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Title: Membrane events and ionic processes involved in dopamine release from tuberoinfundibular neurons. II. Effect of the inhibition of the Na+-Ca++ exchange by amiloride

Journal Article · · J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6805328

In the present study we investigated the effect of amiloride, a rather specific inhibitor of the membrane Na+-Ca++ exchange system, on the release of endogenous dopamine (DA) and previously taken-up (3H)DA from tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neurons. Amiloride (300 microM) stimulated either endogenous DA or (3H)DA release. Amiloride-induced stimulation of (3H)DA release was prevented in a Ca++-free plus ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid medium. Amiloride, at the same concentration, reinforced both high K+- and electrically-induced stimulation of (3H)DA release. These results are explained on the basis of the ability of amiloride in blocking the Na+-Ca++ exchange system, therefore causing an elevation of intracellular Ca++ levels in resting conditions, and a further accumulation of Ca++ ions after high K+- or electrically elicited opening of voltage-operated channels specific for Ca++ ions. The enhanced intracellular Ca++ availability may trigger the stimulation of neurotransmitter release. In addition, amiloride was able to block in a dose-dependent manner (70-300 microM) the ouabain-induced (3H)DA release, suggesting that, when intracellular concentrations of Na+ are increased by the blockade of Na+,K+-adenosine triphosphatase the Na+-Ca+;+ exchange carrier reverses its resting mode of operation, mediating the influx of extracellular Ca++ ions. Amiloride, by blocking the Na+-Ca++ exchange mechanism, prevents the ouabain-elicited entrance of extracellular Ca++ ions, therefore inhibiting (3H)DA release stimulated by the cardioactive glycoside. Collectively, the results of the present study seem to be compatible with the idea that the Na+-Ca++ exchange mechanism is involved in the regulation of (3H)DA release from tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neurons, through the regulation of Ca++ movements across the plasma membrane.

Research Organization:
Unive. of Naples (Italy)
OSTI ID:
6805328
Journal Information:
J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.; (United States), Vol. 246:2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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