Brain tryptophan metabolism on the 5-hydroxytryptamine and kynurenine pathways in a strain of rats with a deficiency in platelet 5-HT

A new inbred strain of Fawn-Hooded rats demonstrates mania-like behavioural and monoaminergic abnormalities

The Fawn-Hooded (FH) rat carries a gene mutation that results in a dysfunctional serotoninergic system. However, previous studies have reported differing features between the FH/Wjd and FH/Har strains. We aimed to compare the behavioural and neurobiological features of FH/HamSlc rats with those of Fischer 344 rats. We performed the open field, elevated minus-maze, Y-maze spontaneous alternation, and forced swim tests to investigate behavioural alterations. We also assessed neurobiological characteristics by quantifying monoamines and their related compounds in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum using high-performance liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detection system. FH/HamSlc rats showed hyperactivity and a high impulsivity tendency in the open field and the elevated minus maze test, but no cognitive dysfunction. In addition, the hyperactivity was suppressed immediately after the forced swim test. FH/HamSlc rats showed low dopamine levels, but high dopamine turnover in the striatum. Serotonin and noradrenaline levels were low in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus of FH/HamSlc rats, but high serotonin turnover was observed in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum. FH/HamSlc rats show (1) mania-like behavioural characteristics that are different from those of other strains of FH rats; (2) stimulus dependent suppression of hyperactivity similar to the clinical findings that exercise alleviates the symptoms of bipolar disorder; and (3) monoaminergic dysregulation such as monoamine imbalance and hyperturnover that may be associated with mania-related behavioural characteristics. Thus, the FH/HamSlc rat is a new animal model for mania including bipolar disorder.

Interleukin 1alpha alters hippocampal serotonin and norepinephrine release during open-field behavior in Sprague-Dawley animals: differences from the Fawn-Hooded animal model of depression

Detection of two biogenic amine neurotransmitters, serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) within the CA1 region of the hippocampus (HPC) of behaving male laboratory animals (Rattus norvegicus), was performed with miniature carbon sensors (BRODERICK PROBES) and in vivo semidifferential microvoltammetry after acute administration of the soluble immune factor, human recombinant, interleukin (IL) 1alpha (10 and 100 ng/kg i.p.). Two animal models were compared, i.e., (a) the Sprague-Dawley (SD) model, a strain neither biochemically nor immune-challenged and (b) the Fawn-Hooded (FH) model, a biochemically (5-HT-deficient) and immune-challenged animal. Open-field behaviors, locomotion (ambulations) and stereotypy (fine movements of sniffing and grooming) were monitored with infrared photobeams while 5-HT and NE were selectively and separately detected within seconds in real time. Subchronic studies were performed in the same animals 24 h later at which time no further drug was administered. Results from acute treatment studies showed that IL-1alpha altered HPC monoamines and behavior viz-a-viz habituation values (baseline) in the SD strain differently from those in the FH strain as follows: (1) although 5-HT release was significantly increased within CA1 region of HPC in both SD and FH strains (P<.0001), the extent of the HPC 5-HT increase in the 5-HT-deficient FH strain was significantly less than that of the SD strain at both doses (P<.0001). The subchronic studies showed that 5-HT release within the HPC in the SD strain significantly increased (135%) over drug treatment values (P<.001), whereas HPC 5-HT release in the FH strain remained the same as that seen in the acute drug treatment studies; the difference between strains for the subchronic study was also statistically significant (P<.01). (2) IL-1alpha significantly decreased HPC NE release in the SD strain (P<.0004) while IL-1alpha decreased HPC NE release in the FH strain only at the 10-ng/kg dose (P<.001); at the 100-ng/kg dose in the FH strain, NE rebounded towards baseline and increased 15% above baseline reaching statistical significance (P<.05). Subchronic studies in the SD strain showed a further decreased NE signal to 38% below baseline (P<.0001), whereas subchronic studies in the FH strain showed a significant increase in NE release (P<.02). The difference between strains in the subchronic NE studies was significant (P<.001). (3) Ambulations were increased after IL-1alpha administration in acute studies in both the SD and the FH strains, but the increase did not reach statistical significance, whereas in the subchronic studies, both strains exhibited significant increases as revealed by post hoc analyses (P<.05). There was a statistically significant difference between strains in acute studies (P<.001), whereas no significant differences between models were seen in ambulation behavior in subchronic studies. (4) Fine movements increased over baseline after IL-1alpha administration in both animal models in acute studies, however, results did not reach statistical significance, likely due to the episodic effect of IL-1alpha on movement behavior in both the SD and the FH strains. However, the SD strain showed a significant increase in fine movement behavior during the subchronic studies (P<.02). Significant differences in fine movements between animal models were not observed either acutely or in subchronic studies. In summary, the data show that immune modulation by IL-1alpha affects HPC neurochemistry and behavior in SD versus FH animal models differently and/or to different degrees. The data show that while the FH animal model is subsensitive to 5-HT agonists, 5-HT function can be stimulated. Comparison of genetically diverse animal models provides a reliable means to identify and discern cytokine-induced depressive versus stressor properties. Selective sensor technology provides a powerful tool as movement behavior is monitored and interpreted as a function of monoamine neurotransmission.

Volitional consumption of ethanol by fawn-hooded rats: effects of alternative solutions and drug treatments

Behavioral and neurochemical measures of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) function in the Fawn-Hooded rat are abnormal relative to outbred strains of rats. Fawn-Hooded rats freely drink large amounts of 10% ethanol in the presence of water and have been proposed to be an animal model for studies related to alcoholism. In this study, Fawn-Hooded rats were given solutions of ethanol increasing in concentration from 3% to 30% (w/v in tap water) over 10 days with tap water in a second drinking tube and a third tube left empty. The solutions of ethanol that produced maximal drinking with a preference (ml ethanol/ml total fluid) near 50% ranged from 5% to 13%, which became the fixed individual concentrations for each rat. After a 5-day baseline period the rats were offered a solution in the third drinking tube of either 0.5% aspartame or chocolate Ultra SlimFast (diluted with water 2:1). The chocolate drink, but not aspartame, significantly reduced the consumption of alcohol by 73%. For the drug experiments, the rats were given successive 4-day periods of: baseline drinking; drug or saline injections b.i.d.; and a posttreatment period. Neither ipsapirone, a 5-HT1a partial agonist, nor naltrexone injected inhibited the intakes of ethanol solutions. Treatment with 2.5 mg/kg of amperozide, a 5-HT2 antagonist, decreased the consumption of ethanol by 38%, but also caused a decrease in consumption of food. These results show a pattern of drinking of increasing concentrations of ethanol different than other strains of rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Functional and biochemical evidence for altered serotonergic function in the fawn-hooded rat strain

Administration of various doses of DOI (a 5-HT2A/5-HT2C agonist) produced hyperthermia that was significantly less in the FH rat strain relative to the Wistar rat strain. Similarly, administration of various doses of ipsapirone (a 5-HT1A agonist) produced hypothermia that was significantly less in the FH rat strain relative to the Wistar rat strain. Furthermore, m-CPP (a 5-HT agonist)-induced increases in growth hormone levels were also significantly less in the FH rat strain relative to the Wistar rat strain. There was no significant difference in the levels of either 5-HT or 5-HIAA between the two rat strains in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and striatum. In the brain stem, however, both 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels were significantly lower in the FH rat strain relative to the Wistar rat strain. On the other hand, 5-HT turnover rate was significantly higher in the hypothalamus and striatum and significantly lower in the hippocampus in the FH rat strain relative to the Wistar rat strain. These findings provide further evidence for altered serotonergic function in the FH rat strain and, in addition, suggest that the FH rat strain may prove to be a useful genetic model for some neuropsychiatric disorders with possible abnormalities in serotonergic function such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and the eating disorders.

Conditioned place preference/aversion to fenfluramine in fawn hooded and sprague-Dawley rats

The Fawn Hooded (FH) rat strain possesses a genetic platelet storage pool deficiency which leads to an impaired capacity for platelets to store and release serotonin. While the relationship between this deficit and possible alterations in brain serotonergic levels or function remains unclear, numerous behavioral studies have indicated that FH rats exhibit differential responses to serotonergic agonists and antagonist relative to other strains. The current study used the conditioned place preference paradigm to examine the ability of fenfluramine to produce a conditioned place preference (CPP) or aversion (CPA) in FH and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Results indicated that fenfluramine failed to produce CPP or CPA in SD rats, but did produce a CPA in FH rats. Results are discussed in terms of the use of conditioned place preference to assess putative differences in serotonergic functioning in FH rats.

A comparison of feeding and locomotion responses to serotonin agonists in three rat strains

The hyperphagic effects of two selective 5-HT1A agonists (8-OHDPAT and buspirone) in a free feeding paradigm and the locomotor suppressant effect of the serotonin agonist, m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) were compared in three different rat strains: Wistar, Sprague-Dawley (SD), and Fawn-Hooded (FH) rats. Administration of various doses of 8-OHDPAT and buspirone produced significant increases in two-hour food intake only in Wistar and SD strains and not in the FH strain. Similarly, various doses of m-CPP produced significant decreases in locomotor activity only in Wistar and SD strains and not in the FH strain. Isolated FH animals gained significantly less body weight relative to both Wistar and SD animals. These findings demonstrate attenuated feeding and behavioral responses to serotonergic agonists in the FH strain relative to both Wistar and SD strains.

Fawn hooded rats are subsensitive to the food intake suppressant effects of 5-HT agonists

The food intake suppressant effects of three serotonin agonists, m-CPP (a selective 5-HT1B agonist), 8-OHDPAT (a selective 5-HT1A agonist) and fenfluramine (a 5-HT releasing agent) were compared in three different rat strains: Wistar, Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Fawn-Hooded (FH) rats. Administration of all three serotonin agonists produced dose-dependent decreases in 1 h food intake in all three strains. FH animals were significantly less sensitive to the food intake suppressant effects of all three serotonin agonists than either Wistar or SD rats. Body weight gain over the 9-week course of the study was also significantly less in FH animals than either Wistar or SD animals. These findings support some other data that Fawn Hooded rats, a strain with a peripheral platelet serotonin storage disorder, also possess altered central nervous system serotonergic function.

Altered responses to serotonergic agents in Fawn-Hooded rats

The incidence of "wet dog" shakes elicited by quipazine, the hyperthermic response induced by 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5MeODMT) and the hypothermic response to 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) were compared in rats of the Fawn-Hooded (FH) and Sprague-Dawley (SD) strains. The behavioral responses of FH rats to quipazine and 5MeODMT were significantly greater than those of SD rats. On the other hand, the hypothermic effect of 8-OH-DPAT in FH rats was significantly less than that elicited in SD animals. The present results are supportive of the view that the responsiveness of serotonergic mechanisms in the CNS of FH rats differs markedly from those in SD animals.

Differential pulse voltammetry: parallel peak 3 changes with vigilance states in raphe dorsalis and raphe magnus of chronic freely moving rats and evidence for a 5-HT contribution to these peaks after monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Nuclei raphe dorsalis (RDN) and magnus (RMN) were simultaneously studied using the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technique in chronic freely moving rats during their sleep-waking cycle. Parallel variations in peak 3 (due to 5-hydroxyindoles) were observed in both these areas: the peak 3 heights were maximum in both RDN and RMN during waking (W), decreased in slow wave sleep (SWS) and were minimum in paradoxical sleep (PS). Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) treatments induce at first a decrease of peak 3 (-50% compared to the control values), but there was a subsequent increase (+100% compared to the control values). This suggests that 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) can contribute to peak 3 measured in vivo.

Serotonin uptake and imipramine binding in blood platelets and brain of Fawn-hooded and Sprague Dawley rats

The kinetic parameters of serotonin (5-HT) uptake and imipramine binding of the synaptosomes and blood platelets of male Fawn-hooded rats, which have a 5-HT storage abnormality, and normal Sprague-Dawley rats were compared. The Vmax for 5-HT uptake of synaptosomes from Fawn-hooded rats was significantly greater than that of Sprague-Dawley rats whereas that of the platelets did not differ. The Km values of both the synaptosomes and platelets of the two rat strains were not significantly different. The Bmax values for 3H-imipramine binding in both platelets and brain of Fawn-hooded rats were significantly lower than those of the Sprague-Dawley rats. The Kd of imipramine binding to platelet membranes from Fawn-hooded rats was significantly less than that of the Sprague-Dawley rats but the Kd of the synaptosomes was not significantly different. These results indicate that 5-HT uptake and imipramine binding sites may be independently regulated and that platelets do not always manifest abnormalities present in brain 5-HT neurons and vice versa.

Does in vivo voltammetry in the hippocampus measure 5-HT release?

In vivo voltammetry enables catecholamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) release to be directly determined in the brains of conscious unrestrained animals. This study concerned the validation of the measurement of 5-HT release using scanning voltammetry at chronically implanted carbon paste/epoxy resin glass microelectrodes in the rat hippocampus. Automated recordings of the current produced by applying a ramp (100 mV/s) potential (0-1 V) to the electrode at 5 min intervals were made over a period of several hours. A current peak at 0.35-0.4 V corresponded to that produced by solutions of 5-HT in vitro. The effect of a number of drug known to affect 5-HT synthesis and release was then studied in vivo. p-Chloroamphetamine (PCA) caused an increase in the peak which correlated with a '5-HT behavioural syndrome'. p-Chlorophenylalanine caused a reduction in the peak and prevented both the increase seen with PCA and the PCA induced behavior. Fluoxetine and L-tryptophan also led to increases in signal; all these results were consistent with the signal reflecting extraneuronal 5-HT. However 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) also oxidizes at 0.35-0.4 V in vitro. Probenecid, which blocks 5HIAA egress from the brain caused a large increase in the hippocampal signal. The monoamine oxidase inhibitors pargyline and nialamide, which increases 5-HT and reduce 5HIAA levels, had no significant effect on the signal. These results, together with the greater increase in signal following probenecid than tryptophan and the delayed increase after tryptophan, and interpreted as implying that extraneuronal 5HIAA and 5-HT contribute approximately equally to the hippocampal signal. We conclude that this method gives information distinct from and complementary to biochemical estimations, and offers great scope for the investigation of the role of 5-hydroxyindole release in drug and environmental effects on behaviour.