Antitumor activity of (R,R')-4-methoxy-1-naphthylfenoterol in a rat C6 glioma xenograft model in the mouse.

(R,R')-4-methoxy-1-naphthylfenoterol (MNF) inhibits cancer cell proliferation in vitro through cell-type specific modulation of β2-adrenergic receptor and/or cannabinoid receptor function. Here, we report an investigation into antitumor activity of MNF in rat C6 glioma cells. The potent antiproliferative action of MNF in these cells (IC50 of ∼1 nmol/L) was refractory to pharmacological inhibition of β2-adrenergic receptor while a synthetic inverse agonist of cannabinoid receptor 1 significantly blocked MNF activity.

Monoamines and glycogen levels in cerebral cortices of fast and slow methionine sulfoximine-inbred mice.

The experimental model of seizures which depends upon methionine sulfoximine (MSO) simulates the most striking form of human epilepsy. MSO generates epileptiform seizures in a large variety of animals, increases brain glycogen content and induces brain monoamines modifications. We selected two inbred lines of mice based upon their latency toward MSO-dependent seizures, named as MSO-Fast (sensitive), having short latency toward MSO, and MSO-Slow (resistant) with a long latency.

Ultrastructural characterization of rat neurons in primary culture.

Few studies have addressed the ultrastructure and morphology of neurons in primary pure culture. We therefore use immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy to investigate the ultrastructure of cultured neurons during extended incubation in vitro. Rat cerebral cortex neurons were cultured in Neurobasal™ medium.

Phenotypic differences between fast and slow methionine sulfoximine-inbred mice: seizures, anxiety, and glutamine synthetase.

Seizures induced by the convulsant methionine sulfoximine (MSO) resemble human "grand mal" epilepsy, and brain glutamine synthetase is inhibited. We recently selected two inbred lines of mice: sensitive to MSO (MSO-Fast) and resistant (MSO-Slow). In the present study, the selection pressure was increased and consanguinity established.

Serotonergic neurotransmission plays a major role in the action of the glycogenic convulsant methionine sulfoximine.

Abnormalities of carbohydrate metabolism and monoamine neurotransmitters have been widely implicated in the pathoetiology of human epilepsy, and glucose hypometabolism and/or tryptophan utilization can be used to localize epileptic foci in the human brain. To investigate the neurochemical changes that underlie seizure susceptibility we studied four strains of mice that respond differently to the convulsant methionine sulfoximine (MSO). Seizures in CBA/J strain were induced by MSO at a dosage half that necessary to provoke seizures in C57BL/6J, BALB/c, or Swiss mice.