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A high-fat diet (HFD) induces an increase in arterial pressure and a decrease in baroreflex function, which may be associated with increased expression of angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) and pro-inflammatory cytokine genes and reduced expression of the angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R) gene within the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), a key area of the brainstem involved in cardiovascular control. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated the changes in arterial pressure and gene expression of components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and neuroinflammatory markers in the NTS of rats fed a HFD and treated with either an AT1R blocker or with virus-mediated AT2R overexpression in the NTS. Male Holtzman rats (300-320 g) were fed either a standard rat chow diet (SD) or HFD for 6 weeks before commencing the tests. AT1R blockade in the NTS of HFD-fed rats attenuated the increase in arterial pressure and the impairment of reflex bradycardia, whereas AT2R overexpression in the NTS only improved the baroreflex function. The HFD also increased the hypertensive and decreased the protective axis of the RAS and was associated with neuroinflammation within the NTS. The expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme and neuroinflammatory components, but not AT1R, in the NTS was reduced by AT2R overexpression in this site. Based on these data, AT1R and AT2R in the NTS are differentially involved in the cardiovascular changes induced by a HFD. Chronic inflammation and changes in the RAS in the NTS may also account for the cardiovascular responses observed in HFD-fed rats.

Angiotensin-II acts at its type-1 receptor (AT1R) in the brain to regulate body fluid homeostasis, sympathetic outflow and blood pressure. However, the role of the angiotensin type-2 receptor (AT2R) in the neural control of these processes has received far less attention, largely because of limited ability to effectively localize these receptors at a cellular level in the brain. The present studies combine the use of a bacterial artificial chromosome transgenic AT2R-enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) reporter mouse with recent advances in in situ hybridization (ISH) to circumvent this obstacle. Dual immunohistochemistry (IHC)/ISH studies conducted in AT2R-eGFP reporter mice found that eGFP and AT2R mRNA were highly co-localized within the brain. Qualitative analysis of eGFP immunoreactivity in the brain then revealed localization to neurons within nuclei that regulate blood pressure, metabolism, and fluid balance (e.g., NTS and median preoptic nucleus [MnPO]), as well as limbic and cortical areas known to impact stress responding and mood. Subsequently, dual IHC/ISH studies uncovered the phenotype of specific populations of AT2R-eGFP cells. For example, within the NTS, AT2R-eGFP neurons primarily express glutamic acid decarboxylase-1 (80.3 ± 2.8 %), while a smaller subset express vesicular glutamate transporter-2 (18.2 ± 2.9 %) or AT1R (8.7 ± 1.0 %). No co-localization was observed with tyrosine hydroxylase in the NTS. Although AT2R-eGFP neurons were not observed within the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus, eGFP immunoreactivity is localized to efferents terminating in the PVN and within GABAergic neurons surrounding this nucleus. These studies demonstrate that central AT2R are positioned to regulate blood pressure, metabolism, and stress responses.

The effects of the halogenated aromatic amino acid 3,5-dibromo-D: -tyrosine (3,5-DBr-D: -Tyr) were studied in rat models of stroke and epileptic seizures caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) through respective intracerebral injection of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). 3,5-DBr-D: -Tyr was administered as three bolus injections (30 or 90 mg/kg, i.p.) starting at 30, 90, and 180 min after ET-1 administration or as a single bolus (30 mg/kg, i.p.) 15 min prior to PTZ administration. Neurological deficits and infarct volume were estimated 3 days after ET-1 administration and seizure score was assessed during the first 20 min after PTZ administration. The safety of 3,5-DBr-D: -Tyr was evaluated in control animals using telemetry to measure cardiovascular parameters and immunostaining to assess the level of activated caspase-3. 3,5-DBr-D: -Tyr significantly improved neurological function and reduced infarct volume in the brain even when the treatment was initiated 3 h after the onset of MCAo. 3,5-DBr-D: -Tyr significantly depressed PTZ-induced seizures. 3,5-DBr-D: -Tyr did not cause significant changes in arterial blood pressure, heart rate and spontaneous locomotor activity, nor did it increase the number of activated caspase-3 positive cells in the brain. We conclude that 3,5-DBr-D: -Tyr, by alleviating the deleterious effects of MCAo and PTZ in rats with no obvious intrinsic effects on cardiovascular parameters and neurodegeneration, exhibits promising potential as a novel therapeutic direction for stroke and seizures.

The discovery of beneficial neuroprotective effects of the angiotensin converting enzyme 2-angiotensin-(1-7)-Mas axis [ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas] in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke has spurred interest in a more complete characterization of its mechanisms of action. Here, we summarize findings that describe the protective role of the ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas axis in stroke, along with a focused discussion on the potential mechanisms of neuroprotective effects of Ang-(1-7) in stroke. The latter incorporates evidence describing the actions of Ang-(1-7) to counter the deleterious effects of angiotensin II (AngII) via its type 1 receptor, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, vasodilatory, and angiogenic effects, and the role of altered kinase-phosphatase signaling. Interactions of Mas with other receptors, including bradykinin receptors and AngII type 2 receptors are also considered. A more complete understanding of the mechanisms of action of Ang-(1-7) to elicit neuroprotection will serve as an essential step toward research into potential targeted therapeutics in the clinical setting.

Hippocampal N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are thought to be involved in the regulation of memory formation and learning. Investigation of NMDAR function during experimental conditions known to be associated with impaired cognition in vivo may provide new insights into the role of NMDARs in learning and memory. Specifically, the mechanism whereby high concentrations of L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) during phenylketonuria (>1.2 mM) cause mental retardation remains unknown. Therefore, the effects of L-Phe on NMDA-activated currents (I(NMDA)) were studied in cultured hippocampal neurons from newborn rats using the patch-clamp technique. L-Phe specifically and reversibly attenuated I(NMDA) in a concentration-dependent manner (IC(50) = 1.71 +/- 0.24 mM). In contrast, L-tyrosine (L-Tyr), an amino acid synthesized from L-Phe in normal subjects, did not significantly change I(NMDA). Although the L-Phe-I(NMDA) concentration-response relationship was independent of the concentration of NMDA, it was shifted rightward by increasing the concentration of glycine. Consistent with an effect of L-Phe on the NMDAR glycine-binding site, L-Phe (1 mM) did not attenuate I(NMDA) in the presence of D-alanine (10 microM). Furthermore, L-Phe significantly attenuated neither glutamate-activated current in the presence of MK-801, nor current activated by AMPA. The finding that L-Phe inhibits specifically NMDAR current in hippocampal neurons by competing for the glycine-binding site suggests a role for impaired NMDAR function in the development of mental retardation during phenylketonuria and accordingly an important role for NMDARs in memory formation and learning.

Mammalian brain contains high densities of angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 (AT1) receptors, localized mainly to specific nuclei within the hypothalamus and brainstem regions. Neuronal AT1 receptors within these areas mediate the stimulatory actions of central Ang II on blood pressure, water and sodium intake, and vasopressin secretion, effects that involve the modulation of brain noradrenergic pathways. This review focuses on the intracellular events that mediate the functional effects of Ang II in neurons, via AT1 receptors. The signaling pathways involved in short-term changes in neuronal activity, membrane ionic currents, norepinephrine (NE) release, and longer-term neuromodulatory actions of Ang II are discussed. It will be apparent from this discussion that the signaling pathways involved in these events are often distinct.

Exposure of adult rat astroglial cultures to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated the formation of nitric oxide as evidenced by a time-dependent increase in NO2 accumulation after 24 hrs of exposure. Simultaneous addition of angiotensin II (Ang II) with LPS was found to inhibit induction of nitric oxide formation in a dose dependent manner (IC50-1nM). This inhibitory effect was blocked by an Ang II type 1 receptor antagonist losartan but not by the Ang II type 2 receptor antagonist PD123177. Cell pretreatment with Ang II or the simultaneous addition of Ang II with LPS was required for maximal inhibition of NO2 formation. To determine if LPS and Ang II were acting to alter iNOS gene expression and protein, groups of cells were treated with LPS or LPS+Ang II (100nM). Northern and Western blot analyses indicated that Ang II decreases LPS induced iNOS mRNA and protein levels. Down regulation of protein kinase C by 24 hr pretreatment with PMA abolishes the inhibitory effect of Ang II. Cytokine induction of iNOS with interleukin 1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ (IFN) is not inhibited by Ang II. Also, the inhibitory effect of Ang II on LPS induction of NO is consistently abolished in the presence of IFN. These results suggest that endotoxin and cytokine induction of iNOS act through different messenger pathways. These results indicate that Ang II has a potentially important role in the intracerebral modulation of endotoxin induced inflammation. Grant support by NIH grant NS-19441, NIAAA AA00127 and an Alcohol Beverage Medical Research Foundation grant.

The dopaminergic actions of five hydroxylated dopamine analogues have been examined for: i) Ability to induce stereotypy, ii) Effects upon dopamine metabolism, iii) Ability to antagonise the rise in striatal dopamine caused by gammabutyrolactone. With the exception of the resorcinol derivative 2-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-N,N-dipropylethylamine, all of the compounds tested exhibited dopamine-like actions, and similarities were found in the induction of stereotypy and in the reduction of dopamine metabolism. For example, 2-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N,N-dipropylethylamine had a short duration of action as far as reducing dopamine metabolism and inducing stereotypy were concerned. On the other hand, 2-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-n-propyl-N-phenyl-ethyl-ethylamine (e) and also 5-hydroxy-2-(N-n-propyl-N-phenylethyl)-aminotetralin had a long duration of agonist-like effects upon both parameters, the aminotetralin derivative being the more potent of the two. Thus, in going from the simple dopamine-like structure to the aminotetralin compound there has been an increase in dopamine agonist-like activity. The differences in dopamine agonist potency of the drugs used are discussed in relation to the structure of these compounds, and are compared with the potencies or related compounds. Also, the potencies of the compounds under investigation upon presynaptic dopamine receptors (using the gammabutyrolactone model as a test system) were investigated, and the ester, 2-(3-benzoyloxyphenyl)-N-n-propyl-N-phenylethyl-ethylamine was the most potent. This ester, which is probably converted to (e) in the brain, also had a long duration of action in the stereotypy and dopamine metabolism tests. The results suggest that certain of the compounds might be useful leads for the design of dopamine agonists of possible clinical use.

Binding of [3H]PDB has been measured in the present study to determine the levels of protein kinase C in the neuronal and astrocytic glial cells in culture from rat brain. Binding of [3H]PDB to homogenates of cultured neuronal cells from the brains of normotensive and hypertensive rats was time-dependent and specific. The relative potency for competition by various phorbol esters to [3H]PDB binding was TPA greater than beta-PDD greater than POE greater than alpha-PDD greater than or equal to 4 alpha phorbol. Scatchard analysis showed that neuronal cultures from normotensive rat brains contained 2-3 fold more phorbol ester receptors compared with the glial cultures from the same brains. No differences in the Kd and Bmax were observed between neuronal cultures from normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rat brains. These studies suggest that the phorbol ester receptors are primarily localized in neuronal cells.