Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Regional glycine receptor binding in the p,p′-DDT myoclonic rat model

  • Short Communication
  • Published:
Archives of Toxicology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Abnormal glycinergic neurotransmission has been implicated in the pathophysiology of DDT-induced myoclonus. To examine the role of glycine receptors in the DDT model, was measured [3H]strychnine receptor binding in brainstem and spinal cord in the rat after acute administration of DDT. The highest dose of DDT tested significantly increased both Bmax (20%) and Kd (57%) of glycine sites in spinal cord but not brainstem compared to vehicle-treated controls at 4 h. Lower DDT doses, which also induced myoclonus, had no significant effects on [3H]strychnine specific binding. In vitro, 10−7 DDT did not displace [3H] strychnine binding in naive rat spinal cord, but higher doses could not be studied due to poor solubility of DDT under the assay conditions. These data suggest that only a maximal dose of DDT has significant though mixed effects on parameters of [3H] strychnine binding in spinal cord which are not correlated with the onset of myoclonus.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aprison MH, Daly EC (1978) Biochemical aspects of transmission inhibitory synapses: the role of glycine. In: Advances in neurochemistry, Vol. 3. Plenum Publishing Co., New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Chung E, Van Woert MH (1984) DDT myoclonus: sites and mechanism of action. Exp Neurol 85: 273–282

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chung E, Yocca F, Van Woert MN (1985) Urea-induced myoclonus: medullary glycine antagonism as mechanism of action. Life Sci 36: 1051–1058

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Curtis DR, Hosti L, Johnston GAR, Johnston IA (1986) The hyperpolarization of spinal motoneurones by glycine and related amino acids. Exp Brain Res 5: 235–258

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferenci P, Pappas SC, Munson PJ, Henson K, Jones EA (1984) Changes in the status of neurotransmitter receptors in a rabbit model of hepatic encephalopathy. Hepatology 4: 186–191

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Globus JH (1948) DDT (2,2 bis-p-chlorophenyl) 1,1,1-trichloroethane) poisoning. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 7: 418–431

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayes WJ (1959) Pharmacology and toxicology of DDT. In: Mueller (ed) The insecticide dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane and its significance, Vol 2. Birkhauser, Basel, pp 11–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Herr DW, Gallus JA, Tilson HA (1987) Pharmacological modification of tremor and enhanced acoustic startle by chlorodecone and p,p′-DDT. Psychopharmacology 91: 320–325

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hudson PM, Chen PH, Tilson HA, Hong JS (1985) Effects of p,p′-DDT on the rat brain concentrations of biogenic amine and amino acid neurotransmitters and their association with p,p′-DDT induced tremor and hyperthermia. J Neurochem 45: 1349–1355

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hunter C, Chung E, Van Woert MH (1986) Antimyoclonic action of milacemide in p,p′-DDT-induced myoclonus in mice. Soc Neurosci Abstr 12[2]: 1243

    Google Scholar 

  • Hrdina PD, Singhol RL, Peters DAV (1973) Some neurochemical alterations during acute DDT poisoning. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 25: 276–288

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hwang EC, Van Woert MH (1978) p,p′-DDT-induced neurotoxic syndrome: experimental myoclonus. Neurology 28: 1020–1025

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kar PP, Matin MA (1974) Possible role of cerebral amino acids in acute neurotoxic effects of DDT in mice. J Pharmacol 25: 36–39

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pranzatelli MR, Snodgrass SR (1985) The pharmacology of myoclonus. Clin Neuropharmacol 8: 99–130

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pycock CJ, Kerwin RW (1981) The status of glycine as a supraspinal neurotransmitter. Life Sci 28: 2679–2686

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Simila S, Von Wendt L, Linna SL (1980) Dipropylacetate and amir. aciduria. J Neurol Sci 45: 83–86

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • White WF (1985) The glycine receptor in the mutant mouse spastic (sp. strychnine binding characteristics and pharmacology. Brain Res 32 1–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Woolley DE (1982) Neurotoxicity of DDT and possible mechanisms action. In: Prasad K, Vernadakis A (eds) Mechanisms of action neurotoxic substances. Raven Press, New York, pp 95–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Young AB, Snyder SH (1973) Strychnine binding associated with gl cine receptors of the central nervous system. Proc Natl Acad S 70: 2832–2836

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Young AB, Snyder SH (1974) Strychnine binding in rat spinal co membranes associated with the synaptic glycine receptor: cooper tivity in glycine interactions. Mol Pharmacol 10: 790–809

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Neurology, Pediatrics, and Pharmacology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

    Michael R. Pranzatelli

  2. Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Michael R. Pranzatelli & Katie Tkach

Authors
  1. Michael R. Pranzatelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Katie Tkach
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pranzatelli, M.R., Tkach, K. Regional glycine receptor binding in the p,p′-DDT myoclonic rat model. Arch Toxicol 66, 73–76 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02307273

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02307273

Key words

Search

Navigation