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L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine antagonizes
scopolamine-induced amnesia and enhances hippocampal cholinergic
transmission in the rat.
Sigala S, Imperato A,
Rizzonelli P, Casolini P, Missale C, Spano P.
Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental
Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Italy.
The effects of L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine
(alpha-GPC) on scopolamine-induced memory impairment and on brain
acetylcholine (ACh) synthesis and release were investigated in rats.
Oral administration of alpha-GPC 3 h before the behavioural test
prevented the learning impairment induced by scopolamine given 30
min before the acquisition of a passive avoidance response.
Similarly, retrograde amnesia induced by scopolamine, given
immediately after acquisition training, was also completely reversed
by the drug. These effects were dose-dependent with a maximum at 300
mg/kg. The mechanism of action of this compound was investigated by
measuring hippocampal ACh synthesis and release both in vivo by
means of the microdialysis technique and in vitro in tissue slices.
alpha-GPC dose dependently increased ACh release with a maximum at
300 mg/kg. In addition, i.v. injection of [14C]alpha-GPC resulted in
[14C]ACh formation. The data suggest that the behavioural effects of
alpha-GPC may be related to its property to increase hippocampal ACh
synthesis and release.
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