Search results for "Microinjections"
showing 10 items of 24 documents
Modifications of head turning and circling movement following sulpiride microinjections into nucleus accumbens in the rat
1995
The aim of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between nucleus accumbens D2 receptors, circling behavior, and its first stage, the head turning. Rats were unilaterally lesioned in the substantia nigra with 6-hydroxydopamine and afterward treated with d-amphetamine IP following bilateral intraaccumbens microinjections (1, 5, 10 micrograms/0.5 microliters) of sulpiride, a D2 receptor antagonist. Computer-assisted video analysis allowed the study of some parameters (number of turns, type of turn, head turning duration, degree and speed) characterizing rotatory activity. Sulpiride microinfusion resulted in a dose-dependent decrease of the number of turns and head rotation …
Subzonal insemination, partial zona dissection or intracytoplasmic sperm injection? An easy decision?
1995
This review aims to analyse and compare the results to date of subzonal insemination (SUZI), partial zona dissection (PZD) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to evaluate critically whether it is now possible to replace SUZI and PZD by ICSI. It appears that ICSI is a much more efficient assisted reproduction technique than SUZI and PZD for resolving cases of severe male infertility and/or repeated failure of conventional in-vitro fertilization (IVF). For ICSI compared with SUZI and PZD, fertilization (49.4, 17.7 and 16.8% respectively), percentage of patients reaching embryo transfer (91.0, 55.1 and 23.3% respectively), percentage of transfers performed with two or three embryos (83…
Induction of conditioned place preference and dopamine release by salsolinol in posterior VTA of rats: involvement of μ-opioid receptors.
2011
Salsolinol (Sal), locally administered into the posterior VTA (pVTA) of rats, produces psychomotor responses and reinforcing effects, probably, through the activation of μ-opioid receptors (MORs). The neurochemical correlates of these phenomena are, however, practically unknown. In this paper, we explore the neurochemical events and the mechanisms involved in these behaviors. To do that, we test the ability of Sal, directly microinjected into the pVTA, to induce conditioned place preference (CPP) and to increase dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens shell. Bilateral injections of 30 pmol of Sal induced a strong CPP (rats spent around 70% of the total test time), a result that could be ex…
Opposite motor responses elicited by ethanol in the posterior VTA: The role of acetaldehyde and the non-metabolized fraction of ethanol
2013
Recent electrophysiological evidence suggests that ethanol simultaneously exerts opposite effects on the activity of dopamine (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) through two parallel mechanisms, one promoting and the other reducing the GABA release onto VTA DA neurons. Here we explore the possible behavioural implications of these findings by investigating the role displayed by acetaldehyde (the main metabolite of ethanol) and the non-metabolized fraction of ethanol in motor activity of rats. We analyse the appearance of motor activation or depression after intra-VTA administration of ethanol in rats subjected to different pharmacological pre-treatments designed to preferential…
Dose-dependent induction of CPP or CPA by intra-pVTA ethanol: Role of mu opioid receptors and effects on NMDA receptors.
2020
AbstractThe neurobiological mechanisms underlying alcohol motivational properties are still not fully understood, however, the mu-opioid receptors (MORs) have been evidenced as central elements in the manifestation of the alcohol reinforcing properties. Drug-associated environmental stimuli can trigger alcohol relapse and promote alcohol consumption whereby N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors play a pivotal role. Here we sought to demonstrate, for the first time, that ethanol induces conditioned place preference or aversion (CPP or CPA) when administered locally into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the associated role of MORs. We further analyzed the changes in the expression and mRN…
Intermittent cortical stimulation evokes sensitization to cocaine and enduring changes in matrix and striosome neuron responsiveness
2005
Both the behavioral sensitization syndrome and the changes in the responsiveness of striatal neurons evoked by chronic cocaine exposure may be linked to enhanced neocortical activity, yet a direct demonstration of the effects of cortical stimulation on these parameters is lacking. We have found that repeated stimulation of the rat prelimbic cortex with picrotoxin (0.25 microg/0.25 microl, five injections on alternate days followed by 7-day withdrawal) contributed to increase c-Fos protein expression in the striosomes of the dorsolateral striatum, while producing the opposite effect in the matrix compartment, after a single exposure to cocaine (25 mg/kg). Moreover, rats exposed to cortical s…
Regulation of noradrenergic coerulean neuronal firing mediated by 5-HT2 receptors: involvement of the prepositus hypoglossal nucleus.
1991
Abstract Previous studies have indicated a 5-HT2-mediated inhibitory influence on unit activity in the locus coeruleus. In the present work, attempts were made to determine which area(s) of the brain is (are) involved in this effect: (1) Microiontophoretic application of serotoninergic compounds (quipazine, ketanserin, RU 24969 (Roussel Uclaf), 8-hydroxy-2(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), metergoline, serotonin) in the locus coeruleus, did not alter the coerulean discharge. Local microinjection of quipazine or ketanserin in the area of the locus coeruleus, as well as in one of its major afferents, the prepositus hypoglossi, had no effect on the unit activity in the locus coeruleus. 1…
Effects of Intraaccumbens Microinjections of Quinpirole on Head Turning and Circling Movement in the Rat
1998
This study was designed to evaluate whether nucleus accumbens dopamine D2 receptors are involved in the initiation of the movement, as distinguished from its execution. For this purpose, the effects of the quinpirole-induced increase of nucleus accumbens dopamine D2 receptor activity were observed on specific parameters of the circling behavior and of its first stage, the head-turning (HT) movement. The experiments were performed on rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion of the pars compacta of the substantia nigra and d-amphetamine i.p. (3 mg/kg). Bilateral intraaccumbens microinjections of quinpirole (1, 5, and 10 microg/0.5 microl), an agonist of the D2 receptor family, w…
EMPLOYMENT OF CATIONIC SOLID-LIPID NANOPARTICLES AS RNA CARRIERS
2007
Gene transfer represents an important advance in the treatment of both genetic and acquired diseases. In this article, the suitability of cationically modified solid-lipid nanoparticles (SLN) as a nonviral vector for gene delivery was investigated, in order to obtain stable materials able to condense RNA. Cationic SLN were produced by microemulsion using Compritol ATO 888 as matrix lipid, Pluronic F68 as tenside, and dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDAB) as cationic lipid. The resulting particles were approximately 100 nm in size and showed a highly positive surface charge (+41 mV) in water. Size and shape were further characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements. M…
Evidence for an involvement of NMDA and non-NMDA receptors in synaptic excitation of phrenic motoneurons in the rabbit
1991
Abstract The action of endogenous excitatory amino acids on phrenic motoneurons was studied in anesthetized, vagotomized, paralyzed and artificially ventilated rabbits. The NMDA receptor antagonists APV and ketamine, as well as the non-NMDA receptor antagonists GAMS and DNQX were administered by microinjection into the ventral horn of the spinal segments C3-C5. Injection of each antagonist resulted in a reversible reduction of the phrenic nerve activity. Results suggest an important function of endogenous excitatory amino acids in the excitation of phrenic motneurons. NMDA as well as non-NMDA receptors are involved. The functional role of both receptor types in bulbospinal neurotransmission…