title: Dual motor response to l-dopa and nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor antagonists in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) treated mice: Paradoxical inhibition is relieved by D(2)/D(3) receptor blockade.
abstract: Motor activity of mice acutely treated with the parkinsonian toxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) was monitored for 6 days using behavioral tests which provide complementary information on motor function: the bar, reaction time, drag, stair climbing, grip, rotarod and footprinting tests. These tests consistently disclosed a prolonged motor impairment characterized by akinesia, bradykinesia, speed reduction, loss of coordination and gait patterns. This impairment was associated with approximately 60% loss of striatal dopamine terminals, as revealed by tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry, and was attenuated by dopaminergic drugs. Indeed, the dopamine precursor, l-dopa (1-10 mg/kg), and the D(3)/D(2) receptor agonist pramipexole (0.0001-0.001 mg/kg) promoted stepping activity in the drag test (a test for akinesia/bradykinesia). The novel nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor (NOP) antagonist 1-[1-(cyclooctylmethyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-5-(hydroxymethyl)-4-pyridinyl]-3-ethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (Trap-101, 0.001-0.1 mg/kg), an analogue of 1-[(3R,4R)-1-cyclooctylmethyl-3-hydroxymethyl-4-piperidyl]-3-ethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (J-113397), also promoted stepping and synergistically or additively (depending on test) attenuated parkinsonism when combined to dopamine agonists. High doses of l-dopa (100 mg/kg), pramipexole (0.1 mg/kg), Trap-101 and J-113397 (1 mg/kg), however, failed to modulate stepping, worsening immobility time and/or rotarod performance. Low doses of amisulpride (0.1 mg/kg) reversed motor inhibition induced by l-dopa and J-113397, suggesting involvement of D(2)/D(3) receptors. This study brings further evidence for a dopamine-dependent motor phenotype in MPTP-treated mice reinforcing the view that this model can be predictive of symptomatic antiparkinsonian activity provided the appropriate test is used. Moreover, it offers mechanistic interpretation to clinical reports of paradoxical worsening of parkinsonism following l-dopa. Finally, it confirms that NOP receptor antagonists may be proven effective in reversing parkinsonism when administered alone or in combination with dopamine agonists.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Viaro
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marti
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morari
mesh_terms: D000077582:Amisulpride; D000818:Animals; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D052160:Benzothiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D065127:Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004357:Drug Synergism; D007980:Levodopa / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000187:drug effects; D018847:Opioid Peptides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077487:Pramipexole; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D050637:Receptors, Dopamine D3 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D000097629:Nociceptin
chemical_list: D000077582:Amisulpride; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D065127:Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists; D007980:Levodopa; D018847:Opioid Peptides; D010880:Piperidines; D000077487:Pramipexole; D011725:Pyridines; D050637:Receptors, Dopamine D3; D013469:Sulpiride; D000097629:Nociceptin; C539677:1-(1-(cyclooctylmethyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-5-(hydroxymethyl)-4-pyridinyl)-3-ethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one; C402921:J 113397