5-HT receptor subtypes involved in the spinal antinociceptive effect of acetaminophen in rats.

The present study was designed to investigate which subtype of spinal 5-HT receptors were involved in acetaminophen-induced antinociception using the paw-pressure test. Propacetamol (prodrug of acetaminophen, 400 mg/kg, injected intravenously, corresponding to 200 mg/kg of acetaminophen) produced a significant antinociceptive effect in this test. This effect was at least partially inhibited by intrathecal (i.t.) pretreatment with the 5-HT(1B) (penbutolol), 5-HT(2A) (ketanserin), 5-HT(2C) (mesulergine) receptor antagonists, but not by the 5-HT(1A) (N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-(2-pyridinyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide trihydrochloride, WAY 100635) and 5-HT(3) (granisetron) receptor antagonists. This profile was very close to that obtained recently with 5-HT, which suggests an implication of 5-HT in the spinal antinociceptive effect of acetaminophen. These results, the lack of binding of acetaminophen to 5-HT receptors and the increase of central 5-HT levels induced by this drug suggest that acetaminophen-induced antinociception could be indirectly mediated by 5-HT.

beta-blocker binding to human 5-HT(1A) receptors in vivo and in vitro: implications for antidepressant therapy.

A novel strategy for improving the treatment of depressive illness is augmentation of antidepressants with a 5-HT1(1A) autoreceptor antagonist. However, trials using the 5-HT1(1A)/beta-blocker pindolol are proving inconsistent. We report how positron emission tomography (PET) and in vitro autoradiography can inform trials of antidepressant augmentation. We show that in healthy volunteers, in vivo, pindolol (n = 10) and penbutolol (n = 4), but not tertatolol (n = 4) occupy the human 5-HT(1A) receptors, at clinical doses. Pindolol, as well as the beta-blockers penbutolol and tertatolol, has high affinity for human 5-HT(1A) receptors in post-mortem brain slices (n = 4). Pindolol shows preference for 5-HT(1A) autoreceptors versus the post-synaptic receptors both in vitro and in vivo. Our data reveal that pindolol doses used in antidepressant trials so far are suboptimal for significant occupancy at the 5-HT(1A) autoreceptor. Penbutolol or higher doses of pindolol are candidates for testing as antidepressant augmenting regimes in future clinical trials.

Autoreceptors remain functional after prolonged treatment with a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) autoreceptors may desensitize during prolonged administration of antidepressant drugs. If autoreceptors desensitize, their inhibitory influence on extracellular 5-HT should be attenuated. To test this hypothesis, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram (10 mg kg(-1), s.c., b.i.d.) or saline was administered for 14 days to rats. After a 24-h washout period, rats were anesthetized, and implanted with dialysis probes for determination of 5-HT in the frontal cortex (FCx) and dorsal hippocampus (DH). In response to citalopram (5 mg kg(-1), s.c.) challenge, there were moderate increases in 5-HT in the FCx and DH of both the chronic citalopram and saline pretreatment groups. After subsequent administration of the 5-HT(1A/1B) autoreceptor antagonist, (-)-penbutolol, there were further increases in 5-HT in the FCx and DH of the saline pretreatment group. Moreover, contrary to the expected effect if autoreceptors were desensitized, the potentiation produced by (-)-penbutolol was greater in the FCx and DH of the chronic citalopram group as compared to rats pretreated with saline. These results suggest that autoreceptors still restrain the increase in 5-HT produced by an SSRI after prolonged administration.

Effects of (-)-tertatolol, (-)-penbutolol and (+/-)-pindolol in combination with paroxetine on presynaptic 5-HT function: an in vivo microdialysis and electrophysiological study.

The antidepressant efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) might be enhanced by co-administration of 5-HT1A receptor antagonists. Thus, we have recently shown that the selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, WAY 100635, blocks the inhibitory effect of an SSRI on 5-HT cell firing, and enhances its ability to elevate extracellular 5-HT in the forebrain. Here we determined whether the beta-adrenoceptor/5-HT1A receptor ligands (+/-)-pindolol, (-)-tertatolol and (-)-penbutolol, interact with paroxetine in a similar manner. Both (-)-tertatolol (2.4 mg kg(-1) i.v.) and (-)-penbutolol (2.4 mg kg(-1) i.v.) enhanced the effect of paroxetine (0.8 mg kg(-1) i.v.) on extracellular 5-HT in the frontal cortex, whilst (+/-)-pindolol (4 mg kg(-1) i.v.) did not. (-)-Tertatolol (2.4 mg kg(-1) i.v.) alone caused a slight increase in 5-HT however, (-)-penbutolol (2.4 mg kg(-1) i.v.) alone had no effect. In electrophysiological studies (-)-tertatolol (2.4 mg kg(-1) i.v.) alone had no effect on 5-HT cell firing but blocked the inhibitory effect of paroxetine. In contrast, (-)-penbutolol (0.1-0.8 mg kg(-1) i.v.) itself inhibited 5-HT cell firing, and this effect was reversed by WAY 100635 (0.1 mg kg(-1) i.v.). We have recently shown that (+/-)-pindolol inhibits 5-HT cell firing via a WAY 100635-sensitive mechanism. Our data suggest that (-)-tertatolol enhances the effect of paroxetine on forebrain 5-HT via blockade of 5-HT1A autoreceptors which mediate paroxetine-induced inhibition of 5-HT cell firing. In comparison, the mechanisms by which (-)-penbutolol enhances the effect of paroxetine on extracellular 5-HT is unclear, since (-)-penbutolol itself appears to have agonist properties at the 5-HT1A autoreceptor. Indeed, the agonist action of (+/-)-pindolol at 5-HT1A autoreceptors probably explains its inability to enhance the effect of paroxetine on 5-HT in the frontal cortex. Overall, our data suggest that both (-)-tertatolol and (-)-penbutolol are superior to (+/-)-pindolol in terms of enhancing the effect of an SSRI on extracellular 5-HT. Both (-)-tertatolol and (-)-penbutolol are worthy of investigation for use as adjuncts to SSRIs in the treatment of major depression.

Design and synthesis of new potent, silent 5-HT1A antagonists by covalent coupling of aminopropanol derivatives with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Hybrid molecules built up by covalent coupling of aminopropanol derivatives (especially pindolol) with antidepressant drugs like fluoxetine, paroxetine or milnacipran were found to be potent and silent 5-HT1A antagonists (KB < 1 nM for 7c and 9a).

[Beta-adrenergic blockers and calcium antagonists in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]. / Beta-adrenoblokatory i antagonisti kal'tsiia pri gipertroficheskoi kardiomiopatii.

Effects of beta-blockers (propranolol, penbutolol) and calcium antagonists (nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem) were studied in 73 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC). Clinical data, ECG and echo-CG findings were assessed. It was found that beta-adrenoblockers and calcium antagonists improve quality of life in one-third of the patients. Penbutolol and nifedipine did so in half of the patients. Neither beta-adrenoblockers nor calcium antagonists decrease myocardial hypertrophy. Calcium antagonists may result in lowering of myocardial contractility while beta-adrenoblockers may increase the ejection fraction. Diltiazem produced a positive effect on diastolic function but had many side effects. Nifedipine increased lethality compared with verapamil and propranolol.

Interaction studies of 5-HT1A receptor antagonists and selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitors in isolated aggressive mice.

Recently published studies have suggested that behavioral and neurochemical changes induced by selective serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) reuptake inhibitors are potentiated by coadministration of a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist. The potentiating effect is hypothesized to be due to antagonism of somatodendritic 5-HT1A autoreceptors. In the present study the effects of concomitant administration of a selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor with a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist (N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl] ethyl]-N-(2-pyridinyl) cyclo-hexanecarboxamide (WAY 100635) or a beta-adrenoceptor and 5-HT1A/1B receptor antagonist (pindolol or (-)-penbutolol) were studied in isolated aggressive mice. WAY 100635 was inactive, but high doses of WAY 100635 produced a marked anti-aggressive effect when combined with a non-effective dose of citalopram or paroxetine. Low doses of pindolol, but not (-)-penbutolol, produced a minor but significant anti-aggressive effect in combination with citalopram or paroxetine. High doses of pindolol or (-)-penbutolol inhibited aggressive behavior, an effect which was reversed by citalopram or paroxetine. The beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, metoprolol, but not the alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist, prazosin, facilitated the anti aggressive effect of citalopram. The significance of these findings is discussed relative to the above hypothesis.

Autoreceptor antagonists enhance the effect of the reuptake inhibitor citalopram on extracellular 5-HT: this effect persists after repeated citalopram treatment.

The effect of repeated administration of the reuptake inhibitor citalopram (10 mg/kg s.c., b.i.d. for 14 days) or saline on extracellular 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and autoreceptor sensitivity was assessed using microdialysis in the frontal cortex (FCx) and dorsal hippocampus (DH) of unanesthetized rats. Acute citalopram (5 mg/kg s.c.) challenge produced significant increases in DH and FCx 5-HT. The nonselective 5-HT1A/1B receptor antagonist (-)+penbutolol (8 mg/kg s.c.), administered 2 hr after citalopram challenge, significantly enhanced 5-HT in FCx and DH of both the chronic citalopram and saline pretreatment groups. Administration of the selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY 100635 (0.3 mg/kg s.c.) after citalopram challenge significantly enhanced 5-HT in FCx but not DH of both pretreatment groups. This suggests that there may be differences between DH and FCx in regulation of 5-HT release. Nevertheless, these results provide evidence that 5-HT autoreceptors are still active in restraining 5-HT release. Nevertheless, these results provide evidence that 5-HT autoreceptors are still active in restraining 5-HT release even after repeated administration of an antidepressant drug.

Effect of 5-HT1A receptor antagonists on citalopram-induced increase in extracellular serotonin in the frontal cortex, striatum and dorsal hippocampus.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of citalopram, either alone or combined with 5-HT1A receptor antagonists, on extracellular serotonin levels in brain regions innervated by the dorsal or median raphe nuclei. Using intracerebral microdialysis in awake rats with separate probes in the frontal cortex or dorsal hippocampus, we studied the ability of 8 mg/kg s.c. (-)penbutolol, a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist with antagonist action at 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptors, and 0.3 mg/kg s.c. WAY-100635, a selective 5-HT1A receptor blocker, to modify the effect of 1 and 10 mg/kg i.p. citalopram on extracellular serotonin. Both doses of citalopram had more effect on extracellular serotonin levels in the dorsal hippocampus than in the frontal cortex. The effect of 1 mg/kg citalopram was significantly potentiated by (-)penbutolol in the frontal cortex only, but a clear-cut potentiation of the effect of citalopram was seen in both regions at a dose of 10 mg/kg. The effect of 10 mg/kg citalopram was potentiated by WAY-100635 in the frontal cortex but not in the dorsal hippocampus. In a second set of experiments, the combined effect of WAY-100635 and citalopram was studied in the same rat implanted with vertical probes in the striatum and dorsal hippocampus. Citalopram (1 and 10 mg/kg i.p.) raised extracellular serotonin to a similar extent in both regions. However, 0.3 mg/kg s.c. WAY-100635 potentiated the effect of 10 mg/kg citalopram in the striatum but not in the dorsal hippocampus. The results suggest that only a combined blockade of 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptors potentiates the effect of citalopram on extracellular concentrations of serotonin in the dorsal hippocampus. The findings may be relevant in designing clinical trials aimed at enhancing the antidepressant action of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors by combining them with serotonin receptor antagonists.

Raphe 5-HT1A autoreceptors, but not postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors or beta-adrenoceptors, restrain the citalopram-induced increase in extracellular 5-hydroxytryptamine in vivo.

In vivo microdialysis in rat ventral hippocampus was used (i) to verify the importance of 5-HT1A autoreceptors in the raphe as targets for drugs that enhance the citalopram-induced elevation of forebrain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and (ii) to further examine the specificity of (-)-penbutolol in this regard. The selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY100635 (s.c., or intra-raphe) or the mixed 5-HT1A/1B/beta-adrenoceptor antagonist (-)-penbutolol (s.c.), potentiated the citalopram-induced 5-HT rise, whereas local "reverse' dialysis of WAY100635 into the ventral hippocampus did not. Furthermore, the (-)-penbutolol-induced augmentation proved stereoselective and not mediated by beta-adrenoceptors (no effect of s.c. (+)-penbutolol, or beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptor blockers (betaxolol, ICI118.551)). These data provide direct evidence that increased stimulation of 5-HT1A autoreceptors in the midbrain raphe impedes the effect of citalopram on forebrain extracellular 5-HT, whereas neither postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors nor beta-adrenoceptors appear to be involved.

[The pharmacological effect of betapressin in hypertension]. / Farmakologicheskii éffekt betapressina pri gipertonicheskoi bolezni.

The work analyses the results of treating 20 hypertensive patients with (stage I-II) with betapressin. The drug is shown to be active in causing a significant decrease of systolic and mean arterial pressure. Its hypotensive effect is associated with essential decrease of peripheral vascular resistance. This circumstance, as well as acceleration of the heart rhythm, leads to increase of the cardiac output. Betapressin is recommended for monotherapy of patients suffering from stages I-II hypertension with eu- and hypokinetic types of hemodynamics.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of penbutolol in healthy and cancer subjects: role of altered protein binding.

The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of penbutolol were examined in healthy volunteers and in cancer patients using a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (pk/pd) model. After receiving a 40 mg single oral dose of penbutolol, the absorption rate constant, apparent volume of distribution and serum clearance of penbutolol were found to be reduced in the cancer group. Changes in the disposition of the conjugate metabolite were also observed in the cancer patients. Penbutolol unbound fraction in serum was statistically decreased (p < 0.005) in the cancer group, according to the increase in the serum levels of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein seen in that group (p < 0.05). The pharmacodynamic effect of penbutolol was measured as the reduction in heart rate (HR); in healthy volunteers, a linear relationship (p < 0.01) between effect and penbutolol serum concentrations (total or unbound) was found. In contrast, in cancer patients, values of HR did not vary statistically in respect to baseline values. These results show that in cancer patients, a change in the pharmacokinetics of penbutolol occurs (associated with changes in drug protein binding), together with an alteration in the pharmacodynamics.

The antiaggressive potency of (-)-penbutolol involves both 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptors and beta-adrenoceptors.

The relative importance of 5-HT1A and beta-adrenergic activities in the antiaggressive effects of (-)-penbutolol was studied in male mice. (-)-Penbutolol had high affinity for 5-HT1A receptors and beta-adrenoceptors, and antagonized the 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeODMT)-induced 5-HT syndrome and the 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamin)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT)-induced discriminatory stimulus in rats. (-)-Penbutolol abolished aggressive behaviour (ED50 = 56 mumol/kg), and reversed the antiaggressive effects of 8-OH-DPAT and 1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine (TFMPP) (ED50 = 8.1 and 2.1 mumol/kg, respectively). (N-[2-[4-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl-N-(2-pyridinyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide (WAY 100635) reversed the antiaggressive effects of 8-OH-DPAT (ED50 = 0.012 mumol/kg), but did not affect the antiaggressive effects of TFMPP. The antiaggressive effect of a submaximal dose of 8-OH-DPAT was markedly potentiated by beta-adrenoceptor antagonists without 5-HT1A receptor affinity, whereas (-)-penbutolol was effective at only one dose (4.5 mumol/kg). In conclusion, the 5-HT1A receptor antagonistic potency of (-)-penbutolol in aggressive mice is attenuated by beta-adrenoceptor-induced facilitation of serotonergic neurotransmission.

Serotonergic mechanisms involved in the exploratory behaviour of mice in a fully automated two-compartment black and white text box.

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.

Isolation-induced aggression in mice: effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake inhibitors and involvement of postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors.

The inhibitory potencies of selective serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) uptake inhibitors on isolation-induced aggressive behaviour in male mice were studied. Furthermore, the role of postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors in the mediation of aggressive behaviour was studied. The selective 5-HT uptake inhibitors, sertraline, floxetine, femoxetine and fluvoxamine, showed weak antiaggressive effects, and citalopram and paroxetine were ineffective. This rank of potencies corresponded with neither uptake inhibitory potencies in vitro nor potentiation of 1-5-hydroxytryptophan (1,5-HTP)-induced motor effects in vivo, as citalopram and paroxetine were among the most potent compounds in these tests. A subeffective dose of 1,5-HTP (110 mumol/kg = 25 mg/kg, s.c.) potentiated the antiaggressive effect of citalopram and paroxetine more than 110 and 1600 times, respectively. The effects of sertraline, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine and femoxetine were only potentiated 3, 36, 4 and 16 times, respectively. The 5-HT releasing compound fenfluramine inhibited the aggressive behaviour dose dependently, and depletion of 5-HT by treatment with p-chloro-phenylalanine methyl ester attenuated this effect significantly. p-Chloro-phenylalanine methyl ester was ineffective itself, but potentiated the antiaggressive effect of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamin)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT). The beta-adrenoceptor/5-HT1A receptor antagonist, (-)-penbutolol, reversed the antiaggressive effects of 8-OHDPAT. In conclusion, selective 5-HT uptake inhibitors act in different ways on isolation-induced aggressive behaviour, and postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors are involved in mediating the aggressive behaviour.

In vivo microdialysis evidence for central serotonin1A and serotonin1B autoreceptor blocking properties of the beta adrenoceptor antagonist (-)penbutolol.

Recently, we found that the beta 1/beta 2 adrenoceptor blocking agent (-)penbutolol prevents behavioral and biochemical actions of the specific serotonin (5-HT)1A agonist (+/-)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin. The putative 5-HT1 receptor antagonist profile of (-)penbutolol was further explored in the present study, using in vivo microdialysis methods to assess its effects on central 5-HT release. (+)Penbutolol and (-)pindolol were included for comparison purposes. In contrast to (-)pindolol (8.0 mg/kg s.c.), administration of (-)penbutolol (2.0 or 8.0 mg/kg s.c.) increased hippocampal 5-HT output. The (-)penbutolol-induced 5-HT response was dose-related, stereoselective and Ca(++)-dependent. In addition, the 5-HT response to (-)penbutolol was abolished by omitting the 5-HT reuptake blocker citalopram from the perfusion medium, suggesting the need for endogenous 5-HT tone. Local (-)penbutolol (1 microM) perfusion increased the 5-HT output per se, and also blocked 5-HT release suppression caused by the 5-HT1B receptor agonist CP-93,129. Furthermore, (-)penbutolol, but not its (+)antipode, prevented the decrease of 5-HT release induced by the 5-HT1A receptor agonist (+/-)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin. By comparison, the 5-HT1 receptor inactive beta adrenoceptor blockers metoprolol (beta 1) and ICI 118,551 (beta 2), given alone or in combination, did not increase 5-HT output and were ineffective in antagonizing the (+/-)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin response. The data indicate that (-)penbutolol possesses 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B autoreceptor antagonist properties, and may be a useful tool in studies of central 5-HT receptor-mediated function.

Serotonin 5-HT1A autoreceptor blockade potentiates the ability of the 5-HT reuptake inhibitor citalopram to increase nerve terminal output of 5-HT in vivo: a microdialysis study.

The present study addressed the possibility that disinhibition of serotonin (5-HT) autoreceptor-mediated negative feedback might potentiate the elevation of nerve terminal 5-HT output induced by selective 5-HT reuptake blockade. To this end, rats were given citalopram and the 5-HT autoreceptor-blocking agents (S)-UH-301 (5-HT1A) and (-)-penbutolol (5-HT1A/1B), and the effect on extracellular 5-HT in the ventral hippocampus was monitored by means of in vivo microdialysis. Citalopram (5 mg/kg, s.c.) approximately doubled the 5-HT output, a response that was markedly augmented by (S)-UH-301 (3 mg/kg, s.c.) and (-)-penbutolol (8 mg/kg, s.c.) and by combined treatment with (S)-UH-301 (3 mg/kg, s.c.) plus (-)-penbutolol (1 microM; via the dialysis perfusion medium), but not by (-)-penbutolol (1 microM) alone. These findings provide evidence that 5-HT, in particular 5-HT1A, autoreceptor-mediated negative feedback mechanisms are pivotal in determining the nerve terminal 5-HT output level after 5-HT reuptake inhibition. These findings have important implications for the interplay between different processes controlling 5-HT transmission in vivo and might possibly offer a lead toward novel, therapeutically exploitable principles.

[Pharmaco -- genetic approach to the improvement of beta-adrenoblocker therapy in the treatment of hypertension]. / Farmakogeneticheskii podkhod k optimizatsii terapii gipertonicheskoi bolezni beta-adrenoblokatorami.

A relationship between individual variations of the oxidative and acetylating metabolism rates of penbutolol, propranolol, acebutolol which produce a hypotensive effect was studied in patients with arterial hypertension. A study was performed in groups of patients, which comprised 22, 22, and 20 males, respectively. They all suffered from Stage II hypertensive disease. There was a predominant number of patients with partial and complete antihypertensive benefits in those with low oxidation rates than in those with high oxidative metabolism rates when penbutolol (89 and 54%, respectively; p < 0.05) and propranolol (78 and 31%, respectively; p < 0.01) were given. A graphic analysis of changes in blood pressure, which had been observed during a course monotherapy with penbutolol and propranolol identified two groups of patients differing in having benefits. Within each group, the relationship between the decrease in diastolic blood pressure to the elimination half-life of parmidine is described by a linear regression equation and it has a high positive correlation coefficient.

(-)-Penbutolol as a blocker of central 5-HT1A receptor-mediated responses.

Brain 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptors are important targets for drug-induced modulation of 5-HT function in vivo. However, very few compounds are available that are effective antagonists at 5-HT1 receptors, thus hampering the progress of fundamental as well as clinical research in this area. The present study assessed the usefulness of the beta-adrenolytic agent (-)-penbutolol (and its (+)-counterpart) as a 5-HT1A receptor-blocking agent. The compound was found to counteract, in a stereospecific fashion, not only the behavioural and hypothermic but also the in vivo 5-HT synthesis/turnover-reducing effects of the specific 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT). These findings indicate that (-)-penbutolol is an antagonist at both postsynaptic receptors and somatodendritic autoreceptors of the 5-HT1A subtype. Thus, (-)-penbutolol represents a useful addition to the array of pharmacological tools available for the study of central 5-HT1 receptor-mediated functions.

Membrane stabilizing activity and beta-adrenoceptor antagonist-induced bradycardia in conscious dogs.

The atrial effective refractory period (AERP) and atrial and ventricular chronotropic effects of the stereoisomers of propranolol, pindolol, metoprolol and penbutolol were studied in conscious atrio-ventricular blocked dogs. Atrial beta-adrenoceptor blocking activity was assessed for all the drugs against isoprenaline. All the drugs except dextro-pindolol lengthened AERP and decreased ventricular rate dose relatedly. At comparable levels of atrial beta-adrenoceptor blockade, dextro-propranolol, dextro-metoprolol and dextro-penbutolol were more potent to induce AERP lengthening than their respective levo-isomers, whereas dextro-pindolol was less potent than levo-pindolol. In addition, levo-pindolol and levo-metoprolol were more potent to produce ventricular bradycardia than the corresponding dextro-isomers, whereas the levo- and dextro-isomers of propranolol and penbutolol were equipotent. These results confirm that the ventricular bradycardia induced by the different beta-adrenoceptor antagonists is partly due to ventricular beta-adrenoceptor blockade and to the membrane stabilizing activity of these drugs, and partly to another as yet unknown factor seen especially with the levo-isomers and particularly marked with metoprolol.