We have developed an array of assays for nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding and function. [125I]alpha-Bungarotoxin-, (-)-[3H]nicotine-, and [3H]epibatidine-binding nicotinic acetylcholine receptors were assayed in mouse brain membranes and sections. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor function was quantified using synaptosomal [3H]dopamine, [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid ([3H]GABA), and 86Rb(+)...

The ability of certain bacterial species to oxidize nicotinic acid was first reported by Allison (1) who used suspensions of bacteria isolated by Dubos and Miller (2). Koser and Baird (3) later isolated strains of Pseudomonas jluorescens which grew on a synthetic medium in which nicotinic acid was the sole carbon source. These strains did not attack isonicotinic acid, picolinic acid, or pyridin...

On the structural pattern of nikethamide which is a potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant, it was designed to link N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino moiety as alkylating agent to nicotinic acid by an amide bond in the hope to obtain a CNS antitumor agent (Nicotinic-mustard). The Nicotinic-mustard agent was solid at room temperature and stable for more than one week when stored at less than 0 ...

The periaqueductal gray (PAG) is a major component of the descending pain inhibitory pathway, which is related to central analgesia. In the present study, we have investigated the possible roles of presynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in GABAergic transmission onto PAG neurons. In acutely isolated rat PAG neurons, GABAergic miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) were recor...

In a previous report (I) it was demonstrated that chicks receiving purified rations low in nicotinic acid grew poorly and developed a typical chick blacktongue. The occurrence of these symptoms was prevented by the addition of nicotinic acid to the ration. This paper presents further studies on this deficiency and gives data on the activity of several nicotinic acid esters, as well as studies o...

In Escherichia coli, the nicotinamide moiety of pyridine nucleotides may be derived from de novo synthesis of the pyridine ring or through the uptake of either nicotinic acid or nicotinamide. De novo synthesis is the least preferred pathway; it is suppressed if an exogenous source is available. Nicotinamide is kinetically preferred over nicotinic acid; the data are consistent with the hypothesi...

Although in vitro studies have shown that nicotinic acid inhibits some aspects of the inflammatory response, a reduced number of in vivo studies have investigated this activity. To the best of our knowledge, the effects induced by nicotinic acid in models of nociceptive and inflammatory pain are not known. Per os (p.o.) administration of nicotinic acid (250, 500 or 1000 mg/kg, -1 h) inhibited t...

Background: Some health-protecting secondary metabolites can be found at a higher concentration in the sprouts compared to other stages of plant growth. In addition, environmental stresses such as salt stress may be resulting in the increase or decrease of specific secondary metabolites in sprouts and plants. Objective: Evaluation the changes of trigonelline, nicotinic acid, and proline cont...

The nicotinic cholinergic system exerts potent modulatory effects on glutamatergic neurotransmission, an effect mediated in part by increased glutamate release following activation of presynaptic nicotinic cholinergic receptors. Ionotropic glutamate receptor agonists also stimulate release of acetylcholine, suggesting that these neurotransmitter systems reciprocally regulate one another. We inv...

The neuromodulator acetylcholine (ACh) shapes neocortical function during sensory perception, motor control, arousal, attention, learning, and memory. Here we investigate the mechanisms by which ACh affects neocortical pyramidal neurons in adult mice. Stimulation of cholinergic axons activated muscarinic and nicotinic ACh receptors on pyramidal neurons in all cortical layers and in multiple cor...