Effects of the beta3-adrenoceptor (Adrb3) agonist SR58611A (amibegron) on serotonergic and noradrenergic transmission in the rodent: relevance to its antidepressant/anxiolytic-like profile.

SR58611A is a selective beta(3)-adrenoceptor (Adrb3) agonist which has demonstrated antidepressant and anxiolytic properties in rodents. The present study confirmed the detection of Adrb3 mRNA transcript in rodent brain sub-regions and evaluated the effect of SR58611A on serotonergic and noradrenergic transmission in rats and mice in an attempt to elucidate the mechanism(s) underlying these properties. SR58611A (3 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) increased the synthesis of 5-HT and tryptophan (Trp) levels in several rodent brain areas (cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, striatum). Moreover, SR58611A (10 mg/kg, p.o.) increased the release of 5-HT assessed by in vivo microdialysis in rat prefrontal cortex. Systemic (3 mg/kg, i.v.) or chronic administration of SR58611A (10 mg/kg, p.o.), in contrast to fluoxetine (15 mg/kg, p.o.), did not modify the activity of serotonergic neurons in the rat dorsal raphe nucleus. The increase in 5-HT synthesis induced by SR58611A was not observed in Adrb3s knockout mice, suggesting a selective involvement of Adrb3s in this effect. SR58611A (3 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) did not modify norepinephrine synthesis and metabolism but increased its release in rat brain. Repeated administration of SR58611A (10 mg/kg, p.o.) did not modify basal norepinephrine release in rat prefrontal cortex whereas it prevented its tail-pinch stress-induced enhancement similarly to reboxetine (15 mg/kg, p.o.). Finally SR58611A increased the firing rate of noradrenergic neurons in the rat locus coeruleus following systemic (3 mg/kg, i.v.) or local (0.01 and 1 microM) but not chronic (10 mg/kg, p.o.) administration. These results suggest that the anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like activities of SR58611A involve an increase of brain serotonergic and noradrenergic neurotransmissions, triggered by activation of Adrb3s.

Effects of the vasopressin (V1b) receptor antagonist, SSR149415, and the corticotropin-releasing factor 1 receptor antagonist, SSR125543, on FG 7142-induced increase in acetylcholine and norepinephrine release in the rat.

Arginine vasopressin and corticotropin-releasing factor are two neuroactive peptides that regulate hypothalamic-pituitary-axis and associated stress response. While the potential antidepressant and anxiolytic profiles of corticotropin-releasing factor 1 antagonists have been well studied, the concept of blockade of vasopressin system as another approach for the treatment of emotional processes has only been made available recently by the synthesis of the first non-peptide antagonist at the V1b receptor, SSR149415. In the present study SSR149415 has been compared with the corticotropin-releasing factor 1 antagonist SSR125543 and with anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs on the response of hippocampal cholinergic and cortical noradrenergic systems to the anxiogenic benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonist FG 7142. Acute (0.3-10 mg/kg, i.p.) and long-term administration (10 mg/kg, i.p., 21 days) of SSR149415 and SSR125543 reduced the FG 7142-induced increase in extracellular concentrations of acetylcholine in the hippocampus of anesthetized rats measured by microdialysis. By contrast acute and long-term administration of SSR149415 failed to reduce the FG 7142-induced increase in the release of norepinephrine in the cortex of freely moving rats. The present results demonstrate that the two compounds have similar profiles in a model of activation by an anxiogenic drug of the hippocampal cholinergic system and they suggest that SSR149415 and SSR125543 may have anti-stress anxiolytic and antidepressant effects via a mechanism of action different from classical benzodiazepine ligands and noradrenergic antidepressants.

Alterations of noradrenaline and serotonin uptake and metabolism in chronic cobalt-induced epilepsy in the rat.

The high affinity uptake of noradrenaline and serotonin, and the concentrations of these monoamines and their metabolites, have been measured in the perifocal cortical area at various stages of the evolution of cobalt-induced epilepsy in the rat. Noradrenaline uptake was maximally reduced at days 8-10 after cortical cobalt application, a time corresponding to the onset of epileptic discharges; it remained diminished during the spiking activity period of the focus (days 14-20) and was back to normal values at day 40, at which time the epileptic syndrome had disappeared. Serotonin uptake was also diminished at days 8-10 but to a lesser extent than was noradrenaline uptake. In the homotopic cerebral cortex contralateral to cobalt application, noradrenaline uptake was reduced at day 10 only and to a lesser extent than in the perifocal area, whereas serotonin uptake was unaffected. Kinetic analysis of the cobalt-induced monoamine uptake alterations at day 10 revealed a diminution of the maximal velocity with no change in the Km. Noradrenaline and dihydroxyphenylethyleneglycol concentrations in the perifocal area were also maximally reduced at days 8-10 but were unaffected at day 2 and day 40 post cobalt application. A reduction of serotonin levels in the perifocal area was observed only at days 8-10 while 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid remained unaffected throughout the time period studied. The levels of these monoamines and their metabolites were unchanged in the homotopic contralateral cortex 2-40 days after cobalt application. These results indicate that cortical cobalt application induces alterations of the biochemical indices of the density of noradrenaline-containing terminals that closely parallel the evolution of the epileptic syndrome. These data further emphasize the important role of the cortical noradrenergic system in cobalt-induced epilepsy.

5-HT1A receptor agonists inhibit carbachol-induced stimulation of phosphoinositide turnover in the rat hippocampus.

The selective 5-HT1A agonists, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-dipropylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and ipsapirone, and the 5-HT1A/5-HT1B agonist, 1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine, partially inhibited the carbachol-stimulated [3H]inositol phosphate formation in rat hippocampal slices. The effect of 8-OH-DPAT was antagonized by cyanopindolol. Selective 5-HT1B, 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 agonists were inactive. 8-OH-DPAT failed to affect the phosphoinositide turnover stimulated by KCl, quisqualate or noradrenaline in hippocampal slices and by carbachol in striatal or cortical slices. These results suggest that 5-HT1A receptors are negatively coupled to phosphoinositide phosphodiesterase in the hippocampus.

Alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists differentially control serotonin release in the hippocampus and striatum: a microdialysis study.

Using the in vivo microdialysis technique, we have studied the effect of the systemic administration of several alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists on the extracellular levels of serotonin (5-HT) in the rat hippocampus. Prazosin, and to a lesser extent, terazosin, decreased these levels by 50-65% for 0.03-0.4 mg/kg, i.v. and by 30-40% for 0.1-0.4 mg/kg, i.v., respectively. In contrast, alfuzosin, an alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist with poor brain penetration, did not significantly affect these levels even at the high dose of 0.4 mg/kg, i.v. When perfused into the hippocampus through the dialysis probe, prazosin (1-10 microM) induced a more limited (20-30%) and delayed decrease in 5-HT outflow. These results support the existence of a central noradrenergic facilitatory influence, mediated by alpha 1-adrenoceptors, on serotonergic neurons projecting to the hippocampus. In the striatum prazosin (0.4 mg/kg, i.v.) decreased 5-HT levels to a smaller extent (-35%) than in the hippocampus (-65%), suggesting the existence of differences in the degree of noradrenergic influence on median and dorsal raphé nuclei, which preferentially project to the hippocampus and striatum, respectively.

5-HT1C receptors mediate phosphoinositide turnover activation in the immature rat hippocampus.

The activation of phosphoinositide turnover in rat cerebral cortex and choroid plexus is triggered by the stimulation of 5-HT2 and 5-HT1C receptors, respectively. To characterize the 5-HT receptor subtype mediating the activation of phosphoinositide turnover in the hippocampus, the potency of several 5-HT agonists and antagonists on total [3H]inositol phosphate formation has been compared in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex and choroid plexus of immature rats. 5-HT, alpha-methyl-5-HT, quipazine, MK-212, mCPP (m-chlorophenylpiperazine) and TFMPP (m-trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine) are less potent and efficient in stimulating phosphoinositide turnover in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex than in the choroid plexus. However, for a number of 5-HT receptor antagonists (ketanserin, spiperone, ritanserin, pizotifen, cyproheptadine, mesulergine, mianserin, methiothepin, methysergide) there is a good correlation (r = 0.82) between their antagonistic potency in the hippocampus and choroid plexus while such correlation is not observed for the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. The specific 5-HT2 receptor antagonist spiperone only partially antagonizes (37% inhibition at 1 microM) the stimulation by 5-HT of phosphoinositide turnover in the hippocampus. These results suggest that in the immature rat hippocampus the activation of phosphoinositide turnover by 5-HT is mainly mediated by the 5-HT1C receptor subtype.

Characterization of [3H]paroxetine binding to rat cortical membranes.

Paroxetine is a selective and potent inhibitor of 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake into serotonergic neurons. The specific binding of [3H]paroxetine to rat cortical membranes at 22 degrees C was examined in this study. Our results indicate the presence of a single saturable high affinity binding component for [3H]paroxetine. Scatchard analysis revealed a Kd of 0.15 +/- 0.01 nM, and a Bmax of 549 +/- 36 fmol/mg protein. The kinetically derived dissociation constant was 0.034 +/- 0.008 nM. [3H]Paroxetine binding was inhibited selectively by 5-HT uptake blockers, and a good correlation was demonstrated between the potency of various drugs to inhibit [3H]paroxetine binding and [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine uptake. Also, lesions performed with the neurotoxin, 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine resulted in a 94% decrease in endogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine levels and concomitantly, a 90% reduction in [3H]paroxetine binding when compared to sham controls. These results indicate that the binding site labelled by [3H]paroxetine is associated with the neuronal 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter complex.

Effect of the putative 5-HT1A receptor antagonist NAN-190 on rat brain serotonergic transmission.

Based on the fact that 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4(4-(2-phtalimido)butyl)piperazine (NAN-190), a high-affinity ligand for 5-HT1A and alpha 1-adrenoceptors, antagonizes the behavioural effects of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT (8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin), it has been suggested that this drug behaves as a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist. In the present study we examined the effects of this putative 5-HT1A receptor antagonist on rat brain serotonergic neurotransmission. In hippocampal slices of immature rats, NAN-190 but not prazosin potently antagonized (IC50 = 29 nM) the inhibitory effect of 8-OH-DPAT (1 microM) on carbachol-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover but (up to 1 microM) failed to alter the carbachol response. Similarly, NAN-190 (0.1 microM) almost totally prevented the inhibition by 8-OH-DPAT (1 microM) of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in adult rat hippocampal slices but, per se, was without effect on the forskolin response. These results indicate that NAN-190 is a potent antagonist at postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors in vitro. However, NAN-190 also potently antagonized (IC50 = 0.16 nM) the stimulation by norepinephrine of phosphoinositide turnover in rat cortical slices. In this respect NAN-190 was a 250-fold more potent antagonist than prazosin (IC50 = 49 nM). Thus, in addition to its 5-HT1A receptor antagonist properties, NAN-190 has potent alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocking properties.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of local injection of 8-OH-DPAT into the dorsal or median raphe nuclei on extracellular levels of serotonin in serotonergic projection areas in the rat brain.

Using in vivo microdialysis, we have examined the effects of local administration of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) into either the dorsal (DRN) or the median (MRN) raphe nucleus on extracellular levels of serotonin (5-HT) in the corresponding projection fields, namely striatum and ventral hippocampus in the anaesthetized rat. Local injection of 8-OH-DPAT (0.5 microgram/0.1 microliter) in the DRN reduced extracellular 5-HT levels in the striatum (-55%) and to a lesser extent in the hippocampus (-22%). When injected at the same dose in the MRN, 8-OH-DPAT caused a marked decrease in 5-HT output in the hippocampus (-41%) and had no effect in the striatum. Autoradiographic studies performed on brains from animals that received a local injection of [8H]8-OH-DPAT into either the DRN or MRN under similar experimental conditions indicated that the radioactivity remained localized within each midbrain raphe nucleus. These results confirm anatomical data demonstrating that the striatum and the ventral hippocampus receive their serotonergic innervation preferentially from the DRN and the MRN, respectively.

Anorectic activities of serotonin uptake inhibitors: correlation with their potencies at inhibiting serotonin uptake in vivo and 3H-mazindol binding in vitro.

The mechanism of anorectic action of several serotonin uptake inhibitors was investigated by comparing their anorectic potencies with several biochemical and pharmacological properties and in reference to the novel compound SL 81.0385. The anorectic effect of the potent serotonin uptake inhibitor SL 81.0385 (ED50 = 4 mg/kg, i.p.) was potentiated by pretreatment with 5-hydroxytryptophan and blocked by the serotonin receptor antagonist metergoline. A good correlation (r = 0.98, p less than 0.01) was obtained between the ED50 values of anorectic action and the ED50 values of serotonin uptake inhibition in vivo (but not in vitro) for several specific serotonin uptake inhibitors. Most of the drugs tested displaced [3H]-mazindol from its binding to the anorectic recognition site in the hypothalamus, except the pro-drug zimelidine which was inactive (IC50 greater than 100 microM). Excluding zimelidine, a good correlation (r = 0.835, p less than 0.01) was obtained between the affinities of these drugs for [3H]-mazindol binding and their anorectic action indicating that their anorectic activity may be associated with an effect mediated through this site. Taken together these results suggest that the anorectic action of serotonin uptake inhibitors is directly associated to their ability to inhibit serotonin uptake and thus increasing the synaptic levels of serotonin. The interactions of these drugs with the anorectic recognition site labelled with [3H]-mazindol is discussed in connection with the serotonergic regulation of carbohydrate intake.

Amisulpride: from animal pharmacology to therapeutic action.

Amisulpride is a benzamide derivative with a unique neurochemical and psychopharmacological profile. This compound has selective affinity for human dopamine D3 and D2 receptor subtypes in vitro (binding constant, K approximately 3 nmol/l) and blocks functional responses mediated by these receptors. In ex vivo binding studies, amisulpride is twice as selective for D3 as for D2 receptors. At low doses, it preferentially blocks presynaptic dopamine autoreceptors (increase in dopamine release in vivo in the rat olfactory tubercle, 50% effective dose, ED50 3.7 mg/kg), while postsynaptic dopamine receptor antagonism is apparent at higher doses (decrease in striatal acetylcholine levels, ED50 approximately 60 mg/kg). Anisulpride preferentially stimulates dopamine synthesis and displaces 3H-raclopride binding in vivo in the limbic system rather than the striatum. It antagonizes apomorphine-induced hypothermia in mice and amphetamine-induced hypermotility in rats at low doses (ED50 2-3 mg/kg), blocks apomorphine-induced climbing and spontaneous grooming in mice, blocks apomorphine-induced gnawing in rats at higher doses (ED50 19-115 mg/kg) and does not induce catalepsy at 100 mg/kg. The preferential antagonism by amisulpride of presynaptic D2/D3 receptors is reflected behaviourally in the potent blockade of apomorphine-induced effects mediated by dopamine autoreceptors (yawning and hypomotility: ED50 0.2 and 0.3 mg/kg, respectively) compared with those medicated by postsynaptic D2 receptors (e.g. gnawing: ED50 115 mg/kg). Moreover, low doses of amisulpride induce prohedonic (potentiation of food-induced place preference) effects in rats. The atypical neurochemical and psychopharmacological profiles of amisulpride may explain its therapeutic efficacy on both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Discriminative stimulus effects of drugs acting at GABA(A) receptors: differential profiles and receptor selectivity.

The GABA(A) receptor complex contains a number of binding sites at which a variety of psychotropic drugs, including benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and some neurosteroids, act to potentiate or inhibit the effect of the transmitter. Many studies have reported that these drugs can produce discriminative stimulus actions, but the cueing effects of compounds acting at different sites to enhance the effects of GABA are not identical. The discriminative stimulus effects of benzodiazepines have been analyzed in detail, and there is also a great deal of information available on the effects of nonbenzodiazepine compounds acting at BZ(omega) recognition sites, which form part of the GABA(A) receptor complex. Of particular interest are compounds with selectivity for the BZ1(omega1) receptor subtype including zolpidem, zaleplon, and CI 218,872. BZ1(omega1)-selective drugs substitute for the discriminative stimulus produced by chlordiazepoxide only partially and at sedative doses. This is consistent with the view that sedative effects of BZ(omega) receptor agonists are mediated by the BZ1(omega1) receptor subtype, whereas the discriminative stimulus produced by chlordiazepoxide may be produced by activity at the BZ2(omega2) subtype. Analysis of this hypothesis is complicated by the variety of levels of intrinsic activity shown by different drugs.

The preclinical pharmacologic profile of tiapride.

Tiapride is a benzamide derivative that has been used successfully in the clinic for a number of years for the treatment of agitation and aggressiveness in elderly patients. Like many substituted benzamides, tiapride specifically blocks dopamine receptors in the brain. It has affinity for dopamine D(2) (IC(50) = 110-320 nM) and D(3) (IC(50) = 180 nM) receptors in vitro but lacks affinity for dopamine D(1) and D(4) receptors and for non-dopaminergic receptors including H(1), alpha(1), alpha(2)-adrenergic and serotonergic receptors. Tiapride also shows dose-related inhibition of [3H]-raclopride binding in limbic areas and in the striatum of the rat in vivo (ED(50) approximately 20 mg/kg, ip). In microdialysis experiments, tiapride (over the range 10-30 mg/kg, ip) increased extracellular levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens and striatum, a reflection of its blockade of postsynaptic dopamine receptors in these brain areas. In behavioral experiments in rats, lower doses of tiapride (ED(50) = 10 mg/kg, ip) antagonised dopamine agonist-induced hyperactivity while higher doses (ED(50) = 60 mg/kg, ip) were required to block stereotyped movements. In addition, doses of tiapride up to 200 mg/kg, ip failed to induce catalepsy, an effect observed with many other drugs which block dopamine receptors. In tests of conditioned behavior in rats, tiapride was found to give rise to an interoceptive stimulus associated with dopamine receptor blockade at doses (ED(50) = 2.2 mg/kg, ip) much lower than those producing motor disturbances or sedation (ED(50) = 40 mg/kg, ip), in striking contrast to a range of conventional or atypical neuroleptics that produced interoceptive stimulus and sedation at similar doses. Furthermore, the acquisition by rats of a place-learning task in a water maze was not affected by tiapride (over the range 3-30 mg/kg, ip), whereas haloperidol (MED = 0.25 mg/kg, ip) and risperidone (MED = 0.03 mg/kg, ip) impaired performance. The preclinical pharmacologic and behavioral profile of tiapride suggests that its clinical activity may be due to a selective blockade of dopamine D(2) and D(3) receptors in limbic brain regions. The results are also consistent with a lack of motor or cognitive side effects.

L-glutamate increases internal free calcium levels in synaptoneurosomes from immature rat brain via quisqualate receptors.

Internal free calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) have been monitored in synaptoneurosomes from 8-d-old rat whole brain previously loaded with the calcium-sensitive fluorescent probe Fura 2. Under basal conditions, [Ca2+]i was around 200 nM, this concentration increasing only slowly during storage of the synaptoneurosomes at room temperature (40% increase 2 hr after loading). Opening of sodium channels with veratridine- (10 microM) or KCl- (30 mM) induced depolarization caused rapid increases in synaptoneurosomal [Ca2+]i. [Ca2+]i was also markedly increased by addition of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 (10-100 nM). The effect of veratridine, but not of KCl was prevented by previous addition of TTX (1 microM). KCl-induced [Ca2+]i increase was dependent on external Ca2+ and was partially blocked by the dihydropyridine derivative PN 200-110 (IC50 0.15 microM, maximal inhibition 55% at 3 microM). L-Glutamate elicited a concentration-dependent fast increase in synaptoneurosomal [Ca2+]i in the 8-d-old (but not in the adult) rat brain (EC50 = 2 microM). The effect of glutamate was stereospecific, the EC50 of the D-isomer being 47 times higher than that of L-isomer. The magnitude of the L-glutamate response differed in several brain regions, being highest in the cerebral cortex and lowest in the cerebellum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pharmacological characterization of serotonin-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover in brain regions of the immature rat.

The effects of serotonin (5-HT) and related agonists and antagonists on phosphoinositide turnover have been investigated in several brain regions of the immature rat. In the presence of LiCl, 5-HT caused a marked increase in total [3H]inositol phosphate levels in cortical (maximal effect + 420%, EC50 = 7 microM) and to a lesser extent in hippocampal and striatal slices prepared from the immature (8-day-old) rat; the cortical 5-HT-induced phosphoinositide response was tetrodotoxin resistant. The magnitude of the increase in the cortical phosphoinositide response caused by 5-HT was maximal at 1 day postnatal and progressively declined to reach 6% of this maximal response in the adult. After incubation of immature (8-day-old) rat cortical slices for 2.5 min with 5-HT (in the absence of LiCl), inositol 1-phosphate, inositol 1,4-bisphosphate, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate levels increased about 2-fold. A variety of 5-HT2 or mixed 5-HT1/5-HT2 agonists stimulated total [3H]inositol phosphate formation in the immature rat cortex and hippocampus with a rank order of potency [alpha(+)-methyl-5-HT greater than quipazine greater than MK 212 greater than 5-HT] which resembles their potencies at the 5-HT2 binding site. In contrast, the 5-HT1A agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin, the 5-HT1B agonists 1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine and 1-(m-chlorophenyl)-piperazine and the 5-HT3 agonist 2-methyl-5-HT were inactive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Potential mechanisms involved in the negative coupling between serotonin 5-HT1A receptors and carbachol-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover in the rat hippocampus.

Serotonin 5-HT1A receptors have been reported to be negatively coupled to muscarinic receptor-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover in the rat hippocampus. In the present study, we have investigated further the pharmacological specificity of this negative control and attempted to elucidate the mechanism whereby 5-HT1A receptor activation inhibits the carbachol-stimulated phosphoinositide response in immature or adult rat hippocampal slices. Various 5-HT1A receptor agonists were found to inhibit carbachol (10 microM)-stimulated formation of total inositol phosphates in immature rat hippocampal slices with the following rank order of potency (IC50 values in nM): 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) (11) greater than ipsapirone (20) greater than gepirone (120) greater than RU 24969 (140) greater than buspirone (560) greater than 1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine (1,500) greater than methysergide (5,644); selective 5-HT1B, 5-HT2, and 5-HT3 receptor agonists were inactive. The potency of the 5-HT1A receptor agonists investigated as inhibitors of the carbachol response was well correlated (r = 0.92) with their potency as inhibitors of the forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase in guinea pig hippocampal membranes. 8-OH-DPAT (10 microM) fully inhibited the carbachol-stimulated formation of inositol di-, tris-, and tetrakisphosphate but only partially antagonized (-40%) inositol monophosphate production. The effect of 8-OH-DPAT on carbachol-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover was not prevented by addition of tetrodotoxin (1 microM), by prior destruction of serotonergic afferents, by experimental manipulations causing an increase in cyclic AMP levels (addition of 10 microM forskolin), or by changes in membrane potential (increase in K+ concentration or addition of tetraethylammonium). Prior intrahippocampal injection of pertussis toxin also failed to alter the ability of 8-OH-DPAT to inhibit the carbachol response. Carbachol-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover in immature rat hippocampal slices was inhibited by the protein kinase C activators phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (10 microM) and arachidonic acid (100 microM). Moreover, the inhibitory effect of 8-OH-DPAT on the carbachol response was blocked by 10 microM quinacrine (a phospholipase A2 inhibitor) but not by BW 755C (100 microM), a cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitor. These results collectively suggest that 5-HT1A receptor activation inhibits carbachol-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover by stimulating a phospholipase A2 coupled to 5-HT1A receptors, leading to arachidonic acid release. Arachidonic acid could in turn activate a gamma-protein kinase C with as a consequence an inhibition of carbachol-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover. This inhibition may be the consequence of a phospholipase C phosphorylation and/or a direct effect on the muscarinic receptor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Activation of 5-HT1A receptors inhibits carbachol-stimulated inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate mass accumulation in the rodent hippocampus.

We have previously demonstrated that 5-HT1A receptor agonists partially prevent the stimulation by carbachol of [3H]-phosphoinositide hydrolysis in immature rat hippocampal slices. This negative modulation has been investigated further by measuring, using a radioreceptor assay, the mass accumulation of IP3. In hippocampal slices from developing rats and in hippocampal neurons, carbachol enhanced the accumulation of IP3 and this response was partially inhibited by 8-OH-DPAT with a potency compatible with the affinity of this agonist for 5-HT1A receptors. The inhibition of the carbachol response by 8-OH-DPAT was non-competitive in nature and 8-OH-DPAT did not affect the inhibitory potency of pirenzepine. The inhibitory effect of 8-OH-DPAT was maintained after washing the slices preincubated with this compound but was not observed on the carbachol-stimulated PIP2 hydrolysis in hippocampal membranes, suggesting that this compound induces long lasting changes of muscarinic receptors and/or their effector mechanism by an indirect action.

Relative selectivity of 6,7-dihydroxy-2-dimethylaminotetralin, N-n-propyl-3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)piperidine, N-n-propylnorapomorphine and pergolide as agonists at striatal dopamine autoreceptors and postsynaptic dopamine receptors.

6,7-Dihydroxy-2-dimethylaminotetralin (TL-99), N-n-propyl-3-(3-hydroxyphenylpiperidine [(+/-)-3-PPP], N-n-propylnorapomorphine and pergolide were evaluated for activity on a number of biochemical parameters that are presumed to indicate an agonist effect at dopamine (DA) autoreceptors (antagonism of the gamma-hydroxybutyrate-induced increase in dopa formation), at postsynaptic DA receptors (elevation of acetylcholine levels) or at both types of DA receptors (diminution of DA synthesis and homovanillic acid levels) in rat striatum. All four agents decreased striatal dopa accumulation (in the presence and in the absence of gamma-hydroxybutyrate). N-propylnorapomorphine, pergolide and TL-99 also reduced homovanillic acid levels and increased acetylcholine concentrations in striatum whereas (+/-)-3-PPP was inactive. The compounds were all more potent in diminishing dopa accumulation caused by gamma-hydroxybutyrate treatment than in increasing acetylcholine levels [(+/-)-3-PPP showing the highest dissociation] indicating a preferential agonist activity at DA autoreceptors. The relative selectivity of the compounds for DA autoreceptors and postsynaptic DA receptors was evaluated further by studying the antagonism by these drugs of the activation of striatal dopa formation (index of both DA autoreceptor and postsynaptic DA receptor stimulation) and tyrosine hydroxylase (index of postsynaptic DA receptor stimulation only) induced by haloperidol or reserpine. The DA agonists were all more potent in antagonizing the neuroleptic-induced increase in DA synthesis than in counteracting the drug-induced activation of tyrosine hydroxylase, with (+/-)-3PPP exhibiting the highest dissociation. The present results indicate that the DA agonists studied possess some selectivity for striatal DA autoreceptors, (+/-)-3-PPP being the most selective in this respect.

Zolpidem, a novel nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic. II. Effects on cerebellar cyclic GMP levels and cerebral monoamines.

The effect of zolpidem, a novel nonbenzodiazepine short-acting hypnotic, on cerebellar cyclic GMP (cGMP) and biochemical indices of cerebral norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine metabolism has been investigated in the rat and mouse. Zolpidem diminished the levels of cerebellar cGMP in the rat markedly (ED50 = 0.7 mg/kg i.p.). This effect was antagonized, in a competitive manner, by the benzodiazepine antagonist Ro 15-1788. The zolpidem-induced decrease of cerebellar cGMP levels was rapid in onset and of short duration (less than 1 hr). When given in combination with muscimol (in a dose which by itself did not alter cerebellar cGMP content) zolpidem potentiated the diminution of the cyclic nucleotide levels induced by the gamma-aminobutyric acid mimetic. Zolpidem (up to 30 mg/kg i.p.) failed to alter the rate of utilization of norepinephrine or the levels of total 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethyleneglycol or 3-methoxy, 4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol sulfate in the rat brain. However, the compound (10-30 mg/kg) diminished serotonin synthesis in the hippocampus, striatum and frontal cortex. At high doses (30-100 mg/kg i.p.), zolpidem also decreased the rate of utilization of dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid levels in the rat striatum. Moreover, zolpidem (10 mg/kg i.p.) prevented partially the haloperidol-induced increase in 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid concentrations in both striatum and frontal cortex. Finally, zolpidem prevented the increase in 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid levels in the frontal cortex induced by electric footshock stress in rats (ED50 = 2 mg/kg i.p.) and BALB/C mice. This effect was antagonized by coadministration of Ro 15-1788.