naphthalenes; Neural Inhibition; Neurons; Patch-Clamp Techniques; Phosphinic Acids; Picrotoxin; Piperidines; Presynaptic Terminals; Propanolamines; Pyrazoles; Quinoxalines; Receptor, Adenosine A1; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; Xanthines

Synapses throughout the brain are modified through associative mechanisms in which one input provides an instructive signal for changes in the strength of a second coactivated input. In cerebellar Purkinje cells, climbing fiber synapses provide an instructive signal for plasticity at parallel fiber synapses. Here, we show that noradrenaline activates alpha2-adrenergic receptors to control short-term and long-term associative plasticity of parallel fiber synapses. This regulation of plasticity does not reflect a conventional direct modulation of the postsynaptic Purkinje cell or presynaptic parallel fibers. Instead, noradrenaline reduces associative plasticity by selectively decreasing the probability of release at the climbing fiber synapse, which in turn decreases climbing fiber-evoked dendritic calcium signals. These findings raise the possibility that targeted presynaptic modulation of instructive synapses could provide a general mechanism for dynamic context-dependent modulation of associative plasticity.

Topics: Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists; Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Biophysics; Brimonidine Tartrate; Calcium; Calcium Signaling; Cerebellum; Electric Stimulation; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials; GABA Antagonists; Glycine; In Vitro Techniques; Long-Term Synaptic Depression; Neural Pathways; Neuronal Plasticity; Norepinephrine; Patch-Clamp Techniques; Phosphinic Acids; Piperidines; Propanolamines; Purinergic P1 Receptor Antagonists; Purkinje Cells; Pyrazoles; Quinoxalines; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2; Synapses; Xanthines

The endocannabinoid system is emerging as an integral component in central and peripheral regulation of feeding and energy balance. Our investigation analyzed behavioral roles for cannabinoid mechanisms of the pontine parabrachial nucleus (PBN) in modulating intake of presumably palatable foods containing fat and/or sugar. The PBN serves to gate neurotransmission associated with, but not limited to, the gustatory properties of food. Immunofluorescence and in vitro [(35)S]GTPgammaS autoradiography of rat tissue sections containing the PBN revealed the presence of cannabinoid receptors and their functional capability to couple to their G-proteins after incubation with the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG). The selective cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB(1)R) antagonist AM251 [N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-iodophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide] prevented the response, demonstrating CB(1)R mediation of 2-AG-induced coupling. Microinfusions of 2-AG into the PBN in behaving rats robustly stimulated feeding of pellets high in content of fat and sucrose (HFS), pure sucrose, and pure fat (Crisco), during the first 30 min after infusion. In contrast, 2-AG failed to increase consumption of standard chow, even when the feeding regimen was manipulated to match baseline intakes of HFS. Orexigenic responses to 2-AG were attenuated by AM251, again indicating CB(1)R mediation of 2-AG actions. Furthermore, responses were regionally specific, because 2-AG failed to alter intake when infused into sites approximately 500 mum caudal to infusions that successfully stimulated feeding. Our data suggest that hedonically positive sensory properties of food enable endocannabinoids at PBN CB(1)Rs to initiate increases in eating, and, more generally, these pathways may serve a larger role in brain functions controlling behavioral responses for natural reward.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Arachidonic Acids; Autoradiography; Behavior, Animal; Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; Conditioning, Operant; Eating; Endocannabinoids; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Food Preferences; Glycerides; Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate); Male; Narcotic Antagonists; Peptides; Piperidines; Pons; Pyrazoles; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Sulfur Isotopes; Time Factors; Xanthines

To evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of several novel adenosine receptor agonists and to determine their specificity for various adenosine receptor subtypes on neutrophils, cells heterologously expressing equine adenosine receptors, or equine brain membranes.. Neutrophils isolated from 8 healthy horses.. Radioligand binding experiments were performed to compare binding affinities of adenosine receptor agonists to equine adenosine A(1), A(2A), and A(3) receptor subtypes. Effects of these agonists on endotoxin-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by equine neutrophils and roles of specific adenosine receptor subtypes and cAMP production in mediating these effects were determined.. Radioligand binding experiments yielded a ranked order of affinity for the brain equine A(2A) receptor on the basis of 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)) of the agonists as follows: ATL307 (IC(50) = 1.9nM) and ATL313 > ATL309 and ATL310 > ATL202 > 2-([p-2- carboxyethyl] phenylethylamino)-5'-N-ethylcarboxyamidoadenosine > 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine. Furthermore, ATL313 had approximately 100-fold greater selectivity for A(2A) over A(1) and A(3) receptors. In functional assays with equine neutrophils, the compounds inhibited endotoxin-induced ROS production and stimulated production of cAMP with the same ranked order of potency. Results of experiments performed with selective adenosine receptor antagonists indicated that functional effects of ATL313 were via stimulation of A(2A) receptors.. Results indicated that activation of A(2A) receptors exerted anti-inflammatory effects on equine neutrophils and that stable, highly selective adenosine A(2A) receptor agonists may be developed for use in management of horses and other domestic animals with septic and nonseptic inflammatory diseases.

Topics: Adenosine; Adenosine A2 Receptor Agonists; Adenosine-5'-(N-ethylcarboxamide); Animals; Binding, Competitive; Cyclic AMP; Horses; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Kinetics; Lipopolysaccharides; Neutrophils; Phenethylamines; Piperidines; Radioligand Assay; Reactive Oxygen Species; Receptor, Adenosine A2A; Xanthines

Novel 3-(2-cycloalkyl and cycloalkenyl-3-oxo-2,3-dihydropyridazin-6-yl)-2-phenylpyrazo lo [1,5-a]-pyridines were synthesized and evaluated for their adenosine A1 receptor binding activities. In this series, FR166124 (3) was found to be the most potent and selective adenosine A1 receptor antagonist, and the double bond of the cyclohexenyl acetic acid group was essential for selectivity of A1 receptor binding. Furthermore, the solubility in water of the sodium salt of FR 166124 was high.

Topics: Antihypertensive Agents; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Molecular Structure; Piperidines; Purinergic P1 Receptor Antagonists; Pyrazoles; Pyridines; Receptors, Purinergic P1; Solubility; Structure-Activity Relationship; Water; Xanthines

1. We have investigated the effects of inflammatory mediators on visceral afferent discharge and afferent responses to bradykinin (BK) in rat jejunum using a novel in vitro technique. 2. Prostaglandin E2 (1 microM) augmented responses to BK without affecting basal firing, while histamine (100 microM) and adenosine (100 microM) activated basal discharge and enhanced BK responses. In contrast, 5-HT (100 microM) increased basal discharge without influencing responses to BK. 3. Afferent discharge induced by histamine was inhibited by both H1 (pyrilamine) and H3 (thioperamide) but not H2 (ranitidine) receptor antagonists at 10 microM. In contrast, sensitization to BK induced by histamine was inhibited by ranitidine (10 microM). 4. Afferent discharge induced by adenosine was blocked by the A1 receptor antagonist DPCPX (10 microM) but remained unaffected by A2A receptor blockade with ZM241385 (10 microM). In contrast, sensitization of BK responses by adenosine was unaffected by both antagonists. Basal discharge and BK-induced responses were unaffected by the A3 receptor agonist IB-MECA (1 microM). While involvement of A2B receptors is not excluded, adenosine may activate afferent discharge through A1 receptors, while sensitization to BK could involve a receptor other than A1, A2A or A3, possibly the A2B receptor. 5. Inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase with naproxen (10 microM) prevented sensitization after histamine but not adenosine. 6. Sensitization was mimicked by dibutyryl cAMP. This occurred without changes in basal firing and was unaffected by naproxen. 7. In conclusion, afferent discharge induced by BK is augmented by histamine, adenosine and PGE2, but not by 5-HT. Evidence suggests that sensitization involves separate mechanisms from afferent activation. Sensitization may be mediated by increases in cAMP following direct activation by mediators at the nerve terminal or through indirect pathways such as the release of prostaglandins.

Topics: Adenosine; Animals; Bradykinin; Bucladesine; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Dinoprostone; Histamine; Histamine Antagonists; Histamine H2 Antagonists; In Vitro Techniques; Jejunum; Male; Membrane Potentials; Naproxen; Neurons, Afferent; Piperidines; Ranitidine; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Serotonin; Stimulation, Chemical; Triazines; Triazoles; Xanthines

Histamine elicits its biological effects via three distinct G protein-coupled receptors, termed H1, H2, and H3. We have used guanosine 5'-(gamma-[35S]thio)triphosphate (GTPgamma[35S]) autoradiography to localize histamine receptor-dependent G protein activation in rat brain tissue sections. Initial studies revealed that in basal conditions, adenosine was present in tissue sections in sufficient concentrations to generate an adenosine A1 receptor-dependent GTPgamma[35S] signal in several brain regions. All further incubations therefore contained 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (10 microM), a selective A1 receptor antagonist. Histamine elicited dose-dependent increments in GTPgamma[35S] binding to discrete anatomical structures, most notably the caudate putamen, cerebral cortex, and substantia nigra. The overall anatomical pattern of the histamine-evoked binding response closely reflects the known distribution of H3 binding sites and was faithfully mimicked by N(alpha)-methylhistamine, (R)-alpha-methylhistamine, and immepip, three H3-selective agonists. In all regions examined, the GTPgamma[35S] signal was reversed with thioperamide and clobenpropit, two potent H3-selective antagonists, whereas mepyramine, a specific H1 antagonist, and cimetidine, a prototypic H2 antagonist, proved ineffective. These data indicate that in rat brain tissue sections, GTPgamma[35S] autoradiography selectively detects H3 receptor-dependent signaling in response to histamine stimulation. As the existing evidence suggests that GTPgamma[35S] autoradiography preferentially reveals responses to G(i/o)-coupled receptors, our data indicate that most, if not all, central H3 binding sites represent functional receptors coupling to G(i/o), the inhibitory class of G proteins. Besides allowing more detailed studies on H3 receptor signaling within anatomically restricted regions of the CNS, GTPgamma[35S] autoradiography offers a novel approach for functional in vitro screening of H3 ligands.

Topics: Adenosine; Animals; Autoradiography; Basal Ganglia; Brain Chemistry; Cerebral Cortex; GTP-Binding Proteins; Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate); Guanosine Diphosphate; Histamine; Histamine Antagonists; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Male; Piperidines; Protein Binding; Pyrilamine; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, Histamine H3; Signal Transduction; Substantia Nigra; Sulfur Radioisotopes; Xanthines

Inhibition by zatebradine, a specific bradycardic agent, of the negative inotropic but not chronotropic responses to adenosine has been briefly reported in the isolated, perfused dog heart. We therefore investigated whether subtypes of adenosine receptors or postreceptor transduction mechanisms differentiated the negative chronotropic and inotropic responses to adenosine in the isolated, blood-perfused atrial and ventricular preparations of the dog. Adenosine (1-3000 nmol), adenosine A1 receptor agonists, 2-chloroadenosine (CAD, 0.1-300 nmol) and N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA, 1-300 nmol) and a nonselective adenosine receptor agonist, 5'-N-ethyl-carboxamidoadenosine (NECA, 0.1-100 nmol), induced the negative chronotropic and inotropic responses. The potency order was NECA > CAD > adenosine > or = CHA. An adenosine A1 receptor antagonist, 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX, 10-300 nmol), dose-dependently inhibited the negative chronotropic and inotropic responses to adenosine, CAD and NECA in the isolated, perfused right atrium. DPCPX also blocked the negative inotropic responses to adenosine, CAD and NECA in the isolated left ventricle. However, an adenosine A2 receptor antagonist, 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (DMPX, 300 nmol), did not affect the negative cardiac responses to adenosine and NECA. Although the negative inotropic but not chronotropic responses to CAD and adenosine were dose-dependently inhibited by zatebradine, K+ channel inhibitors 4-aminopyridine and E-4031 did not modify the cardiac responses to adenosine and CAD. These results suggest that the negative cardiac responses to adenosine are mediated by adenosine A1 receptors and the negative chronotropic and inotropic responses to adenosine are differentiated at the postreceptor transduction level(s) in the dog heart.

Topics: 2-Chloroadenosine; 4-Aminopyridine; Adenosine; Adenosine-5'-(N-ethylcarboxamide); Animals; Benzazepines; Depression, Chemical; Dogs; Heart Rate; In Vitro Techniques; Myocardial Contraction; Piperidines; Pyridines; Receptors, Purinergic P1; Xanthines