Enhancement by nifedipine of cholinergic-induced depression of locomotor activity in mice.
The dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker nifedipine did not affect spontaneous locomotor activity in mice when given alone but enhanced the depressant effects of the muscarinic receptor agonist oxotremorine and of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine. Such a behavioral depression might be due to neuronal changes induced by central calcium channel blockade combined with cholinergic activation. However, an involvement of hemodynamic factors, related to peripheral vasodilatation, cannot be excluded as locomotor depressant effects were also exerted by combinations of the two cholinomimetic agents with hydralazine, a non-calcium antagonist vasodilator.
Sansone
M
M
Institute of Psychobiology and Psychopharmacology, CNR, Rome, Italy.
Battaglia
M
M
Pavone
F
F
D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018678:Cholinergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006830:Hydralazine / Q000494:pharmacology; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010095:Oxotremorine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic / Q000187:drug effects; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D018678:Cholinergic Agents; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D006830:Hydralazine; D010095:Oxotremorine; D010830:Physostigmine; D009543:Nifedipine