Serotonin 5-HT(1A) receptor expression is selectively enhanced in the striosomal compartment of chronic parkinsonian monkeys.

Cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were chronically treated with the dopaminergic neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) until stable parkinsonism was reached. Two months later, monkeys were sacrificed and monoamine content was measured in different brain regions of the lesioned monkeys and of age-matched controls. 5-HT(1A) serotonin receptor density was measured in coronal sections labeled with [(3)H]8-OH-DPAT.

Ecstasy-induced toxicity in rat liver.

Background/aims: The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of single and repeated administration of 3,4-methylenedioxyme-thamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") on rat liver.

Methods: Animals were given an acute (20 mg/kg) and repeated (20 mg/kg, b.i.

Anxiogenic-like effects and reduced stereological counting of immunolabelled 5-hydroxytryptamine6 receptors in rat nucleus accumbens by antisense oligonucleotides.

The physiological role of 5-hydroxytryptamine6 receptors in the central nervous system has not yet been elucidated. The high affinity of various psychotropic drugs for 5-hydroxytryptamine6 receptors has led to the suggestion that this receptor type may be a novel target in neuropsychiatry. We have found that continuous intracerebroventricular administration of a 5-hydroxytryptamine6 receptor antisense oligonucleotide, but not of a missense oligonucleotide, produced an anxiogenic-like response in rats using two different models of anxiety, the social interaction test and the elevated plus-maze.

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy)-induced hepatotoxicity: effect on cytosolic calcium signals in isolated hepatocytes.

Aims/background: Hepatocellular damage has been reported as a consequence of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) intake. However, little is known about the cellular mechanisms involved. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of MDMA on cell viability as well as free calcium levels ([Ca2+]i) in short-term cultured hepatocytes.

Hepatotoxicity of ethanol: protective effect of calcium channel blockers in isolated hepatocytes.

This study examines the effects of three calcium channel blockers (verapamil, nifedipine and diltiazem) on isolated rat hepatocytes exposed to ethanol. In the first part of our study, hepatocytes were incubated with increasing concentrations of ethanol (100, 300, 500, 1000 mM) for varying times. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release were measured to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of ethanol.