The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist ABT-594 increases FGF-2 expression in various rat brain regions

THE present experiments were designed to extend previous work showing that acute intermittent (-)nicotine treatment upregulates the level of fibroblas t growth factor-2 (FGF2) mRNA in several rat brain regions, by the use of t he nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist ABT-594 with preferenti al selectivity for the alpha 4 beta 2 nAChR subtype. ABT594 treatment led t o a well-defined temporal and regional upregulation of FGF-2 mRNA. A double labelling analysis showed that the up-regulation of FGF-2 mRNA involves bo th neuronal and non-neuronal cells. The effects of ABT-594 on FGF-2 express ion were antagonized by the preferential alpha 4 beta 2 antagonist dihydro- beta erythroidine (DH beta E), but not by alpha 7 antagonist metyllycaconit ine (MLA). In conclusion, FGF-2 mRNA levels can be increased in several bra in regions upon alpha 4 beta 2 nAChR activation, suggesting a therapeutic s ignificance in neurodegenerative disorders. (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.