Biomaterial Database

Nicotine-induced convulsions in cats and central nicotinic receptors. 1986

D B Beleslin, and S K Krstić

The effects were investigated of intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections in the cat of ganglionic blocking agents, antimuscarinic drugs, alpha and beta adrenergic blocking substances, dopamine antagonists, an antihistamine, reserpine and a 5-hydroxytryptamine antagonist as well as the inhibitors of catecholamines, 5-hydroxytryptamine and acetylcholine synthesis upon convulsions produced by nicotine, which was similarly injected. Mecamylamine and hexamethonium but not atropine, scopolamine, yohimbine, phenoxybenzamine, tolazoline, propranolol, practolol, chlorpromazine, haloperidol, antazoline and methysergide abolished the convulsions evoked by nicotine. Furthermore, reserpine, but not 6-hydroxydopamine, as well as 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine and hemicholinium blocked the convulsions caused by nicotine. It appears, therefore, that the convulsions produced by nicotine are mediated through central nicotinic receptors. However, the depressed catecholaminergic, 5-hydroxytryptaminergic and histaminergic mechanisms induced by reserpine can also suppress the convulsions evoked by nicotine.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007276	Injections, Intraventricular	Injections into the cerebral ventricles.	Intraventricular Injections,Injection, Intraventricular,Intraventricular Injection
D008297	Male		Males
D009538	Nicotine	Nicotine is highly toxic alkaloid. It is the prototypical agonist at nicotinic cholinergic receptors where it dramatically stimulates neurons and ultimately blocks synaptic transmission. Nicotine is also important medically because of its presence in tobacco smoke.	Nicotine Bitartrate,Nicotine Tartrate
D010276	Parasympatholytics	Agents that inhibit the actions of the parasympathetic nervous system. The major group of drugs used therapeutically for this purpose is the MUSCARINIC ANTAGONISTS.	Antispasmodic,Antispasmodic Agent,Antispasmodic Drug,Antispasmodics,Parasympathetic-Blocking Agent,Parasympathetic-Blocking Agents,Parasympatholytic,Parasympatholytic Agent,Parasympatholytic Drug,Spasmolytic,Spasmolytics,Antispasmodic Agents,Antispasmodic Drugs,Antispasmodic Effect,Antispasmodic Effects,Parasympatholytic Agents,Parasympatholytic Drugs,Parasympatholytic Effect,Parasympatholytic Effects,Agent, Antispasmodic,Agent, Parasympathetic-Blocking,Agent, Parasympatholytic,Agents, Antispasmodic,Agents, Parasympathetic-Blocking,Agents, Parasympatholytic,Drug, Antispasmodic,Drug, Parasympatholytic,Drugs, Antispasmodic,Drugs, Parasympatholytic,Effect, Antispasmodic,Effect, Parasympatholytic,Effects, Antispasmodic,Effects, Parasympatholytic,Parasympathetic Blocking Agent,Parasympathetic Blocking Agents
D011978	Receptors, Nicotinic	One of the two major classes of cholinergic receptors. Nicotinic receptors were originally distinguished by their preference for NICOTINE over MUSCARINE. They are generally divided into muscle-type and neuronal-type (previously ganglionic) based on pharmacology, and subunit composition of the receptors.	Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors,Nicotinic Receptors,Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor,Nicotinic Receptor,Acetylcholine Receptor, Nicotinic,Acetylcholine Receptors, Nicotinic,Receptor, Nicotinic,Receptor, Nicotinic Acetylcholine,Receptors, Nicotinic Acetylcholine
D012110	Reserpine	An alkaloid found in the roots of Rauwolfia serpentina and R. vomitoria. Reserpine inhibits the uptake of norepinephrine into storage vesicles resulting in depletion of catecholamines and serotonin from central and peripheral axon terminals. It has been used as an antihypertensive and an antipsychotic as well as a research tool, but its adverse effects limit its clinical use.	Raunervil,Raupasil,Rausedil,Rausedyl,Serpasil,Serpivite,V-Serp,V Serp
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D002415	Cats	The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801)	Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D005260	Female		Females
D005730	Ganglionic Blockers	Agents having as their major action the interruption of neural transmission at nicotinic receptors on postganglionic autonomic neurons. Because their actions are so broad, including blocking of sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, their therapeutic use has been largely supplanted by more specific drugs. They may still be used in the control of blood pressure in patients with acute dissecting aortic aneurysm and for the induction of hypotension in surgery.	Ganglionic Blocking Agents,Ganglioplegic Agents,Blocking Agents, Ganglionic,Ganglionic Blockaders,Agents, Ganglionic Blocking,Agents, Ganglioplegic,Blockaders, Ganglionic,Blockers, Ganglionic