Flesinoxan lowers blood pressure and heart rate in cats via 5-HT1A receptors

Translating biased agonists from molecules to medications: Serotonin 5-HT1A receptor functional selectivity for CNS disorders

Biased agonism (or "functional selectivity") at G-protein-coupled receptors has attracted rapidly increasing interest as a means to improve discovery of more efficacious and safer pharmacotherapeutics. However, most studies are limited to in vitro tests of cellular signaling and few biased agonists have progressed to in vivo testing. As concerns 5-HT_1A receptors, which exert a major control of serotonergic signaling in diverse CNS regions, study of biased agonism has previously been limited by the poor target selectivity and/or partial agonism of classically available ligands. However, a new generation of highly selective, efficacious and druggable agonists has advanced the study of biased agonism at this receptor and created new therapeutic opportunities. These novel agonists show differential properties for G-protein signaling, cellular signaling (particularly pERK), electrophysiological effects, neurotransmitter release, neuroimaging by PET and pharmacoMRI, and behavioral tests of mood, motor activity and side effects. Overall, NLX-101 (a.k.a. F15599) exhibits preferential activation of cortical and brain stem 5-HT_1A receptors, whereas NLX-112 (a.k.a. befiradol or F13640) shows prominent activation of 5-HT_1A autoreceptors in Raphe nuclei and in regions associated with motor control. Accordingly, NLX-101 is potently active in rodent models of depression and respiratory control, whereas NLX-112 shows promising activity in models of Parkinson's disease across several species - rat, marmoset and macaque. Moreover, NLX-112 has also been labeled with ¹⁸F to produce the first agonist PET radiopharmaceutical (known as [¹⁸F]-F13640) for investigation of the active state of 5-HT_1A receptors in rodent, primate and human. The structure-functional activity relationships of biased agonists have been investigated by receptor modeling and novel compounds have been identified which exhibit increased affinity at 5-HT_1A receptors and new profiles of cellular signaling bias, notably for β-arrestin recruitment versus pERK. Taken together, the data suggest that 5-HT_1A receptor biased agonists constitute potentially superior pharmacological agents for treatment of CNS disorders involving serotonergic mechanisms.

International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. CX. Classification of Receptors for 5-hydroxytryptamine; Pharmacology and Function

5-HT receptors expressed throughout the human body are targets for established therapeutics and various drugs in development. Their diversity of structure and function reflects the important role 5-HT receptors play in physiologic and pathophysiological processes. The present review offers a framework for the official receptor nomenclature and a detailed understanding of each of the 14 5-HT receptor subtypes, their roles in the systems of the body, and, where appropriate, the (potential) utility of therapeutics targeting these receptors. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This review provides a comprehensive account of the classification and function of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors, including how they are targeted for therapeutic benefit.

Serotonin: a never-ending story

The neurotransmitter serotonin is an evolutionary ancient molecule that has remarkable modulatory effects in almost all central nervous system integrative functions, such as mood, anxiety, stress, aggression, feeding, cognition and sexual behavior. After giving a short outline of the serotonergic system (anatomy, receptors, transporter) the author's contributions over the last 40 years in the role of serotonin in depression, aggression, anxiety, stress and sexual behavior is outlined. Each area delineates the work performed on animal model development, drug discovery and development. Most of the research work described has started from an industrial perspective, aimed at developing animals models for psychiatric diseases and leading to putative new innovative psychotropic drugs, like in the cases of the SSRI fluvoxamine, the serenic eltoprazine and the anxiolytic flesinoxan. Later this research work mainly focused on developing translational animal models for psychiatric diseases and implicating them in the search for mechanisms involved in normal and diseased brains and finding new concepts for appropriate drugs.

Effects of repeated testing in two inbred strains on flesinoxan dose–response curves in three mouse models for anxiety

Over the last decade, many genetically modified mice have been developed as models for psychiatric diseases such as anxiety. Limited availability of such mutant mice highlights the importance of studying the possibility of repeatedly testing the same individuals. We tested mice four times with 1-week intervals with the same dose of the 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist flesinoxan (0-0.3-1.0-3.0 mg/kg s.c.) in three anxiety-related paradigms: light-dark exploration, open-field activity and stress-induced hyperthermia. The two inbred strains studied were the highly anxious 129S6/SvEvTac (S6) and low-anxiety C57BL/6J (B6) mice. The results indicate that the effects of repeated testing were relatively mild. B6 mice showed some mild habituation in the open-field test when treated with vehicle, whereas S6 mice developed reduced initial activity in the light-dark box after drug treatment. In contrast, responses to flesinoxan treatment were strong and highly consistent for most parameters. In the open-field and light-dark tests, B6 mice showed reduced activity and anxiogenic-like behavioral responses, whereas S6 mice were minimally affected. Anxiolytic-like responses were found in both strains in the stress-induced hyperthermia paradigm. We conclude that B6 and S6 mice can be tested repeatedly with agents such as 5-HT(1A) receptor agonists with 1-week intervals in the three paradigms tested.

Behavioral and physiological mouse models for anxiety: effects of flesinoxan in 129S6/SvEvTac and C57BL/6J mice

Serotonin(1A) (5-HT(1A)) receptors are involved in anxiety. This study focuses on the role of genetic factors on the anxiety-related effects of 5-HT(1A) receptor stimulation using both a within subject design. The effects of 5-HT(1A) receptor activation were studied in high- and low-anxiety mice (129S6/SvEvTac (S6) and C57BL/6J (B6), respectively) in behavioral and physiological anxiety-related assays. These two strains were also selected because they are frequently used in gene-targeting studies. Mice were treated with the selective 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist flesinoxan (0-0.3-1.0-3.0 mg/kg s.c.) and tested in either the open-field activity test, the light-dark exploration test, or the stress-induced hyperthermia paradigm. Flesinoxan unexpectedly increased anxiety, but also decreased activity on several behavioral measures in B6 mice. Flesinoxan produced only minimal effects in the behavioral tests in the high-anxiety S6 strain. In contrast, the physiological hyperthermia response showed anxiolytic-like effects of flesinoxan in both strains. Our data indicate that the role of 5-HT(1A) receptor activation on anxiety-related responses is dependent on genetic background and selected paradigm used to assess anxiety. These findings indicate that it is critical to use a multi-level approach to develop mouse models for human diseases. In addition, the implication of such findings for studies on genetically modified mice is discussed.

In vivo characterization of 5-HT1A receptor-mediated gastric relaxation in conscious dogs

Accumulating data have been published emphasizing the important role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors in proximal stomach relaxation. However, a proper in vivo characterization of 5-HT receptors mediating gastric relaxation is still missing. In the current study, we focus on the in vivo characterization of 5-HT1A receptors mediating relaxation of the proximal stomach in conscious dogs. Beagle dogs were equipped with a gastric fistula. In the conscious state, volume changes within an intragastric bag were measured at constant pressure by means of a barostat. Results are presented as the maximum volume increase after treatment (mean+/-s.e.m.). All drugs were injected intravenously. The 5-HT1A receptor agonist flesinoxan (10, 50, 100 and 150 microg kg-1) induced a dose-dependent relaxation of the canine proximal stomach (50+/-10, 230+/-51, 290+/-38 and 275+/-33 ml, respectively; n=9-11). The selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY-100635 dose-dependently inhibited the flesinoxan-induced relaxation. NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester did not affect this relaxation, suggesting that nitrergic nerves are not involved. After supradiaphragmatic vagotomy, the baseline of the intragastric volume was larger compared to that before vagotomy (317+/-50 vs 142+/-28 ml, respectively; n=5). Compensation for this by either reduction of the intraballoon pressure or infusion of a contractile dose of bethanechol did not establish a condition in which flesinoxan was able to relax the stomach. In contrast, nitroprusside induced a significant gastric relaxation when tone was increased by bethanechol. It is concluded that flesinoxan induces proximal gastric relaxation in conscious dogs via 5-HT1A receptors. The response is mediated through a vagal pathway without involvement of nitrergic nerves.

5-HT(1B) receptor knockout mice show no adaptive changes in 5-HT(1A) receptor function as measured telemetrically on body temperature and heart rate responses

Two presynaptic receptors play an important role in the regulation of serotonergic neurotransmission, i.e., the 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(1B) receptor. The present study focuses on putative adaptive changes in the 5-HT(1A) receptor system in mice that lack 5-HT(1B) receptors (5-HT(1B) KO). 5-HT(1A) receptor sensitivity was assessed in vivo in two models of presynaptic 5-HT(1A) receptor activity: agonist-induced hypothermia and prevention of stress-induced hyperthermia. The effects of 5-HT(1A) receptor activation by flesinoxan (0.1-3.0 mg/kg s.c.) were determined telemetrically on body temperature and heart rate in 5-HT(1B) KO and wild-type (WT) mice. Flesinoxan induced hypothermia dose-dependently without affecting heart rate and prevented stress-induced hyperthermia and tachycardia equipotently in both genotypes. Specificity of these responses was confirmed by blockade with the selective 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist WAY100635 (1.0 mg/kg s.c.). The importance of continuous sampling in freely moving subjects to improve appropriate characterization of mutants is discussed. 5-HT(1B) KO mice showed no shift in 5-HT(1A) receptor sensitivity compared to WT mice. This study found no indications for adaptive changes in presynaptic 5-HT(1A) receptor function in 5-HT(1B) KO mice as measured telemetrically on body temperature and heart rate responses.

Stress-induced hyperthermia in mice: effects of flesinoxan on heart rate and body temperature

Stress-induced hyperthermia in mice has predictive validity for anxiolytic properties of drugs. In this paradigm, 60 min after drug administration rectal temperature is measured, which causes hyperthermia of 1-1.5 degrees C (DeltaT) in about 10 min. Flesinoxan, a selective 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist with anxiolytic-like properties, causes hypothermia, which complicates interpretation of stress-induced hyperthermia. Therefore, we combined flesinoxan treatment and the stress paradigm with radiotelemetric measurement of body temperature and heart rate, which is also related to anxiety. Subjects were either undisturbed or injected with flesinoxan (0-0.1-0.3-1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg), with or without the stress paradigm. Flesinoxan (1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg) caused a relatively long-lasting hypothermia, but did not lower heart rate. The rectal temperature procedure caused hyperthermia and tachycardia. Flesinoxan reduced the stress-induced hyperthermia and the tachycardia evoked by the stress procedure. Continuous radiotelemetric measurement of heart rate, apart from body temperature, revealed that flesinoxan has anxiolytic-like properties in mice.

The effect of serotonin(1A) receptor agonism on antipsychotic drug-induced dopamine release in rat striatum and nucleus accumbens

Serotonin (5-HT)(1A) receptor agonism may be of interest in regard to both the antipsychotic action and extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) of antipsychotic drugs (APD) based, in part, on the effect of 5-HT(1A) receptor stimulation on the release of dopamine (DA) in the nucleus accumbens (NAC) and striatum (STR), respectively. We investigated the effect of R(+)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)-tetralin (R(+)-8-OH-DPAT) and n-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-n-(2-pyridinyl)cyclohe xanecarboxamide trihydrochloride (WAY100635), a selective 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist and antagonist, respectively, on basal and APD-induced DA release. In both STR and NAC, R(+)-8-OH-DPAT (0.2 mg/kg) decreased basal DA release; R(+)-8-OH-DPAT (0.05 mg/kg) inhibited DA release produced by the 5-HT(2A)/D(2) receptor antagonists clozapine (20 mg/kg), low dose risperidone (0.01 and 0. 03 mg/kg) and amperozide (10 mg/kg), but not that produced by high dose risperidone (0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg) or haloperidol (0.01-1.0 mg/kg), potent D(2) receptor antagonists. This R(+)-8-OH-DPAT-induced inhibition of the effects of clozapine, risperidone and amperozide was antagonized by WAY100635 (0.05 mg/kg). WAY100635 (0.1-0.5 mg/kg) alone increased DA release in the STR but not NAC. The selective 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonist M100907 (1 mg/kg) did not alter the effect of R(+)-8-OH-DPAT or WAY100635 alone on basal DA release in either region. These results suggest that 5-HT(1A) receptor stimulation inhibits basal and some APD-induced DA release in the STR and NAC, and that this effect is unlikely to be mediated by an interaction with 5-HT(2A) receptors. The significance of these results for EPS and antipsychotic action is discussed.

Stimulus properties of the selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor fluvoxamine in conditioned taste aversion procedures

Previous attempts to train pigeons and rats to discriminate between the antidepressant fluvoxamine and its vehicle as assessed in a drug discrimination paradigm have been without success. The present experiments were, therefore, designed to assess in a conditioned taste aversion procedure (CTA) whether or not fluvoxamine possesses stimulus properties. Rats were exposed to a conditioned taste aversion (CTA) procedure. In Experiment I, subjects were given 15 mg/kg fluvoxamine p.o. or vehicle after drinking a novel tasting saccharin solution. In Experiment II, a comparison was made between the effects of 15 mg/kg fluvoxamine i.p., 30 mg/kg fluvoxamine i.p., NaCl, and lithium chloride (LiCl). In Experiment III, subjects were treated with either 10 mg/kg fluoxetine i.p., 30 mg/kg fluvoxamine i.p., or LiCl. CTA was observed after treatment with LiCl, but never after treatment with fluvoxamine or fluoxetine, suggesting that fluvoxamine does not have clear stimulus properties, which can serve as a discriminative stimulus in operant procedures. In a crossfamiliarization CTA procedure in mice, however, fluvoxamine elicited a reliable CTA, suggesting that under certain conditions (species, dose?) selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may lead to certain discriminable effects. It is as yet unclear why SSRIs apparently produce such weak and species or situation-dependent discriminable effects.

Anxiolytic effects of flesinoxan in the stress-induced hyperthermia paradigm in singly-housed mice are 5-HT1A receptor mediated

In the stress-induced hyperthermia paradigm in singly-housed male mice, two sequential rectal temperature measurements reveal the basal temperature (T1) and, 10 min later, an enhanced body temperature (T2), due to the stress of the first rectal measurement. The difference T2 - T1 (deltaT) is the stress-induced hyperthermia and putatively reflects a stress-induced anxiogenic response. The full 5-HT1A receptor agonist flesinoxan ((+)-enantiomer), its (-)-enantiomer and the racemic mixture reduced stress-induced hyperthermia effects, indicating putative anxiolytic properties. The ratio of their potencies to reduce stress-induced hyperthermia was similar to their potency in receptor binding affinities for 5-HT1A receptors, supporting that the anti-hyperthermia effects are mediated by the 5-HT1A receptor. This was further substantiated when the 5-HT1A receptor antagonists WAY 100635 ((N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-(2-pyridinyl) cyclo-hexane carboxamine trihydrochloride) and DU 125530 (2-[4-[4-(7-chloro-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-5-yl)-1-piperazinyl ]butyl]-1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one-1,1-dioxide, monomesylate) both were able to antagonize the anti-stress-induced hyperthermia effects of flesinoxan. The stress-induced hyperthermia paradigm in singly-housed mice represents a simple and robust paradigm to measure putative anxiolytic effects of drugs.

Cardiovascular activity of A-74283, a 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A agent, in the spontaneously hypertensive rat

A-74283, (+,-)trans-2-(4-(3a,4,4a,6a,7,7a-hexahydro-4,7-etheno-1 H cyclobut [f] isoindol-1,3-dionyl)-butyl)-9-methoxy-2,2,2a,4,5,9b-hexahydr o-1 H-benz[e]isoindol HC1, was studied in receptor binding assays and in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). In radioligand binding to rat cortex, A-74283 had high affinity (equipotent to 8-OH-DPAT) and high selectivity for 5HT1A receptors compared to 5HT1B sites. In conscious SHR, A-74283 lowered mean arterial pressure (MAP) in a dose-related fashion with a prolonged effect after oral administration of higher doses, but heart rate (HR) was not changed. In anesthetized SHR, i.v. administration of A-74283 decreased MAP and total peripheral resistance, but not cardiac output. Pretreatment of conscious SHR with the selective 5TH1A receptor antagonists spiroxatrine or BMY 7378 reduced the hypotensive effect of A-74283 significantly, but pretreatment with adrenergic antagonists phenoxybenzamine or idazoxan or the 5HT2 receptor blocker ketanserin did not alter the effect of A-74283. Intracisternal administration of A-74283 also decreased MAP; however, A-74283 had no effect on blood pressure in pithed SHR in which blood pressure was supported with vasopressin, in contrast to nitroprusside. These data demonstrate that A-74283 exerts a potent hypotensive effect in SHR via systemic vasodilation originating from a central 5HT1A receptor mechanism. A-74283 may be useful for studying 5HT1A receptors and cardiovascular function.

Pharmacological analysis of the haemodynamic effects of 5-HT1B/D receptor agonists in the normotensive rat

1 The receptors involved in mediating the haemodynamic effects of three 5-HT1B/D receptor agonists were investigated in pentobarbitone anaesthetized rats (n = 6-17 per group). 2 Cumulative intravenous (i.v.) infusions of rizatriptan and sumatriptan (from 0.63 to 2500 microg kg(-1); each dose over 5 min) induced dose-dependent and marked hypotension (-42+/-6 and -34+/-4 mmHg at the highest dose, respectively; both P<0.05 vs vehicle: +5+/-3 mmHg) and bradycardia (-85+/-16 and -44+/-12 beats min(-1) at the highest dose, respectively; both P<0.05 vs vehicle: +16+/-6 beats min(-1)). Zolmitriptan evoked only moderate hypotension at the highest dose (-19+/-9 mmHg; P<0.05 vs vehicle). 3 A high dose of the 5-HT1B/D receptor antagonist, GR 127935 (0.63 mg kg(-1), i.v.), failed to antagonize the hypotension and bradycardia evoked by sumatriptan (-35+/-6 mmHg and -52+/-19 beats min(-1), respectively; both not significant vs sumatriptan in untreated rats), but moderately reduced the hypotension and bradycardia evoked by rizatriptan (-20+/-5 mmHg and -30+/-17 beats min(-1), respectively; both P<0.05 vs vehicle and vs rizatriptan in untreated rats). 4 The selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, WAY 100635 (0.16 and 0.63 mg kg(-1), i.v.), dose-dependently attenuated the haemodynamic responses evoked by rizatriptan and sumatriptan, which were almost abolished by the higher dose of WAY 100635 (-4+/-3 mmHg and -15+/-8 beats min(-1); both not significant vs vehicle and P<0.05 vs rizatriptan in untreated rats). A slight but statistically significant reduction in mean arterial pressure (MAP) persisted at the highest dose of sumatriptan (-13+/-4 mmHg following the higher dose of WAY 100635; P<0.05 vs vehicle). 5 In pithed rats with MAP normalized by angiotensin II, rizatriptan failed to induce hypotension or bradycardia (+5+/-4 mmHg and -6+/-16 beats min(-1), respectively; both NS vs vehicle and P<0.05 vs rizatriptan in untreated rats). Similarly, sumatriptan failed to induce bradycardia in pithed rats (+5+/-6 beats min(-1); not significant vs vehicle and P<0.05 vs sumatriptan in untreated rats), whereas a slight but statistically significant reduction in MAP, compared to controls, occurred at the highest dose (-9+/-9 mmHg; P<0.05 vs both vehicle and sumatriptan in untreated rats). 6 In bilaterally vagotomized and atropine-treated (1 mg kg(-1), i.v.) rats, the reductions in MAP and heart rate evoked by rizatriptan (-31+/-4 mmHg and -64+/-9 beats min(-1), respectively; both P<0.05 vs vehicle and not significant vs rizatriptan in controls) and sumatriptan (-47+/-8 mmHg and -56+/-10 beats min(-1), respectively; both P<0.05 vs vehicle and not significant vs sumatriptan in controls) were not statistically significantly different from those observed in controls. 7 In conclusion, the 5-HT1B/D receptor agonists, rizatriptan and sumatriptan, elicit hypotension and bradycardia in the normotensive anaesthetized rat predominantly via activation of central 5-HT1A receptors, and a consequent reduction in sympathetic outflow.

The effects of the 5-HT1A agonist flesinoxan, in three paradigms for assessing antidepressant potential in the rat

5-HT1A receptor agonists have been shown to be effective clinically in the treatment of depression and anxiety. Flesinoxan is an example which is highly selective for the 5-HT1A receptor subtype. The objective of this study was to appraise the antidepressant potential of flesinoxan (1 and 3 mg/kg s.c.) in three tests which are indicative of antidepressant activity. These are (1) the forced swim test, following sub-acute administration, (2) 'open field' activity in the olfactory bulbectomised (OB) rat, following chronic administration, and (3) 8-OH-DPAT-induced hypothemia following chronic treatment. Both doses of flesinoxan significantly reduced the immobility time in the sham and OB groups when compared to their respective controls. In the 'open field', there was a significant increase in the ambulation of the OB control group. The higher dose of flesinoxan significantly reduced this deficit. In addition both doses of flesinoxan significantly attenuated the 8-OH-DPAT-induced hypothermic response. These effects of flesinoxan are quantitatively similar to those seen following the chronic administration of antidepressants. These studies illustrate the potential antidepressant properties of flesinoxan, and hence further emphasise the role of the 5-HT1A receptor in the pathogenesis of depression.

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.

The cardiovascular and renal functional responses to the 5-HT1A receptor agonist flesinoxan in two rat models of hypertension

1. This study investigated the importance of renal sympathetic nerves in regulating sodium and water excretion from the kidneys of stroke prone spontaneously hypertensive and 2K1C Goldblatt hypertensive rats anaesthetized with chloralose/urethane (17.5/300 mg initially and supplemented at regular intervals), and prepared for measurement of renal function. 2. In stroke prone spontaneously hypertensive rats, flesinoxan, 30-1000 micrograms kg-1, i.v., caused graded reductions in blood pressure and heart rate of 74 +/- 5 mmHg and 63 +/- 9 beats min-1, respectively at the highest dose (P < 0.001). Renal blood flow did not change at any dose of drug while glomerular filtration rate fell by some 20% (P < 0.001) at the highest dose of drug, absolute and fractional sodium excretions, approximately doubled at 100 micrograms kg-1, and thereafter fell to below the baseline level at 1000 micrograms kg-1. 3. This pattern of excretory response was abolished following acute renal denervation when flesinoxan caused dose-related reductions in urine flow and sodium excretion, similar to that obtained by a mechanical reduction of renal perfusion pressure. 4. Flesinoxan administration (30-1000 micrograms kg-1, i.v.) into 2K1C Goldblatt hypertensive rats caused a maximum decrease in blood pressure and heart rate (both P < 0.001) of 34 +/- 3 mmHg and 20 +/- 6 beats min-1 and while renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate were autoregulated, from 160 to 125 mmHg, there were dose-related decreases in urine volume and sodium excretion from the clipped and non-clipped kidneys of approximately 50-60% at the highest dose. 5. These findings suggest that in the stroke prone spontaneously hypertensive rat the renal nerves importantly control sodium and water reabsorption at the level of the tubules, whereas in 2K1C Goldblatt hypertensive rats, they play a minor role.

Effects of 5-HT and 5-HT1A receptor agonists and antagonists on dorsal vagal preganglionic neurones in anaesthetized rats: an ionophoretic study

1. Effects of ionophoretic administration of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and selective 5-HT1A receptor agonists and antagonists on identified dorsal vagal preganglionic and dorsal raphe neurones were studied in pentobarbitone sodium or chloral hydrate-anaesthetized rats, respectively. 2. Extracellular recordings were made from 176 preganglionic neurones in the dorsal vagal nucleus (DVN). Application of 5-HT at low currents (< or = 10 nA) increased the activity of these neurones. However, at increased currents (10-60 nA), it had a predominantly depressant effect. Application of selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonists, (+/-)-pindolol or WAY-100635, attenuated the excitatory responses evoked by 5-HT. 3. Ionophoresis of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) (5-30 nA) increased the firing rate of 19 and decreased that of 67 of the 104 vagal neurones tested. Other 5-HT1A receptor agonists, flesinoxan and N,N-di-n-propyl-5-carboxamidotryptamine (DP-5-CT) also had predominantly depressant effects. 4. (+/-)-Pindolol attenuated excitations but not inhibitions evoked by 8-OH-DPAT. Surprisingly, WAY-100635 and 8-OH-DPAT produced the same effect on these neurones and when applied together, WAY-100635 failed to attenuate the 8-OH-DPAT responses. 5. Dorsal raphe neurones were identified by their low, regular firing rate and their subsequent histological localization. 8-OH-DPAT reversibly reduced the activity in all 7 neurones tested and this was antagonized by WAY-100635 in all 3 neurones tested. 6. In conclusion, 5-HT applied to vagal preganglionic neurones evokes excitatory and inhibitory responses. The excitatory, but not the inhibitory responses may be mediated, at least in part, by activation of 5-HT1A receptors.

Discriminative stimulus properties of flesinoxan: effects of enantiomers, (S)-UH301 and WAY-100635

Rats were trained to discriminate the specific 5-HT1A receptor agonist (+)-flesinoxan (R(+)-N(-)[2[4-(2,3-dihydro-2-2-hydroxy-methyl-1,4- benzodioxin-5-yl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-4-fluorobenzoamide) (1.5 mg/kg p.o.) from water in a two-lever operant procedure. Generalization tests were conducted with the enantiomers and racemate of flesinoxan and the 5-HT1A receptor antagonists (S)-UH301 ((S)-5-fluoro-8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino)-tetralin) and WAY-100635 ((N(-)[2(-)[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-(2-pyridinyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide trihydrochloride). (S)-UH301, WAY-100635 and fentanyl were investigated for their antagonistic properties. The (+)-flesinoxan stimulus generalized to (-)-flesinoxan and the racemate. The ED50 values for generalization corresponded well with the affinities of the enantiomers and the racemate for the 5-HT1A receptor. The flesinoxan cue could not be mimicked by (S)-UH301 or WAY-100635, but (S)-UH301 reduced response rates. Antagonism tests showed that both (S)-UH301 and WAY-100635 dose dependently antagonized the flesinoxan cue, with ID50 values of 0.52 and 0.03 mg/kg s.c., respectively. Fentanyl had no significant antagonistic properties. It is concluded that rats can learn to discriminate orally administered (+)-flesinoxan from water. The generalization of flesinoxan to the (-)-enantiomer and the antagonism of flesinoxan's cue by specific 5-HT1A receptor antagonists are further evidence for the involvement of flesinoxan's 5-HT1A receptor agonistic properties in its discriminative stimulus effects.

Antianxiety and behavioral suppressant actions of the novel 5-HT1A receptor agonist, flesinoxan

Flesinoxan is a potent and selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist. In this study, the effects of this compound on behavior in the murine elevated plus-maze have been assessed using a recently developed ethological scoring method. Results show that, at low doses (0.1-0.5 mg/kg), flesinoxan inhibited risk assessment behaviors (stretched attend postures and closed arm returns) indicative of a reduction in anxiety. These effects were maintained at a higher dose of 1.0 mg/kg, which also increased percent open entries and time spent on the central platform and open arms. However, this more convincing anxiolytic profile was associated with significant reductions in total arm entries and rearing, suggesting a combination of anxiolysis and behavioral suppression at high doses. The plus-maze profile observed with flesinoxan is very similar to that previously reported for 8-OH-DPAT in the same test but, despite superficial similarities, can be distinguished from that seen with buspirone. Data are discussed in relation to behavioral similarities and differences between 5-HT1A receptor agonists, and the advantages of a more detailed approach to the analysis of plus-maze behavior.

The renal functional responses to 5-HT1A receptor agonist, flesinoxan, in anaesthetized, normotensive rat

1. The present study was designed to examine the effects of a centrally acting 5-HT1A receptor agonist, flesinoxan, on the cardiovascular system and renal haemodynamics and excretory function. 2. In chloralose-urethane anaesthetized Wistar rats, i.v. administration of bolus doses of flesinoxan, at 30, 100, 300 and 1000 micrograms kg-1, caused significant, dose-dependent decreases in mean arterial pressure, of 33 +/- 2 mmHg (P < 0.001) and heart rate of 57 +/- 9 beats min-1 (P < 0.001) at the highest dose used. Despite this substantial fall in perfusion pressure there were no meaningful changes in the renal excretion of water and sodium. In a second group of rats, reduction of renal perfusion pressure mechanically to the same values as observed in rats given flesinoxan (i.e. 100, 92, 84 and 76 mmHg) produced reductions in urine flow, absolute and fractional sodium excretions reaching a maximum of 74, 86 and 84% respectively (all P < 0.001) at the lowest pressure. These reductions were significantly larger than those seen in the previous group of animals. 3. In the group of rats subjected to renal denervation, flesinoxan produced changes in blood pressure and heart rate which were not different from those observed in intact animals. However, the reduction in pressure was accompanied by significant decreases in urine flow of 71%, absolute sodium excretion of 68% and fractional sodium excretion of 67% (all P < 0.001) at the highest dose, which were all significantly greater than the changes seen in the innervated animals but were not different from those observed when renal perfusion pressure was reduced mechanically. 4. The findings of this investigation showed that flesinoxan was effective in lowering blood pressure and heart rate in the anaesthetized rat, which was probably due to decreased sympathetic nerve activity.Renal excretion of water and sodium was well preserved in the face of the flesinoxan-induced hypotension.The maintenance of fluid excretion with flesinoxan appeared to be mediated via changes in renal nerve activity, since it did not occur when the kidney was denervated.

Antiemetic effects of flesinoxan in cats: comparisons with 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin

The antiemetic effects of flesinoxan were evaluated following s.c. administration in cats. Flesinoxan produced a dose-dependent suppression of motion sickness and also reduced xylazine-induced emesis at higher doses. Flesinoxan had a short latency to onset and may have a brief duration of action. It was slightly more potent that 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), in contrast to their relative potencies on most other in vivo measures. High doses of both agonists produced defensive behavior as a result of 5-HT1A receptor stimulation. (-)-Propranolol, which previously reduced 8-OH-DPAT suppression of feline motion sickness, failed to reduce the antiemetic effect of flesinoxan. The dose of 3 mg/kg of NAN-190 (1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-(2-phthalimido)butyl]piperazine) produced a slight decrease in motion sickness and added to the suppression of motion sickness by low doses of flesinoxan via an uncertain mechanism. It also reduced the antiemetic effect of higher doses of flesinoxan. In contrast, NAN-190 produced additive antiemetic effects when combined with 8-OH-DPAT and little if any reduction. NAN-190 reduced the defensiveness produced by both flesinoxan and 8-OH-DPAT. Phentolamine and sulpiride reduced neither the antiemetic effect nor the defensive behavior produced by flesinoxan, thus ruling out a role for alpha-adrenoceptors and dopamine D2 receptors. Flesinoxan exerted a broad spectrum antiemetic effect by an action at 5-HT1A receptors as does 8-OH-DPAT, but differed in its response to putative 5-HT1A receptor antagonists.

Differential effects of centrally-active antihypertensives on 5-HT1A receptors in rat dorso-lateral septum, rat hippocampus and guinea-pig hippocampus

1. The electrophysiological responses elicited by 5-hydroxytryptamine1A-(5-HT1A) receptor agonists in rat and guinea-pig CA1 pyramidal neurones and rat dorso-lateral septal neurones were compared in vitro by use of conventional intracellular recording techniques. 2. In the presence of 1 microM tetrodotoxin (TTX), to prevent indirect effects, 5-HT, N,N-dipropyl-5-carboxamidotryptamine (DP-5-CT) and 8-hydroxy-2(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) hyperpolarized the neurones from rat and guinea-pig brain. 3. The hypotensive drug flesinoxan, a selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist, hyperpolarized neurones in all three areas tested; however, another hypotensive agent with high affinity at 5-HT1A-receptors, 5-methyl-urapidil, hyperpolarized only the neurones in rat hippocampus and septum. 4. In guinea-pig hippocampal neurones, 5-methyl-urapidil behaved as a 5-HT1A-receptor antagonist. 5. The relative efficacies (5-HT = 1) of DP-5-CT, 8-OH-DPAT, flesinoxan and 5-methyl-urapidil at the three sites were: rat hippocampus, 1.09, 0.7, 0.5 and 0.24; rat septum, 0.88, 0.69, 0.82 and 0.7; guinea-pig hippocampus, 1.0, 0.69, 0.89 and 0, respectively. 6. It is concluded that the hypotensive agents flesinoxan and 5-methyl-urapidil appear to have different efficacies at 5-HT1A receptors located in different regions of the rodent brain. Whether these regional and species differences arise from receptor plurality or variability in intracellular transduction mechanisms remains to be elucidated.

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) contracts the guinea-pig isolated iliac artery via 5-HT1-like and 5-HT2 receptors

The characterization of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors mediating contractions of the guinea-pig isolated iliac artery was studied when the basal tone was slightly increased by prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha). In the presence of ketanserin (1 mumol/l), 5-HT and several 5-HT receptor agonists induced contractile responses with the rank order of agonist potency: 5-HT = 5-carboxyamidotryptamine (5-CT) = lysergol > ergometrine = methylergometrine > RU 24969 approximately 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MeOT) > methysergide > sumatriptan > tryptamine. Concentration-effect curves to the ergot alkaloids, lysergol, ergometrine, methylergometrine and methylsergide, were biphasic. In the presence of ketanserin (1 mumol/l), contractile responses to 5-HT, 5-CT, RU 24969, 5-MeOT, sumatriptan and tryptamine were antagonized by methiothepin (30 nmol/l) and flesinoxan (3 mumol/l) with approximate pKB values of 8.5-9.0 and 6.0-6.3, respectively. The first phase of contraction produced by the ergot alkaloids, lysergol, ergometrine, methylergometrine and methysergide, were blocked by methiothepin (30 nmol/l) and flesinoxan (3 mumol/l), respectively, with approximate pKB values about 8.4-8.7 and 6.2-6.4, respectively. The mechanism underlying the second phase of contraction remains to be established. Maximum responses of the concentration-effect curves to 5-HT (1 nmol/l-1 mumol/l) were concentration-dependently depressed by ketanserin (1 nmol/l-1 mumol) and spiperone (30 nmol/l-0.3 mumol/l) and reached approximately 60% of the 5-HT maximum response in the presence of ketanserin (1 mumol/l) and spiperone (0.1 mumol/l), respectively. Agonist potency of 5-HT was not affected by the antagonists.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Differential cardiovascular effects of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), flesinoxan, 5-methyl-urapidil and MDL 75,608A in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats

The effects of intravenous (i.v.) administration of four agonists at central 5-HT1A receptors were investigated and compared. Acute iv injection of 0.1 mg/kg of 8-OH-DPAT induced a decrease in blood pressure both in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). The maximal hypotensive effect was observed 15 and 10 min after injection, respectively, but the effect was greater and longer-lasting in the SHR. 8-OH-DPAT significantly decreased heart rate in WKY and, to a lesser extent, in SHR. The i.v. injection of 1 mg/kg of flesinoxan caused a similar fall in blood pressure and heart rate in SHR and WKY. The i.v. administration of 1 mg/kg of 5-methyl-urapidil or MDL 75,608A caused a fall in blood pressure which was significantly more pronounced in SHR than in WKY. 5-methyl-urapidil induced a significant tachycardia in WKY, but had little effect on heart rate in SHR. MDL 75,608A caused a short-lasting tachycardia in SHR and WKY. In conscious SHR, the intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of 10 micrograms of 8-OH-DPAT or 100 micrograms of either flesinoxan or MDL 75,608A caused a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. The icv injection of 100 micrograms of 5-methyl-urapidil caused only a decrease in blood pressure. Chronic pre-treatment with these compounds, by daily i.v. injection, did not significantly influence the hypotensive or bradycardic effects in an acute experiment. The involvement of alpha 1-adrenoceptors in the effects of these compounds was studied by administering phenylephrine (1 microgram/i.v.) at 5-min intervals before and after the i.v. injection of the experimental compounds. The injection of phenylephrine reproducibly increased blood pressure by 35-40 mm Hg after saline pre-treatment, and these responses were not affected by the i.v. injection of 0.1 mg/kg of either 8-OH-DPAT or 1 mg/kg of flesinoxan. In contrast, the phenylephrine-induced pressor responses were markedly diminished at 5 min after treatment with 1 mg/kg of either 5-methyl-urapidil or MDL 75,608A, but slowly recovered thereafter. These results show that the 5-HT1A receptor agonists 8-OH-DPAT, flesinoxan, 5-methyl-urapidil and MDL 75,608A show antihypertensive properties in conscious SHR after iv or icv injection. However, the mechanism of action of the compounds differs: 8-OH-DPAT and flesinoxan may act predominantly as 5-HT1A receptor agonists, where as 5-methyl-urapidil and MDL 75,608A also seem to have an effect on peripheral alpha 1-adrenoceptors.

Pharmacological evidence for interactions between 5-HT1A receptor agonists and subtypes of alpha 1-adrenoceptors on rabbit aorta

This study was designed to determine if alpha 1-adrenoceptors are involved in the vascular responses to 5-HT1A receptor agonists. Buspirone (3.1 x 10(-7)-3.1 x 10(-5) M) and 8-hydroxy-2(di-N-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT; 3.1 x 10(-6)-10(-4) M) elicited contractions of rabbit aorta rings which were blocked by prazosin (10(-9)-5.6 x 10(-9) M), but which were unaffected by reserpine pretreatment (1 mg/kg i.p.). 5-Methylurapidil (10(-7) and 10(-6) M) blocked contractions elicited by 8-OH-DPAT and by buspirone, whereas chloroethylchonidine (10(-5) and 10(-4) M) inhibited only the effect of buspirone. In addition, these 5-HT1A receptor agonists relaxed arteries precontracted with alpha-adrenoceptor agonists in a similar range of concentrations in which they elicited contraction. Moreover, 8-OH-DPAT and buspirone protected the alpha-adrenoceptors from the irreversible blockade provoked by phenoxybenzamine (10(-7) M), as judged by the norepinephrine contraction and stimulated phosphatidylinositol labeling. According to these results the contractile and relaxant effects elicited by 5-HT1A receptor agonists are a consequence of a direct interaction with alpha 1-adrenoceptors. The contraction elicited by 8-OH-DPAT may be mediated by alpha 1A-adrenoceptors, whereas both alpha 1A- and alpha 1B-adrenoceptors may mediate the effect of buspirone in rabbit aorta.

Physiopharmacological interactions between stress hormones and central serotonergic systems

The present review tries to delineate some mechanisms through which the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) interact with central serotonergic systems. The recent progress in 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor pharmacology has helped to define the means by which central serotonergic activity may alter the respective activities of the SNS (sympathetic nerves and adrenomedulla) and of the HPA axis. These pharmacological findings have also helped to characterize the differential effects of central 5-HT upon different branches of the SNS and the numerous sites at which 5-HT exerts stimulatory influences upon the HPA axis. Although relevant to stress-related neuroendocrinology, the extent to which these interactions are involved in the antidepressant/anxiolytic properties of some serotonergic agents still remains to be clarified. Beside these findings, there is also abundant evidence for a tight control of central serotonergic systems by stress hormones. Activation of the SNS increases, by numerous means, central availability of tryptophan, whereas glucocorticoids exert differential actions upon the intra- and the extraneuronal regulation of 5-HT function. Actually, a significant number of these mechanisms is involved in the maintenance of homeostasis during stressful events, thereby conferring to these mechanisms a key role in adaptation processes.

Behavioral profile of the 5HT1A receptor antagonist (S)-UH-301 in rodents and monkeys

The effects of the new 5HT1A receptor antagonist (S)-UH-301 were investigated in several neurological and behavioral tests in rodents and monkeys. By itself, (S)-UH-301 was found to decrease palatable food consumption in rats, to exhibit anticonvulsant activity in mice, and anxiolytic-like properties in two rodent models of anxiety (light-dark test and elevated plus-maze test). (S)-UH-301 antagonized various symptoms and behaviors induced by the selective 5HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT, such as lower lip retraction and flat body posture in rats, hyperphagia for palatable food in rats, and displacement activities (considered as indices of anxiety) in squirrel monkeys. These results further characterize (S)-UH-301 as an in vivo active 5HT1A receptor antagonist and suggest that this antagonistic activity might confer the compound with anxiolytic-like properties.

Cardiovascular effects of the 5-HT1A receptor ligand, MDL 73005EF, in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats

The effects of pretreatment with the potent and selective 5-HT1A receptor ligand, MDL 73005EF, on the cardiovascular responses to administration of the 5-HT1A receptor agonists, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n- propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), flesinoxan and 5-methylurapidil were studied in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and compared with those of putative 5-HT1A receptor antagonists. MDL 7300EF (0.1-3 mg/kg) induced a dose-dependent but transient decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP). Pretreatment with doses of 1 or 3 mg/kg MDL 73005EF significantly inhibited the hypotensive and bradycardiac effects of 8-OH-DPAT (0.03-1 mg/kg). Pretreatment with 1 mg/kg MDL 73005EF similarly reduced the hypotensive actions of flesinoxan (0.3-1 mg/kg) and 5-methylurapidil (0.1 mg/kg). In contrast, MDL 73005EF did not significantly affect the decrease in blood pressure induced by administration of 0.01 mg/kg clonidine, 0.3 mg/kg hydralazine or 0.2 mg/kg nifedipine. The effect of 8-OH-DPAT (0.1 mg/kg) on MAP was also reduced by pretreatment with 1 mg/kg BMY 7378, buspirone or pindolol, but not NAN 190 or spiperone. BMY 7378, NAN 190, pindolol and spiperone induced a significant decrease in blood pressure. To rule out the possibility that the reduced baseline may have influenced responses to 8-OH-DPAT, we showed that pretreatment with the vasodilator, hydralazine (0.3 mg/kg), had no effect on the MAP response to 8-OH-DPAT although it significantly reduced MAP. We conclude that MDL 73005EF acts as a mixed agonist/antagonist at 5-HT1A receptors since it caused a decrease in blood pressure, but also reduced the cardiovascular responses to the 5-HT1A receptor agonists, 8-OH-DPAT, flesinoxan and 5-methylurapidil.

Long lasting attenuation of 8-OH-DPAT-induced corticosterone secretion after a single injection of a 5-HT1A receptor agonist

The effects of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propyl-amino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and some other 5-hydroxytryptamine1A (5-HT1A) receptor agonists (buspirone, ipsapirone and flesinoxan) on corticosterone secretion in rats were studied. The 5-HT1A receptors mediating the corticosterone secretion appear to be postsynaptic to the 5-HT neurons, since the response to 8-OH-DPAT was not decreased but potentiated by depletion of 5-HT with p-chlorophenylalanine pretreatment of the animals. Rapid attenuation of the response was developed after a single dose of a 5-HT1A receptor agonist. Thus, 1 mg/kg s.c. of 8-OH-DPAT attenuated the response of a challenge dose (0.1 mg/kg s.c.) of this compound within 4 h lasting between 7 and 14 d. The development of the subsensitivity was antagonized by pretreatment of the rats with the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist S-5-fluoro-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin ((-)-UH 301). This compound also antagonized the acute effect of 8-OH-DPAT in increasing serum corticosterone. The subsensitivity development was specific for the 5-HT1A receptor-mediated corticosterone secretion, since the increase in serum corticosterone produced by stimulation of other receptor systems, e.g. alpha 2-adrenoreceptors (clonidine) or 5-HT2 receptors [1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane, (DOI)] was not affected.

Changes in the tail surface temperature of the rat following injection of 5-hydroxytryptamine into the ventrolateral medulla

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) was injected into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) in urethane-anaesthetized rats and its effect assessed on thermoregulatory and non-thermoregulatory cutaneous circulations by the measurement of skin surface temperatures. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-50 nmol) produced a dose-related fall in blood pressure (5-20 mmHg) and an increase in tail and plantar foot surface temperatures, indicative of dilatation in the underlying cutaneous circulations. If heat was not applied to the animal, the body temperature fell by 1-2 degrees C within 15-25 min. The decrease in tail and foot temperatures, produced by low frequency (25 Hz, 5 min) electrical stimulation, was antagonized by the injection of 5-HT at the site of stimulation. 5-Carboxyamidotryptamine (2.5-20 nmol) and flesinoxan (5-25 nmol) produced responses similar to 5-HT. The 5-HT2 receptor agonist, alpha-methyl 5-hydroxytryptamine (alpha-methyl 5-HT, 5.5-100 nmol) was only effective in increasing tail and plantar foot temperatures, at dose levels above 25 nmol. However, in a few sites restricted to the anterior region of the RVLM, alpha-methyl 5-HT (11 nmol) evoked a small decrease in tail and foot temperatures, indicative of a constrictor effect, without influencing resting cardiovascular parameters. The results are discussed in relation to the central mechanisms which underly the hypothermia and hyperthermia produced by 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptor agonists.

Microinjections of 5-HT1A agonists into the dorsal motor vagal nucleus produce a bradycardia in the atenolol-pretreated anaesthetized rat

1. The effects of microinjections (100 nl) into the dorsal motor vagal nucleus of the 5-HT1A receptor agonists 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and flesinoxan, the 5-HT2 receptor agonist (+-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane hydrochloride (DOI), the 5-HT3 receptor agonist phenylbiguanide (PBG), the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine and the excitatory amino acid glutamate on heart rate, blood pressure, tracheal pressure and phrenic nerve activity were investigated in atenolol-pretreated rats anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone. 2. Microinjections of glutamate (2.5 nmol) caused decreases in blood pressure, heart rate and phrenic nerve activity. In contrast, microinjections of 5-HT (1.2 nmol), 8-OH-DPAT (1.2 nmol) and flesinoxan (1.3 nmol) all caused a bradycardia but had no effect on blood pressure. In addition, 8-OH-DPAT and flesinoxan caused an increase in phrenic nerve activity. 3. Microinjections of DOI, PBG and clonidine had no significant effect on any of the variables recorded. None of the drugs used had any significant effect on tracheal pressure. 4. These results support the hypothesis that activation of 5-HT1A receptors causes excitation of cardiac vagal motoneurones and suggest that these receptors are also important in the control of central respiratory drive.

Contractile effects of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin and flesinoxan in human isolated basilar artery

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and flesinoxan in ring preparations of human basilar artery. 5-Hydroxytryptamine-(5-HT), 8-OH-DPAT and flesinoxan induced concentration-dependent contractions of human basilar artery, the rank order of agonist potency being 5-HT greater than 8-OH-DPAT approximately flesinoxan. The rank order of maximum response, relative to 5-HT was 5-HT (100%) much greater than 8-OH-DPAT (40.4 +/- 4.4%) much greater than flesinoxan (7.0 +/- 2.3%). The contractile effects of 8-OH-DPAT were blocked by phentolamine (10 microM) but not by labetalol (10 microM). Spiperone (1 microM) had no significant effect on either 5-HT or 8-OH-DPAT-induced contraction, however methiothepin (100 nM) produced inhibition of both 5-HT- and 8-OH-DPAT-induced contraction of human basilar artery. In addition, flesinoxan (100 microM) produced blockade of 5-HT-, 8-OH-DPAT- and sumatriptan (a 5-HT1-like receptor agonist)-induced contraction of human basilar artery, although full concentration-effect curves were not obtained. In some preparations 8-OH-DPAT produced a concentration-dependent relaxation of tone. This effect was particularly apparent in the presence of phentolamine. We conclude from the relative rank order of antagonist potency that 8-OH-DPAT and 5-HT produce contraction of the human basilar artery by activation of the same receptor, a 5-HT1-like receptor distinct from the 5-HT1A receptor subtype.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cardiovascular and side effects of flesinoxan in conscious hypertensive dogs. Modulation by prazosin

Previous studies on anaesthetized animals indicate that flesinoxan exerts hypotensive effects via stimulation of central 5-HT1A receptors. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the cardiovascular and side effects of flesinoxan in conscious, renal hypertensive dogs at rest and during exercise. Animals were pretreated with prazosin (2.5 or 7.5 nmol/kg) to verify a reduction of dose-dependent side effects, as occurred in normotensive dogs. A decrease in blood pressure without reflex tachycardia was observed only with the lower dose of flesinoxan (0.1 mumol/kg). The higher dose (0.2 mumol/kg) led to an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. The increase in heart rate during exercise was diminished by 0.2 mumol/kg flesinoxan. Pretreatment with prazosin resulted in an additive hypotensive effect at rest. Side effects, occurring primarily after the higher dose of flesinoxan, were not influenced by prazosin. It is concluded that flesinoxan is not likely to be efficacious in antihypertensive therapy.

Behavioral and biochemical effects of the 5-HT1A receptor agonists flesinoxan and 8-OH-DPAT in the rat

The 5-HT1A receptor agonists flesinoxan (0.2-3.2 mg kg-1 s.c.) and 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) (0.025-0.4 mg kg-1 s.c.) produced (1) a dose-dependent facilitation of male rat ejaculatory behavior and (2) characteristic, dose-dependent effects on spontaneous motor activity. Thus, total locomotor activity and rearing activity were decreased. However, forward locomotion and peripheral locomotion were increased relative to the total horizontal activity. Furthermore, (3) 5-HTP accumulation, after inhibition of cerebral decarboxylase, was dose dependently decreased by both compounds in the ventral striatum and in the prefrontal cortex. There was a statistically significant decrease in DOPA accumulation in the ventral striatum after administration of a high dose of flesinoxan (3.2 mg kg-1), and a tendency for 8-OH-DPAT to produce the same effect. The efficacy of the compounds to affect male rat sexual behavior, spontaneous motor activity in the open-field and forebrain 5-HT synthesis was approximately the same, whereas flesinoxan was about an order of magnitude less potent than 8-OH-DPAT.

Vasodilator effect of 8-OH-DPAT in the isolated perfused mesenteric bed of the rat: no evidence for involvement of 5-HT1A receptors

1. In the isolated perfused mesenteric bed of the rat, bolus administration or infusion of the selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propyl-amino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT; bolus 0.3-90 nmoles, infusion 0.03-30 microM) caused dose-related decreases in phenylephrine-induced tone. 2. These vasodilator responses were not modified by the 5-HT1A receptor antagonists BMY7378 (0.3 microM) or cyanopindolol (0.1 microM). 3. A number of compounds, having a range of affinities for 5-HT1A receptors, were tested in the mesentery and also for antagonist activity at alpha 1-adrenoceptors in the rabbit isolated aorta. 4. The potency of 8-OH-DPAT, flesinoxan, ipsapirone, sumatriptan and phentolamine, at decreasing phenylephrine-induced tone in the mesentery correlated closely with antagonist potency at alpha 1-adrenoceptors (r = 0.99) but not with affinity at 5-HT1A binding sites (r = -0.2). 5. It is concluded that the vasodilator effect of 8-OH-DPAT in the mesenteric bed of the rat most probably reflects alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist activity.

Actions of 8-hydroxy-2-(N-dipropylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) at alpha 2-adrenoceptors

1 We have examined the actions of the 5-HT1A-receptor ligand 8-OH-DPAT at alpha 2-adrenoceptor ligand binding sites in human platelet and rat kidney membranes and at functional pre- and postjunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors in rat atrium and human saphenous vein, respectively. 2 8-OH-DPAT had low affinity for the alpha 2A ligand binding site of human platelet but showed 10 times higher affinity for the alpha 2B ligand binding site of rat kidney (K1 of 6.41, -log M). 3 In functional studies, 8-OH-DPAT had low potency as an antagonist of noradrenaline-induced contractions in human saphenous vein, with a KB of 5.40 (-log M). 4 In rat atria preincubated with [3H]-noradrenaline, 8-OH-DPAT potentiated stimulation-evoked overflow of tritium with an EC30 (concentration producing 30% increase in the stimulation-evoked overflow) of 6.37 (-log M). 5 It is concluded that 8-OH-DPAT shows selectively for the alpha 4B ligand binding site of rat kidney and for the functional prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptor of rat atrium, which resembles the alpha 2B ligand binding site.

BMY 7378 is an agonist at 5-HT1A receptors mediating hypotension and renal sympatho-inhibition in anaesthetised cats

The putative 5-HT1A receptor antagonist BMY 7378 (3-100 micrograms.kg-1 i.v.) caused reductions in blood pressure, heart rate and efferent renal nerve activity in anaesthetised cats. Similar effects were produced by the selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-2(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT 1-10 micrograms.kg-1 i.v.). The sympatho-inhibitory effects of BMY 7378 and 8-OH-DPAT, but not those of clonidine were reversed by the non-selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, spipirone (1 mg.kg-1 i.v.). It is concluded that BMY 7378 is an agonist at 5-HT1A receptors mediating hypotension and renal sympatho-inhibition in anaesthetised cats.

Central 5HT1A-receptor binding in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats

Central 5HT1A-receptors have been found with a high density in brainstem and are involved in cardiovascular control. The high-affinity binding of [3H]-8-OH-DPAT, a specific 5HT1A-receptor ligand, was measured in medulla oblongata of normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The maximal number of [3H]-8-OH-DPAT binding site (Bmax) was significantly increased in SHR when compared to normotensive rats. Whether central 5HT1A-receptors are involved in the etiology of hypertension or are influenced by other neurochemical events remains to be investigated.

Effect of chronic treatment on the cardiovascular and behavioral responses of 8-OH-DPAT in conscious normotensive rats

Cardiovascular and behavioral responses induced by intravenous administration of the serotonin (5-HT)1A receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), were studied in conscious normotensive rats either after a single administration, after repeated subcutaneous treatments (1 mg/kg daily for 3 days), or after chronic intravenous infusion (200 micrograms/kg per h for 72 h). In naive rats, a single intravenous treatment with 10, 30 or 100 micrograms/kg 8-OH-DPAT produced a blood pressure reduction of approximately 10% and a heart rate reduction of 15-20%. The duration of blood pressure and heart rate reduction was dose-dependent. Behavioral responses were observed (i.e. reciprocal forepaw treading, flat body posture, hind limb abduction and headweaving), the severity and duration of which were also dose-dependent. Subcutaneous pretreatment with 8-OH-DPAT greatly reduced the behavior responses but did not alter the hypotensive or the heart rate response to a single intravenous administration of 8-OH-DPAT. Blood pressure and behavior were not monitored during the subcutaneous pretreatment period. Intravenous infusion of 8-OH-DPAT attenuated both the cardiovascular and behavioral effects to post-infusion intravenous treatment. The differential tolerance development to these responses suggests that 8-OH-DPAT may exert its blood pressure response and its behavior response through two distinct mechanisms.

Pressor effects following microinjection of 5-HT1A receptor agonists into the raphe obscurus of the anaesthetized rat

1. The effects of electrical stimulation and microinjections (90 nl) of the 5-HT1A receptor agonists, flesinoxan and 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), and glutamate into the raphe obscurus on blood pressure, heart rate and phrenic nerve activity (central inspiratory drive) were investigated in rats anaesthetized with alpha-chloralose. 2. Electrical stimulation of the raphe obscurus caused a rise in blood pressure which was associated with bradycardia, while glutamate (2.7 nmol) caused only a rise in blood pressure. 3. Flesinoxan (1.3 nmol) and 8-OH-DPAT (0.7 nmol) increased blood pressure by 9 +/- 1 and 14 +/- 2 mmHg, respectively and did not affect heart rate. For both agonists the effect on blood pressure was shown to be dose-dependent; again no effect on the heart rate was observed over the dose-ranges chosen. 4. Microinjections of the non-selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonists, (+/-)-pindolol (2.7 nmol) or methiothepin (5.2 nmol), into the raphe obscurus prevented the increase in blood pressure caused by microinjection of flesinoxan. However, (+/-)-pindolol caused a sustained rise in blood pressure of 15 +/- 1 mmHg while methiothepin caused a transient rise in blood pressure. Neither drugs affected heart rate. The ability of methiothepin to attenuate the pressor effect of flesinoxan was found to be partially reversed after 30 min. 5. It is suggested that activation of 5-HT1A receptors within the raphe obscurus can cause sympatho-excitation.

Molecular design of novel ligands for 5-HT1A receptors

Serotonin (5-HT) is a potent bioactive substance known to function through a number of different receptor types and subtypes. In our attempt to develop new agents that would interact selectively at certain 5-HT receptors, especially the 5-HT1A subtype, 8-hydroxy-2-di-n-propylamino tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) served as a template for the design of novel agents sharing aspects of the pharmacophore of 8-OH-DPAT and 5-HT. 5-HT contains no center of asymmetry, and 8-OH-DPAT shows only very modest stereospecificity for 5-HT1A receptors. To develop agents having enhanced potency and selectivity for the 5-HT1A site, several ring systems offering enhanced conformational rigidity which approximate the oxygen to nitrogen interatomic distances of 8-OH-DPAT and (to a lesser extent) 5-HT were synthesized. Exemplary ring systems include the 8-alkoxy-hexahydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrrole, 5-alkoxy-hexahydro-1H-indeno-[2,1-c]pyridine, and 9-alkoxy-hexahydro-1H-benz[e]isoindole systems. These conformationally restricted molecules demonstrated moderate stereospecificity in their interaction with the 5-HT1A binding site, which was enhanced in compounds with larger nitrogen substituents. Appropriate choice of such derivatives led to highly potent compounds selective for 5-HT1A sites compared with their activity at other 5-HT and/or adrenergic receptors. The pharmacological profile of compounds which appear to act as agonists at 5-HT1A receptors in the central nervous system to lower blood pressure in animal models of hypertension is presented.

Analysis of the 5-HT receptor in rabbit saphenous vein exemplifies the problems of using exclusion criteria for receptor classification

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) contracts ring preparations of rabbit saphenous vein via direct and indirect components, the latter being compatible with a "tyramine-like" action at sympathetic nerve terminals. Here an attempt was made to establish the identity of the receptor mediating contraction directly, in terms of the currently accepted proposals (Bradley et al. 1986). Results with agonists suggested 5-HT1-like receptor activation: methylsergide behaved as a partial agonist with microcolar affinity and 5-HT effects were mimicked by 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT) and GR43175. The agonist potency order was 5-CT greater than 5-HT greater than methysergide greater than or equal to GR43175, the same as that reported at the 5-HT1-like receptor in dog saphenous vein (Feniuk et al. 1985; Humphrey et al. 1988). Consistent with this, 5-HT effects were resistant to blockade by the selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist MDL72222 (1.0 mumol/l). In contrast, methiothepin (0.01-0.3 mumol/l), ketanserin (0.3-30.0 mumol/l) and spiperone (0.3-30.0 mumol/l) each produced surmountable antagonism which, although competitive in nature only for methiothepin (pKB = 9.45 +/- 0.09, 17 d.f.), implied 5-HT2 receptor involvement. The possibility that these discrepancies resulted from mixed populations of 5-HT1-like and 5-HT2 receptors can be excluded because; 1). Ketanserin and spiperone blocked the actions of 5-HT and the selective 5-HT1-like receptor agonist GR43175 with equal facility and 2). Responses to all of the agonists studied were similarly antagonised by flesinoxan (pKB approximately 6.4), a simple competitive antagonist at the receptor in rabbit saphenous vein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cardiovascular effects of 5-HT1A receptor agonists injected into the dorsal raphe nucleus of conscious rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the cardiovascular effects of the 5-HT1A receptor agonists, 8-OH-DPAT (8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin), flesinoxan and 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT) following injection into the dorsal raphe nucleus of conscious rats. 8-OH-DPAT (0.5-2.5 micrograms), hypotension, bradycardia and flat body posture. In contrast, injection of 8-OH-DPAT (0.5 microgram) into the median raphe nucleus caused no cardiovascular changes or flat body posture. (-)Pindolol (0.5 microgram dorsal raphe nucleus) had little effect on cardiovascular parameters, but significantly attenuated the cardiovascular effects of 8-OH-DPAT (0.5 microgram dorsal raphe nucleus). N-Methylatropine (1 mg/kg i.v.) antagonised the cardiovascular effects of 8-OH-DPAT (0.5 microgram dorsal raphe nucleus), suggesting these were vagally mediated. Both pretreatments also appeared to reduce 8-OH-DPAT-induced flat body posture. The results suggest that 8-OH-DPAT activates 5-HT1A receptors in the dorsal raphe nucleus to cause hypotension and bradycardia.