1. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between a reduction in brain GABAA receptor function and the cerebro-cortical content of 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20 one (allopregnanolone, AP), a potent endogenous positive modulator of 7-aminobutyric acid (GABA) action at GABAA receptors, with anticonflict and anticonvulsant effects in rodents. 2. An acute depletion of the cerebral content of GABA or an attenuation of GABAA receptor-mediated transmission by systemic injections of isoniazid (375 mg kg-1, s.c.) or FG 7142 (15 mg kg-1, i.p.) induced a transient increase in the cerebro-cortical and plasma concentrations of AP in handling-habituated (not stressed) rats. 3. Two stress paradigms, handling in naive rats and mild foot shock in handling-habituated rats, that reduce central GABAergic tone mimicked the effects of isoniazid and FG 7142 on cortical AP content; foot shock in handling-habituated rats, but not handling in naive animals, also increased plasma AP. Isoniazid, FG 7142, and foot shock also each increased the concentrations of the AP precursors, pregnenolone and progesterone, in both brain and plasma of handling-habituated rats, whereas handling in naive rats increased the concentrations of these steroids only in brain. 4. Pretreatment of handling-habituated rats with the anxiolytic beta-carboline derivative abecarnil, a positive allosteric modulator of GABAA receptors, which per se failed to affect the AP concentration in brain or plasma, prevented the increase in brain and plasma AP induced by foot shock or isoniazid. 5. In adrenalectomized and castrated rats foot shock or isoniazid failed to increase AP both in brain cortex and plasma. 6. These observations indicate that inhibition of GABAergic transmission, induced by foot shock or pharmacological manipulations, results in an increase in the concentrations of AP in brain and plasma, possibly via a modulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. 7. Given that AP enhances GABAA receptor function with high efficacy and potency, an increase in brain AP concentration may be important in the fine tuning of the GABA-mediated inhibitory transmission in the central nervous system.

Barbaccia, M.l., Roscetti, G., Trabucchi, M.m., Purdy, R., Mostallino, M., Concas, A., et al. (1997). The effects of inhibitors of GABAergic transmission and stress on brain and plasma allopregnanolone concentrations. BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, 120(8), 1582-1588 [10.1038/sj.bjp.0701046].

The effects of inhibitors of GABAergic transmission and stress on brain and plasma allopregnanolone concentrations

BARBACCIA, MARIA LUISA;ROSCETTI, GIANNA;TRABUCCHI, MARCO MARIO;
1997-04-01

Abstract

1. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between a reduction in brain GABAA receptor function and the cerebro-cortical content of 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20 one (allopregnanolone, AP), a potent endogenous positive modulator of 7-aminobutyric acid (GABA) action at GABAA receptors, with anticonflict and anticonvulsant effects in rodents. 2. An acute depletion of the cerebral content of GABA or an attenuation of GABAA receptor-mediated transmission by systemic injections of isoniazid (375 mg kg-1, s.c.) or FG 7142 (15 mg kg-1, i.p.) induced a transient increase in the cerebro-cortical and plasma concentrations of AP in handling-habituated (not stressed) rats. 3. Two stress paradigms, handling in naive rats and mild foot shock in handling-habituated rats, that reduce central GABAergic tone mimicked the effects of isoniazid and FG 7142 on cortical AP content; foot shock in handling-habituated rats, but not handling in naive animals, also increased plasma AP. Isoniazid, FG 7142, and foot shock also each increased the concentrations of the AP precursors, pregnenolone and progesterone, in both brain and plasma of handling-habituated rats, whereas handling in naive rats increased the concentrations of these steroids only in brain. 4. Pretreatment of handling-habituated rats with the anxiolytic beta-carboline derivative abecarnil, a positive allosteric modulator of GABAA receptors, which per se failed to affect the AP concentration in brain or plasma, prevented the increase in brain and plasma AP induced by foot shock or isoniazid. 5. In adrenalectomized and castrated rats foot shock or isoniazid failed to increase AP both in brain cortex and plasma. 6. These observations indicate that inhibition of GABAergic transmission, induced by foot shock or pharmacological manipulations, results in an increase in the concentrations of AP in brain and plasma, possibly via a modulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. 7. Given that AP enhances GABAA receptor function with high efficacy and potency, an increase in brain AP concentration may be important in the fine tuning of the GABA-mediated inhibitory transmission in the central nervous system.
apr-1997
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Sì, ma tipo non specificato
Settore BIO/14 - FARMACOLOGIA
English
Con Impact Factor ISI
Male; Carbolines; Pregnanolone; Adrenalectomy; Corticosterone; Stress, Physiological; Isoniazid; Rats; Animals; GABA Antagonists; Cerebral Cortex; Orchiectomy; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
Barbaccia, M.l., Roscetti, G., Trabucchi, M.m., Purdy, R., Mostallino, M., Concas, A., et al. (1997). The effects of inhibitors of GABAergic transmission and stress on brain and plasma allopregnanolone concentrations. BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, 120(8), 1582-1588 [10.1038/sj.bjp.0701046].
Barbaccia, Ml; Roscetti, G; Trabucchi, Mm; Purdy, R; Mostallino, M; Concas, A; Biggio, G
Articolo su rivista
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/14855
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