title: Astrocyte-derived kynurenic acid modulates basal and evoked cortical acetylcholine release.
abstract: We tested the hypothesis that fluctuations in the levels of kynurenic acid (KYNA), an endogenous antagonist of the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor, modulate extracellular ACh levels in the medial prefrontal cortex in rats. Decreases in cortical KYNA levels were achieved by local perfusion of S-ESBA, a selective inhibitor of the astrocytic enzyme kynurenine aminotransferase II (KAT II), which catalyses the formation of KYNA from its precursor L-kynurenine. At 5 mm, S-ESBA caused a 30% reduction in extracellular KYNA levels, which was accompanied by a two-threefold increase in basal cortical ACh levels. Co-perfusion of KYNA in the endogenous range (100 nm), which by itself tended to reduce basal ACh levels, blocked the ability of S-ESBA to raise extracellular ACh levels. KYNA perfusion (100 nm) also prevented the evoked ACh release caused by d-amphetamine (2.0 mg/kg). This effect was duplicated by the systemic administration of kynurenine (50 mg/kg), which resulted in a significant increase in cortical KYNA formation. Jointly, these data indicate that astrocytes, by producing and releasing KYNA, have the ability to modulate cortical cholinergic neurotransmission under both basal and stimulated conditions. As cortical KYNA levels are elevated in individuals with schizophrenia, and in light of the established role of cortical ACh in executive functions, our findings suggest that drugs capable of attenuating the production of KYNA may be of benefit in the treatment of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zmarowski
authors.forename: H-Q
authors.initials: HQ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Potter
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pellicciari
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schwarcz
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bruno
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism*; D000661:Amphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D007736:Kynurenic Acid / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000637:Transaminases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; C579165:Chrna7 protein, rat; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor; D000661:Amphetamine; D000637:Transaminases; C021481:kynurenine-oxoglutarate transaminase; D007736:Kynurenic Acid; D000109:Acetylcholine