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There has been little information about the role of histamine on the central nervous system (CNS), different from dopamine and serotonin. In the present study, therefore, the effects of histamine and related compounds on the CNS were studied using rats. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of histamine and 2-methylhistamine ameliorated memory deficit after long interrution of learning in active avoidance response. First generation H1-antagonists inhibited active avoidance response, whereas newly develpoed H1-antagonists showed little effect. α-Fluoromethylhistidine, an histidine decarboxylase inhibitor, also inhibited active avoidance response. In radial maze performance, almost the same findings were obtained. I.c.v. injection of histamine and H1-agonists inhibited amygdaloid kindled seizures. First generation H1-antagonists attenuated histamine-induced inhibition of amygdaloid kindled seizures. Both i.c.v. and intraperitoneal injections of H3-antagonist, thioperamide, resulted in a dose-related inhibition of amygdaloid kindled seizures. The effect of thioperamide was inhibited by an H3-agonists and H1-antagonists. Similar to nitrazepam, diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine caused a shortening of sleep latency. On the other hand, no significant effects were observed with second generation H1-antagonists. These findings suggest that histamine plays an important role in learning and memory via H1-receptors, an inhibition of amygdaloid kindled seizures induced by histamine occurred through not only H1-receptors but also H3-receptors, and that classic H1-antagonists can be useful as a effective hypnotic for difficulty in falling asleep.

Osteoporosis is a common disease characterized by a systemic impairment of bone mass and microarchitecture that results in fragility fractures. Severe bone loss due to osteoporosis triggers pathological fractures and consequently decreases the daily life activity and quality of life. Therefore, prevention of osteoporosis has become an important issue to be addressed. We have reported that the fungal secondary metabolite (+)-terrein (TER), a natural compound derived from Aspergillus terreus, has shown receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)–induced osteoclast differentiation by suppressing nuclear factor of activated T-cell 1 (NFATc1) expression, a master regulator of osteoclastogenesis. TER has been shown to possess extensive biological and pharmacological benefits; however, its effects on bone metabolism remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of TER on the femoral bone metabolism using a mouse-ovariectomized osteoporosis model (OVX mice) and then on RANKL signal transduction using mouse bone marrow macrophages (mBMMs). In vivo administration of TER significantly improved bone density, bone mass, and trabecular number in OVX mice (p < 0.01). In addition, TER suppressed TRAP and cathepsin-K expression in the tissue sections of OVX mice (p < 0.01). In an in vitro study, TER suppressed RANKL-induced phosphorylation of PKCα/βII, which is involved in the expression of NFATc1 (p < 0.05). The PKC inhibitor, GF109203X, also inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in mBMMs as well as TER. In addition, TER suppressed the expression of osteoclastogenesis-related genes, such as Ocstamp, Dcstamp, Calcr, Atp6v0d2, Oscar, and Itgb3 (p < 0.01). These results provide promising evidence for the potential therapeutic application of TER as a novel treatment compound against osteoporosis.

In this study, we aimed to study the effects of ICI204,448, naloxone methiodide and levocetirizine on the scratching behavior induced by intradermal injection of a ?-opioid antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI), into the rostral back of ICR mice were investigated.Male ICR mice weighing 30?35 g were used. The number of scratching episodes were counted for 60 min after i.d. injection of nor-BNI.nor-BNI dose dependently increased in the number of scratching episodes in ICR mice. nor-BNI-induced scratching behavior was inhibited by not only nalfurafine but also ICI204,448, a peripherally selective ?-opioid agonist. Naloxone and naloxone methiodide, a peripherally restricted ?-opioid antagonist, also inhibited nor-BNI-induced scratching behavior. Scratching behavior induced by nor-BNI was inhibited by chlorpheniramine as well as levocetirizine, a third-generation HThese results suggest that scratching behavior induced by this ?-opioid antagonist, nor-BNI, is related to not only central but also peripheral opioid and H

In this study, we examined the interaction between histamine H1 receptor and μ-opioid receptor in scratching behavior in ICR mice. Both histamine and morphine caused scratching and simultaneous injection of histamine and morphine had an additive effect. Chlorpheniramine and naloxone inhibited histamine-induced scratching behavior. These two drugs also inhibited morphine-induced scratching behavior. Simultaneous injection of chlorpheniramine and naloxone caused a significant inhibition of histamine-induced scratching compared with separate injections. The same findings were also noted for morphine-induced scratching. These results strongly indicate a close relationship between histamine H1 receptor and μ-opioid receptor in scratching behavior in ICR mice.

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) fluvoxamine and sertraline show a high affinity for sigma-1 receptors. Fluvoxamine enhances nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells via a sigma-1 receptor-mediated mechanism, which suggests that neurogenesis may be involved in the antidepressant action of fluvoxamine. However, the effects of sertraline on neurite outgrowth remain unclear. Here, we report the effects of sertraline on NGF-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. At concentrations above 0.3 μM, sertraline inhibited neurite outgrowth induced by NGF (50 ng/mL) in PC12 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. At 0.3–3 μM, sertraline inhibited NGF-induced neurite outgrowth; however, had no effect on cell viability. This suggests that at these concentrations, sertraline inhibits NGF-induced neurite outgrowth without causing cell toxicity. Because sertraline has a high affinity for the sigma-1 receptor, we investigated whether this receptor is involved in sertraline's inhibitory effect on NGF-induced neurite outgrowth. The effect was reversed by both the sigma-1 receptor agonist PRE-084 and the sigma-1 receptor antagonist NE-100. These results suggest that sertraline inhibits NGF-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells by acting as an inverse agonist of the sigma-1 receptor in this system.

In the present study, we examined the effects of fluvoxamine on nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth inhibition by dexamethasone (DEX) in PC12 cells. Fluvoxamine increased NGF-induced neurite outgrowth. Compared with co-treatment with NGF and fluvoxamine, p-Akt levels were higher than the values without fluvoxamine. The phosphorylated extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 levels were slightly increased by co-treatment with NGF and fluvoxamine. Fluvoxamine concentration-dependently improved NGF-induced neurite outgrowth inhibition by DEX. Fluvoxamine also improved the decrease in the NGF-induced p-Akt level caused by DEX. Interestingly, the sigma-1 receptor antagonist NE-100 blocked the improvement effects of fluvoxamine on NGF-induced neurite outgrowth inhibition by DEX. The selective sigma-1 receptor agonist PRE-084 also improved NGF-induced neurite outgrowth inhibition by DEX, which is blocked by NE-100. These results indicate that the improvement effects of fluvoxamine on NGF-induced neurite outgrowth inhibition by DEX may be attributable to the phosphorylation of Akt and the sigma-1 receptor.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the serotonin (5-HT)1A receptor agonist tandospirone versus that of the benzodiazepine hypnotic flunitrazepam in a rat model of long-term adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-induced sleep disturbance. Rats implanted with electrodes for recording electroencephalogram and electromyogram were injected with ACTH once daily at a dose of 100 µg/rat. Administration of ACTH for 10 d caused a significant increase in sleep latency, decrease in non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep time, and increase in wake time. Tandospirone caused a significant decrease in sleep latency and increase in non-REM sleep time in rats treated with ACTH. The effect of tandospirone on sleep patterns was antagonized by the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY-100635. In contrast, flunitrazepam had no significant effect on sleep parameters in ACTH-treated rats. These results clearly indicate that long-term administration of ACTH causes sleep disturbance, and stimulating the 5-HT1A receptor by tandospirone may be efficacious for improving sleep in cases in which benzodiazepine hypnotics are ineffective.

Summary Purpose: The present study was undertaken to clarify the effects of (RS)-1-aminoindan-1,5-dicarboxylic acid (AIDA), a metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) 1 antagonist, (2R,4R)-4-aminopyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate ((2R,4R)-APDC), a mGluR2/3 agonist, and L-(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (L-AP4), a mGluR4/8 agonist, on pentetrazol-induced kindled seizures. Methods: Mice were anesthetized with pentobarbital; the electrodes and guide cannula were chronically implanted into the cortex and lateral ventricle. To induce kindling, pentetrazol at a dose of 40 mg/kg was injected once every 48 h. Behavioral and electroencephalographic seizures were monitored for 20 min following pentetrazol administration. Fully kindled mice were used for pharmacologic studies. Results: Intracerebroventricular injection of AIDA and L-AP4 showed significant inhibitory effects on pentetrazol-induced kindled seizures. In addition, simultaneous use of AIDA and (2R,4R)-APDC or L-AP4 caused more potent inhibition of seizure activities. The inhibitory effect of AIDA on pentetrazol-induced kindled seizures was antagonized by (RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine ((RS)-3,5-DHPG), a group I mGluR agonist; (2S)-a-ethylglutamic acid (EGLU), a group II mGluR antagonist; and (RS)-α-methyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine (MPPG), a group III mGluR antagonist. On the other hand, the inhibitory effect of L-AP4 was antagonized only by MPPG. Discussion: It is proposed that mGluR1 antagonists and mGluR4/8 agonists show anticonvulsive effects on pentetrazol-induced kindled seizures. Furthermore, it is also proposed that the simultaneous use of an mGluR1 antagonist and an mGluR2/3 or mGluR4/8 agonist is a potential novel therapeutic strategy in epileptic disorders.

In the present study, we investigated the effect of imetit, a selective histamine H 3 agonist, on the improvement of NMDA receptor agonists in H 1 antagonist-induced working memory deficit and the decrease of hippocampal theta activity in rats. Pyrilamine (35 mg/kg, i.p.) impaired spatial memory and decreased hippocampal theta activity during the radial maze task. In addition, intrahippocampal injection of d -cycloserine (1 μg/side) and spermidine (10 μg/side) improved the pyrilamine-induced working memory deficit and the decrease of hippocampal theta activity. The improvement effects of d -cycloserine and spermidine were antagonized by intrahippocampal injection of imetit (10 μg/side). These results indicate that, the facilitation of neurotransmitter release from the presynaptic terminals besides direct stimulation of postsynaptic NMDA receptors take part in the improvements of NMDA receptor agonists on pyrilamine-induced spatial memory deficit and the decrease of hippocampal theta activity.

Nicotine receptors in the brain are closely related with memory amelioration induced by cholinesterase inhibitors.The present study was undertaken to clarify the role of nicotinic receptors in the ameliorative effects of cholinesterase inhibitors on scopolamine-induced memory deficit.Drug effects were measured using an eight-arm radial maze with four arms baited. Hippocampal theta rhythm during the radial maze task was also recorded with a polygraph system using a telemetric technique.Scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) caused a spatial memory deficit as well as an increase in hippocampal theta power during radial maze performance. Pilocarpine, nicotine, physostigmine, and donepezil antagonized the effects of scopolamine. The ameliorative effects of nicotine, physostigmine, and donepezil but not piocarpine on memory performance and hippocampal theta activity were reversed by mecamylamine.These results indicate that nicotinic receptors have an essential role in the ameliorative effects of cholinesterase inhibitors in both scopolamine-induced memory deficit and the increase in hippocampal theta activity.

The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of histamine H(4) receptor antagonist, JNJ7777120 (1-[(5-Chloro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]-4-methyl-piperazine) on allergic rhinitis in mice. We measured allergic symptoms (sneezing and nasal rubbing), serum total IgE and the levels of cytokines in nasal lavage fluid. Histamine H(4) receptor antagonist, JNJ7777120, caused the dose-dependent inhibition of nasal symptoms by single and repeated intranasal administrations; however, JNJ7777120 caused no inhibition of serum total IgE by single and repeated intranasal administrations. Therefore, we investigated the effect of JNJ7777120 by oral administration. JNJ7777120 also caused a significant inhibition of nasal symptoms by both single and repeated oral administrations. In addition, repeated oral administration of JNJ7777120 caused significant inhibition of serum total IgE. Furthermore, JNJ7777120 caused a significant decrease in the levels of IL-4 and a significant increase in the levels of IFN-gamma in nasal lavage fluid. These results indicated that histamine H(4) receptor is closely related with allergic rhinitis and is important in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis. From these results, it can be concluded that histamine H(4) receptor antagonist might be a new strategy to treat allergic rhinitis with immunomodulatory function.

Summary Purpose The present study was undertaken to clarify the participation of the GABA-ergic system in epileptogenic activity induced by teicoplanin. Methods Under pentobarbital anesthesia, mice were fixed to a stereotaxic apparatus, and stainless steel electrodes were implanted into the frontal cortex (FCOR), hippocampus (HPC) and amygdala (AMG). Behavioral and electroencephalographic (EEG) changes were observed for 60min following teicoplanin intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection. Results I.c.v. injection of teicoplanin caused dose-related behavioral and EEG seizures. MK-801 ( N -methyl-d-aspartate receptors antagonist) had no significant influence on either behavioral or EEG seizures induced by teicoplanin (500μg, i.c.v.). On the other hand, NNC-711 (GABA transporters inhibitor) dose-dependently antagonized behavioral and EEG seizures induced by teicoplanin (500μg, i.c.v.). The inhibitory effect of NNC-711 (10mg/kg, i.p.) on teicoplanin-induced epileptogenic activity was antagonized by bicuculline (GABA A receptor antagonist) but not by TPMPA (GABA C receptor antagonist). Conclusions It is reasonable to presume that teicoplanin-induced epileptogenic seizures are closely related with GABA-ergic mechanisms through GABA A receptors rather than GABA C receptors.

Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory and hypotensive effects of 7 peptide fractions (Frs) of royal jelly protein hydrolysate (RJPH) were studied in comparison with those of RJPH alone. Fr 4 and Fr 5 were the highest in ACE inhibitory activity and yield, respectively. Molecular weights (MWs) of RJPH and Fr 1-Fr 7 were distributed from 100 to 5,000 and those of Fr 1-Fr 7 increased in order from Fr 1 to Fr 7. RJPH, Fr 3 and Fr 4 at doses of 10, 30 and 100mg/kg i.v. and Fr 5 and Fr 6 at doses of 30 and 100mg/kg i.v. caused transiently significant hypotensive effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Fr 3, Fr 4, Fr 5 and Fr 6 at a dose of 1,000mg/kg also caused significant hypotensive effects 3h, 4-5h, 7-8h and 8h after oral administration in SHR, respectively. RJPH caused a long-lasting hypotensive effect in proportion to the magnitude of the MWs of RJPH fractions. The hypotensive pattern of RJPH was similar to the combined pattern of Fr 3-Fr 6. From these results, it can be concluded that the long-lasting hypotensive effect of oral administration of RJPH is dependent on the MWs of its ACE inhibitory peptides and the time required to digest them.

The present study was performed to investigate the effects of histamine H(1)-antagonists on the sleep-awake state in rats placed on a grid suspended over water in comparison with rats placed on sawdust. When rats were placed on the grid suspended over water, significant increases in the awake time and decreases in non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep time were observed compared with in rats on sawdust, even when measured hourly for 6 h. Diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine and promethazine caused a significant decrease in the awake time and increase in non-REM sleep time in rats placed on the grid suspended over water for 1-2 h and/or 2-3 h after administration. On the other hand, in rats placed on sawdust, no significant differences were observed in the awake time and non-REM sleep time with diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine compared with the control. Different from these two drugs, promethazine caused a significant decrease in the awake time and increase in non-REM sleep time 1-2 h and 2-3 h after administration even when rats were placed on sawdust at a relatively high dose. These results clearly indicate that histamine H(1)-antagonists had potent effects on decreasing the awake time and increasing non-REM sleep time under the conditions of an activated histaminergic system.

The present study was performed to investigate the effects of kavain on the sleep-wake cycle in comparison with that of rilmazafone and diphenhydramine using sleep-disturbed rats. Electrodes for the electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) were implanted into Wistar rats. Total awake time, non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep were measured for 6 h. Kavain and rilmazafone showed a significant shortening in sleep latency, decreased awake time, and increased non-REM sleep time. On the other hand, significant shortening of the sleep latency was observed following the administration of diphenhydramine, while no effects were observed on the awake and non-REM sleep time. Moreover, kavain showed a significant increase in delta activity during non-REM sleep in sleep-disturbed rats, whereas a significant decrease in delta power during non-REM sleep was observed with rilmazafone. These results clearly indicate that kavain is a compound with not only hypnotic effects, but also sleep quality–enhancement effects. Keywords:: kavain, hypnotic effect, kava-kava, sleep

We studied the effects of antipsychotics and a hypnotic on sleep disturbance in schizophrenia using an animal model of the disease. Electrodes for the electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) were chronically implanted into the cortex and the dorsal neck muscle of rats. EEG and EMG were recorded with an electroencephalograph for 6 h (10:00 – 16:00). SleepSign ver. 2.0 was used for EEG and EMG analysis. Haloperidol and olanzapine had an antagonizing effect on the increases in sleep latency and total awake time and the decrease in total non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep time induced by MK-801. Olanzapine also antagonized the decrease in total rapid eye movement (REM) sleep time induced by MK-801. Aripiprazole antagonized only the increase in sleep latency induced by MK-801, whereas, risperidone, quetiapine, and flunitrazepam had no effect in the changes of sleep-wake pattern induced by MK-801. Olanzapine increased delta activity and decreased beta activity during NREM sleep. In contrast, flunitrazepam had an opposite effect. It was clarified that haloperidol and olanzapine were effective for decrease of sleep time in this animal model of schizophrenia. In addition, aripiprazole showed a sleep-inducing effect in schizophrenia model rat. On the other hand, flunitrazepam showed no beneficial effect on sleep disturbance in schizophrenia model rat. Keywords:: antipsychotic, benzodiazepine hypnotic, sleep-wake pattern, MK-801, schizophrenia

We studied the effect of scopolamine on radial maze performance during both light and dark periods in sham and suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)-lesioned rats. Scopolamine dose-dependently caused a significant increase in the number of total, reference memory and working memory errors during both light and dark periods. The extent of memory deficit induced by scopolamine in the light period was significantly higher than in the dark period. The difference in the scopolamine effect between light and dark periods disappeared completely after SCN lesioning. These results clearly indicate that within-day variation in the effect of scopolamine was controlled by circadian rhythm.

The present study was undertaken to clarify the effects of anti-dementia drugs on sleep pattern in rats. Electrodes were chronically implanted into the frontal cortex and the dorsal neck muscle of rats for the electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG), respectively. EEG and EMG were recorded with an electroencephalograph. SleepSigh ver. 2.0 was used for analysis of the sleep–wake state. Total times of waking, non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep were measured from 10:30 to 16:30. Galantamine had no significant influence on the sleep pattern. On the other hand, donepezil and memantine showed significant increases in sleep latency and total waking time and a decrease in total non-REM sleep time. Furthermore, memantine decreased total REM sleep time. To investigate the characteristics of non-REM sleep in detail, non-REM sleep was classified as stage 1, 2, or 3 according to the depth of sleep. Different from donepezil and galantamine, memantine significantly decreased stage 1 and increased stage 3 in non-REM sleep. From these findings, it can be concluded that galantamine caused no sleep disturbance, different from donepezil and memantine. Keywords:: donepezil, galantamine, memantine, sleep–wake pattern, dementia

Aims: The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of mometasone furoate on a nasal congestion model in Brown Norway rats. Methods: Nasal congestion in rats sensitized with toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) was measured using whole-body plethysmography which allowed animals to move freely. Results: Penh (enhanced pause), an index of nasal congestion, was significantly increased after 5% TDI challenge in sensitized rats compared with that in non-sensitized rats. The peak of the increase in Penh appeared at 1 and 5 h after TDI challenge. A single topical administration of mometasone furoate (0.05%) at 1 h before TDI challenge suppressed the increase of Penh in sensitized rats. A significant effect was observed 5–6 h after nasal administration. Almost the same results were obtained with fluticasone propionate (0.05%). Conclusion: Mometasone furoate may therefore be effective and have a rapid onset of action in nasal congestion when used clinically as with fluticasone propionate.

Summary Purpose The present study was undertaken to investigate the changes of visual evoked potential (VEP) induced by lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) kindling in comparison with those induced by amygdala (AMG) and hippocampus (HPC) kindling in rats. Methods Under pentobarbital anesthesia, the rats were fixed to a stereotaxic apparatus, and stainless steel electrodes were implanted into the LGN, AMG, HPC and the occipital cortex (OCOR). Bipolar stimulation was applied to the LGN, AMG or HPC every day until generalized seizure was obtained. VEP was recorded from the OCOR before the first day of electric stimulation (pre-kindled) and after the development of kindling (post-kindled). Results After the development of LGN kindling, the amplitudes of early VEP components (P 1 –N 1 and N 1 –P 2 ) were significantly augmented in comparison with those of pre-kindled rats. In addition, the duration of the photically evoked after-discharge burst (duration of VEP) was significantly prolonged by LGN kindling. On the other hand, in AMG and HPC kindling, no significant changes were observed in VEP between pre-kindled and post-kindled rats. Conclusions The changes of VEP observed in patients with photosensitive epilepsy are also demonstrated in animal study using LGN kindling.

The anti-allergic effect of a 70% ethanol extract from Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz (DDT) was studied in mice. DDT at doses of 200 and 500 mg/kg inhibited the systemic anaphylactic shock induced by compound 48/80 in a dose-dependent manner. It also inhibited dose-dependently the scratching behavior induced by compound 48/80, histamine and serotonin. An increase in the vascular permeability induced by compound 48/80, histamine and serotonin was also inhibited by DDT. In an in vitro study, DDT inhibited the histamine released from rat peritoneal mast cells induced by compound 48/80. It seems likely from these findings that DDT was effective in antagonizing certain pharmacological effects induced by compound 48/80 that occurred via both histamine and serotonin released from mast cells. In conclusion, DDT may be effective in the relief of symptoms of allergic atopic dermatitis and other allergy-related diseases.

The present study was performed to study the participation of histamine H3 receptors in nasal symptoms using Sch 50971, a potent and selective agonist of the H3 receptor. Repeated topical application of antigen caused an increase in sneezing and nasal rubbing in sensitized mice. Oral administration of Sch 50971 and imetit, specific H3-receptor agonists, resulted in an inhibition of nasal symptoms induced by an antigen similar to an H1-receptor antagonist, cetirizine. Furthermore, simultaneous use of H3-receptor agonists, Sch 50971 or imetit, and an H1-receptor antagonist, cetirizine, caused a significant inhibitory effect on nasal symptoms at doses that showed no effect when used separately. The number of eosinophils in the nasal mucosa of mice sensitized with antigen was significantly decreased by cetirizine; however, Sch 50971 and imetit had no effect on eosinophil infiltration. These results clearly indicate that H3 receptors are involved in the etiology of nasal allergy, and the stimulation of H3 receptors may be useful as a novel therapeutic approach in nasal allergy. Keywords:: histamine H3 receptor, histamine H3–receptor agonist, cetirizine, allergic rhinitis, eosinophil infiltration

The effect of [pGlu4,Cyt6,Arg8]-vasopressin fragment 4-9 (AVP4-9) on group I metabotropic glutamate (mGlu1) receptor antagonist–induced memory deficits was studied using 8-arm radial maze performance with 4 arms baited. In addition, the participation of the cholinergic system in the ameliorating effect of AVP4-9 on mGlu1 receptor antagonist–induced memory deficits was also investigated. Intrahippocampal injection of (R,S)-1-aminoindan-1,5-dicarboxylic acid (AIDA), an mGlu1-receptor antagonist, significantly increased total error, reference memory error, and working memory error at a dose of 20 nmol/side. AVP4-9 (0.1 and 1.0 μg/kg, s.c.) showed a significant ameliorative effect on AIDA-induced memory deficits. Improvement of AIDA-induced memory deficit in response to AVP4-9 treatment was significantly antagonized by scopolamine (5 nmol/side) but not by mecamylamine (200 nmol/side) at a dose that caused no effect on performance when injected separately. These findings indicate that the ameliorating effect of AVP4-9 on AIDA-induced memory deficit may be closely associated with the muscarinic receptor. Keywords:: [pGlu4,Cyt6,Arg8]-vasopressin fragment 4-9, group I metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGlu1), 8-arm radial maze, reference memory error, working memory error

In the present study, the characteristics of the sleep features of amitriptyline, mexiletine, and N-(4-tertiarybutylphenyl)-4-(3-cholorphyridin-2-yl)tetrahydropyradine-1(2H)-carbox-amide (BCTC) were studied. Electrodes were chronically implanted into the frontal cortex and the dorsal neck muscles of rats for electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) measurements, respectively. EEG and EMG were recorded with an electroencephalograph, and SleepSign ver. 2.0. was used for sleep–wake state analysis. Recordings were performed from 11:00 to 17:00. Amitriptyline caused significant decreases in sleep latency and total wake time and an increase in total non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep time. Mexiletine caused a significant decrease in sleep latency, but no significant effect was observed in total wake time and total non-REM sleep time. On the other hand, BCTC, which is an antagonist of transient receptor potential vaniloid 1 (TRPV1), showed no significant effect on sleep latency, total wake time, total non-REM sleep time, and total REM sleep time. From these results, it can be concluded that a TRPV1 antagonist may become a useful drug for neuropathic pain without sedative side effects in the daytime, different from amitriptyline and mexiletine. Keywords:: amitriptyline, mexiletine, TRPV1 antagonist, somnolence

We investigated the role of hippocampal group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu(1) receptors) in the retrieval process of spatial memory using 8-arm radial maze performance with 4 arms baited. In addition, the participation of the cholinergic system in memory deficits induced by mGlu(1) receptors antagonist was studied. Intrahippocampal injection of (R,S)-1-Aminoindan-1,5-dicarboxylic acid (AIDA), a mGlu(1) receptor antagonist, significantly increased total error, reference memory error and working memory error at a dose of 20 nmol/side. Donepezil (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg, p.o.) showed an ameliorative effect on AIDA-induced memory deficits. Improvement by donepezil of AIDA-induced memory deficits was antagonized by scopolamine (5 nmol/side) but not by mecamylamine (200 nmol/side) at a dose that did not affect performance. These findings clearly indicate that hippocampal mGlu(1) receptors play an important role in the retrieval of spatial memory. Furthermore, we found that hippocampal mGlu(1) receptors were closely associated with muscarinic receptors in memory performance.

The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of chemical mediators in a nasal congestion model in Brown Norway (BN) rats. For the above purpose, we studied the effects of pranlukast and zafirlukast (cysteinyl leukotriene (cys-LT) receptor antagonists), seratrodast and ramatroban (thromboxane A 2 (TXA 2 ) receptor antagonists) on nasal congestion and sneezing induced by toluene 2, 4-diisocyanate (TDI). All of these drugs suppressed the increase of enhanced pause (Penh), the index of nasal congestion, in both early and late phase responses; however, pranlukast, zafirlukast and seratrodast failed to suppress immediate sneezing caused by TDI challenge. These results indicate that cys-LTs and TXA 2 are responsible for the development of both early and late phase nasal congestion. Moreover, these chemical mediators contribute very little to immediate sneezing in a BN rat model of allergic rhinitis.

Histamine H1 antagonists impaired the spatial memory performance. On the other hand, it is well recognized that the hippocampal theta rhythm plays a critical role in spatial memory. However, little work has been done the effect of H1 antagonists on the hippocampal theta rhythm which was associated with the memory performance. We investigated the effect of pyrilamine, a selective H1 receptor antagonist, on spatial memory performance as well as hippocampal theta rhythm during the memory task in rats. Effect of pyrilamine on spatial memory was measured using eight-arm radial maze with four arms baited. Hippocampal theta rhythm during the radial maze task was recorded with a polygraph system with a telemetric technique. Intraperitoneal injection of pyrilamine resulted in impairments of both reference and working memory on the radial maze task. The working memory deficit induced by pyrilamine was antagonized by the intrahippocampal injection of histamine and 6-[2-(4-imidazolyl)ethylamino]-N-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)heptanecarboxamide (HTMT), a histamine H1 agonist. Intraperitoneal injection of pyrilamine decreased the hippocampal theta power at a dose that impaired reference and working memory. This effect was antagonized by the intrahippocampal injection of histamine and HTMT at a dose that ameliorated the working memory deficit. Intrahippocampal injection of pyrilamine impaired working memory and simultaneously decreased the hippocampal theta power. These results suggest that: (i) the hippocampal H1 receptors play an important role in the working memory processes on the radial maze performance and (ii) the decrease in the hippocampal theta power is associated with the working memory deficit induced by the blocking of H1 receptors.