Antagonism of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors by quipazine

The interaction of trichloroethanol with murine recombinant 5-HT3 receptors

1. The effects of ethanol, chloral hydrate and trichloroethanol upon the 5-HT3 receptor have been investigated by use of electrophysiological techniques applied to recombinant 5-HT3 receptor subunits (5-HT3R-A or 5-HT3R-As) expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Additionally, the influence of trichloroethanol upon the specific binding of [3H]-granisetron to membrane preparations of HEK 293 cells stably transfected with the murine 5-HT3R-As subunit and 5-HT3 receptors endogenous to NG 108-15 cell membranes was assessed. 2. Ethanol (30-300 mM), chloral hydrate (1-30 mM) and trichloroethanol (0.3-10 mM), produced a reversible, concentration-dependent, enhancement of 5-HT-mediated currents recorded from oocytes expressing either the 5-HT3R-A, or the 5-HT3R-As subunit. 3. Trichloroethanol (5 mM) produced a parallel leftward shift of the 5-HT concentration-response curve, reducing the EC50 for 5-HT from 1 +/- 0.04 microM (n = 4) to 0.5 +/- 0.01 microM (n = 4) for oocytes expressing the 5-HT3R-A. A similar shift, from 2.1 +/- 0.05 microM (n = 11) to 1.3 +/- 0.1 microM (n = 4), was observed in oocytes expressing the 5-HT3R-As subunit. Trichloroethanol (5 mM) had little or no effect upon the maximum current produced by 5-HT for either recombinant receptor. 4. Trichloroethanol (5 mM) similarly reduced the EC50 for 2-methyl-5-HT from 13 +/- 0.4 microM (n = 4) to 4.6 +/- 0.2 microM (n = 4) and from 15 +/- 2 microM (n = 4) to 5 +/- 0.4 microM (n = 4) for oocytes expressing the 5-HT3R-A and 5-HT3R-As subunit respectively. Additionally, trichloroethanol (5 mM) produced a clear enhancement of the maximal current to 2-methyl-5-HT (expressed as a percentage of the maximal current to 5-HT) from 63 +/- 0.7% (n = 4) to 101 +/- 1.6% (n = 4) and from 9 +/- 0.2% (n = 4) to 74 +/- 2% (n = 4) for oocytes expressing the 5-HT3R-A and 5-HT3R-As subunit respectively. 5. Trichloroethanol (2.5 mM) had no effect upon the Kd, or Bmax, of specific [3H]-granisetron binding to membrane homogenates of NG 108-15 cells or HEK 293 cells. Similarly, competition for [3H]-granisetron binding by the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists ondansetron and tropisetron was unaffected. However, competition for [3H]-granisetron binding by the 5-HT3 receptor agonists, 5-HT, 2-methyl-5-HT and phenylbiguanide was enhanced by trichloroethanol (2.5 mM). 6 Unexpectedly, the competition for [3H]-granisetron binding by the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist,quipazine, was enhanced by 2.5 mM trichloroethanol. Quipazine (1 nM-0.3 microM) antagonized 5-HT evoked currents recorded from oocytes expressing the 5-HT3R-A subunit with an IC50 of 18 +/- 3 nM(n = 4). Additionally, quipazine (30 nM-0.3 microM) produced a small inward current which was greatly enhanced by 5 mM trichloroethanol and antagonized by 100 nM ondansetron. Collectively, these observations suggest that quipazine may act as a partial agonist.7. The demonstration that a recombinant homo-oligomeric receptor, expressed in a foreign membrane,retains a sensitivity to alcohols, together with the sequencing of alcohol-insensitive 5-HT3 receptor subunits, may lead to a better definition of the alcohol binding site(s).

Inhibition of reflex responses of neonate rat lumbar spinal cord by 5-hydroxytryptamine

1. Monosynaptic (MSR) and polysynaptic (PSR) segmental reflex responses were recorded from a ventral root of the neonate rat hemisected spinal cord. Amplitudes of the two components were monitored with a peak height detector. 2. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) depressed the MSR and PSR in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 for MSR depression was 9.5 +/- 3.2 microM and for PSR depression was 9.0 +/- 4.8 microM. 3. Blockade of neuronal uptake of 5-HT by citalopram (0.1 microM) greatly increased sensitivity to 5-HT. In the presence of citalopram, the IC50 for MSR depression was 30 +/- 18 nM and for PSR depression was 89 +/- 23 nM. 4. 5-HT did not depress the MSR or the PSR by releasing glycine since strychnine (1 microM) did not prevent these actions of 5-HT. 5. 5-Carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT), 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), RU 24969, 1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-piperazine (TFMPP) and methysergide were full agonists for depression of the MSR. The IC50 for 5-CT was 3.6 +/- 0.5 nM, for 8-OH-DPAT was 0.4 +/- 0.04 microM, for TFMPP was 0.93 +/- 0.3 microM and for methysergide was 21.8 +/- 3.0 nM. The order of potency was 5-CT greater than methysergide greater than 5-HT greater than 8-OH-DPAT greater than TFMPP. 6. 8-OH-DPAT, RU 24969, TFMPP and methysergide had either no or only a minor action in reducing the PSR. 5-CT caused a 50% depression at the highest concentration tested (30 nM). 7. Neither ketanserin (1 microM) nor spiperone (1 microM) caused appreciable blockade of 5-HT depression of the MSR or 5-HT depression of the PSR. 8. Blockers of neuronal 5-HT uptake (citalopram 0.1 or 1 microM, fluvoxamine 1 microM) usually reduced the MSR and, to a lesser extent, the PSR. Reflex depressions were reversed by ketanserin (1 microM). 9. It was concluded that 5-HT has a potent depressant action on segmental reflexes; depression of the MSR is unrelated to depolarization of motoneurones. Although depression of the MSR was mimicked by 5-HTIA receptor ligands, the action of endogenous 5-HT may be mediated through 5-HT2 receptors. Exogenous 5-HT may act at a mixture of 5-HT receptor subtypes to depress the MSR.

5-Hydroxytryptamine depolarizes neonatal rat motorneurones through a receptor unrelated to an identified binding site

Superfusion of hemisected lumbar spinal cord of the neonatal rat with solutions containing 10(-6) to 10(-3) M 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) elicited depolarizations of graded amplitude which were recorded from motorneurons through a ventral root. Maximum responses (amplitude 1.0 +/- 0.1 mV, mean +/- SEM, n = 30) were evoked by 10(-4) M 5-HT. Repeated concentration-response curves could be determined from the same preparation. There was no involvement of 5-HT2 receptors in the depolarizing response to 5-HT, since neither ritanserin nor ICI 169, 369 showed any antagonist action. Amongst agents with activity at 5-HT1A sites, the selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-hydyroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), neither mimicked the action of 5-HT nor antagonised it, while spiperone (10(-8)-10(-7 M) antagonised responses to 5-HT in a concentration-related manner. Responses to 10(-4) M noradrenaline, used as a control depolarizing agent, were unaffected by spiperone. The onset of blockade by spiperone was slow, 1 hr being required for equilibration of the tissue with antagonist. The blockade was surmountable by larger concentrations of 5-HT. Concentration-response curves to 5-HT were shifted to the right in an approximately parallel manner by spiperone. The dose ratios measured from these curves at the EC50 level, yielded an apparent pA2 of 8.24 +/- 0.14 (mean +/- SEM, n = 15), although the Schild plot of the data had a slope less than unity. The lack of activity of the selective 5-HT1B receptor agonist, RU 24969, and the 5-HT1B receptor antagonists, (+/-) cyanopindolol and quipazine, indicated that 5-HT1B receptors were not involved in the 5-HT response of motorneurones to 5-HT. Mesulergine, metergoline and cyproheptadine also antagonised responses of motorneurones to 5-HT, producing a surmountable blockade. Mesulergine (10(-8), 3 x 10(-8) and 10(-7) M caused a progressive rightward shift of the concentration-response curves, but 10(-7) M depressed the maximum response to 5-HT. Responses to noradrenaline were not affected by these concentrations of mesulergine. The apparent pA2 for blockade of 5-HT responses by mesulergine, calculated from experiments in which there was a parallel displacement of the concentration-response curves, was 8.75 +/- 0.11 (mean +/- SEM, n = 10).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Fast and slow depolarizing responses of guinea-pig coeliac ganglion cells to 5-hydroxytryptamine

Responses to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) applied by pressure ejection to guinea-pig coeliac ganglion cells were recorded intracellularly in vitro. Three types of responses were observed: a fast depolarization (43% of cells), a slow depolarization (25%) and a biphasic response comprising an initial fast followed by a slow depolarization (30%). Fast depolarizations had a mean duration of 6.4 s and were associated with a decrease in membrane input resistance. On hyperpolarizing the membrane, responses increased in amplitude; the mean reversal potential was -23 mV. Fast responses were nearly eliminated in a Na-free medium but were unaffected by low Ca/high Mg solution or by low Cl medium. Fast responses were depressed by MDL 72222, quipazine, metoclopramide, and by relatively high concentrations of D-tubocurarine, but unaffected by methysergide. Slow responses had a mean duration of 62 s and were associated either with no change or a slight fall in membrane resistance. hyperpolarizing the membrane, slow responses were increased in most but not all cells tested. Slow depolarizations were depressed by methysergide but unaffected by agents that suppressed the fast responses. The biphasic response displayed electrophysiological and pharmacological characteristics of both the fast and slow depolarizations. It is concluded that guinea-pig coeliac ganglion cells display either a rapid depolarization, a slow depolarization or a biphasic response to 5-HT, that the fast depolarization appears to be mediated by a conductance increase to Na and K, while a different mechanism appears to underlie the slow depolarization, and that the two responses are mediated by different kinds of 5-HT receptor.

Further studies on the blockade of 5-HT depolarizations of rabbit vagal afferent and sympathetic ganglion cells by MDL 72222 and other antagonists

The blocking action of MDL 72222 (1 alpha H, 3 alpha, 5 alpha H-tropan-3-yl-3, 5-dichlorobenzoate at 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors on nodose (NG) and superior cervical ganglia (SCG) has been investigated further. The sucrose-gap technique was used to record potential changes from populations of neurones. The surmountable blockade induced by small concentrations of the antagonist was quantified and the blocking potency compared with that of a number of other compounds. In nodose ganglia three 4-5 point dose-response (DR) curves were established, using bolus injections of 5-HT (5-80 nmol). The mean amplitude of the response to 80 nmol was 4.18 +/- 0.53 mV and the ED50 was 18.2 nmol. Second and 3rd dose-response curves showed small displacements to the right, indicating a slight reduction in sensitivity. In superior cervical ganglia responsiveness was less. Amounts of 5-HT ranging from 20 to 320 nmol evoked dose-related depolarizations. The mean amplitude of the response evoked by 320 nmol 5-HT was 1.7 +/- 0.14 mV. Three 4-5 point dose-response curves could be elicited from a single ganglion. The ED50 was 55.8 nmol. Initial, 2nd and 3rd dose-response curves could be superimposed, there being no significant rightward shift. The results confirm that MDL 72222 is a potent, selective antagonist at 5-HT receptors in nodose and superior cervical ganglia. In the nodose ganglion, after equilibration for 1 hr with 10(-8) or 10(-7) M MDL 72222, dose-response curves for 5-HT showed rightward, parallel shifts. In contrast, 10(-6) M MDL 72222 or prolonged exposure (3-4 hr) to 10(-8), 10(-7) or 10(-6) M caused larger rightward shifts of the dose-response curves and depressed the maximum responses. In the superior cervical ganglion, equilibration for 1 hr with concentrations of 10(-8) or 10(-7) M produced effects on the dose-response curves similar to those seen in the nodose ganglion, but longer exposures (3-4 hr) did not depress the maximum. Apparent pA2 values were determined from individual experiments on both the nodose and superior cervical ganglia, where MDL 72222 (10(-7) M or less, for 1 hr) caused parallel or near parallel shifts of dose-response curves. In the nodose ganglion the apparent pA2 was 7.7 +/- 0.1, while in the superior cervical ganglion it was 7.8 +/- 0.1 (mean +/- SEM). The nature of the blockade induced by prolonged exposures or by concentrations greater than 10(-7) M is discussed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Pharmacological characterization of 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced depolarization of the rat isolated vagus nerve

A study has been made of the pharmacology of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced depolarization responses that can be recorded extracellularly from the rat isolated cervical vagus nerve. Phenylbiguanide (PBG) and 2-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (2-methyl-5-HT) were found to mimic the effects of 5-HT on the vagus nerve. Their EC50 values were respectively 2.0 fold and 3.9 fold greater than that of 5-HT. Metoclopramide behaved as a reversible competitive antagonist of depolarization induced by PBG and 2-methyl-5-HT, with pKB values of 6.48 +/- 0.04, respectively. These agreed well with the pKB value of 6.60 +/- 0.04 obtained previously for metoclopramide against 5-HT on the rat vagus nerve. 5-HT, PBG and 2-methyl-5-HT had no demonstrable agonist effects at non-5-HT receptors on the rat vagus nerve. Tropacaine and m-chlorophenylpiperazine were found to behave as reversible competitive antagonists of 5-HT-induced depolarization of the vagus nerve. The pKB values were 6.29 +/- 0.03 and 6.90 +/- 0.03, respectively. Quipazine, MDL 72222 and ICS 205-930 were also shown to be effective antagonists of 5-HT on the vagus nerve. However, although these compounds were highly potent, they all caused a marked concentration-dependent reduction in the amplitude of the maximum response to 5-HT. This behaviour was not consistent with a simple reversible competitive mechanism. The results are discussed with reference to the current classification of mammalian peripheral neuronal 5-HT receptors.

The depolarizing action of 5-hydroxytryptamine on rabbit vagal afferent and sympathetic neurones in vitro and its selective blockade by ICS 205-930

Depolarizing responses to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were recorded from rabbit nodose (NG) and superior cervical (SCG) ganglia using the sucrose-gap technique. The antagonist potency and selectivity of ICS 205-930 ([3 alpha-tropanyl]-1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid ester) were investigated. In NG, 5-HT (5 to 80 nmol) evoked depolarizations of graded amplitude. The ED50 was 18.2 (10.9-30.5) nmol (geometric mean, 95% confidence limits). Responses were blocked surmountably by ICS 205-930, 10(-11) and 10(-10) M, the threshold for blockade being below 10(-11) M. Parallel, rightward shifts in dose-response curves were seen with these concentrations of antagonist, but at higher concentrations (10(-9) and 10(-8) M) there was a further rightward shift with reduction in slope and maximum of the curves. In SCG, where 5-HT (20 to 320 nmol) evoked depolarizations of graded amplitude and the ED50 was 55.8 (22.3-139.6) nmol (geometric mean, 95% confidence limits), ICS 205-930 had a similar inhibitory effect to that observed in NG. The apparent pA2 values for the surmountable blockade produced by ICS 205-930 at concentrations of 10(-11) and 10(-10) M were 10.2 +/- 0.2 for NG and 10.4 +/- 0.1 for SCG (means +/- s.e. mean). ICS 205-930 was selective in its action since it had no effect on dimethylphenylpiperazinium (DMPP) responses in either ganglion or on GABA responses in NG. This study provides quantitative evidence on the blocking action of ICS 205-930 at neuronal 5-HT receptors using a technique that allows the depolarizing responses evoked by the amine to be directly recorded.

Drug-induced activation of the inferior olivary nucleus in young rabbits. Differential effects of harmaline and quipazine

Ontogenic evolution of behavioural and electrophysiological responses to the serotonergic agents, quipazine and harmaline, was studied in the maturing rabbit in normal and pretreated conditions. As regards behavioural effects, tremor induced by quipazine was present from the first postnatal day and was antagonized by methysergide, but not by p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) or pretreatment with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT). In contrast, tremor induced by harmaline could not be elicited before the second postnatal week and was partially antagonized by methysergide and 5,7-DHT, but not by PCPA. Electrophysiological studies of cell activity in the inferior olivary nucleus revealed a similar dependency on age since rhythmic activation of the inferior olivary nucleus could be registered from the first postnatal day with quipazine and only from the 8th postnatal day with harmaline; drug interactions with methysergide, PCPA and 5,7-DHT were the same as for the behavioural observations. It is suggested that quipazine directly activates serotonin receptors which are already present at birth, whereas harmaline requires the presence of serotonergic fibres for such activation.

Evidence for selective serotonergic receptor involvement in p-chloroamphetamine-induced antinociception

Administration of the serotonin (5-HT) releasing compound p-chloroamphetamine (PCA; 2.5 mg/kg) induced potent analgesia in rats tested with the hot plate method. The analgesia was prevented by pretreatment with either of the 5-HT uptake inhibitors alaproclate (20 mg/kg) or fluoxetine (10 mg/kg). Taking into account that the noradrenergic uptake inhibitor desipramine in previous experiments failed to interfere with the effect of PCA, these results demonstrate that PCA selectively acts on 5-HT terminals. The analgesia was attenuated by administration of the 5-HT antagonists methiothepin (0.125-0.5 mg/kg) and danitracen (0.25-2.5 mg/kg) but not by a series of other 5-HT receptor antagonists or antagonists acting on noradrenergic, dopaminergic, GABAergic, histaminergic or muscarinic receptors. It is concluded that the analgesic effect of PCA is mediated via stimulation of a type of 5-HT receptors possibly belonging to the 5-HT-1 class. Further studies are, however, needed in order to firmly establish the relationship to any particular sub-type of 5-HT receptor as characterized in in vitro binding studies.

The depolarizing action of 5-hydroxytryptamine on rabbit vagal primary afferent and sympathetic neurones and its selective blockade by MDL 72222

MDL 72222 (1 alpha H,3 alpha,5 alpha H-tropan-3-yl-3,5-dichlorobenzoate) is a novel compound with potent and selective blocking actions at certain excitatory 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors on mammalian peripheral neurones. In the present study, the sucrose-gap technique has been used to record depolarizing responses to 5-HT from the cells of the rabbit nodose and superior cervical ganglia and to investigate the potency and selectivity of MDL 72222 as an antagonist of these responses. On nodose ganglia, responses to 5-HT were inhibited surmountably by MDL 72222 at concentrations up to 100 nmol/l. The threshold for antagonism was 2-10 nmol/l and the apparent pA2 value (Schild 1947) was 7.7 +/- 0.2, n = 10. Blockade was selective since responses to GABA and noradrenaline were unaffected by MDL 72222, 100 nmol/l. With concentrations of MDL 72222 higher than 100 nmol/l, antagonism was concentration-related but not in a manner consistent with simple competitive antagonism and even a concentration of 1 mumol/l failed to abolish the response to 5-HT. The results from the superior cervical ganglion were essentially similar to those obtained from the nodose ganglion. The threshold concentration of MDL 72222 for inhibition of 5-HT was 1-10 nmol/l and blockade was selective in that depolarizing responses to dimethylphenyl-piperazinium (DMPP) was unaffected by a concentration of MDL 72222 of 1 mumol/l. The data provide direct evidence that MDL 72222 is a potent and selective antagonist of the receptors for 5-HT which mediate depolarizing responses in vagal primary afferent cell bodies and in sympathetic ganglion cells.

Evidence that 5-hydroxytryptamine does not mediate GABA-induced contractile responses in the guinea-pig proximal ileum

Segments of the isolated proximal ileum of the guinea-pig were set up in the organ bath to record longitudinal muscle contractions. Both gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine induced neurally mediated cholinergic contractile responses; desensitization to 5-HT did not consistently depress contractile responses to GABA, whilst quipazine antagonized the neuronal responses induced by 5-HT without affecting responses to GABA. It is thus concluded that 5-HT does not mediate GABA-induced responses in the ileum.

Generation of an unusual depolarizing response in rabbit primary afferent neurones in the absence of divalent cations

The effects of divalent cations on responses to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenyl piperazinium (DMPP) were investigated using a sucrose-gap method to record population responses. In Ca-free medium responses to 5-HT were enhanced, those to DMPP depressed and those to GABA unchanged. In Mg-free medium responses to 5-HT were unchanged, while those to DMPP and GABA were depressed. Removal of both Ca and Mg from the superfusion medium caused a small reduction of GABA responses and a large reduction of DMPP responses. Responses to 5-HT were not only greatly potentiated but were changed in character; the depolarizing phase became sigmoid and the dose dependence between quantity of 5-HT and response magnitude was lost as if 5-HT were triggering an all-or-nothing phenomenon. Dose--response relationships for GABA were normal in the large majority of preparations. In about 10% of preparations, supramaximal amounts of GABA or DMPP evoked large responses of a similar character to those evoked by 5-HT. The large responses, generated by an unknown mechanism, were termed X responses. Further reduction in tissue divalent cations by EGTA (1 mM) caused X responses to be generated spontaneously. Ca, Mg, Mn or Co (1 mM) could suppress X responses. DMPP responses, reduced in Ca/Mg-free medium, were largely restored by 1 mM-Ca. Depression of GABA responses in Ca/Mg-free medium could be entirely attributed to the absence of Mg, Mn being able to substitute for Mg. X responses were generated only after equilibration for 1 h with Ca/Mg-free medium. Attempts to manipulate [Ca]i with dinitrophenol or caffeine did not produce the conditions under which X responses were generated. Intracellular records of responses to 5-HT, GABA or DMPP showed that cells with A fibres responded to GABA but not to 5-HT or DMPP. Fifty-four out of sixty-seven cells with C fibre axons (80%) were depolarized by 5-HT, thirty-seven out of forty-nine (76%) by DMPP and forty out of fifty-seven (70%) by GABA. Eighteen out of thirty-eight (47%) C cells were depolarized by all three agents. Some C cells were very sensitive to 5-HT, 10(-6) M evoking a substantial response. In most, responses to 10(-5) M-5-HT had a slower rate of rise than responses to 10(-4) or 10(-3) M-GABA or DMPP, yet lower 5-HT concentrations normally elicited X responses in sucrose-gap experiments whereas GABA or DMPP normally did not.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Serotonin in the rat sympathetic ganglion: microdetermination of monoamines and their metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatographic electrochemical detection

We attempted to determine the existence of a functional serotonergic small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cell in the rat superior cervical sympathetic ganglion (SCG) by evaluating the effects of pargyline, decentralization and electrical stimulation on the preganglionic sympathetic fibers. The objective was to assess changes in serotonin (5-HT) metabolism compared with findings in the case of dopamine (DA) metabolism. The contents (ng/ganglion, n = 8, average +/- S.E.) in the adult male Wistar rat SCG of 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were 1.19 +/- 0.11 and 0.11 +/- 0.01, respectively, determined by our reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic electrochemical method. A relatively large amount of 5-HT was detected in the capsule of the SCG (0.62 +/- 0.16 ng/capsule, n = 8) without detection of 5-HIAA. The pargyline injection increased the DA content and decreased the 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) content rapidly. The increase of the 5-HT content was observed without changes in the capsule 5-HT. The mode of pargyline induced-increase in the 5-HT content and decrease of the 5-HIAA content was slow compared to that of DA and DOPAC. Decentralization did not alter the 5-HIAA content, whereas the DOPAC content was markedly reduced. Although electrical stimulation significantly increased the DOPAC content, changes in the 5-HIAA content were not observed. It would thus appear that 5-HT is produced in the rat SCG, and if so, then support for existence of a serotonergic SIF cell in the rat sympathetic ganglion can be obtained. A direct connection between pre- and postganglionic sympathetic neurons through the serotonergic SIF cell was not demonstrated.

Potentiation by quipazine of adrenergic transmission in mesenteric arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats

The effect of quipazine on vasoconstrictor responses to periarterial sympathetic nerve stimulation (NS: 8 Hz, 2 ms, 30 s) and to exogenous norepinephrine (NE) were investigated in the isolated perfused mesenteric arteries of the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and the normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). Quipazine (100 nM) potentiated the pressor response to NS significantly more than that to NE in both SHR and WKY. This agent (30 and 100 nM) also significantly increased the NS-evoked 3H overflow in the [3H]NE pretreated mesenteric vasculature of SHR, but not of WKY, suggesting facilitation of transmitter release. The summation of the pre- and postsynaptic effects of quipazine may account for its greater amplifying effects on NS in SHR, while this agent may act mainly postsynaptically in WKY. The presynaptic action is not attributable to alpha-adrenoceptor blockade but probably to a serotonin-like agonistic action, and the postsynaptic action appears to be mediated by ketanserin-sensitive (5HT2) receptors.

Tripeptides acting on opioid receptors in rat colon

The tripeptides SD-34 and SD-25 induced atropine-, guanethidine-, antihistaminics-resistant but naloxone-sensitive contractions of isolated rat distal colon. They appeared to act on an opioid receptor, probably of the mu subtype, distinct from those for methionine enkephalin and morphine, because the pA2 values of naloxone for the peptides were similar to those for mu-agonists but different from those for methionine enkephalin and morphine, and because the peptides caused contractions of colon that had been desensitized to morphine. Mr 2266, a supposed kappa-antagonist, inhibited the actions of the peptides, ethylketocyclazocine and dynorphin at concentrations much lower than those inhibiting the actions of methionine enkephalin and morphine. Thus these peptides seem to act on the mu- and/or kappa-receptors. The actions of the tripeptides were inhibited by methysergide and methylergometrine, but not by the 5-HT2 antagonist ketanserin, and were not affected by 5-HT or substance P autodesensitization . Thus their actions do not seem to involve 5-HT, histamine, ACh or substance P. It seems likely that the tripeptides, through opioid receptors, directly activate the muscle, or remove some inhibitory modulation of myogenic activity, thus causing contractions.

5-HT antagonists and blockade of neuronal (5-HT) receptors on ganglion cells

Potential changes in superior cervical ganglion cells evoked by 5-HT or the nicotinic agonist, dimethyl-phenyl piperazinium (DMPP), were recorded using the sucrose-gap method and a number of putative 5-HT antagonists tested for potency and selectivity. Selective blockade of 5-HT responses was produced by 5-HT itself and, in increasing order of potency, by cocaine, metoclopramide and quipazine. A non-selective blockade was observed with bufotenine and d-tubocurarine. Substances which had no effect on 5-HT responses included methysergide and other compounds related to LSD, cinanserin, cyproheptadine, phenylbiguanide and morphine. The results provide further information about the 5-HT receptor on sympathetic ganglion cells and support the view that this receptor is distinct from neuronal receptors in the myenteric plexus and on cholinergic nerve terminals.

Role of serotonin in memory: facilitation by alaproclate and zimeldine

The effects of alaproclate and zimeldine on memory retrieval were examined in male Swiss-Webster mice using a one-trial inhibitory avoidance task. All drugs were administered IP prior to the retention test 24 h after training. Both drugs were found to facilitate memory retrieval significantly in a dose- and time-dependent fashion that could not be explained in terms of non-specific effects of the drug (illness, lack of motility, etc.) at the time of the test. The temporal effects of alaproclate and zimeldine on memory closely followed their course of concentration of the drug within the blood stream. The facilitation of retrieval induced by alaproclate and zimeldine was blocked by the putative serotonergic receptor agonist quipazine but not blocked by the antagonist cyproheptadine. Pretreatment with quipazine alone in a group of animals trained to a shock level which normally results in high levels of suppression was not sufficient to produce memory impairment, suggesting that quipazine was probably antagonizing the facilitative effects of alaproclate and zimeldine directly, rather than overriding the facilitation through an indirect action on retrieval in general. The present results lend further support to the suggestion that serotonin plays a significant role in memory.

Serotonin or its agonist 5-methoxytryptamine can stimulate hamster sperm acrosome reactions in a more direct manner than catecholamines

Serotonin (50 microM) or its agonist 5-methoxytryptamine (5 microM) stimulated the acrosome reactions of golden hamster sperm within 15 min after addition to sperm capacitated in vitro for 4.5 h. The stimulation was inhibited by the serotonin receptor antagonists quipazine or cyproheptadine. Epinephrine (70 microM), norepinephrine (50 microM), and dopamine (25 microM) were unable to stimulate acrosome reactions even at 30 min under the same conditions, even though previous studies had demonstrated stimulation by these catecholamines at the same concentrations when present from the start of the capacitation time course. Epinephrine (5 microM) also was unable to stimulate at 30 min. These results demonstrate that serotonin and its agonist have a more direct effect on the hamster sperm acrosome reaction than other biogenic amines and that the effect is receptor-mediated.

Effects of quipazine on pre- and postsynaptic serotonin receptors: single cell studies in the rat CNS

Many behavioural and biochemical studies have pointed to an agonistic activity of quipazine on serotonin (5-HT) receptors. In the present electrophysiological study, the effect of quipazine on pre- and postsynaptic 5-HT receptors in the rat was studied. Quipazine, administered intravenously, depressed the firing rate of 5-HT-containing dorsal raphe neurones (ED50 = 0.82 mg/kg). Microiontophoretic applications of quipazine on 5-HT-containing neurones in the dorsal raphe and on neurones of two forebrain regions receiving a 5-HT input (the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus and the dorsal hippocampus) consistently depressed neuronal firing rate as did 5-HT and D-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Quipazine was more potent on 5-HT neurones than on the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus and hippocampal neurones: the post/presynaptic efficacy ratio for quipazine was similar to that of LSD. Following a selective denervation of 5-HT neurones with intraventricular injection of 5,7-di-hydroxy-tryptamine in desipramine-pretreated rats, the responsiveness of neurones in the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus to quipazine, applied microiontophoretically, was increased as was that to 5-HT and to LSD. These results provide direct evidence for the agonistic activity of quipazine on both pre- and postsynaptic 5-HT receptors.

Depolarizing responses recorded from nodose ganglion cells of the rabbit evoked by 5-hydroxytryptamine and other substances

Membrane potential changes induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenyl piperazinium (DMPP) were recorded from nodose ganglia (NG) by the sucrose-gap method. An amount of 0.002-0.5 mumol of the depolarizing agent was injected into the superfusion stream to the ganglion. Responses to 5-HT were also evoked from superior cervical (SCG) and dorsal root ganglia (DRG). 5-Hydroxytryptamine elicited depolarizations of graded amplitude. Maximal responses were 4.5 +/- 0.4 mV in nodose ganglia compared to 2.2 +/- 0.2 mV in superior cervical and 0.6 +/- 0.1 mV in dorsal root ganglia (means +/- SEM). In nodose ganglia, GABA induced smaller maximal depolarizations than did 5-HT, similar to those evoked by DMPP; dopamine was a weak depolarizing agent while substance P was apparently inactive. The dose-response curve for 5-HT in nodose ganglia was parallel to that for 5-HT in superior cervical ganglia and significantly to the left (ED50 values 0.029 and 0.098 mumol). Curves for 5-HT and GABA in nodose ganglia were superimposable. The high sensitivity of nodose ganglia cells to 5-HT is briefly discussed. Analogues of 5-HT lacking a hydroxyl group at position 5 on the nucleus were relatively inactive as depolarizing agents. Picrotoxin (10(-6)-10(-5) M) reduced or suppressed responses in nodose ganglia to GABA, whereas responses to 5-HT and DMPP were not much affected or, in the case of 5-HT, sometimes somewhat reduced. Quipazine (10(-6) M) was a selective antagonist of 5-HT responses in nodose ganglia; those to GABA and DMPP were not significantly altered. Neither trazodone nor LSD displayed antagonist properties at 5-HT receptors in nodose ganglia.

Modification of apomorphine hypothermia by drugs affecting brain 5-hydroxytryptamine function

Intraperitoneal administration of apomorphine caused hypothermia in mice. Pretreatment with the serotonin (5-HT) receptor antagonists methysergide (3 mg/kg), cinanserin (10 mg/kg) or brom-LSD (3 mg/kg) potentiated this response of apomorphine. Brain 5-HT depletion by p-chlorophenylalanine caused similar modification. On the contrary, the 5-HT receptor agonists quipazine (3 mg/kg) and MK-212 (3 mg/kg), significantly blocked apomorphine hypothermia. It was concluded that 5-HT modulates the dopamine (DA)-mediated body temperature changes and that drug-induced alterations in the brain 5-HT function modify apomorphine-induced hypothermia in a predictable manner. One mg/kg dose of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) blocked apomorphine hypothermia. The apomorphine-blocking effect of both quipazine and LSD developed tolerance. Moreover, LSD showed cross tolerance with quipazine. It was concluded that the hypothermia-blocking property of LSD resides on its ability to activate the hypothalamic 5-HT receptors.

Antagonistic properties of quipazine at presynaptic serotonin receptors and alpha-adrenoceptors in rat brain cortex slices

Rat brain cortex slices preincubated with 3H-serotonin or 3H-noradrenaline were superfused with physiological salt solution, and the effect of quipazine on the 3H overflow evoked by electrical field stimulation was examined. 1. The electrically evoked tritium overflow from brain slices preloaded with 3H-serotonin was increased by quipazine in a concentration-dependent manner. The concentration-response curves of unlabelled serotonin and noradrenaline for their inhibitory effects on impulse-evoked 3H overflow were shifted to the right by quipazine. 2. In brain slices preincubated with tritiated noradrenaline, quipazine caused an increase in electrically stimulated 3H overflow which was less marked than the effect on brain slices preloaded with 3H-serotonin. The concentration-response curve of unlabelled noradrenaline for its decreasing effect on stimulation-evoked 3H overflow was shifted to the right by quipazine. We conclude that quipazine blocks presynaptic inhibitory serotonin receptors and alpha-adrenoceptors on monoaminergic neurones of the rat brain cortex.

Effects of divalent cations on responses of a sympathetic ganglion to 5-hydroxytryptamine and 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenyl piperazinium

1 The effects of raising or lowering [Ca(2+)](o) or [Mg(2+)](o) on potential changes evoked by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and by the nicotinic agonist, 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenyl piperazinium (DMPP) have been investigated.2 Changes in membrane potential were measured at the ganglion or in postganglionic axons by the sucrose-gap technique. The ganglionic response to both 5-HT and DMPP was a depolarization followed by an after-hyperpolarization (AH). AH decayed exponentially over most of its time course; the time constant of decay for 5-HT responses was 4.4 +/- 0.3 min (mean +/- s.e.mean, rate constant 0.23 min(-1)) and that for DMPP responses was not significantly different, being 3.9 +/- 0.3 min (rate constant 0.26 min(-1)).3 Increasing [Ca(2+)](o) to 5.1 or 7.6 mM caused some hyperpolarization of the ganglion, reduced the amplitude of depolarizations evoked by 5-HT by 29% and usually potentiated responses to DMPP (average 12%). Ca-free solutions caused a depolarization of the ganglion, increased the amplitude of depolarizations evoked by 5-HT by 23% and reduced that of depolarizations to DMPP by 32%. [Mg(2+)](o) 12.7 and 25.4 mM caused depolarizations of the ganglion and reduced the amplitude of depolarizations evoked by 5-HT by 34 and 84%, respectively, and those to DMPP by 10 and 75%, respectively. Mg-free solutions or low [Mg(2+)](o) caused a slow depolarization of the ganglion and reduced the amplitude of depolarizations to both 5-HT and DMPP by approx. 20%. Ca/Mg-free solutions produced a slow depolarization of the ganglion, increased the amplitude of depolarizations evoked by 5-HT by 78% and reduced those to DMPP by 58%.4 Increasing [Ca(2+)](o) reduced the amplitude of AH evoked by 5-HT by 50% and increased that to DMPP by 73%, while prolonging AH duration and increasing the time constant of decay. Ca-free solutions had complex effects on AH evoked by 5-HT, which were increased on average by 116%, and depressed AH evoked by DMPP; in both cases there was a decrease in the time constant of decay. [Mg(2+)](o) 12.7 mM reduced the amplitude of AH evoked by 5-HT more than that evoked by DMPP, and increased the rate of decline of the exponential phase. Low Mg solutions reduced in amplitude the AH evoked by 5-HT by 56% and the AH evoked by DMPP by 38%. The time constant of decay was increased. Ca/Mg-free solutions reduced AH amplitude in both 5-HT and DMPP responses. The effects on time constant are consistent with the generation of AH by an electrogenic sodium pump, the ATP-ase of which is Mg(2+)-dependent and inhibited by Ca(2+).5 Responses to 5-HT could be recorded from postganglionic axons and consisted of a rapid depolarization, sometimes followed by an AH whose time constant of decay was smaller than that of ganglionic responses. Full dose-response curves in control and test media could be obtained. In Ca/Mg-free solutions, 5-HT depolarizations were potentiated but no significant shift in the curve was observed.6 It is suggested that divalent cations modulate the coupling between 5-HT receptor and ion channel, an increase in [Ca(2+)](o) reducing the coupling or stabilizing the ion channel in the closed conformation. Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) may compete for the same binding site. This mechanism does not appear to be involved at nicotinic receptors and their related ion channels.

Relative activities of substances related to 5-hydroxytryptamine as depolarizing agents of superior cervical ganglion cells

Membrane potential changes evoked by 5-Ht and related substances were recorded by the sucrose-gap method from rabbit ganglia superfused with Krebs solution at 20 degrees C. A solution of the substance under test was injected into the superfusion stream. The activity of 23 substances was compared to that of 5-HT in respect of depolarizing capacity. 0.01 mumol 5-HT produced a near-threshold depolarization, while 0.6-0.8 mumol induced a maximal one. Some 5-HT analogues evoked prolonged responses distinctly different from the rapid depolarization and repolarization characteristic of 6-HT, while others were inactive. Compounds di- or trimethylated at the side-chain nitrogen atom were capable in addition of activating nicotinic receptors. The results suggest that: (1) the optimal requirements for activating ganglionic 5-HT receptors are a hydroxyl group at position 5 on the indole nucleus and a side-chain bearing an ethylamine amino group; (2) methyl substituents around the terminal nitrogen atom are well tolerated and a quaternary nitrogen may increase activity at the 5-HT receptor; and (3) substitution of a methyl group at carbon atom 2 of the indole nucleus reduces activity. A limitation of the technique is the difficulty of obtaining more than one dose-response curve from a particular preparation; a reduction in potency due to lower affinity cannot be readily distinguished from one due to lower intrinsic activity.