• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.258-267
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• 2001

Purpose/Methods: Repeated administration of methamphetamine (METH) produces high extracellular levels of dopamine (DA) and subsequent striatal DA terminal damage. The effect of MK-801, a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, on METH-induced changes in DA transporter (DAT) and DA release evoked by an acute METH challenge was evaluated in rodent striatum uslng $[^3H]$]WIN 38,428 ex vivo auto-radiography and in vivo microdialysis. Results: Four injections of METH (10 mg/kg, i.p.), each given 2 h apart, produced 71% decrease in DAT levels in mouse striatum 3 d after administration. Pretreatment with MK-801 (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) 15 min before each of the four METH injections protected completely against striatal DAT depletions. Four injections of MK-801 alone did not significantly change striatal DAT levels. Striatal DA release evoked by an acute METH challenge (4 mg/kg, i.p.) at 3 d after repeated administration of METH in rats was decreased but significant compared with controls, which was attenuated by repeated pretreatment with MK-801. Also, repeated injections of MK-801 alone attenuated acute METH-induced striatal DA release 3 d after administration. Conclusion: These results suggest that repeated administration of MK-801 may exert a preventive effect against METH-induced DA terminal injury through long-term attenuation of DA release induced by METH and other stimuli.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.411-416
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• 2023

Methamphetamine (METH) is a powerful neurotoxic psychostimulant affecting dopamine transporter (DAT) activity and leading to continuous excess extracellular dopamine levels. Despite recent advances in the knowledge on neurobiological mechanisms underlying METH abuse, there are few effective pharmacotherapies to prevent METH abuse leading to brain damage and neuropsychiatric deficits. α-Pinene (APN) is one of the major monoterpenes derived from pine essential oils and has diverse biological properties including anti-nociceptive, anti-anxiolytic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory actions. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of APN in a METH abuse mice model. METH (1 mg/kg/day, i.p.) was injected into C57BL/6 mice for four alternative days, and a conditioned place preference (CPP) test was performed. The METH-administered group exhibited increased sensitivity to place preference and significantly decreased levels of dopamine-related markers such as dopamine 2 receptor (D2R) and tyrosine hydroxylase in the striatum of the mice. Moreover, METH caused apoptotic cell death by induction of inflammation and oxidative stress. Conversely, APN treatment (3 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced METH-mediated place preference and restored the levels of D2R and tyrosine hydroxylase in the striatum. APN increased the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 to pro-apoptotic Bax ratio and decreased the expression of inflammatory protein Iba-1. METH-induced lipid peroxidation was effectively mitigated by APN by up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes such as manganese-superoxide dismutase and glutamylcysteine synthase via activation of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2. These results suggest that APN may have protective potential and be considered as a promising therapeutic agent for METH-induced drug addiction and neuronal damage.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.246-251
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• 2016

This study investigated the effects of (-)-sesamin on memory deficits in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-lesioned mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD). MPTP lesion (30 mg/kg/day, 5 days) in mice showed memory deficits including habit learning memory and spatial memory. However, treatment with (-)-sesamin (25 and 50 mg/kg) for 21 days ameliorated memory deficits in MPTP-lesioned mouse model of PD: (-)-sesamin at both doses improved decreases in the retention latency time of the passive avoidance test and the levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, and homovanillic acid, improved the decreased transfer latency time of the elevated plus-maze test, reduced the increased expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, and increased the reduced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and cyclic AMP-response element binding protein (CREB). These results suggest that (-)-sesamin has protective effects on both habit learning memory and spatial memory deficits via the dopaminergic neurons and NMDA receptor-ERK1/2-CREB system in MPTP-lesioned mouse model of PD, respectively. Therefore, (-)-sesamin may serve as an adjuvant phytonutrient for memory deficits in PD patients.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.138-141
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• 1998

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is an uncommon but potentially fatal idiosyncratic reaction to neuroleptics, characterized by muscular rigidity, fever, autonomic dysfunction, and altered consciousness. The major theories to explain NMS is central dopaminergic blockade, but it is unclear. Risperidone is a new antipsychotic drug, a benzisoxazole derivative that blocks dopamine $D_2$ receptor and serotonin type 2 receptor. The comparatively greater serotonin-blocking activity is believed to give risperidone the specific property of not causing any more extrapyramidal side effects than conventional antipsychotics at the optimal dose of 4-8mg/day. It is postulated that risperidone is unlikely to cause NMS. Here, we report a case of risperidone induced neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.197-206
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• 2007

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of 6-chloro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine(SKF81297), a selective agonist of dopaminergic $D_1$ receptor, on the secretion of catecholamines(CA) evoked by cholinergic stimulation and membrane-depolarization in the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland, and also to elucidate the mechanism involved. SKF81297($10{\sim}100{\mu}M$) perfused into an adrenal vein for 60 min produced dose- and time-dependent inhibition of CA secretory responses evoked by ACh(5.32 mM), high $K^+$(56 mM), DMPP($100{\mu}M$) and McN-A-343($100{\mu}M$). Also, in adrenal glands loaded with SKF81297($30{\mu}M$), the CA secretory responses evoked by Bay-K-8644($10{\mu}M$), an activator of L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels and cyclopiazonic acid($10{\mu}M$), an inhibitor of cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase were also inhibited. However, in the presence of the dopamine $D_1$ receptor antagonist, (R)-(+)-8-chloro-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-benzazepine-7-ol(SCH23390, $3{\mu}M$), which is a selective antagonist of dopaminergic $D_1$ receptor, the inhibitory responses of SKF81297($30{\mu}M$) on the CA secretion evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644, and cyclopiazonic acid were significantly reduced. Collectively, these experimental results suggest that SKF81297 inhibits the CA secretion from the rat adrenal medulla evoked by cholinergic stimulation(both nicotininc and muscarinic receptors) and membrane depolarization. This inhibitory of SKF81297 seems to be mediated by stimulation of dopaminergic $D_1$ receptors located on the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells, which are relevant to extra- and intracellular calcium mobilization. Therefore, it is thought that the presence of the dopaminergic $D_1$ receptors may be involved in regulation of CA release in the rat adrenal medulla.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.578-585
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• 2017

Recently, there has been a rise in the number of amphetamine derivatives that serve as substitutes for controlled substances (e.g. amphetamine and methamphetamine) on the global illegal drug market. These substances are capable of producing rewarding effects similar to their parent drug. In anticipation of the future rise of new and similar psychoactive substances, we designed and synthesized four novel amphetamine derivatives with N-benzyl, N-benzylamphetamine HCl (NBNA) substituent on the amine region, 1,4-dioxane ring, ethylenedioxy-amphetamine HCl (EDA), methyl, para-methylamphetamine HCl (PMEA), and naphthalene, 2-(aminopropyl) naphthalene HCl (2-APN) substituents on the phenyl site. Then, we evaluated their abuse potential in the conditioned place preference (CPP) test in mice and self-administration (SA) test in rats. We also investigated the psychostimulant properties of the novel drugs using the locomotor sensitization test in mice. Moreover, we performed qRT-PCR analyses to explore the effects of the novel drugs on the expression of D1 and D2 dopamine receptor genes in the striatum. NBNA, but not EDA, PMEA, and 2-APN, induced CPP and SA in rodents. None of the test drugs have produced locomotor sensitization. qRT-PCR analyses demonstrated that NBNA increased the expression of striatal D1 dopamine receptor genes. These data indicate that NBNA yields rewarding effects, suggesting potential for abuse. Continual observation for the rise of related substances is thus strongly encouraged.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.104-109
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• 2010

Purpose: $[^{18}F]$Fallypride plays an effective radiotracer for the study of dopamine $D_2/D_3$ receptor occupancy, neuropsychiatric disorders and aging in humans. This tracer has the potential for clinical use, but automated labeling efficiency showed low radiochemical yields about 5~20% with relatively long labelling time of fluorine-18. In present study, we describe an improved automatic synthesis of [$^{18}F$]Fallypride using different base concentration for routine clinical use. Materials and Methods: Fully automated synthetic process of [$^{18}F$]Fallypride was perform using the TracerLab $FX_{FN}$ synthesizer under various labeling conditions and tosyl-fallypride was used as a precursor. [$^{18}F$]Fluoride was extracted with various concentration of $K_{2.2.2.}/K_2CO_3$ from $^{18}O$-enriched water trapped on the ion exchange cartridge. After azeotropic drying, the labeling reaction proceeded in $CH_3CN$ at $100^{\circ}C$ for 10 or 30 min. The reaction mixture was purified by reverse phase HPLC and collected organic solution was exchanged by tc-18 Sep-Pak for the clinically available solution. Results: The optimal labeling condition of [$^{18}F$]Fallypride in the automatic production was that 2 mg of tosyl-fallypride in acetonitrile (1 mL) was incubated at $100^{\circ}C$ for 10 min with $K_{2.2.2.}/K_2CO_3$ (11/0.8 mg). [$^{18}F$]Fallypride was obtained with high radiochemical yield about $66{\pm}1.4%$ (decay-corrected, n=28) within $51{\pm}1.2$ min including HPLC purification and solid-phase purification for the final formulation. Conclusion: [$^{18}F$]Fallypride was prepared with a significantly improved radiochemical yield with high specific activity and shorten synthetic time. In addition, this automated procedure provides the high reproducibility with no synthesis failures (n=28).

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.256-263
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• 2014

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is known to have antianxiety properties. This study was conducted to investigate the anxiolytic effects of KRG extract (KRGE) during ethanol withdrawal (EW) and the involvement of the mesoamygdaloid dopamine (DA) system in it. Methods: Rats were treated with 3 g/kg/d of ethanol for 28 d, and subjected to 3 d of withdrawal. During EW, KRGE (20 mg/kg/d or 60 mg/kg/d, p.o.) was given to rats once/d for 3 d. Thirty min after the final dose of KRGE, anxiety-like behavior was evaluated in an elevated plus maze (EPM), and plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels were determined by a radioimmunoassay (RIA). In addition, concentrations of DA and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) were also measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The EPM test and RIA revealed KRGE inhibited anxiety-like behavior and the over secretion of plasma CORT during EW. Furthermore, the behavioral effect was blocked by a selective DA D2 receptor (D2R) antagonist (eticlopride) but not by a selective DA D1 receptor (D1R) antagonist (SCH23390). HPLC analyses showed KRGE reversed EW-induced decreases of DA and DOPAC in a dose-dependent way. Additionally, Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays showed that KRGE prevented the EW-induced reductions in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) protein expression in the CeA and TH mRNA expression in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Conclusion: These results suggest that KRGE has anxiolytic effects during EW by improving the mesoamygdaloid DA system.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 1995

The effects of chronic treatment with haloperidol and sulpiride on the binding capacities of dopamine(DA) receptor were examined in rat striatum and olfactory tubercle. Additionally, the stereotypy scores were assessed after apomorphine administration. Rats were treated with haloperidol(0.5mg/kg/day) or sulpiride(40mg/kg/day) for four weeks. Apomorphine(0.5mg/kg) was injected after three-day washout from neuroleptics, and stereotypy scores were assessed. Haloperidol group showed high scores of stereotyped behavior in comparison with control and sulpiride groups. With control group, sulpiride group displayed similar stereotyped behaviors. Saturation analysis of the binding of [$^3H$]spiperone to striatal membranes showed that the Bmax of haloperidol and sulpiride groups increased significantly in comparison with that of control group. The $K_D$ decreased significantly after sulpiride treatment in striatum. Although sulpiride produces the same proliferation of DA receptor, the low stereotypy scores of sulpiride group indirectly suggest that sulpiride acts differently from haloperidol in brain DA system. The Bmax increased remarkably following both treatment with haloperidol and sulpiride in olfactory tubercle. Also, the increase in $K_D$ was significant after treatment with haloperidol and sulpiride in olfactory tubercle. Moreover, the $K_D$ of control group in olfactory tubercle was more than twice the $K_D$ of control group in striatum. The $K_D$ was 86.2 in striatum and 37.5 pM in olfactory tubercle. The present finding indicates that sulpiride also induces the proliferation of DA receptor in olfactory tubercle and may interact with some DA receptor subtype with high affinity profile. The different affinities of the control groups of striatum and olfactory tubercle suggest that striatal DA receptor subtypes labeled by [$^3H$]spiperone could differ from those of olfactory tubercle.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.294-299
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• 2004

Purpose: Both human NIS and mutant $D_2R$ transgenes are proposed as reporting system in transplanted cell tracking. Using hepatoma cell lines, we constructed a dual reporter system containing human sodium-iodide symporter (hNIS) and dopamine 2 receptor ($D_2R$) and compared its characteristics. Materials and Methods: The recombinant plasmid ($pIRES-hNIS/D_2R$) was constructed with IRES (internal ribosome entry site) under control of the CMV promoter $pIRES-hNIS/D_2R$ was transfected to human hepatoma SK-Hep1 cell line with lipofectamine. HEP-ND ($SK-Hep1-hNIS/D_2R$) cells stably expressing hNIS and $D_2R$ was established by selection with G418 for two weeks. RT-PCR was performed to investigate the expression of both hNIS and $D_2R$ genes. The expressions of hNIS and $D_2R$ were measured by $^{125}I$ uptake assays and receptor binding assays. Specific binding of $D_2R$ to $[^3H]spiperone$ was verified by Scatchard plot with (+) butaclamol as a specific inhibitor. $K_d\;and\;B_{max}$ values were estimated. The correlation between hNIS and $D_2R$ expression was compared by using each clone. Results: Similar quantities of hNIS and $D_2R$ genes were expressed on HEP-ND as RT-PCR assays. HEP-ND cells showed 30 to 40 fold higher radioiodine uptakes than those of parental SK-Hep1 cells. $^{125}I$ uptake in HEP-ND cells was completely inhibited by $KClO_4$, a NIS inhibitor Specific binding to HEP-ND cells was saturable and the $K_d\;and\;B_{max}$ values for HEP-ND cells were 2.92 nM, 745.25 fmol/mg protein and 2.91nM, 1323 fmole/mg protein in two clones, respectively. The radioiodine uptake by hNIS activity and $D_2R$ binding was highly correlated. Conclusion: We developed a dual positron and gamma imaging reporter system of hNIS and $D_2R$ in a stably transfected cell line. We expect that $D_2R$ and hNIS genes can complement mutually as a nuclear reporting system or that $D_2R$ can be used as reporter gene when hNIS gene were used as a treatment gene.