Sánchez C. Serotonergic mechanisms involved in the exploratory behaviour of mice in a fully automated two-compartment black and white text box.
PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY 1995;
77:71-8. [PMID:
8532615 DOI:
10.1111/j.1600-0773.1995.tb01916.x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
A fully automated version of the black and white two-compartment box for mice is presented. The anxiolytic-like effects of the benzodiazepines, diazepam and chlordiazepoxide, were confirmed, and the involvement of serotonergic mechanisms was studied in this animal model of anxiety. The partial 5-HT1A receptor agonists, buspirone and ipsapirone showed anxiolytic-like effects in a limited dose interval. The full agonist hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetraline (8-OH-DPAT) was inactive. The non-selective 5-HT1 receptor agonist, eltoprazine, induced marked increases of exploratory behaviour in the white compartment over a broad range of doses. Also pindolol a mixed 5-HT1A/1B and beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist showed anxiolytic-like effects, whereas another compound with a similar profile (-)-, penbutolol and the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI 118,551, was inactive. The 5-HT2A/2C receptor antagonist, ritanserin, showed anxiogenic-like, and the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, zacopride and ondansetron, showed anixiolytic-like effects. An overall increase of serotonergic activity by means of 5-HT uptake inhibition (citalopram), 5-HT release (fenfluramine) or administration of a 5-HT precursor (1-5-HTP) facilitated exploratory activity in the white compartment. Reduction of serotonergic activity by treatment with the 5-HT depletor p-chloro-phenylalanine methyl ester (PCPA) did not change the exploratory behaviour, but attenuated the response to fenfluramine significantly.
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