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PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:dateCreated
2002-11-21
pubmed:abstractText
The tridecapeptide neurotensin has been demonstrated to increase glutamate release in discrete rat brain regions, leading to the hypothesis of a possible involvement of the peptide in neurodegenerative pathologies. The role of neurotensin in modulating glutamate excitotoxicity and the possible neuroprotective action of the neurotensin receptor antagonist SR48692 were investigated in primary cultures of mesencephalic neurons by measuring [(3)H]dopamine uptake and tyrosine hydroxylase immunocytochemistry 24 hr after glutamate treatment. The exposure to glutamate (30 and 100 microM, 10 min) decreased [(3)H]dopamine uptake into mesencephalic neurons. Neurotensin (10 and 100 nM), added before glutamate (30 microM) exposure, significantly enhanced the glutamate-induced reduction of [(3)H]dopamine uptake. In addition, the peptide (10 nM) also significantly enhanced the effect of 100 microM glutamate. The effects of neurotensin were counteracted by the neurotensin receptor antagonist SR48692 (100 nM) and by the protein kinase C inhibitor calphostin C. The exposure to 100 microM, but not 30 microM, glutamate significantly reduced the number of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive cells, and neurotensin (10 nM) significantly enhanced this effect. SR48692 (100 nM) prevented the neurotensin-induced action. These findings support the view of a possible pathophysiological role of neurotensin in mesencephalic dopamine neuronal function. Furthermore, selective neurotensin antagonists in combination with conventional drug treatments could provide a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:author
pubmed:copyrightInfo
Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
766-73
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-15
pubmed:articleTitle
Neurotensin enhances glutamate excitotoxicity in mesencephalic neurons in primary culture.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Section, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.