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Antiparkinsonian action of MK-801 on the reserpine-induced rigidity: A mechanomyographic analysis

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Journal of Neural Transmission - Parkinson's Disease and Dementia Section

Summary

MK-801, a non-competitive antagonist of NMDA receptors, is known to exhibit a beneficial action in many animal models of Parkinson's disease. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of MK-801 on the reserpine-induced muscle rigidity. The rigidity was estimated by a direct mechanomyographic method. This method consists in successive bending and traightening of a rat's hind foot in the ankle joint and measuring the resistance of the foot to passive movements. Reserpine in doses of 5–10 mg/kg ip, given alone or in combination with α-methyl-p-tyrosine (αMT, 250 mg/kg ip), induced rigidity. The strongest muscle rigidity was induced by 10 mg/kg of reserpine 1 hour after administration. MK-801 (0.32–1.28 mg/kg sc) injected 70 min after reserpine (10 mg/kg ip) decreased the rigidity induced by the latter compound. Similarly, MK-801 (1.28 mg/kg sc), administered 27 h 40′ after joint treatment with reserpine (10 mg/kg ip) and αMT (250 mg/kg ip), strongly inhibited the reserpine-induced muscle rigidity. The obtained results show that the glutamatergic hyperactivity plays a significant role in the reserpine-induced rigidity. As the reserpine-induced motor disturbances are commonly accepted to be an animal model of parkinsonian symptoms, it may be assumed that the NMDA receptor blocking component may contribute substantially to the therapeutic action of antiparkinsonian drugs.

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  1. K. Ossowska

    Present address: Department of Neuro-Psychopharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna St., 31-343, Kraków, Poland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuro-Psychopharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna St., 31-343, Kraków, Poland

    E. Lorenc-Koci & S. Wolfarth

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  1. K. Ossowska
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  2. E. Lorenc-Koci
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  3. S. Wolfarth
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Ossowska, K., Lorenc-Koci, E. & Wolfarth, S. Antiparkinsonian action of MK-801 on the reserpine-induced rigidity: A mechanomyographic analysis. J Neural Transm Gen Sect 7, 143–152 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02260969

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02260969

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