Article (Scientific journals)
Effect of systemic kynurenine on cortical spreading depression and its modulation by sex hormones in rat.
Chauvel, Virginie; Vamos, Eniko; Pardutz, Arpad et al.
2012In Experimental Neurology, 236 (2), p. 207-14
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
 

Files


Full Text
Chauvel et al 2012.pdf
Publisher postprint (543.65 kB)
Request a copy

All documents in ORBi are protected by a user license.

Send to



Details



Abstract :
[en] BACKGROUND: The aura symptoms in migraine are most likely due to cortical spreading depression (CSD). CSD is favored by NMDA receptor activation and increased cortical excitability. The latter probably explains why migraine with aura may appear when estrogen levels are high, like during pregnancy. Kynurenic acid, a derivative of tryptophan metabolism, is an endogenous NMDA receptor antagonist whose cerebral concentrations can be augmented by systemic administration of its precursor l-kynurenine. OBJECTIVE: To determine if exogenous administration of l-kynurenine is able to influence KCl-induced CSD in rat, if the effect is sex-dependent and if it differs in females between the phases of the estrous cycle. METHODS: Adult Sprague-Dawley rats (n=8/group) received intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of l-kynurenine (L-KYN, 300mg/kg), L-KYN combined with probenecid (L-KYN+PROB) that increases cortical concentration of KYNA by blocking its excretion from the central nervous system, probenecid alone (PROB, 200mg/kg) or NaCl. Cortical kynurenic acid concentrations were determined by HPLC (n=7). Thirty minutes after the injections, CSDs were elicited by application of 1M KCl over the occipital cortex and recorded by DC electrocorticogram. In NaCl and L-KYN groups, supplementary females were added and CSD frequency was analyzed respective to the phases of the estrous cycle determined by vaginal smears. RESULTS: In both sexes, PROB, L-KYN and L-KYN+PROB increased cortical kynurenic acid level. PROB, L-KYN and L-KYN+PROB with increasing potency decreased CSD frequency in female rats, while in males such an effect was significant only for L-KYN+PROB. The inhibitory effect of L-KYN on CSD frequency in females was most potent in diestrus. CONCLUSION: l-Kynurenine administration suppresses CSD, most likely by increasing kynurenic acid levels in the cortex. Females are more sensitive to this suppressive effect of l-kynurenine than males. These results emphasize the role of sex hormones in migraine and open interesting novel perspectives for its preventive treatment.
Disciplines :
Neurosciences & behavior
Neurology
Author, co-author :
Chauvel, Virginie ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques
Vamos, Eniko
Pardutz, Arpad
Vecsei, Laszlo
SCHOENEN, Jean  ;  Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège - CHU > Neurologie CHR
Multon, Sylvie ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques > Histologie humaine
Language :
English
Title :
Effect of systemic kynurenine on cortical spreading depression and its modulation by sex hormones in rat.
Publication date :
2012
Journal title :
Experimental Neurology
ISSN :
0014-4886
eISSN :
1090-2430
Publisher :
Elsevier, Atlanta, United States - Florida
Volume :
236
Issue :
2
Pages :
207-14
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Commentary :
Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Available on ORBi :
since 27 July 2012

Statistics


Number of views
102 (14 by ULiège)
Number of downloads
0 (0 by ULiège)

Scopus citations®
 
47
Scopus citations®
without self-citations
25
OpenCitations
 
30

Bibliography


Similar publications



Contact ORBi