Importance of D-2 mechanisms in the reversal of reserpine hypothermia in the mouse

The histamine H3 receptor modulates dopamine D2 receptor-dependent signaling pathways and mouse behaviors

The histamine H3 receptor (H3R) is highly enriched in the spiny projection neurons (SPNs) of the striatum, in both the D1 receptor (D1R)-expressing and D2 receptor (D2R)-expressing populations. A crossantagonistic interaction between H3R and D1R has been demonstrated in mice, both at the behavioral level and at the biochemical level. Although interactive behavioral effects have been described upon coactivation of H3R and D2R, the molecular mechanisms underlying this interaction are poorly understood. Here, we show that activation of H3R with the selective agonist R-(-)-α-methylhistamine dihydrobromide mitigates D2R agonist-induced locomotor activity and stereotypic behavior. Using biochemical approaches and the proximity ligation assay, we demonstrated the existence of an H3R-D2R complex in the mouse striatum. In addition, we examined consequences of simultaneous H3R-D2R agonism on the phosphorylation levels of several signaling molecules using immunohistochemistry. H3R agonist treatment modulated Akt (serine/threonine PKB)-glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta signaling in response to D2R activation via a β-arrestin 2-dependent mechanism in D2R-SPNs but not in D1R-SPNs. Phosphorylation of mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase 1 and rpS6 (ribosomal protein S6) was largely unchanged under these conditions. As Akt-glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta signaling has been implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders, this work may help clarify the role of H3R in modulating D2R function, leading to a better understanding of pathophysiology involving the interaction between histamine and dopamine systems.

Involvement of dopamine receptor subtypes in mouse thermoregulation

The effects of dopamine agonists on core body temperature (BT) were tested in mice. Apomorphine (APO) reduced BT of the mice dose dependently. The response was inhibited by the D-2 antagonist sulpiride, but not by the D-1 antagonist SCH 23390. The D-2 agonist quinpirole also decreased BT and this was prevented by sulpiride pretreatment. Administration of the D-1 agonist SKF 38393 increased BT. This hyperthermia was decreased by SCH 23390 pretreatment. In reserpinized animals, APO caused a dose-related increase in BT. The hyperthermic response of the drug was abolished in animals pretreated with a combination of sulpiride with SCH 23390, but not by single administration of sulpiride or SCH 23390. Quinpirole and SKF 38393 caused hyperthermia in reserpinized mice. The response was decreased in animals pretreated with sulpiride or SCH 23390, respectively. BT of the intact mice was decreased, while that of reserpinized animals was increased by SCH 23390 but not by sulpiride pretreatment. It is concluded that the presynaptic dopamine neurons are involved in hypothermia, while both postsynaptic D-1 and D-2 dopamine receptors may mediated the hyperthermia induced by dopaminergic agents.

Desipramine and nortriptyline antagonize apomorphine and reserpine hypothermia by a different mechanism

The reversal of hypothermia, induced by reserpine or by a high (16 mg) dose of apomorphine, in male Swiss mice, does not seem to utilize a common mechanism. Desipramine (20 mg kg-1 i.p., 60 min) or nortriptyline (8 mg kg-1 i.p., 60 min) increased temperature in both reserpine (2.5 mg kg-1 s.c., 18-19 h) and apomorphine (16 mg kg-1 s.c., 30 min) treated mice. In apomorphine-treated animals the effect of both drugs was reversed by the mixed dopaminergic D1- D2-antagonist haloperidol (1 mg kg-1 i.p., 90 min), the D1-receptor blocking drug SCH 23390 (0.05 mg kg-1 s.c., 30 min), the alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocking drugs prazosin (3 mg kg-1 s.c., 90 min) and phenoxybenzamine (20 mg kg-1 i.p., 65 min), the beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug (+/-)-propranolol (10 mg kg-1 i.p., 120 min), and the opioid antagonist naloxone (2 mg kg-1 i.p., 15 min). In contrast the selective D2-antagonist (+/-)-sulpiride (100 mg kg-1 i.p., 90 min), and the alpha 2-antagonist yohimbine (2 mg kg-1 i.p., 75 min), failed to effect the reversal of apomorphine hypothermia brought about by desipramine or nortriptyline. Their temperature effects in reserpinized mice were not modified by any of the antagonists tested.