Memantine Inhibits alpha 3 beta 2-nAChRs-Mediated Nitrergic Neurogenic Vasodilation in Porcine Basilar Arteries

作者:Lee Reggie Hui Chao*; Tseng Ting Yi; Wu Celeste Yin Chieh; Chen Po Yi; Chen Mei Fang; Kuo Jon Son; Lee Tony Jer Fu
来源:PLos One, 2012, 7(7): e40326.
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0040326

摘要

Memantine, an NMDA receptor antagonist used for treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), is known to block the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the central nervous system (CNS). In the present study, we examined by wire myography if memantine inhibited alpha 3 beta 2-nAChRs located on cerebral perivascular sympathetic nerve terminals originating in the superior cervical ganglion (SCG), thus, leading to inhibition of nicotine-induced nitrergic neurogenic dilation of isolated porcine basilar arteries. Memantine concentration-dependently blocked nicotine-induced neurogenic dilation of endothelium-denuded basilar arteries without affecting that induced by transmural nerve stimulation, sodium nitroprusside, or isoproterenol. Furthermore, memantine significantly inhibited nicotine-elicited inward currents in Xenopous oocytes expressing alpha 3 beta 2-, alpha 7- or alpha 4 beta 2-nAChR, and nicotine-induced calcium influx in cultured rat SCG neurons. These results suggest that memantine is a non-specific antagonist for nAChR. By directly inhibiting alpha 4 beta 2-nAChRs located on the sympathetic nerve terminals, memantine blocks nicotine-induced neurogenic vasodilation of the porcine basilar arteries. This effect of memantine is expected to reduce the blood supply to the brain stem and possibly other brain regions, thus, decreasing its clinical efficacy in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

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