Reversal of scopolamine-induced alterations of choline transport across the blood-brain barrier by the nootropics piracetam and pramiracetam.
The choline transport across the blood-brain barrier was studied in nine brain regions of male Wistar rats after treatment with scopolamine, piracetam and pramiracetam, respectively. 14-Day treatment with scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg/d) elicited an increase of the extraction and the PS-product (permeability-surface area) of choline which was prevented by coinjection of piracetam or pramiracetam (100 mg/kg/d). In addition, the cerebral blood flow was increased by both nootropics. Differences between various brain regions were found in both choline transport and cerebral blood flow. It is supposed from the results that the choline transport is regulated by cholinergic innervation of the brain endothelial cells and that the nootropics used may act via alterations of the brain choline metabolism.
Brust
P
P
Department of Cell Biology and Regulation, Karl Marx University, Leipzig, German Democratic Republic.
D000818:Animals; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000187:drug effects*; D002794:Choline / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010889:Piracetam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011759:Pyrrolidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011760:Pyrrolidinones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000494:pharmacology*
D011759:Pyrrolidines; D011760:Pyrrolidinones; C038438:pramiracetam; D012601:Scopolamine; D002794:Choline; D010889:Piracetam