SCH 23390--a selective dopamine D-1 receptor antagonist with putative 5-HT1 receptor agonistic activity

Dopamine receptors of the rodent fastigial nucleus support skilled reaching for goal-directed action

The dopaminergic (DA) system regulates both motor function, and learning and memory. The cerebellum supports motor control and the acquisition of procedural memories, including goal-directed behavior, and is subjected to DA control. Its fastigial nucleus (FN) controls and interprets body motion through space. The expression of dopamine receptors has been reported in the deep cerebellar nuclei of mice. However, the presence of dopamine D1-like (D1R) and D2-like (D2R) receptors in the rat FN has not yet been verified. In this study, we first confirmed that DA receptors are expressed in the FN of adult rats and then targeted these receptors to explore to what extent the FN modulates goal-directed behavior. Immunohistochemical assessment revealed expression of both D1R and D2R receptors in the FN, whereby the medial lateral FN exhibited higher receptor expression compared to the other FN subfields. Bilateral treatment of the FN with a D1R antagonist, prior to a goal-directed pellet-reaching task, significantly impaired task acquisition and decreased task engagement. D2R antagonism only reduced late performance post-acquisition. Once task acquisition had occurred, D1R antagonism had no effect on successful reaching, although it significantly decreased reaching speed, task engagement, and promoted errors. Motor coordination and ambulation were, however, unaffected as neither D1R nor D2R antagonism altered rotarod latencies or distance and velocity in an open field. Taken together, these results not only reveal a novel role for the FN in goal-directed skilled reaching, but also show that D1R expressed in FN regulate this process by modulating motivation for action.

Polypharmacology of dopamine receptor ligands

Most neurological diseases have a multifactorial nature and the number of molecular mechanisms discovered as underpinning these diseases is continuously evolving. The old concept of developing selective agents for a single target does not fit with the medical need of most neurological diseases. The development of designed multiple ligands holds great promises and appears as the next step in drug development for the treatment of these multifactorial diseases. Dopamine and its five receptor subtypes are intimately involved in numerous neurological disorders. Dopamine receptor ligands display a high degree of cross interactions with many other targets including G-protein coupled receptors, transporters, enzymes and ion channels. For brain disorders like Parkinsońs disease, schizophrenia and depression the dopaminergic system, being intertwined with many other signaling systems, plays a key role in pathogenesis and therapy. The concept of designed multiple ligands and polypharmacology, which perfectly meets the therapeutic needs for these brain disorders, is herein discussed as a general ligand-based concept while focusing on dopaminergic agents and receptor subtypes in particular.

The Inhibitory Effect of Dopamine on Cat Gastric Smooth Muscle

The inhibitory effect of dopamine has been studied in longitudinal and circular muscle strips of the cat gastric fundus. When tone was raised by transmural electrical stimulation and by administration of methacholine, dopamine concentration-dependently relaxed the strips but the inhibitory effect of dopamine was clearly more pronounced on electrically-induced tone. The effect of dopamine was not influenced by the presence of cocaine or hydrocortisone. The relaxant effect of dopamine, when tone was raised by methacholine, was not influenced by α- and dopamine receptor antagonists but it was significantly reduced by propranolol and ICI 118551 (erythro-dl-1-(7-methylindan-4-yloxy)-3-isopropylaminobutan-2-ol). The inhibitory effect of dopamine on the electrically-induced tone was significantly reduced by phentolamine; domperidone tended to reduce the effect of the lower concentrations of dopamine. In the presence of propranolol, phentolamine and rauwolscine concentration-dependently antagonized the inhibitory effect of dopamine on electrically-induced tone, while prazosin was without influence. These results indicate that the inhibitory effect of dopamine in the cat gastric fundus is mainly due to interaction with postjunctional β-adrenoceptors on the smooth muscle cells and with prejunctional α-adrenoceptors on the intramural cholinergic neurons

Similar effects of cocaine and immobilization stress on the levels of heat-shock proteins and stress-activated protein kinases in the rat hippocampus, and on swimming behaviors: the contribution of dopamine and benzodiazepine receptors

Cocaine (COC) has been reported to cause effects similar to physiological stressors in the brain neuroendocrinal system, including heat-shock protein (HSP) expression, although these effects have not been elucidated in detail. In the present study, we examined the effects of repeated (4 days) treatments with cocaine hydrochloride (35 mg/kg, i.p.) and 10 min immobilization stress (IM) on the distribution of HSP (HSP27, HSP60, HSP70, HSC70) and stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) (SAPKalpha, SAPKbeta, SAPKgamma) immunoreactive nerve cells (positive cells) in the rat hippocampus. The swimming behaviors of the rats in the forced swimming test were also examined. In both COC and IM groups, an early enhancement (5 h time point) of hippocampal HSP (HSP27, HSP60, HSP70, HSC70) and SAPK (SAPKbeta, SAPKgamma) positive cells was observed, whereas a recovery (SAPKs) or attenuation (HSP60 and HSC70) was observed at the 24 h time point. In both groups, a depression of the swimming behaviors (attenuation in the activity counts and time until immobility) below the control level was observed at the 5 h point, but a recovery was observed at the 24 h time point. At the 48 h time point, all parameters returned to the control level. These alterations in the levels of HSPs and SAPKs, and the swimming behaviors were similar to those observed in the stress (IM) group, and were characteristic in that all of these alterations were attenuated by the benzodiazepine inverse agonist, Ro 15-4513 (5 mg/kg, i.p.), and the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, SCH23390 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), which was not observed in the groups treated with another stressor-like drug (bicuculline).

Effects of acute or long-term treatment with chlorpromazine, haloperidol or sulpiride on neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity concentrations in the nucleus accumbens of rat

The effects of acute, subchronic ( 14 days) or chronic (28 days) intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of chlorpromazine (2 or 10 mg/kg), haloperidol (0.5 or 2 mg/kg) or sulpiride (50 or 100 mg/kg) on the neuropeptide Y (NPY) system in the rat nucleus accumbens were studied. NPY-like immunoreactivity (NPY-LI) decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and was the lowest after haloperidol. NPY-LI levels increased 8 days after withdrawal of chronic drugs treatment. Acute administration of haloperidol reduced NPY mRNA, while Subchronic treatment did not change it. Subchronic i.p. administration of the dopamine D1-like antagonist SCH 23390 (1 mg/kg) reduced NPY-LI levels but the alpha1-adrenergic antagonist prazosin (0.2 mg/kg) had no effect. The effect of sulpiride coadministered with SCH 23390 was greater than that of SCH 23390 alone, while prazosin coadministered with sulpiride insignificantly reduced the effect of sulpiride. The dopamine D2/D3 agonist quinpirole given as a single injection (3 mg/kg) did not alter NPY-LI content by itself but antagonized the chlorpromazine-induced decrease and attenuated the haloperidol-induced decrease. Our findings indicate that the accumbens NPY system is markedly affected by the antipsychotics studied, and suggest that their effects may be in part mediated by blockade of D2-like (D2, D3) and D1 dopaminergic receptors.

Effects of the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH 39166 on the ingestive behaviour of alcohol-preferring rats

The present study evaluated the effect of the selective and long-acting dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH 39166 on several aspects of the ingestive behaviour of genetically selected alcohol-preferring rats, bred from Sardinian alcohol-preferring rats. The effect of subchronic (8 days) subcutaneous drug administration was evaluated on the simultaneous daily intake of 10% ethanol, food and water. SCH 39166, 0.1 mg/kg, did not significantly modify the intake of the three ingesta. The dose of 1 mg/kg differentially modified rat ingestive behaviour, inhibiting intake of 10% ethanol, without modifying total fluid and food intake. The higher dose of 5 mg/kg produced a non-selective suppression of ingestive behaviour, which was accompanied by behavioural impairment. Acute drug injection was tested on 2-h intake of 10% sucrose, 0.1% saccharin, water or food. The doses of 0.1 and 1 mg/kg markedly inhibited the 2-h intake of 10% sucrose and 0.1% saccharin, but they did not modify either the 2-h water intake in water deprived and water sated rats or the 2-h food intake in food deprived rats. These findings suggest an important role of mechanisms mediated by D1 receptors in the control of alcohol and sweet solution intake, but not in water and food intake. Moreover, they indicate that SCH 39166, in relation to its selectivity and long-lasting activity, is an interesting pharmacological tool to investigate further the role of D1 receptor mechanisms in the control of ingestive behaviour.

Inhibition of substantia nigra dopamine cell firing by R(-)-N-n-propylnorapomorphine: electrophysiological and autoradiographic studies after regional inactivation of dopamine receptors by microinjection of N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline

The irreversible receptor inactivator, N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ), was injected into rat striatum or substantia nigra to study potential contributions of dopamine receptors in each area to the inhibition of substantia nigra (A9) dopamine cell firing by i.v. R(-)-N-n-propylnorapomorphine (NPA), a dopamine agonist. Extracellular, single unit recording studies showed that the numbers of active dopamine cells, basal firing rates and responses to i.v. R(-)-NPA were unchanged a day after striatal EEDQ injections, despite significant losses of striatal D1 and D2 receptors (confirmed by autoradiography). These results indicate that striatal receptors do not control the basal activity of A9 neurons, nor do they mediate inhibitions of firing by R(-)-NPA. Microinjections of EEDQ into substantia nigra, however, inactivated 75-78% of nigral D1 and D2 receptors and reduced the number of active dopamine cells and slightly increased firing rates. Moreover, dose-response curves to R(-)-NPA were shifted 10-fold to the right and the maximum inhibitory response was depressed. Furchgott analysis of the dose-response curves yielded a steep occupancy-response curve with maximum (> 95%) inhibition of firing at only 24% receptor occupation (i.e., 76% reserve). Thus, the substantial (approximately 70%) receptor reserve previously shown to exist for inhibition of dopamine cell firing by i.v. R(-)-NPA20,21 appears to be intrinsic to the nigra. To assess contributions of nigral D1 and D2 receptors to this response, selective inactivation of each receptor subtype was achieved (confirmed autoradiographically) by treating rats with SCH 23390 (4 mg/kg) or S(-)eticlopride (2 mg/kg), respectively, 30 min before intranigral EEDQ. Selective D2, but not D1, receptor inactivation produced rightward shifts and depressed the maximum of the R(-)-NPA dose-response curve in a manner like that observed after non-selective inactivation of nigral dopamine receptors. Unexpectedly, pretreatment with SCH 23390 (to protect D1 receptors) also produced a modest rightward shift in the R(-)-NPA dose-response curve, suggesting a slight role for D1 receptors in this response. These results indicate that inhibition of A9 dopamine cell firing by i.v. R(-)-NPA is mediated by dopamine receptors located in substantia nigra, but not striatum and confirm the predominant role of nigral D2 receptors.

SCH23390, but not raclopride, decreases intake of intraorally infused 10% sucrose in adult rats

When 10% sucrose is infused intraorally on postnatal days (PN) 7, 14, and 21, raclopride, a D2 dopaminergic antagonist, does not affect intake at any age and SCH23390, a D1 antagonist, does not affect intake on PN 7 but a large dose decreases intake on PN 14 and 21. To determine if this differential effect of the antagonists on PN 14 and 21 remains after further postnatal development, we studied adult rats in this intraoral intake test. Female (n = 77) and male (n = 81) adult rats, approximately 43 or 96 days old, were deprived for 4 h before intraoral infusion of 10% sucrose. Each rat was tested once and this was its first experience with sucrose. SCH23390 (133 or 267 micrograms/kg), raclopride (357 or 714 micrograms/kg), or saline vehicle was given IP at -15 min. The larger dose of SCH23390 significantly decreased intake of rats that were approximately 43 and 96 days old, but neither dose of raclopride changed intake at either age. These results suggest that D1, but not D2, receptors are necessary components of the central neural network that processes the unconditioned gustatory stimulus of 10% sucrose into mouthing and swallowing movements that maintain ingestion in late preweanling and adult rats under these conditions.

Mediation of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the effects of GBR 12909 on latent learning and locomotor activity in mice

We investigated the involvement of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor subtypes in the effects of GBR 12909, a selective dopamine uptake inhibitor, on latent learning in the performance of a water-finding task and on locomotor activity in mice. GBR 12909 (10 and 20 mg/kg) impaired latent learning, and this effect was counteracted by the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist, (-)-sulpiride (20 and 40 mg/kg), but not by the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, SCH 23390 (0.025 and 0.05 mg/kg). The dopamine D2 receptor agonist, quinpirole (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) and the dopamine D1 receptor agonist, SKF 38393 (20 mg/kg) impaired latent learning, but both effects were less than that of GBR-12909. The effect of quinpirole, but not of GBR 12909, on latent learning was potentiated by combination with SKF 38393. In contrast to its effect on learning, SCH 23390 (0.025 and 0.05 mg/kg) was more effective to suppress the stimulant effect of GBR 12909 on locomotor activity than was (-)-sulpiride (40 and 80 mg/kg). These findings suggest that both dopamine D1 and D2 receptors play an important role in the action of endogenously released dopamine in latent learning and locomotor activity, and that while the dopamine D2 receptor is involved predominantly in latent learning, both dopamine D1 and D2 receptors play a critical role in locomotor activity.

Bombesin-induced anorexia requires central bombesin receptor activation: independence from interaction with central catecholaminergic systems

Intraperitoneal (IP) administration of bombesin (BBS; 2.5-20 micrograms/kg) induced a dose-dependent inhibition of food intake. The effect was decreased by intraventricular (ICV) administration of bombesin receptor antagonist [Leu14-psi (CH2NH)-Leu13] (3 micrograms/rat) but not by the D1 antagonist SCH 23390, the D2 antagonists sulpiride and pimozide, the dopamine antagonist cis-flupentixol, adrenoceptor blockers phenoxybenzamine or propranolol and serotonergic antagonist methergoline. It is concluded that BBS-induced suppression of feeding may be mediated through central BBS receptors, and is independent of interaction with brain catecholaminergic system.

The discriminative stimulus properties of buspirone involve dopamine-2 receptor antagonist activity

To investigate a dopaminergic component in the discriminative stimulus properties of buspirone, rats were trained to discriminate 2.5 mg/kg buspirone from saline, using a two lever, food-rewarded, fixed ratio 10 operant procedure. To test the dopamine-2 (D2) antagonist action of buspirone, a second group of rats was trained to discriminate 0.16 mg/kg apomorphine from saline. In addition to a complete generalization to 8-OH-DPAT, the D2 antagonists haloperidol, R 79598 and sulpiride showed a partial generalization to buspirone. The benzodiazepine ligands chlordiazepoxide and bretazenil did not generalize to the buspirone cue. Buspirone (2.0 mg/kg) completely blocked the apomorphine cue in the apomorphine trained rats. Haloperidol, R 79895 and sulpiride also blocked the apomorphine cue, although at doses much smaller than the doses needed to evoke buspirone responding in the buspirone trained group. 8-OH-DPAT did not antagonize apomorphine. It was concluded that the D2 action of buspirone partially contributes to its discriminative stimulus properties. Mediation of the buspirone cue by 5-HT1a receptor activation seemed predominant. Further, buspirone can act as a full D2 antagonist in drug discrimination. A model was proposed suggesting a compound discriminative stimulus complex of buspirone with a dominant 5-HT1a component that overshadows a less pronounced D2 component.

Effects of dopamine receptor agonists on passive avoidance learning in mice: interaction of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors

The present study examined the effects of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor agonists on the acquisition stage of passive avoidance learning and on locomotor activity in mice. The D2 agonist, RU 24213 (1-10 mg/kg s.c.), and the non-selective agonist, apomorphine (0.3-3 mg/kg s.c.), but not the D1 agonist, SKF 38393 (1-10 mg/kg s.c.), impaired learning and activated locomotion. RU 24213 (1 mg/kg s.c.) was more effective in impairing learning than in activating locomotion. The concurrent administration of SKF 38393 (10 mg/kg i.p.) and RU 24213 (1 and 3 mg/kg s.c.) produced a synergistic effect in both behavioral situations. The D1 antagonist, SCH 23390 (0.025 mg/kg i.p.), slightly inhibited the effects of apomorphine and of the combination of SKF 38393 and RU 24213 on learning but not on locomotion. The D2 antagonist, (-)-sulpiride (40 mg/kg i.p.), completely blocked these effects in both situations. These results suggest that dopamine receptor agonists impair passive avoidance learning through the D2 receptor, and that D1 and D2 receptors act synergistically in this impairment, as they do in their effects on locomotion. The involvement of D1 and D2 receptors is qualitatively similar in each of these behaviors, although some small differences may exist.

A comparison of the selectivities of SCH 23390 with BW737C89 for D1, D2 and 5-HT2 binding sites both in vitro and in vivo

The in vitro affinities (KIs) for SCH 23390 in D1, D2 and 5-HT2 binding assays were 0.4, 631 and 20 nM as compared with 0.3, 79 and 79 nM for BW737C89. The KB values, derived from their abilities to right-shift dopamine-mediated dose-dependent increases in striatal adenylyl cyclase activity, were 0.8 and 0.5 nM for SCH 23390 and BW737C89, respectively. Thus, BW737C89 was a highly potent dopamine D1 receptor antagonist and, although it was less D1/D2-selective than SCH 23390, it was more D1/5-HT2-selective. Both SCH 23390 and BW737C89 (0.1-100 mumol/kg s.c.) exhibited a selective dose-dependent protection of D1, but not D2, binding, from inactivation by N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ, 8 mg/kg s.c.) as measured by [3H]SCH 23390 (D1) and [3H]spiperone (D2) binding. The ED50 values for this selective protection of D1 binding were similar and were between 1 and 3 mumol/kg s.c. BW737C89 showed no protective effect at all on the inactivation of [3H]ketanserin (5-HT2) binding by EEDQ whereas SCH 23390 started to show protection at doses of 10 mumol/kg s.c. and above. A direct comparison of the time course of the effects of pretreatment of a dose of 30 mumol/kg s.c. of both compounds to protect 5-HT2 binding was carried out. This study confirmed the complete lack of protective effect of BW737C89 from 1 to 4 h of pretreatment whereas SCH 23390 exhibited 62, 29 and 28% protection at 1, 2 and 4 h pretreatment respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Differential locomotor interactions between dopamine D1/D2 receptor agonists and the NMDA antagonist dizocilpine in monoamine-depleted mice

Previous work in our laboratory has shown that the non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist dizocilipine (MK-801) interacts synergistically with the mixed dopamine (DA) receptor agonist apomorphine and the DA D 1 agonist SKF 38393 to promote locomotion in monoamine-depleted mice. The purpose of the present study was to compare the roles of DA D 1 and DA D 2 receptors in this interaction. To that end, dizocilpine was given in combination with either the DA D 1 receptor agonist SKF 38393 or the selective DA D 2 receptor agonist quinpirole or the preferential DA D 2 agonist bromocriptine. In general, the locomotor stimulatory effects produced by SKF 38393 were potentiated by dizocilpine, whereas the locomotor stimulation produced by quinpirole and bromocriptine was counteracted. However, baseline activity, which partly depends on how much time is allowed to elapse between administration of the DA agonist and commencement of locomotor recording, and partly on the dose of the DA agonist, seems to be an important factor that determines whether dizocilpine will have a weakening or a potentiating effect. Interestingly, the competitive NMDA antagonist D-CPPene displayed a different pattern of interaction with SKF 38393 and quinpirole in that synergistic effects were observed with both DA agonists, most conspicuously so with the DA D 2 receptor agonist. The results are interpreted in the light of present knowledge of basal ganglia neuroanatomy; they are discussed in relation to the "direct" and "indirect" pathways from the striatum to the thalamus, proposed to form part of positive and negative cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical loops, respectively, as well as to the presumed presynaptic D 2 receptors on corticostriatal glutamatergic neurons.

Activation of the 5-HT1C receptor expressed in Xenopus oocytes by the benzazepines SCH 23390 and SKF 38393

1. A cloned 5-HT1C receptor expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes was used to characterize the action of four dopamine D1-selective benzazepines at the 5-HT1C receptor. Additionally, the apparent binding of the D1-selective benzazepines to 5-HT1C receptors was measured in the choroid plexus of the pig. 2. In voltage-clamped oocytes expressing the cloned 5-HT1C receptor, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) elicited a characteristic inward current response with an EC50 of 13 nM. SCH 23390 acted as a stereoselective agonist (or partial agonist) with an EC50 of about 550 nM. SKF 38393 (1 microM-1 mM), SKF 77434 (100 microM), and SKF 82958 (100 microM) also acted as agonists (or partial agonists) at the cloned 5-HT1C receptor. SKF 38393 was not stereoselective at the 5-HT1C receptor. 3. The response to SCH 23390 activated slowly and, although the response contained many oscillations characteristic of the activation of the phosphatidylinositol signal transduction system, SCH 23390 rarely elicited the rapid spike-like response seen routinely in response to 5-HT. However, the responses to SKF 38393, SKF 77434, and SKF 82958 were identical in appearance to the response to 5-HT, except that the responses to the benzazepines were smaller. These comparisons were made by applying both a benzazepine and 5-HT to each individual oocyte expressing the cloned 5-HT1C receptor. 4. Consistent with the responses measured in oocytes, SCH 23390 bound stereoselectively to 5-HT1C receptors in the choroid plexus of the pig (Ki = 6.3 nM), and SKF 38393 bound non-stereoselectively with lower affinity (Ki = 2.0-2.2 microM).5. It is concluded that while these benzazepines demonstrate selectivity for the dopamine D1 receptor, they also can act as agonists or partial agonists at the 5-HT1c receptor in situ and as expressed in Xenopus oocytes. The oocyte expression system is useful for studies of the functional pharmacology of these 5-HTic receptors. Information about the pharmacological actions and variations in stereoselectivity among dopamine and 5-HT receptors should be of interest in modelling the interactions of ligands with these G-protein coupled receptors, and in the testing of such models through receptor mutagenesis.

Influence of fenoldopam and quinpirole in the guinea-pig stomach

1. The influence of the selective DA1-agonist fenoldopam and the selective DA2-agonist quinpirole was investigated in the guinea-pig intact stomach model and in guinea-pig gastric corpus muscle strips. 2. In the intact stomach model, quinpirole induced a relaxation from 10(-6) M on. The relaxation by quinpirole (3 x 10(-5) M) was significantly inhibited by rauwolscine (10(-7) M), yohimbine (10(-7) M) and domperidone (10(-6) M). In the presence of tetrodotoxin, quinpirole (3 x 10(-5) M) induced a contraction. 3. In the same model, fenoldopam induced a relaxation but only at 3 x 10(-5) M. The relaxation by fenoldopam (3 x 10(-5) M) was not inhibited by SCH 23390 (10(-6) M). The relaxant effect of dopamine (3 x 10(-6) M) was significantly inhibited by rauwolscine (10(-7) M), yohimbine (3 x 10(-7) M), haloperidol (10(-6) M) and domperidone (10(-6) M). 4. In circular muscle strips of the gastric corpus, the electrically induced cholinergic contractions were inhibited by dopamine but not consistently influenced by quinpirole or fenoldopam. 5. Dopamine, fenoldopam and quinpirole induced an increase in basal tone of the strips. The contraction by dopamine (10(-5) M) was significantly antagonized by prazosin and methysergide. 6. No evidence was thus found for the presence of DA1-receptors in both guinea-pig stomach models. Equally, no evidence for the presence of DA2-receptors was found when studying quinpirole in the strips. Although the relaxant effect of quinpirole in the intact stomach seems predominantly mediated via alpha 2-adrenoceptors, an involvement of DA2-receptors cannot be excluded.

Drugs acting at D-1 and D-2 dopamine receptors induce identical purposeless chewing in rats which can be differentiated by cholinergic manipulation

Purposeless chewing in rats was dose dependently increased by acute administration of the dopamine D-1 receptor agonist SKF 38393 (5-20 mg/kg), the D-2 receptor antagonist sulpiride (10-100 mg/kg) and the D-2 receptor agonist quinpirole (0.05-0.25 mg/kg). Only high doses of the D-1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (1 and 5 mg/kg) induced purposeless chewing. SCH 23390 (0.05 mg/kg) blocked SKF 38393 (20 mg/kg)-induced purposeless chewing, but had no effect on the purposeless chewing induced by sulpiride (100 mg/kg) or quinpirole (0.1 mg/kg). A dose of SKF 38393 (5 mg/kg) which did not itself induce chewing, potentiated the increase in purposeless chewing observed after administration of sulpiride (100 mg/kg). Administration of SKF 38393 (20 mg/kg) and quinpirole (0.1 mg/kg) did not induce purposeless chewing but stereotyped licking was observed. Administration of sulpiride (100 mg/kg) with quinpirole (0.1 mg/kg) produced an incidence of purposeless chewing not different from that observed when either compound was administered alone. Acute administration of the cholinergic agonist pilocarpine (0.5-4.0 mg/kg) or the cholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine (0.05-0.2 mg/kg) increased the frequency of purposeless chewing in rats. Co-administration of pilocarpine (0.5 mg/kg) with sulpiride (100 mg/kg) increased the frequency of purposeless chewing above that seen when either compound was administered alone. Co-administration of pilocarpine (0.5 mg/kg) with SKF 38393 (20 mg/kg) increased the frequency of purposeless chewing in an additive manner. Co-administration of physostigmine (0.1 mg/kg) with sulpiride (100 mg/kg) but not SKF 38393 (20 mg/kg), increased the frequency of purposeless chewing above that observed when either compound was administered alone. Quinpirole (0.1 mg/kg)-induced purposeless chewing was not affected by co-administration with either pilocarpine (0.5 mg/kg) or physostigmine (0.1 mg/kg). The anticholinergic agent scopolamine (0.1 mg/kg) blocked the purposeless chewing induced by either SKF 38393 (20 mg/kg) or sulpiride (100 mg/kg), but had no effect on the purposeless chewing induced by quinpirole (0.1 mg/kg). Contrary to previous reports, acute manipulation of D-1 or D-2 receptor function can both enhance purposeless chewing behaviour in rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Modulating role of dopamine on anesthetic requirements

The influence of dopamine on halothane anesthetic requirements was determined in mice. Halothane anesthetic requirement was defined as the minimum anesthetic concentration (MAC) that prevented 50% animals from moving in response to a supramaximal stimulus. Levodopa (L-DOPA) dose-dependently decreased halothane MAC to a maximum of 49% of control; over the same dose range L-DOPA increased striatal dopamine nearly 4-fold. The MAC-reducing effect of L-DOPA was attenuated by selective antagonism of the D2 dopamine receptor with YM-09151-2 while selective blockade of the D1 dopamine receptor with SCH-23390 did not alter L-DOPA's effect on the MAC for halothane. 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) decreased striatal dopamine by 82% and increased the MAC for halothane by 27%. Repletion of striatal dopamine with L-DOPA, in MPTP-treated mice, restored the MAC for halothane back to the control state. The regression line derived from the plot of halothane MAC versus striatal dopamine content shows a highly significant correlation between the two variables (r2 = 0.94). These are the first results to suggest that anesthetic requirements can be modulated directly and precisely by increasing or decreasing the content of a single neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.

Effects of the dopamine receptor agonists, fenoldopam and quinpirole, in the rat stomach

The effects of the DA1-receptor agonist, fenoldopam, and the DA2-receptor agonist, quinpirole, were studied with the longitudinal muscle of rat gastric fundus and circular muscle of rat gastric corpus, as there are contrasting reports about the receptors involved in the inhibitory effect of dopamine in these tissues. Quinpirole had no effect on basal tone in the longitudinal muscle of the rat gastric fundus and did not inhibit the sustained contractions induced by electrical field stimulation or by methacholine. Fenoldopam had no effect on the tone increased by methacholine but slightly potentiated the electrically induced contraction at the highest concentrations; it concentration dependently (10(-7)-3 X 10(-5) M) increased the basal tone. The contractile effect of fenoldopam was clearly antagonized by rauwolscine 10(-6) M, yohimbine 10(-6) M and phentolamine 3 X 10(-6) M plus propranolol 10(-5) M. The 5-HT receptor antagonist, methysergide, antagonized the fenoldopam-induced contractions in a non-competitive way. Fenoldopam and quinpirole had no effect on contractions induced in the circular muscle of the rat gastric corpus by methacholine or electrical field stimulation. They induced some contraction at basal tone, at their highest concentrations. As fenoldopam and quinpirole did not mimic the inhibitory effect observed with dopamine in the same models, no evidence was found for the presence of inhibitory dopamine receptors in rat gastric muscle. The contractile effect of fenoldopam in the longitudinal muscle of the fundus is probably due to an interaction with 5-HT receptors.

Net production of cerebrospinal fluid is decreased by SCH-23390

A high density of binding sites for the ligands 3H-SCH-23390 and 3H-SKF-83566 has been found in the choroid plexus. Although these sites have similar pharmacology to D1 dopamine receptors, the high-affinity component of 3H-SCH-23390 binding in the choroid plexus has been identified as the 5-HT1c subtype of serotonin receptor. We investigated the possible role of these receptors in modulating the production of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in rats. (R) SCH-23390 produced up to a 50% decrease in net CSF production, compared to saline. This compound is a partial agonist at 5-HT1c serotonin receptors, and an antagonist at D1 dopamine receptors. The (S) enantiomer of SCH-23390 (SCH-23388) was ineffective. Drugs interacting with receptors for neurotransmitters in the choroid plexus may hold promise for the treatment of patients with increased intracranial pressure, including those with mass lesions, head trauma, acute or chronic hydrocephalus, or pseudotumor cerebri.

Discriminatory roles for D1 and D2 dopamine receptor subtypes in the in vivo control of neostriatal cyclic GMP

The D1 and D2 subtypes of the dopamine receptor have been distinguished by their opposing effects on levels of neostriatal cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). The studies reported here show that the content of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the mouse neostriatum is modulated by dopaminergic drugs in a manner which also discriminates D1 and D2 receptors. D1 receptor stimulation with SKF 38393 produced up to 90%, dose-related increases in neostriatal cGMP, whereas D1 antagonism with SCH 23390 decreased cGMP by 30% and blocked the increase induced by SKF 38393. D2 receptor stimulation with quinpirole did not alter cGMP levels whereas D2 antagonism increased cGMP by 40-60% after haloperidol and by up to 100% after sulpiride. The increases in neostriatal cGMP levels following D1 agonism were potentiated in an additive manner by haloperidol. Thus, neostriatal cGMP content is positively controlled by D1 agonism and negatively controlled by or unlinked to the D2 receptor. The reciprocal control of neostriatal cGMP levels by D1- and D2-selective compounds may contribute to the separate as well as combined actions of D1 and D2 ligands.

Dopamine D-1 but not D-2 receptor stimulation of the dorsal striatum potentiates apomorphine-induced jaw movements in rats

The effects of bilateral injections of selective D-1 and D-2 agonists and antagonists into the dorsal striata on apomorphine-induced jaw movements were studied in ketamine-anaesthetized rats after C1 spinal transection. A phototransducer attached to the lower mandible automatically detected jaw movements. YM-09151-2 (0.2 and 0.5 micrograms) and cis(Z)-flupentixol (0.5 and 1 microgram) injected into the dorsal striatum increased the frequency of jaw movements after apomorphine (0.2 mg/kg i.v.). The effects were prevented by administration of SCH23390 (1 microgram) with YM-09151-2 (0.5 microgram) or cis(Z)-flupentixol (1 microgram). Injection of SCH23390 (1 microgram) alone into the dorsal striatum failed to alter the apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg i.v.)-induced jaw movements. Local application of the selective D-1 agonists, SKF38393 (5 micrograms) and SKF75670 (10 micrograms), into the dorsal striatum potentiated the apomorphine (0.2 mg/kg i.v.)-induced jaw movements, while a D-2 agonist, quinpirole (10 micrograms), injected into the same site attenuated these movements. These data are suggestive of an oppositional D-1: D-2 receptor interaction in the dorsal striatum.

L-5-HTP facilitates the electrically stimulated flexor reflex in pithed rats: evidence for 5-HT2-receptor mediation

Different serotonin (5-HT) receptor agonists were tested on the electrically stimulated flexor reflex in pithed rats. The 5-HT2 receptor agonist, (1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane) [+/-)DOI), the mixed 5-HT1/5-HT2 receptor agonist, quipazine, and the 5-HT precursor, l-5-HTP, showed agonistic activity upon intravenous injection while 5-HT was without effect. A combination of the peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor, Ro 4-4602 (benzerazide), the specific 5-HT-uptake inhibitor, citalopram, and l-5-HTP induced a prolonged (greater than 3 h) increase of the flexor reflex in pithed rats. Different compounds were tested for an inhibitory effect against this l-5-HTP-induced flexor reflex. The 5-HT2 antagonists (ketanserin, methergoline and methiothepin) were potent antagonists. (-)Alprenolol (5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptor antagonist) and the 5-HT3-receptor antagonist, ICS 205-930, were without an antagonistic effect. The inhibitory potencies in the reflex model (l-5-HTP, citalopram and Ro 4-4602) were significantly correlated (r = 0.83, P less than 0.01, r2 = 0.69) with the potencies to inhibit l-5-HTP-induced head twitches and quipazine-induced head twitches (r = 0.81, P less than 0.01, r2 = 0.66). There was less correlation (r = 0.75, P less than 0.01, r2 = 0.56) with the affinities for 5-HT2 receptors in vitro. There was no significant correlation between inhibitory potencies in the reflex model and affinities for dopamine (DA) D-2 receptors or alpha 1-adrenoceptors (r2 = 0.13 and 0.14, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Electrotherapy in mice: dopaminergic and noradrenergic effects in the Tail Suspension Test

The Tail Suspension Test (TST) is a psychotropic screening test which is used principally to detect antidepressant activity. Electrotherapy (ECT) is used to treat depressions which are resistant to the usual antidepressant drugs and has proved to have a profile in the TST approaching that of antidepressants after treating mice at the rate of 2 shocks per day for 5 days. The results of a single treatment were not statistically different from those of the control group, whereas single daily treatment for 5 days showed a reduction in immobility which did not differ significantly from the control group. The reduction in immobility, induced by 5 days of ECT treatment twice daily, was antagonized by sulpiride and prazosin but not by yohimbine, methysergide, metergoline and DL propranolol. The results suggest that electrotherapy leads to an increase in noradrenergic and dopaminergic activities expressed by a reduction in immobility in the TST.

Effects of sodium, lithium, and magnesium on in vitro binding of [3H]SCH23390 in rat neostriatum and cerebral cortex

The effects of sodium, lithium, and magnesium on the in vitro binding properties of the D1 antagonist [3H]SCH23390 were examined with membrane preparations from rat neostriatum (CPU; caudate-putamen) and cerebral cortex (CTX). The saturation binding isotherms for both tissues performed in the presence of 120 mM of either Na+ or Li+ revealed an increase in the affinity, as compared to that observed when the incubation buffer was composed of Tris-Cl 50 mM with MgCl2 1 mM alone. For the CPU there were no changes in the maximum binding capacity (Bmax) in the different buffers used. In the case of the CTX, there was a loss of [3H]SCH23390 binding sites when either Na+ or Li+ 120 mM were added to the incubations, suggesting a lack of selectivity of this ligand in the absence of group IA cations. The agonist state of the [3H]SCH23390 binding site was studied in competition experiments with dopamine. The highest agonist affinity was obtained in 50 mM Tris-Cl buffer with 1 mM MgCl2 while the addition of 120 mM of either Na+ or Li+ caused a 3- to 5-fold decrease in the potency of dopamine to compete with specific [3H]SCH23390 binding in both CPU and CTX. The presence of magnesium was essential for the competition experiments; i.e.: a concentration of 1 mM MgCl2 was optimum to obtain dopamine antagonism of ligand binding, while increasing Mg2+ to 2 or 5 mM did not appear to further improve the inhibitions. The results support both agonist and antagonist affinity shifts for the dopamine D1 receptor labeled with [3H]SCH23390.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of intrastriatal injections of selective dopamine D-1 and D-2 agonists and antagonists on jaw movements of rats

The effects of bilateral intrastriatal injections of the selective D-1 and D-2 antagonists, SCH23390 and sulpiride on apomorphine-induced jaw movements were studied in ketamine-anaesthetized rats after C1 spinal transection. A photo-transducer attached to the lower mandible automatically detected jaw movements. Apomorphine (0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg i.v.) dose dependently increased jaw movements, an effect prevented by prior administration into the ventral striatum of either SCH23390 (0.1, 0.5 and 1 microgram) or sulpiride (125 ng). To be effective, SCH23390 had to be given less than 30 min before apomorphine whereas sulpiride had to be given earlier. Sulpiride injected into the dorsal striatum potentiated the effects of apomorphine, an action prevented by administering the sulpiride with SCH23390. Local application of the selective D-1 and D-2 agonists, SKF38393 (5 micrograms) and quinpirole (10 micrograms) into sites within the ventral striatum from which repeated jaw movements could be obtained by electrical stimulation, also evoked jaw movements; the effects of combining the two drugs were much greater than the effects of either drug alone.

The electrically-stimulated spinal reflex in pithed rats: a possible test model for evaluating blockade of central dopamine D1 and D2 receptors

Intravenous injection of the dopamine (DA) D1 receptor agonist SK&F 38393 (4.3 mumol/kg = 1.25 mg/kg), or the DA D2 receptor agonist pergolide (3.2 mumol/kg = 1.25 mg/kg) increased the electrically-stimulated spinal reflex in pithed rats by more than 600 per cent. The specific DA D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 potently inhibited the SK&F 38393-induced spinal reflex but not the pergolide-induced reflex. The DA D2 receptor antagonists clebopride and YM 09151-2 inhibited the pergolide-induced reflex only. Two mixed DA D1/D2 antagonists (cis(Z)-flupentixol and zuclopenthixol) inhibited the effects of both SK&F 38393 and pergolide on the spinal reflex, while the neuroleptically inactive isomer of clopenthixol (trans(E)-clopenthixol) was also inactive in this context. Various antagonists (prazosin (alpha 1), idazoxan (alpha 2), 1- propranolol (beta), bicuculline (GABA] were inactive in the test model. The 5-HT2 receptor antagonists altanserin and ketanserin also showed antagonistic effect. It is concluded that the electrically-stimulated spinal reflex in pithed rats can be used as a test model to estimate the blockade of central DA D1 and DA D2 receptors without influence from alpha 1-adrenergic, alpha 2-adrenergic, beta-adrenergic and GABA-ergic receptors. However, a serotonergic receptor antagonism does influence the specificity of the test model.

Blockade of 8-OH-DPAT-induced feeding by dopamine antagonists

Feeding elicited by the 5HT1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT was blocked by pretreatment with the DA antagonists SCH-23390 and sulpiride, in two experiments conducted in non-deprived rats and in three experiments conducted after 4 h food deprivation. In deprived animals, 8-OH-DPAT prolonged the initial period of feeding. However, in non-deprived animals, 8-OH-DPAT delayed the onset of eating, and suppressed post-prandial resting; both SCH-23390 and sulpiride restored the normal pattern of behaviour. All three drugs suppressed grooming. The results suggest that 8-OH-DPAT elicits feeding by a secondary disinhibition of activity postsynaptic to DA neurons. The consequences of this mechanism for the interpretation of 8-OH-DPAT-induced feeding are discussed.

Partial reversal of barbiturate anesthesia by dopamine antagonism: an electroencephalographic study

The D-1 dopamine antagonist, SCH 23390, was administered to rats under barbiturate anesthesia. Recording of the power frequency spectrum of the electroencephalogram (EEG) showed that the D-1 antagonist shifted the relative power in the EEG to higher frequencies. In contrast, a relatively selective D-2 antagonist, haloperidol, administered under the same conditions, had no effect. These results suggest that SCH 23390 can partially reverse barbiturate anesthesia, and imply that central dopamine, acting at the D-1 site, might modulate this type of anesthetic.