Repeated stimulation of D-1 dopamine receptors increases the circling response to bromocriptine in rats with a 6-OHDA lesion

Methamphetamine-induced changes in the striatal dopamine pathway in μ-opioid receptor knockout mice

Background

Repeated exposure to methamphetamine (METH) can cause not only neurotoxicity but also addiction. Behavioral sensitization is widely used as an animal model for the study of drug addiction. We previously reported that the μ-opioid receptor knockout mice were resistant to METH-induced behavioral sensitization but the mechanism is unknown.

Methods

The present study determined whether resistance of the μ-opioid receptor (μ-OR) knockout mice to behavioral sensitization is due to differential expression of the stimulatory G protein α subunit (Gαs) or regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS) coupled to the dopamine D1 receptor. Mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of saline or METH (10 mg/kg) for 7 consecutive days to induce sensitization. On day 11(following 4 abstinent days), mice were either given a test dose of METH (10 mg/kg) for behavioral testing or sacrificed for neurochemical assays without additional METH treatment.

Results

METH challenge-induced stereotyped behaviors were significantly reduced in the μ-opioid receptor knockout mice when compared with those in wild-type mice. Neurochemical assays indicated that there is a decrease in dopamine D1 receptor ligand binding and an increase in the expression of RGS4 mRNA in the striatum of METH-treated μ-opioid receptor knockout mice but not of METH-treated wild-type mice. METH treatment had no effect on the expression of Gαs and RGS2 mRNA in the striatum of either strain of mice.

Conclusions

These results indicate that down-regulation of the expression of the dopamine D1 receptor and up-regulation of RGS4 mRNA expression in the striatum may contribute to the reduced response to METH-induced stereotypy behavior in μ-opioid receptor knockout mice. Our results highlight the interactions of the μ-opioid receptor system to METH-induced behavioral responses by influencing the expression of RGS of dopamine D1 receptors.

Time-course of SKF-81297-induced increase in glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 and 67 mRNA levels in striatonigral neurons and decrease in GABA(A) receptor alpha1 subunit mRNA levels in the substantia nigra, pars reticulata, in adult rats with a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesion

Striatal projection neurons use GABA as their neurotransmitter and express the rate-limiting synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and the vesicular GABA transporter vGAT. The chronic systemic administration of an agonist of dopamine D1/D5-preferring receptors is known to alter GAD mRNA levels in striatonigral neurons in intact and dopamine-depleted rats. In the present study, the effects of a single or subchronic systemic administration of the dopamine D1/D5-preferring receptor agonist SKF-81297 on GAD65, GAD67, PPD and vGAT mRNA levels in the striatum and GABA(A) receptor alpha1 subunit mRNA levels in the substantia nigra, pars reticulata, were measured in rats with a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion. After a single injection of SKF-81297, striatal GAD65 mRNA levels were significantly increased at 3 but not 72 h. In contrast, striatal GAD67 mRNA levels were increased and nigral alpha1 mRNA levels were decreased at 72 but not 3 h. Single cell analysis on double-labeled sections indicated that increased GAD or vGAT mRNA levels after acute SKF-81297 occurred in striatonigral neurons identified by their lack of preproenkephalin expression. Subchronic SKF-81297 induced significant increases in striatal GAD67, GAD65, preprodynorphin and vGAT mRNA levels and decreases in nigral alpha1 mRNA levels. In the striatum contralateral to the 6-OHDA lesion, subchronic but not acute SKF-81297 induced a significant increase in GAD65 mRNA levels. The other mRNA levels were not significantly altered. Finally, striatal GAD67 mRNA levels were negatively correlated with nigral alpha1 mRNA levels in the dopamine-depleted but not dopamine-intact side. The results suggest that different signaling pathways are involved in the modulation by dopamine D1/D5 receptors of GAD65 and GAD67 mRNA levels in striatonigral neurons. They also suggest that the down-regulation of nigral GABA(A) receptors is linked to the increase in striatal GAD67 mRNA levels in the dopamine-depleted striatum.

Role of NMDA and AMPA glutamate receptors in the induction and the expression of dopamine-mediated sensitization in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats

Rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions exhibit behavioral sensitization following repeated treatment with dopamine agonists, a phenomenon called "priming." Priming has two distinct phases: induction and expression. Priming induction using three injections with D1/D2 agonist apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg) or D1 agonist SKF38393 (10 mg/kg) allows priming expression, robust contralateral rotational behavior and striatal Fos expression, following a challenge with the D2 agonist quinpirole (0.25 mg/kg). We examined the roles of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate (AMPA) glutamate receptors on dopamine agonist priming. Administration of the NMDA antagonist (+)5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo(a,d)cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate (MK801) (0.5 mg/kg) blocked apomorphine-priming of quinpirole-mediated responses, while MK801 dose-dependently attenuated SKF38393-priming of quinpirole-mediated striatal Fos expression and had no effect on SKF38393-priming of quinpirole-mediated rotational behavior. In contrast, administration of the AMPA antagonist 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7sulfamoyl-benzo[f]quinoxaline (NBQX) (5 or 10 mg/kg) potentiated apomorphine- and SKF38393-priming of quinpirole-mediated striatal Fos expression, but had no effect on their priming of quinpirole-mediated rotational behavior. In SKF38393-primed 6-OHDA rats, administration of MK801 (0.5 mg/kg) blocked the expression of quinpirole-mediated responses, while administration of NBQX (10 mg/kg) or the noncompetitive AMPA antagonist 4-(8-methyl-9H-1,3-dioxolo[4,5-h][2,3]benzodiazepin-5-yl)-benzenamine dihydrochloride (GYKI52466) (5 or 15 mg/kg) had no effect. These results suggest that NMDA and AMPA glutamate receptors have differing roles in dopamine agonist priming-with NMDA receptors required for D1/D2 priming induction and D2-mediated priming expression, and AMPA receptors inhibiting priming induction of D2-mediated immediate early gene expression in the striatum, but not affecting priming induction of D2-mediated rotational behavior or the expression of D2-mediated responses.

NMDA glutamate receptor stimulation is required for the expression of D2 dopamine mediated responses in apomorphine primed 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned rats

Three priming injections with the D1/D2 dopamine agonist apomorphine permits a challenge with the D2 agonist quinpirole to elicit robust contralateral rotation and ipsilateral striatal Fos expression in 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned rats. Pretreatment with NMDA glutamate antagonists MK-801 or CPP dose-dependently attenuates these quinpirole-mediated responses. These findings suggest that concomitant NMDA receptor stimulation is required for the expression of D2-mediated responses in apomorphine primed dopamine-depleted rats.

Prior D1 dopamine receptor stimulation is required to prime D2-mediated striatal Fos expression in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats

Repeated dopamine agonist administration to rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the nigrostriatal pathway potentiates behavioral and neuronal activation in response to subsequent dopamine agonist treatment. This response sensitization has been termed "priming" or "reverse-tolerance". Our prior work has shown that three pretreatment injections of the mixed D1/D2 agonist apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg) into 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats permits a previously inactive dose of the D2 agonist quinpirole (0.25 mg/kg) to induce robust contralateral rotation and striatal Fos expression in striatoentopeduncular "direct" pathway neurons. These striatal neurons typically express D1 but not D2 receptors. Because apomorphine acts as an agonist at both D1 and D2 receptors, the present study sought to determine whether D1, D2, or concomitant D1/D2 receptor stimulation was required to prime D2-mediated contralateral rotation and striatal Fos expression. Twenty-one days following unilateral stereotaxic injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into the medial forebrain bundle, rats received three pretreatment injections, at three- to six-day intervals, with either: the mixed D1/D2 agonist apomorphine, the D1 agonist SKF38393, the D2 agonist quinpirole, or a combination of SKF38393 + quinpirole. Ten days following the third pretreatment injection, 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats were challenged with the D2 agonist quinpirole (0.25 mg/kg). Pretreatment with SKF38393 (10 mg/kg), quinpirole (1 mg/kg) or SKF38393 (1 mg/kg) + quinpirole (0.25 mg/kg) permitted an otherwise inactive dose of quinpirole (0.25 mg/kg) to induce robust contralateral rotation which was similar in magnitude to that observed following apomorphine priming. However, only pretreatment with SKF38393 (10 mg/kg) or SKF38393 (1 mg/kg) + quinpirole (0.25 mg/kg) permitted the same dose of quinpirole (0.25 mg/kg) to induce striatal Fos expression. These results demonstrate that while prior stimulation of D1, D2 or D1/D2 receptors can effectively prime D2-mediated contralateral rotation, prior stimulation of D1 receptors is required to prime D2-mediated striatal Fos expression. This study demonstrates that priming of 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats with a D1 agonist permits a subsequent challenge with a D2 agonist to produce robust rotational behavior that is accompanied by induction of immediate-early gene expression in neurons that comprise the "direct" striatal output pathway. These responses are equivalent to the changes observed in apomorphine-primed 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats challenged with D2 agonist. In contrast, D2 agonist priming was not associated with D2-mediated induction of striatal immediate-early gene expression even though priming of D2-mediated rotational behavior was not different from that observed following priming with apomorphine or D1 agonist. Therefore, while priming-induced alterations in D2-mediated immediate early gene expression in the "direct" striatal output pathway may contribute to the enhanced motor behavior observed, such changes in striatal gene expression do not appear to be required for this potentiated motor response in dopamine-depleted rats.

Time dependence and role of N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptors in the priming of D2-mediated rotational behavior and striatal Fos expression in 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned rats

Administration of dopamine agonists to 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rats enhances the rotational response to subsequent administration of dopamine agonist, an effect called 'priming'. Previously, we have shown that 6-OHDA rats primed with three injections of the D1/D2 dopamine agonist apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg) permitted a challenge with an otherwise inactive dose of the D2 agonist quinpirole (0.25 mg/kg) to elicit robust rotational behavior and to induce Fos expression in striatoentopeduncular neurons. In this study, the time-course and role of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors on apomorphine-priming of these D2 responses were investigated. The enhanced rotational behavior and striatal Fos expression observed following challenge with quinpirole (0.25 mg/kg) peaked 1 day following the third apomorphine priming injection and persisted, in reduced form, for at least 4 months. Pretreatment with the NMDA antagonists MK-801 or 3-[(+)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl]-propyl-1-phosphonate (CPP) dose-dependently attenuated apomorphine-priming of quinpirole-mediated rotational behavior and striatal Fos induction compared to 6-OHDA rats primed with apomorphine alone. Taken together, these data suggest that priming of these D2-mediated responses in 6-OHDA rats develops rapidly, persists for several months, and is dependent on concomitant NMDA receptor stimulation. Since this priming effect resembles response fluctuations observed in patients with Parkinson's disease receiving long-term l-dihydroxyphenylalanine therapy, the results of the present study suggest that interventions that prevent the development of this enhanced response, such as NMDA antagonists, could prove useful in reducing the incidence these response fluctuations.

The effect of nigral implantation on sensitization to dopamine agonists in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats

The implantation of fetal nigral tissue into the striatum of patients with Parkinson's disease is a promising approach to treatment which may produce clinical benefit partly by influencing drug responsiveness. The purpose of the present study was to determine the pharmacological mechanisms which drug response changes by measuring to what extent sensitization produced by repeated apomorphine treatment was attenuated by tissue implantation in rats with nigrostriatal lesions. Prior to implantation of nigral cell suspensions, the daily administration of apomorphine to rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions produced a progressive increase in the magnitude and duration of rotational behaviour. After implantation, apomorphine-induced rotational effects were reduced to levels observed upon the initial exposure to drug and did not increase following repeated treatment. Attenuated responses to selective D1 and D2 agonists were also observed after implantation. In vehicle-implanted rats, the initial response to apomorphine was attenuated but then increased following repeated apomorphine administration. No attenuation in responses to selective D1 and D2 agonists was observed in this group. Cell suspensions prepared from fresh and cyropreserved tissue produced similar behavioural effects, even though the volume of transplanted striatum exhibiting tyrosine hydroxylase activity was greater with fresh tissue. The duration of rotational behaviour induced by apomorphine was not affected by cell implantation. These findings suggest that the expression of sensitization in an animal model of parkinsonism may disappear after a period without drug treatment. Implantation of nigral tissue may produce beneficial results in parkinsonism by limiting the development of dopamine agonist-induced sensitization.

Apomorphine priming alters the response of striatal outflow pathways to D2 agonist stimulation in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats

Chronic treatment with dopaminergic agonists is associated with response fluctuations to L-dihydroxyphenylalanine in Parkinson's disease and enhanced motor activity to D1 and D2 dopamine agonists in rats with 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the nigrostriatal pathway. In dopamine-depleted rodents this phenomenon has been referred to as "priming" or reverse tolerance. The neurochemical changes that underlie "priming" of dopaminergic agonist responses are poorly understood. Some aspects of priming of D1 agonist-mediated rotation in the 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat have been characterized, but priming of D2-agonist-dependent motor responses has been less thoroughly studied. In this study, examination of rotational behaviour and induction of Fos-like immunoreactivity were used to investigate changes in the striatal outflow systems in response to treatment with the D2 agonist quinpirole in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats that had been primed with apomorphine. Administration of apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg; three injections at three to six day intervals) permitted an otherwise inactive dose of quinpirole (0.25 mg/kg) to produce robust contralateral rotation and to induce the expression of Fos in striatal neurons belonging to the striato-nigro-entopeduncular ("direct") pathway. The increase in contralateral rotation and ipsilateral striatal Fos expression following administration of quinpirole to apomorphine-primed rats was mediated by a D2-like receptor and did not appear to be due to a change in sensitivity of D2 receptors. Apomorphine priming also enhanced the ability of quinpirole to induce Fos expression in the globus pallidus, a target of the striatopallidal ("indirect") pathway. Western blot analysis confirmed that treatment with quinpirole induced the expression of c-Fos protein with no change in the expression of 35-37,000 mol. wt Fos-related antigens in apomorphine-primed rats treated with water or quinpirole. Induction of Fos expression in the striatum generally results from blockade of D2 receptors and the striato-nigro-entopeduncular pathway preferentially expresses D1 receptors. Thus, the quinpirole-dependent induction of striatal Fos in apomorphine-primed 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats represents a qualitative alteration in striatal outflow. These studies demonstrate that pretreatment of 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats with apomorphine increases the activity of the "direct" and "indirect" striatal outflow pathways in response to D2 receptor stimulation. These changes have the net result of enhancing thalamocortical activity and likely underlie the enhanced contralateral rotation produced by quinpirole in apomorphine-primed rats. Changes in striatal outflow, particularly in the striato-nigro-entopeduncular pathway, may contribute to alterations in D2-dependent motor responses observed after chronic dopaminergic stimulation in the dopamine-depleted striatum.

Chronic blockade of muscarinic cholinergic receptors by systemic trihexyphenidyl (Artane) administration modulates but does not mediate the dopaminergic regulation of striatal prepropeptide messenger RNA expression

A striatal dopaminergic denervation leads to changes in the expression of messenger RNA encoding prepropeptides contained in striatal efferent neurons. Such a dopaminergic lesion also abolishes a functional equilibrium between dopaminergic and cholinergic transmissions, generally believed to operate within the neostriatum, which constitutes the theoretical basis for the clinical use of antimuscarinic drugs in extrapyramidal diseases. It is possible, therefore, that changes in prepropeptide messenger RNA expression are mediated by an alteration in cholinergic transmission. To test this hypothesis, we have examined in rats whether trihexyphenidyl, an antimuscarinic drug of wide clinical use, can counteract the changes in preproenkephalin, preprotachykinin and preprodynorphin messenger RNA expression produced by a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesion of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons. Two weeks after the lesion, trihexyphenidyl was continuously administered through an osmotic minipump (5 mg/day for 15 days) to half of the lesioned and sham-operated rats, the other half receiving the vehicle. Using quantitative in situ hybridization histochemistry, messenger RNAs were analysed at two rostrocaudal levels (anterior and central) of the neostriatum. In parallel, M1 muscarinic receptors were measured by autoradiography of [3H]pirenzepine binding sites. In sham-operated rats, trihexyphenidyl administration produced a significant increase (17-27%) in M1 binding sites. In addition, preproenkephalin messenger RNA levels were decreased (-38%) in the central part, while preprodynorphin messenger RNA levels were significantly increased (+22%) at both striatal levels. In 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats, the expected changes in messenger RNAs were observed when ipsi- versus contralateral side values were compared, but changes were not always detected when comparison was established between values from the dopamine-denervated neostriatum and those from sham-operated rats. The trihexyphenidyl administration in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned animals was unable to reproduce the up-regulation of M1 receptors, even in the intact neostriatum. This antimuscarinic treatment further increased preproenkephalin messenger RNA levels in the denervated anterior neostriatum, amplifying the ipsi- versus contralateral difference. It also potentiated the imbalance in preprotachykinin messenger RNA expression, mainly as a result of an increase of preprotachykinin messenger RNA levels in the intact neostriatum. In contrast, trihexyphenidyl treatment by increasing preprodynorphin messenger RNA in both neostriata abolished the ipsi- versus contralateral difference observed in lesioned rats. In conclusion, with the exception of preprodynorphin messenger RNA, trihexyphenidyl treatment was unable to counteract the imbalance in prepropeptide messenger RNA expression produced by a unilateral striatal dopaminergic denervation and even amplified this effect. These results question the neostriatum as the site of action of antimuscarinic drugs in producing their therapeutic effect in extrapyramidal syndromes.

Stimulation of D1- or D2-receptors in drug-naive rats with different degrees of unilateral nigro-striatal dopamine lesions

We had previously found that in animals with moderate nigro-striatal dopamine (DA) lesions (i.e. 45-65% residual neostriatal DA) the mixed D1/D2-agonist apomorphine induced ipsiversive rather than the usual contraversive turning found after more radical DA lesions. Since this result promised to provide a behavioral animal model for pre-clinical Parkinson's disease, we hoped to delineate the responsible receptor by challenging with selective D1- and D2-agonists. Thus, in the present study, the behavioral effects of the D1-agonist SKF38393 (5.0 mg/kg) and the D2-agonist LY171555 (0.5 mg/kg) were tested in drug-naive rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the nigro-striatal DA system. This analysis was performed dependent on the degree of the lesion, classified post-mortem with respect to the level of residual DA in the neostriatum: < 20%, 20-45%, 45-65%, and > 65% (as percentage of the intact hemisphere). The measures of turning, thigmotactic scanning and locomotion did not yield differences between animals treated with the D1-agonist and vehicle-treated rats. For example, animals with severe lesions (residual DA < 20%) showed ipsiversive asymmetries in turning and scanning, which were similar after vehicle or the D1-agonist, both with respect to degree and time-course. However, the analysis of grooming behavior, which was performed in a subset of animals with moderate lesions yielded differences between vehicle and the D1-agonist, since the duration of grooming was increased after SKF38393. In contrast to the D1-agonist, behavioral effects after the D2-agonist LY17155 were evident in all behavioral measures. The general response to this agonist could be characterized by a rapid decrease of behavioral activity including turning, scanning, locomotion and grooming. Although we failed to find significant behavioral asymmetries with either agonist, a micro-analysis showed evidence for selective effects after the D2-agonist, since a contraversive asymmetry in turning (and scanning) became apparent between 45 and 60 min after injection in animals with severe lesions (residual DA of about 10% or less), and since there was a weak ipsiversive turning asymmetry in animals with residual DA levels of 45-65%. Such asymmetries were not observed after vehicle or the D1-agonist. The possible physiological mechanisms of these effects, i.e. DA receptor mechanisms and DA availability, are discussed in the context of results from previous experiments using lesioned or intact animals.

Loss of D1/D2 dopamine receptor synergisms following repeated administration of D1 or D2 receptor selective antagonists: electrophysiological and behavioral studies

Many effects resulting from D2 dopamine (DA) receptor stimulation are manifest only when D1 DA receptors are stimulated by endogenous DA. When D1 receptor stimulation is enhanced by administration of selective D1 receptor agonists, the functional effects of selective D2 agonists are markedly increased. These qualitative and quantitative forms of D1/D2 DA receptor synergism are abolished by chronic DA depletion when both D1 and D2 DA receptors are supersensitive. Using both electrophysiological and behavioral methods, the present study examined the effects of selective D1 and D2 receptor supersensitivity, induced by repeated administration of selective D1 or D2 receptor antagonists, on the synergistic relationships between D1 and D2 receptors. Daily administration of the selective D2 antagonist eticlopride (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.) for 3 weeks produced a selective supersensitivity of both dorsal (caudate-putamen) and ventral (nucleus accumbens) striatal neurons to the inhibitory effects of the D2 agonist quinpirole (applied by microiontophoresis). This treatment also abolished the normal ability of the D1 agonist SKF 38393 to potentiate quinpirole-induced inhibition, and relieved D2 receptors from the necessity of D1 receptor stimulation by endogenous DA (enabling), as indicated by significant electrophysiological and behavioral (stereotypy) effects of quinpirole in eticlopride-pretreated, but not saline-pretreated, rats that were also acutely depleted of DA. Daily administration of the selective D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.) caused supersensitivity of striatal neurons to the inhibitory effects of SKF 38393 and also abolished both the ability of SKF 38393 to potentiate quinpirole-induced inhibition and the necessity of D1 receptor stimulation for such inhibition. However, both quinpirole-induced inhibition of striatal cells and stereotyped responses were also somewhat enhanced in SCH 23390-pretreated rats. When such D1-sensitized rats were acutely depleted of DA, the behavioral effects of quinpirole were intermediate between saline-pretreated rats with acute DA depletion and SCH 23390-pretreated rats without acute DA depletion. Based upon these and related results, it is argued that the enhanced effects of quinpirole in D1-sensitized rats are due to a heterologous sensitization of D2 receptors rather than to enhanced enabling resulting from supersensitive D1 receptors. It is suggested that supersensitivity of either D1 or D2 receptors can lead to an uncoupling of normal qualitative and quantitative D1/D2 synergisms and that the heterologous regulation of D2 receptor sensitivity by D1 receptors may be related to uncoupling of functional D1/D2 synergisms.

Dopamine receptors: molecular biology, biochemistry and behavioural aspects

The description of new dopamine (DA) receptor subtypes, D1-(D1 and D5) and D2-like (D2A, D2B, D3, D4), has given an impetus to DA research. While selective agonists and antagonists are not generally available yet, the receptor distribution in the brain suggests that they could be new targets for drug development. Binding characteristics and second messenger coupling has been explored in cell lines expressing the new cloned receptors. The absence of selective ligands has meant that in vivo studies have lagged behind. However, progress has been made in understanding the function of DA-containing discrete brain nuclei and the functional consequence of the DA's interaction with other neurotransmitters. This review explores some of the latest advances in these various areas.

Differential effects of chronic dopamine D1 and D2 receptor agonists on rotational behavior and dopamine receptor binding

The effects of chronic continuous and intermittent administration of the dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF 38393 or the D2 receptor agonist quinpirole on rotational behavior and dopamine receptor binding were examined in rats with a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesion of the nigrostriatal pathway. Continuous and intermittent SKF 38393 both decreased the rotational response to subsequent challenge with SKF 38393. Intermittent SKF 38393 increased quinpirole rotation, while continuous SKF 38393 had no effect. Continuous administration of quinpirole did not affect rotation elicited by either SKF 38393 or quinpirole. Intermittent quinpirole, however, increased both SKF 38393- and quinpirole-induced rotation. Autoradiographic techniques were used to measure D1 receptor binding in striatum and substantia nigra pars reticulata and D2 receptor binding in striatum and nucleus accumbens. Intermittent SKF 38393 reduced D1 receptor Bmax and increased D1 Kd in the striatum, while both continuous and intermittent treatment with the D1 agonist decreased D1 binding in the substantia nigra pars reticulata. Intermittent quinpirole decreased D1 receptor Kd in striatum, and continuous quinpirole reduced D1 binding slightly in substantia nigra pars reticulata. Striatal D2 receptor binding was unaffected by treatment with either SKF 38393 or quinpirole. Intermittent SKF 38393 and continuous quinpirole both reversed the lesioned-induced elevation in D2 binding in the nucleus accumbens, while intermittent quinpirole decreased D2 binding in the accumbens on both the intact and denervated sides. Thus, the effects of chronic treatment with D1 and D2 agonists on behavioral responses to D1 and D2 receptor stimulation differed considerably and were dependent on the treatment regimen employed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of repeated dopamine D1 receptor stimulation on rotation and c-fos expression

Acute injections of the full dopamine D1 receptor agonist A-77636 ((1R,3S)-3-(1'adamantyl)-1-aminomethyl-3,4-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxy-1 H-2-benzopyran hydrochloride) induce ipsilateral Fos-like immunoreactivity and contralateral rotation into rats bearing unilateral dopamine depleting lesions. However, following repeated treatment, A-77636 fails to induce either striatal c-fos or rotation. Our results suggest that striatal c-fos activation mirrors behavioral indices of dopamine D1 receptor sensitivity.

Repeated D1 dopamine receptor agonist administration prevents the development of both D1 and D2 striatal receptor supersensitivity following denervation

Following 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions of the nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) pathway, rat caudate-putamen (CPu) neurons are supersensitive to the inhibitory effects of both D1 and D2 dopamine (DA) receptor selective agonists. In addition, both the necessity of D1 receptor stimulation for D2 agonist-induced inhibition and the synergistic inhibitory effects of D1 and D2 agonists are abolished by denervation. The present study attempted to determine the relative roles of D1 and D2 DA receptors in the development of denervation supersensitivity to DA agonists and the "uncoupling" of functional interactions between the receptors following 6-OHDA lesions of the nigrostriatal DA pathway. Beginning on the day after an intraventricular 6-OHDA (or vehicle) injection, groups of rats received daily injections of either the selective D1 receptor agonist SKF 38393 (8.0 mg/kg, s.c.), the D2 agonist quinpirole (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.), or saline for 7 days. On the day following the last agonist injection, rats were anesthetized and prepared for extracellular single cell recording with iontophoretic drug administration. Daily administration of quinpirole selectively prevented the development of D2 receptor supersensitivity, whereas daily administration of SKF 38393 prevented the development of both D1 and D2 receptor supersensitivity. In addition, D1, but not D2, agonist treatment prevented the loss of synergistic inhibitory responses typically produced by 6-OHDA lesions. Behavioral observations revealed similar effects; daily injections of SKF 38393, but not quinpirole, prevented contralateral rotational responses to the mixed D1/D2 agonist apomorphine (1.0 mg/kg, s.c.) in rats with unilateral 6-OHDA lesions of the nigrostriatal pathway. After a 4-week withdrawal from repeated D1 agonist treatment, both supersensitive inhibitory responses of CPu neurons and contralateral rotations to apomorphine were evident, indicating that the preventative effects on DA receptor supersensitivity were not permanent. These findings indicate that continued agonist occupation of striatal D1 DA receptors following DA denervation not only prevents the development of D1 DA receptor supersensitivity but also exerts a similar regulation of D2 receptor sensitivity.

Plasma homovanillic acid, plasma anti-D1 and -D2 dopamine-receptor activity, and negative symptoms in chronically mediated schizophrenia

We have investigated the relationship between the concentration of homovanillic acid in human plasma (pHVA) and plasma anti-D1 and anti-D2 dopamine receptor activity in chronic schizophrenic patients whose neuroleptic dosage was changed. The change in pHVA level correlated with that in anti-D1, not anti-D2 activity, thus suggesting that the neuroleptic-induced changes in pHVA concentration may be associated with the blocking of D1- as well as D2- receptors. The change of scores on the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms did not significantly correlate with changes in anti-D1 or anti-D2 activity, but did so correlated with the change in pHVA level.

Effects of locally applied D1 and D2 agonists on striatal neurons with 6-OHDA and pertussis toxin lesions

Electrophysiological recordings were performed on caudate neurons in rats with dopamine (DA) depleted striatum in combination with pertussis toxin (PT) lesions. Pertussis toxin inactivates the G protein coupled to D2 receptors. DA depletions were performed by unilateral injections of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). After the 6-OHDA lesion, rats were challenged with low doses of apomorphine. When a double peak rotational pattern was stable over repeated rotational tests, PT was injected into striatum ipsilateral to the DA depleted side. Two days after the PT injections extracellular recordings with local applications of the D1 agonist SKF 38393 and the D2 agonist N-0437 were performed. Spontaneous firing rates, measured before drug application, were elevated in animals with both 6-OHDA and 6-OHDA/PT combination of lesions. In rats with only 6-OHDA lesions, a supersensitivity to N-0437 was observed, while no significant change in response to the D1 agonist was detected. Recordings from caudate neurons in rats with a combination of 6-OHDA and PT resulted in no response to the D2 agonist. However, a subsensitivity to the D1 agonist was detected and only 60% of neurons were inhibited by SKF 38393. Taken together, these data suggest an interaction between the D1 and D2 receptors, which is revealed only after an upregulation of the D2 receptors and subsequent blockade of D2 mediated effects.

Bidirectional potentiation between D1 and D2 dopamine agonists: effects of unilateral intra-accumbens injections on locomotor activity in mice

We tested the effect of a single unilateral injection of a specific D1 agonist into the nucleus accumbens on the behavioral response to a subsequent unilateral intra-accumbens injection of a selective D2 agonist ten days later. The effect of the inverse order of presentation (D2 agonist followed ten days later by a D1 agonist) was also tested. No significant differences between the locomotor effects of the intra-accumbens injection of either SKF-38393 (3.5 micrograms) or LY-171555 (10 micrograms) were observed during the first test. Ten days later, during the second test, intra-accumbens injection of either the LY-171555 and SKF-38393 increased the percentage of contralateral rotations relative to the first test while LY-171555 also increased the total number of rotations. Control injections showed that these effects of LY-171555 and SKF-38393 were not due to a conditioning process. Rather, the results suggested that the locomotor changes observed during the second test were the result of behavioral sensitization due to the initial acute injection of the agonists.

The effect of chronic L-dopa treatment on the recovery of motor function in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats receiving ventral mesencephalic grafts

The effect of treatment for 5 weeks with L-DOPA (200 mg/kg/24 h) plus carbidopa (25 mg/kg/24 h) on the behavioral recovery produced by rat fetal ventral mesencephalon grafts implanted into the striatum of 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats was assessed. Animals with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the nigrostriatal pathway and a sham graft (Group A) showed persistent high rates of rotation in response to the administration of apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.) (contralateral rotation) or (+)-amphetamine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) (ipsilateral rotation). Treatment of sham-grafted animals with L-DOPA plus carbidopa had no effect on the rate of rotation to apomorphine or (+)-amphetamine (Group B). The proportion of animals showing marked stereotypy following apomorphine administration was greater in sham-grafted animals receiving L-DOPA and carbidopa than in sham-grafted animals alone. Animals receiving unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions followed by a fetal graft (Group C) showed a reduction in apomorphine-induced contralateral rotation and a complete reversal of (+)-amphetamine-induced ipsilateral rotation when assessed 6 weeks later. The reductions in apomorphine- and (+)-amphetamine-induced rotational behaviour produced by the fetal graft in animals with a 6-hydroxydopamine lesion were not altered by treatment with L-DOPA plus carbidopa (Group D). The proportion of animals showing marked apomorphine-induced stereotypy did not change significantly in either group over time. In rats with a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesion receiving fetal dopamine grafts, treatment with high doses of L-DOPA and carbidopa for 5 weeks does not have a detrimental effect on the functional activity of the grafts as assessed by reduction of apomorphine- and (+)-amphetamine-induced motor asymmetry. The continuation of L-DOPA therapy may not adversely affect fetal graft survival and growth in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Effects of chronic treatment of MPTP monkeys with bromocriptine alone or in combination with SKF 38393

Eight monkeys developed a severe parkinsonian syndrome after i.v. administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Treatment with bromocriptine (5 mg/kg) relieved the parkinsonian symptoms, but the efficacy of this treatment appeared to decrease slightly with time. The addition of SKF38393 (5 mg/kg) to the bromocriptine treatment in four monkeys prevented and even reversed the tendency to decreased efficacy with an increased response in three out of four animals. Neither of these two treatments induced dyskinesia in these monkeys. Dopamine D1 and D2 receptors, assayed in the caudate nucleus, the putamen and nucleus accumbens with [3H]SCH 23390 and [3H]spiperone binding respectively, were not significantly different in MPTP monkeys treated with bromocriptine or with bromocriptine plus SKF38393. Monkeys in the two treatment groups had a similar extent of denervation of the striatum and accumbens as assessed by the content of dopamine and its metabolites. These results suggest that in MPTP monkeys, the behavioral response to the D2 agonist bromocriptine can be enhanced by concomitant activation of the D1 receptors while this combination of agonists does not induce dyskinesia. The addition of the D1 agonist does not appear to cause further alteration of the D1 or D2 receptors.

Fetal dopamine neuron transplants prevent behavioral supersensitivity induced by repeated administration of L-dopa in the rat

We have studied in adult rats bearing a unilateral nigral lesion the effect of nigral grafts into the striatum on behavioral supersensitivity induced by chronic treatment of L-DOPA (100 mg/kg i.p.) plus benserazide (50 mg/kg i.p.). Repeated administration of L-DOPA increases contraversive circling. In rats without graft the contraversive circling was significantly increased after 8 and 14 daily injections of L-DOPA. On the other hand, the animals with transplants showed no such increase. Behavioral supersensitivity induced by repeated treatment of L-DOPA is often correlated with dyskinesia observed in the Parkinsonian patients. This suggests that the graft might be able to prevent this secondary effect.