Effects of the 5-HT receptor antagonists GR127935 (5-HT1B/1D) and MDL100907 (5-HT2A) in the consolidation of learning

We have previously reported that 5-HT1B/1D and 5-HT2A/2B/2C receptors play a role in learning and memory. The present investigation was devoted to analyze further in the autoshaping learning task: (1) the effects of the 5-HT1A/1B/1D receptor agonist, GR46611, the 5-HT1B/1D receptor antagonist, GR127935, and the selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist, MDL100907. Consistent with a role of 5-HT1B/1D receptors in learning, the post-training injection of GR46611 (1-10 mg/kg) decreased the consolidation of learning whereas GR127935 (10 mg/kg) increased it; the effects of both drugs were reversed by PCA pretreatment. GR127935 abolished the decrease induced by GR46611, TFMPP and mCPP, whereas MDL100907 (0.1-3.0 mg/kg) had no effect by itself but abolished the effects of DOI, ketanserin and TFMPP and moderately inhibited the effects elicited by mCPP, 1-NP and mesulergine. Neither did GR127935 nor MDL100907 significantly modify the increase in the consolidation of learning induced by 8-OH-DPAT. Thus, the present findings suggest that stimulation of presynaptic 5-HT1B/1D receptors impairs the consolidation of learning whilst stimulation of 5-HT2A/2C receptors enhances it; the blockade of 5-HT2A receptors has no effects. In addition, 5-HT2 receptors seem to modulate this cognitive stage.

A novel neurotoxin, cobrotoxin b, from Naja naja atra (Taiwan cobra) venom: purification, characterization, and gene organization

A novel neurotoxin, cobrotoxin b, was isolated from Naja naja atra (Taiwan cobra) venom by successive chromatographies on gel filtration and SP-Sephadex C-25 columns. The yield of this novel toxin was 5% of that of cobrotoxin from the same venom. Its neurotoxicity determined as the inhibition of acetylcholine-induced muscle contractions was approximately 50% of that of cobrotoxin. Cobrotoxin b consists of 61 amino acid residues including 8 cysteine residues. Moreover, there are 12 amino acid substitutions between cobrotoxin b and cobrotoxin. The genomic DNA, with a size of 2,386bp, encoding the precursor of cobrotoxin b was isolated from the liver of N. naja atra. The gene consists of three exons separated by two introns. This exon/intron structure is essentially the same as that reported for the cobrotoxin gene. Moreover, the nucleotide sequences of the two neurotoxin genes exhibit 92% identity. These results highly suggest that the cobrotoxin b and cobrotoxin genes are derived from a common ancestor. Comparative analyses of cobrotoxin b and cobrotoxin precursors showed that the protein-coding regions of the exons are more diverse than introns, except for in the signal peptide domain. This indicates that the protein-coding regions may have arised via accelerated evolution. BLAST searches for sequence similarity in the GeneBank databases showed that intron 1 of the cobrotoxin b and cobrotoxin genes encodes a small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA). However, the snoRNA gene is absent from the gene encoding the Laticauda semifasciata erabutoxin c precursor (L. semifasciata and N. naja atra are sea and land snakes, respectively). Since previous studies suggested the potential mobility of snoRNA genes during evolution, we propose that intron insertions or deletions of snoRNA genes occurred with the evolutionary divergence between the sea snake and land snake neurotoxins.

Genomic structures of cardiotoxin 4 and cobrotoxin from Naja naja atra (Taiwan cobra)

Two genomic DNAs with the size of 2.3 kb and 2.4 kb, which were isolated from the liver of Naja naja atra (Taiwan cobra), encoded the precursors of cardiotoxin 4 and cobrotoxin, respectively. Both genes shared virtually identical overall organization with three exons separated by two introns, which were inserted in the similar positions of the gene's coding regions. Moreover, their nucleotide sequences shared approximately 84.2% identity. This result reveals the evolutionary relationship between cardiotoxin and cobrotoxin. The exon/intron structures of cardiotoxin 4 and cobrotoxin genes were similar to that reported for erabutoxin c gene, a neurotoxin genomic DNA from a sea snake (Laticauda semifasciata). However, in contrast to the finding that the intron 2 of these genes had a similar size, a notable variation with the size of intron 1 was observed (1233 bp, 1269 bp and 197 bp for cardiotoxin 4, cobrotoxin and erabutoxin c genes, respectively). The different size with intron 1 is due to the middle region at the first intron of cardiotoxin 4 and cobrotoxin genes, which encoded small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA), being absent in that of erabutoxin c gene. These results, together with the finding of the potential mobility of snoRNA genes during evolution, suggest that intron insertions or deletions of snoRNA genes occur with the evolutionary divergence of snake neurotoxins and cardiotoxins.

Possible involvement of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor in vascular responses of abdominal aorta from pregnant rats

Increased relaxant response to acetylcholine during pregnancy is proposed to be due to an estrogen-mediated increase in nitric oxide release. We studied acetylcholine-induced pathways of relaxation in the thoracic and abdominal aortic rings from pregnant and nonpregnant Wistar-Kyoto rats and measured basal and stimulated release of nitrites in these vessels. Endothelium-dependent relaxation was significantly greater in pregnant than in nonpregnant rats. Acetylcholine provoked a concentration-dependent relaxation on thoracic and abdominal aortic rings from nonpregnant and pregnant rats. After N118-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester pretreatment, the relaxation was significantly inhibited in the two preparations of nonpregnant and pregnant rodents. The relaxation was not inhibited by indomethacin in any of the aortic segments from pregnant and nonpregnant rats. After cytochrome P450 arachidonic acid metabolism inhibitor clotrimazole, a nonsignificant decrease in the Emax to acetylcholine-induced relaxation was observed in the thoracic segments of pregnant and nonpregnant rats. On the other hand, in abdominal aorta, clotrimazole decreased maximal relaxation in rings from pregnant rats (P<.05) but did not change the acetylcholine-induced relaxation from nonpregnant rats. Our results show an increase in the acetylcholine-stimulated release of nitrites in thoracic aortic rings from pregnant rats compared with rings from nonpregnant rats, which cannot be evidenced in abdominal aortic rings. These results suggest that acetylcholine-induced vasodilation in the abdominal segment from pregnant rats is mediated only in part by nitric oxide, the remainder apparently due to an endothelium-derived vasodilator, cytochrome P450-dependent, which may be endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor/epoxyeicosatrienoic acid.

Role of 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors in learning

The effects of post-training (i.p.) injection of TFMPP, mCPP, DOI or 1-NP in the autoshaping learning task was explored. Furthermore, the post-training effects of these agonists after treatment with the antagonists (+/-)-pindolol, (+/-)-propranolol, NAN-190, ketanserin, ritanserin, mesulergine, MDL-72222 or p-chloroamphetamine (5-HT depleter) were studied. Rats were individually trained with a lever-press response (conditioned response; CR) on the autoshaping task and tested 24 h later. The results showed that the injection of TFMPP (1-10 mg/kg), mCPP (1-10 mg/kg), 1-NP (0.1-1.0 mg/kg) or mesulergine (0.4 mg/kg) decreased the rate of CR, while DOI (0.01-0.1 mg/kg) and ritanserin (0.5 mg/kg) and ketanserin (0.001-0.1 mg/kg) increased it. However, the effect induced by TFMPP was reversed by (+/-)-pindolol, ketanserin, ritanserin and PCA; the mCPP-induced effect was antagonized by (+/-)-propranolol, ketanserin, ritanserin and MDL-72222; and the effect produced by 1-NP was reversed by ketanserin, ritanserin and PCA. In addition, the increment in CR provoked by DOI was enhanced by ketanserin, and reversed by ritanserin, mesulergine and PCA. These findings suggest that TFMPP, 1-NP and DOI exerted their effects via stimulation of presynaptic 5-HT receptors. The effects of mCPP most probably reflect activation of postsynaptic receptors. The present data suggest that both 5-HT1B and 5-HT2A-2C receptors play a significant role in the consolidation of learning.

Novel SnoRNAs from Naja naja atra (Taiwan cobra) and Bungarus multicinctus (Taiwan banded krait), form extended sequence complementarity to 5S rRNA

During the mapping and sequencing of Naja naja atra cobrotoxin and cardiotoxin 4 genes, we have found that novel small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are encoded in the first intron of the two genes. The snoRNAs in Naja naja atra were amplified from the venom glands cDNA mixtures of Naja naja atra by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using the primers designed from the first intronic sequences of cobrotoxin and cardiotoxin 4 genes. Likewise, the snoRNAs in Bungarus multicinctus were also amplified by the same primers. Comparison of these snoRNA genes reveals that the regions involved in binding to 5S rRNA are highly conserved among these genes, and form 12-nt and 15-nt tracts of complementarity to phylogenetically invariant sequences in eukaryotic 5S rRNAs. The box C sequence in these snoRNAs is consensus, however, variations with the sequence of box D motif are observed. The present study is the first case of intron-encoded snoRNAs contain extended regions of perfect complementarity to mature 5S rRNA.

Effects of nimodipine on learning in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats

It is well known that the calcium channel blocker, nimodipine, has beneficial effects on learning in either aged or hypertensive animals and humans. However, no attempts have been made to investigate if nimodipine can reverse the synergistic deleterious effects of aging and hypertension in the same subject. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of stable infusions of nimodipine in the autoshaping learning task using middle-aged normotensive (WKY) and hypertensive (SHR) rats. WKY and SHR of 12 months of age were implanted with osmotic minipumps releasing either vehicle or nimodipine (0.4 mg/kg/day). After 3 weeks of treatment, the animals received autoshaping training sessions during 4 consecutive days. The WKY animals treated with nimodipine exhibited the highest levels of learning during the last session, the rank order being WKY-nimodipine > SHR-nimodipine > WKY-vehicle > SHR-vehicle. These results confirm that nimodipine can reverse the impairing effects of either aging or hypertension on learning; the presence of both conditions, however, might produce more severe dysfunctional changes that cannot be totally reversed by nimodipine.

Synthesis of 3-amino-2-(3-indolyl)propanol and propanoate derivatives and preliminary cardiovascular evaluation in rats

A series of tryptamine analogues has been prepared and tested for their 5-HT1 receptor agonist properties. The incorporation of an alkoxy group at the C-5 position of the indole nucleus resulted in a short-lived and dose-dependent immediate antihypertensive and bradycardic response in anaesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In addition, a carbomethoxy function at the beta-position of the side-chain of the tryptamines significantly increased the mean resting arterial blood pressure (MAP) in pithed rats and also produced contraction of the canine basilar artery in a dose-dependent fashion. Structure-activity relationships (SAR) suggest that the 5-alkoxy group is an important pharmacophore in the production of the antihypertensive effect and that the introduction of a hydroxymethylene group on the side-chain, instead of the carbomethoxy group, changed the receptor affinity profile.

Effects of 5-HT4 receptor agonists and antagonists in learning

In the present work, the effects of pre- or post-training (ip) injection of BIMU1 and BIMU8 (5-HT4 agonists) were figured out in the autoshaping learning task. Furthermore, the post-training effects of these agonists after treatment with SDZ 205-557 and GR 125487D (5-HT4 antagonists) or p-Chloroamphetamine (PCA) were also explored. Animals were individually trained in a lever-press response on the autoshaping task and 24 hours later were tested. The results showed that pre-training injection of BIMU1 (5 20 mg/Kg) or BIMU8 (20 mg/Kg) increased the CR; in contrast, the post-training administration of BIMU1 (10-20 mg/Kg) or BIMU8 (5 and 20 mg/Kg) decreased it. Further experiments revealed that the post-training injections of SDZ 205-557 (1.0-10.0 mg/Kg) or GR 125487D (0.39-1.56 mg/Kg) by themselves did not alter the CR. When BIMU1 or BIMU8 was administered to rats pretreated with SDZ 205-557 (10 mg/Kg) or GR 125487D (0.78 mg/Kg), the decrement induced by 5-HT4 the agonists was reversed; in contrast, the administration of PCA failed to modify the CR or the agonist-induced responses. The findings showed that the pre-training stimulation of 5-HT4 receptors enhanced the acquisition of CR, while, post-training activation of 5-HT4 receptors, impaired the consolidation of learning. The latter effect was not altered by PCA pretreatment. The data show that 5-HT4 receptors are involved in the acquisition and consolidation of learning. It seems that postsynaptic 5-HT4 receptors are involved in the latter effect.

A pharmacological analysis of serotonergic receptors: effects of their activation of blockade in learning

1. The authors have tested several 5-HT selective agonists and antagonists (5-HT1A/1B, 5-HT2A/2B/2C, 5-HT3 or 5-HT4), an uptake inhibitor and 5-HT depletors in the autoshaping learning task. 2. The present work deals with the receptors whose stimulation increases or decreases learning. 3. Impaired consolidation of learning was observed after the presynaptic activation of 5-HT1B, 5-HT3 or 5-HT4 or the blockade of postsynaptic 5-HT2C/2B receptors. 4. In contrast, an improvement occurred after the presynaptic activation of 5-HT1A, 5-HT2C, and the blockade of presynaptic 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C and 5-HT3 receptors. 5. The blockade of postsynaptic 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT3 or 5-HT4 receptors and 5-HT inhibition of synthesis and its depletion did no alter learning by themselves. 6. The present data suggest that multiple pre- and postsynaptic serotonergic receptors are involved in the consolidation of learning. 7. Stimulation of most 5-HT receptors increases learning, however, some of 5-HT subtypes seem to limit the data storage. 8. Furthermore, the role of 5-HT receptors in learning seem to require an interaction with glutamatergic, GABAergic and cholinergic neurotransmission systems.

cDNA sequence analysis and expression of kappa-bungarotoxin from Taiwan banded krait

The cDNAs encoding kappa-bungarotoxin was constructed from the cellular RNA isolated from the venom glands of Bungarus multicinctus by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. A high degree of nucleotide sequence homology was observed between kappa-bungarotoxin and other kappa-neurotoxins. The kappa-bungarotoxin was subcloned into the expression vector pET32a(+) and transformed into BL21(DE3) E. coli strain. The recombinant toxin was expressed as a fusion protein. Recombinant kappa-bungarotoxin was separated from the fused protein by cleavage with CNBr and purified by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. In addition to kappa-bungarotoxin, the cDNA fragment encoding kappa3-bungarotoxin was also found in the cDNA mixtures prepared from the cellular RNA of the venom glands of the same snake. This result suggests that the venom glands of Taiwanese B. multicinctus should secrete at least two kinds of kappa-neurotoxins.

A pathway for targeting soluble misfolded proteins to the yeast vacuole

We have evaluated the fate of misfolded protein domains in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae secretory pathway by fusing mutant forms of the NH2-terminal domain of lambda repressor protein to the secreted protein invertase. The hybrid protein carrying the wild-type repressor domain is mostly secreted to the cell surface, whereas hybrid proteins with amino acid substitutions that cause the repressor domain to be thermodynamically unstable are retained intracellularly. Surprisingly, the retained hybrids are found in the vacuole, where the repressor moiety is degraded by vacuolar proteases. The following observations indicate that receptor-mediated recognition of the mutant repressor domain in the Golgi lumen targets these hybrid fusions to the vacuole. (a) The invertase-repressor fusions, like wild-type invertase, behave as soluble proteins in the ER lumen. (b) Targeting to the vacuole is saturable since overexpression of the hybrids carrying mutant repressor increases the fraction of fusion protein that appears at the cell surface. (c) Finally, deletion of the VPS10 gene, which encodes the transmembrane Golgi receptor responsible for targeting carboxypeptidase Y to the vacuole, causes the mutant hybrids to be diverted to the cell surface. Together these findings suggest that yeast have a salvage pathway for degradation of nonnative luminal proteins by receptor-mediated transport to the vacuole.

Genotoxic effects of metronidazole

Metronidazole (MTZ) is an effective agent used in the treatment of parasitic infections. Its genotoxic effects have been shown in a variety of prokaryotic systems; however, negative results have been reported in human in vivo studies. Due to its wide spread use, a study was performed to evaluate the chromosomal aberration frequencies in peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures from 10 individuals, before and after metronidazole treatment. A significant increase in the percentage of cells with chromatid and isochromatid breaks was observed after metronidazole treatment (1500 mg per day for 10 days). The percentages of cells with aberrations did not correlate with the levels of MTZ found in plasma. Individual variability was observed with respect to both the induction of aberrations and the concentration of MTZ in plasma. They could represent differences at the metabolic level, since metronidazole is known to be biotransformed by a polymorphic P450 cytochrome, and its metabolites have shown mutagenic activity.

Effects of aging and hypertension on learning, memory, and activity in rats

A comparison between behavioral alterations induced by hypertension and aging was made in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) of different ages (3-24 months old), trained to perform autoshaping learning and activity tasks. Food-deprived rats received autoshaping training sessions during 6 days; the animals were retrained 1 month later. Two weeks after autoshaping training, the animals were evaluated in the spontaneous activity task during 2 consecutive days. The results show an age-related decrease in learning, memory, and spontaneous activity. Independently of the age group compared, WKY, though showing lower activity, learned and retrieved more than SHR. Accordingly, the reductions in learning and memory were correlated with both aging and hypertension. The combined influence of these two factors had synergistic detrimental effects on cognitive functions.

Anthelmintic properties of alpha-sanshool from Zanthoxylum liebmannianum

The decoction of the stem bark of Zanthoxylum liebmannianum (Engelm.) P. Wilson (Rutaceae) decreased the count of intestinal nematode eggs in naturally infected sheep. In addition, the chloroformic extract was toxic to Ascaris suum. Fractionation of the organic extract guided by the Ascaris suum lethality test led to the isolation of alpha-sanshool (LC50 = 83.4 x 10(-5)M) as the only active compound. On the other hand, alpha-sanshool induced tonic-clonic seizures when it was injected intraperitoneally to mice. This finding could be a warning regarding the potential toxicity of this plant.

Systemic injection of p-chloroamphetamine eliminates the effect of the 5-HT3 compounds on learning

There is evidence that 5-HT3 antagonists enhance learning and memory; however, their mechanisms of action are unknown. The aim of the present work was to investigate further the role of 5-HT3 receptors involved in learning, using the specific 5-HT3 agonist 1-(m-chlorophenyl)-biguanide (mCPBG) and the 5-HT3 antagonists ondansetron and tropisetron. p-Chloroamphetamine (PCA) pretreatment was used to determine whether pre- or postsynaptic 5-HT3 receptors are involved in learning. The posttraining intraperitoneal (IP) injection of each drug was analyzed on a lever-press response on autoshaping, which is an associative learning task. The results showed that mCPBG impaired retention of the conditioned response (CR), whereas tropisetron and ondansetron improved it. In other animals, PCA alone did not affect CR but was able to block the effects of the 5-HT3 ligands. The present data suggest that the actions of 5-HT3 compounds could be due to their interaction with presynaptic 5-HT3 receptors.

Role of alpha1-adrenoceptors in the reduction of external carotid blood flow induced by buspirone and ipsapirone in the dog

The effects of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist with anxiolytic properties, buspirone and ipsapirone, in the external carotid bed of anaesthetized dogs were analyzed. Since these agonists produce several vascular effects via activation of both 5-HT receptors and alpha1-adrenoceptors, their effects were compared with those elicited by the 5-HT agonist, quipazine, and the alpha1-adrenoceptor agonist, methoxamine. 1-Min intracarotid (i.c.) infusions of buspirone (300 microgram/min), ipsapirone (40 microgram/min), quipazine (300 microgram/min) and methoxamine (15 microgram/min) produced consistent decreases in external carotid blood flow (ECBF); since these changes in blood flow were not accompanied by modifications in systemic blood pressure, the agonists produced parallel increases in external carotid resistance. After interruption of the sympathetic tone by bilateral cervical vagosympathectomy, the vasoconstrictor responses to all the agonists remained unaffected. The intravenous (i.v.) administration of the nonselective 5-HT1-like receptor antagonist, methiothepin (1-100 microgram/kg), potently and dose-dependently antagonized buspirone-, ipsapirone- and quipazine-induced vasoconstriction; methiothepin similarly antagonized the vasoconstrictor responses to methoxamine. Interestingly, the alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist, prazosin (1-100 microgram/kg, i.v.), also antagonized the vasoconstrictor responses to buspirone, ipsapirone and methoxamine in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, buspirone (300 microgram/min, i.c.) and ipsapirone (40 microgram/min, i.c.) did not modify the responses to noradrenaline (10 microgram/min, i.c.) or tyramine (100 microgram/min, i.c.). It is concluded that canine external carotid vasoconstriction induced by buspirone and ipsapirone is mainly mediated by activation of alpha1-adrenoceptors located in vascular smooth muscle. These data further highlight the ability of the above anxiolytics to produce significant vascular effects under in vivo conditions.

Reflex circulatory collapse following intrapulmonary entrapment of activated platelets: mediation via 5-HT3 receptor stimulation

1. The role of 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors in the mediation of direct and reflex vascular responses to intrapulmonary platelet activation was investigated. 2. Anaesthetized rabbits were challenged intravenously with an emulsion of autologous bone marrow that produced a sharp increase in pulmonary blood pressure, a fall in systemic blood pressure, platelet consumption and death. 3. Platelet depletion before the challenge nearly abolished all the cardiovascular effects and prevented death. Bilateral vagotomy prevented the fall in systemic blood pressure and death but did no prevent the increase in pulmonary pressure. The intravenous administration of the 5-HT2 antagonist, ketanserin, only reduced the increase in pulmonary pressure without affecting the systemic response or mortality. 4. The effects of intravenous 5-HT and of electrical stimulation of the cephalic ends of the cut vagi nerves were also explored. 5-HT injection increased the pulmonary vascular pressure but its effects on systemic blood pressure were variable. These response were modified by the 5-HT antagonists in a manner that resembles their effects on bone marrow embolism. Afferent vagal stimulation produced a fall in systemic blood pressure that was not prevented by MDL-7222. 5. This study indicates that a centrally mediated reduction of peripheral vascular tone is the cause of the potentially lethal circulatory collapse that follows the intrapulmonary entrapment of activated platelets. This reflex is initiated by the action of 5-HT on 5-HT3 receptors in the lung.

Effect of fluoxetine on learning and memory involves multiple 5-HT systems

Diverse evidence suggests that 5-HT uptake blockers enhance learning and memory. However, there is no information about the mechanisms of action involved in such effects. The aim of the present work was to investigate the nature of the receptors involved in the effects of fluoxetine on learning. Therefore, a dose-response curve of posttraining injection (intraperitoneal) of fluoxetine was carried out in an associative learning task (auto-shaping). Fluoxetine or the vehicle was injected 10 min after 5-HT antagonists: (+/-)-pindolol, (+/-)-propanolol, NAN-190, ketanserin, ritanserin, mesulergine, MDL 72222, or SDZ 205-557. Presynaptic activity was eliminated by means of chloroamphetamine pretreatment. Scopolamine (an anticholinergic) and dizocilpine (a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist) were also used. Results showed that fluoxetine enhanced learning of the conditioned response (CR) in a dose-dependent fashion. All 5-HT antagonists had no effects by themselves but inhibited the effects of fluoxetine at different degrees. Decrement of CR produced by scopolamine was reversed by fluoxetine. Dizocilpine did not affect CR but prevented the effects of fluoxetine. The present findings suggest that the actions of fluoxetine on learning are due to an interaction with multiple receptors of postsynaptic nature.

[Differences between the effects of indorenate and other 5-HT1A agonists on the rabbit aorta]

The aim of this study was to determine if like buspirone, ipsapirone and 8-hydroxy-2(di-N-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), the alpha 1-adrenoceptors are involved in the responses elicited by indorenate in rabbit aorta. Exception made of ipsapirone, all the 5-HT1A agonists above mentioned contracted aortic rings. The contraction elicited by buspirone and 8-OH-DPAT was blocked with prazosin (alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist), whereas the effect of indorenate was unaffected with this blocker but it was inhibited with ritanserin (5-HT2 antagonist). On the other hand, buspirone, ipsapirone and 8-OH-DPAT but not indorenate relaxed arteries precontracted with methoxamine (alpha 1-adrenergic agonist) and none of the agonists relaxed preparations precontracted with acetylcholine or KCl. The results indicate that buspirone and 8-OH-DPAT are partial alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonists since they elicited contractions which are blocked with prazosin and relaxed only rings precontracted with methoxamine. Ipsapirone behaved as an alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist since it showed the relaxant but not the contractile effect. Finally, we found no evidence that indorenate has afinity for alpha 1-adrenoceptors. Contraction elicited by this agonist seems to be mediated by 5-HT2 receptors, inasmuch it was blocked with ritanserin.

[Evaluation of the toxicity of indorenate on reproduction]

Indorenate (TR3369) a new antihypertensive drug, was examined for effects upon general reproductive performance, for peri-postnatal and embryofetal toxicity in the rat at doses of 0, 10, 20, 40 and 60 mg/kg/day by oral administration. Excluding the 60 mg/kg dose, in the fertility study, any dose produced neither decrement of body weight gain of progenitors, fertility, fetal weight nor survival rate. Retardation of the surface righting, pinnal unfolding or startle response were not observed. On the other hand, 40 and 60 mg/kg significantly increased the number of resorptions. In the peri-postnatal study, doses of 40 and 60 mg/kg incremented the number of dead pups at birth, and the later also affected the survival rate, growing and air righting reflex. Reproductive performance of the F1 offsprings was unimpaired. Indorenate in contrast to serotonin, from which it is a structural derivative, gave no evidence of teratogenicity when administered during the period of organogenesis. It was concluded that the parameters of fetal development were not affected by doses of up to 20 mg/kg, which represents approximately 1200 times the proposed dose for hypertensive patients.

Evidence against the participation of mu- and kappa-opioid receptors in the analgesic activity of ketorolac in rats

The possibility that activation of opioid receptors is involved in the analgesic activity of ketorolac was explored. The analgesic effects of ketorolac, of ketocyclazocine, the prototype kappa-agonist, and of morphine, the prototype mu-agonist, were assayed in the pain-induced functional impairment model in the rat. All three drugs induced a significant analgesic effect in this model. Naloxone was able to antagonize the effects of ketocyclazocine and morphine. However, the effect of ketorolac was not blocked by naloxone, although a high dose, 3.2 mg kg-1, capable of blocking kappa-receptors was used. It is concluded that activation of mu- or kappa-opioid receptors, by either a direct or an indirect mechanism, does not play a role in the analgesic activity of ketorolac.

The 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, pelanserin, inhibits alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated vasoconstriction in vitro

The antagonism by pelanserin (2,4(1H,3H)-quinazolinedione,3-[3-(4-phenyl-1- piperazinyl)-propyl]-HCl), a potent 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, of alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated contractions of endothelium-denuded carotid, aorta, mesenteric and caudal arteries of both normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats was investigated. The selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist methoxamine elicited concentration-dependent contractions in all four arterial rings, an effect which was competitively antagonized by pelanserin. pA2 values for pelanserin were in the 7.67-8.11 range when evaluated against the alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist in arteries from normotensive or hypertensive rats. These data support the conclusion that pelanserin displays alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocking properties. The ability of the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist pelanserin to additionally block alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated constriction in different vessels of WKY and SHR may potentially contribute to its blood pressure lowering effects.

Relationship between pharmacokinetics and the analgesic effect of ketorolac in the rat

The relationship between the pharmacokinetic properties and the analgesic effect of ketorolac was evaluated with the pain-induced functional impairment model in the rat. Female Wistar rats were injected with uric acid in the knee of the right hind limb to produce dysfunction. Then, animals received an oral dose of 0.3, 1, 1.8, 3.2 or 5.6 mg/kg of ketorolac tromethamine and analgesic effect and blood concentration, determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, were evaluated at selected times for a period of 4 hr. Ketorolac produced a dose-dependent analgesic effect, measured as a recovery of the functionality of the injured limb, which reached its maximal effect at doses of 3.2 mg/kg or higher. When functionality index was plotted against ketorolac blood concentration, a direct relationship was observed that was well described by the sigmoidal maximal effect model. The data strongly suggest that ketorolac's analgesic effect depends on the blood concentration of the drug.