The serotonin (5-HT) autoreceptor in the hippocampus of the rabbit: role of 5-HT biophase concentration.

Slices of hippocampus from the rabbit were preincubated with [3H]5-HT), then superfused continuously and twice stimulated electrically. The stimulation-evoked overflow of tritium was inhibited by the 5-HT autoreceptor ligands 5-carboxamido-tryptamine (5-COHT), 5-HT, 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-tryptamine (5-MeOMT), (+/-)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), methysergide and (+/-)-cyanopindolol in a concentration-dependent manner. These effects were competitively inhibited by the 5-HT autoreceptor antagonists, metitepin and metergoline. (+/-)-Cyanopindolol also reduced the evoked release of 5-HT from slices of cortex from the rat. The inhibitor of the uptake of 5-HT, 6-nitroquipazine diminished the autoreceptor-mediated depression of release of 5-HT. In cortex tissue from the rat, 6-nitroquipazine reversed the decreased release of 5-HT, due to (+/-)-cyanopindolol, to a facilitation. The disinhibition of the release of 5-HT by autoreceptor antagonists was further enhanced by 6-nitroquipazine. Non-linear regression analysis of concentration-response curves for 5-COHT yielded the following pKd of endogenous 5-HT at the autoreceptor: 7.753 +/- 0.116. This value corresponds to the pKd of 5-HT at the 5-HT1B binding site. The 5-HT biophase concentration at the autoreceptor of 10(-8.220 +/- 0.132)M was markedly enhanced by 6-nitroquipazine (10(-6)M) to 10(-7.476 +/- 0.132)M. It is concluded that the 5-HT autoreceptor belongs to the 5-HT1B subtype of receptor; the corresponding 5-HT biophase concentration can be estimated quantitatively; 8-OH-DPAT decreased the evoked release of 5-HT through both 5-HT autoreceptors and alpha 2-heteroreceptors and (+/-)-cyanopindolol acts as partial agonist at the 5-HT autoreceptor.

Effects of cigarette smoke on the metabolism of vasoactive hormones in rat isolated lungs.

1. The effects of exposure of rats to cigarette smoke have been studied on the metabolism of vasoactive hormones in isolated lungs from these animals. 2. Rats were exposed for 1 h per day to cigarette smoke for 1 day or for 10 days. 3. Angiotensin I conversion was increased after 1 day's exposure but after 10 days' exposure conversion returned to normal. 4. Inactivation of prostaglandin E2 was decreased after 1 day's exposure. After 10 days' exposure there was a further decrease which could not be attributed to smoke alone. 5. The inactivation of 5-hydroxytryptamine and bradykinin remained unchanged after both short and longer exposures to smoke. 6. The metabolic activity of the lung towards some vasoactive hormones in the pulmonary circulation is affected by exposure of the animal to cigarette smoke and such changes may be relevant to the initiation of cardiovascular changes consequent upon cigarette smoking.

Alpha 2-adrenoceptor subtypes and imidazoline-like binding sites in the rat brain.

1. The binding of [3H]-yohimbine and [3H]-idazoxan to rat cortex and hippocampus is rapid, reversible and of high affinity. Saturation data indicate that a single population of binding sites exist for [3H]-yohimbine in the cortex (Bmax 121 +/- 10 fmol mg-1, protein; Kd 5.2 +/- 0.9 nM) and hippocampus (Bmax 72 +/- 6 fmol mg-1 protein; Kd 5.8 +/- 0.7 nM). [3H]-idazoxan labels one site in the cortex (Bmax 87 +/- 8 fmol mg-1 protein; Kd 4.1 +/- 0.9 nM) and hippocampus (Bmax 30 +/- 6 fmol mg-1 protein; Kd 3.5 +/- 0.5 nM), when 3 microM phentolamine is used to define non-specific binding. A second distinct [3H]-idazoxan binding site (Bmax 110 +/- 21 fmol mg-1 protein; Kd 3.6 +/- 0.07 nM) is identified in rat cortex if 0.3 microM cirazoline is used to define non-specific binding and 3 microM yohimbine is included to prevent binding to alpha 2-adrenoceptors. 2. Displacement studies indicate that the alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin and the 5-HT1 ligands 8-OH-DPAT, RU 24969 and methysergide differentiate [3H]-yohimbine binding into two components; a high and low affinity site. In contrast the displacement of [3H]-idazoxan by each ligand was monophasic. 3. The affinities of 8-OH-DPAT, RU 24969 and methysergide determined against [3H]-idazoxan binding to the cortex and hippocampus correlate significantly with the binding site displaying low affinity for prazosin and previously designated alpha 2A. In contrast, a poor correlation exists for the high affinity site for prazosin designated alpha 2B. 4. [3H]-idazoxan, in the presence of 3 microM yohimbine, labels a site that displays high affinity towards cirazoline, naphazoline and guanabenz, but low affinity towards clonidine, p-aminoclonidine, adrenaline, noradrenaline and the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists yohimbine, rauwolscine, WY 26703 and BDF 6143. 5. The results of this study indicate that [3H]-yohimbine labels two sites; the alpha 2A- and alpha 2B-adrenoceptors whereas [3H]-idazoxan labels an alpha 2-adrenoceptor with a profile consistent with the alpha 2A-adrenoceptor subtype. In addition, [3H]-idazoxan labels an imidazoline binding site in the rat cortex that is pharmacologically distinct from alpha 2-adrenoceptors. The low affinity of clonidine and p-aminoclonidine indicates that the imidazoline-like binding site in rat cortex is different from the site labelled by [3H]-clonidine and [3H]-p-aminoclonidine in human, rat and bovine brain stem, providing evidence of potential heterogeneity within this class of binding sites.

Serotonin increases excitability of rabbit C-fiber neurons by two distinct mechanisms.

Serotonin (5-HT) increases impulse activity in visceral afferent C-fibers in vivo. A 5-HT-induced membrane depolarization may partially account for this effect. Here, we examined the potential contribution of an additional mechanism to the 5-HT-mediated increase in impulse activity. Approximately 40% of rabbit visceral C-fiber neurons exhibit a protracted (greater than 3 s) spike afterhyperpolarization (AHPslow) that is a major determinant of repetitive firing properties in these neurons. Intracellular recording methods were applied to rabbit nodose ganglion neurons in vitro to assess whether 5-HT could increase excitability through effects on the AHPslow. Results revealed a concentration-dependent 5-HT-mediated depression of the AHPslow amplitude and duration that was accompanied by decreased accommodation of action potential firing. Experiments with 5-HT receptor antagonists further showed that this autacoid depressed the AHPslow through a different 5-HT receptor subtype than that subserving the 5-HT-induced depolarization. Thus the AHPslow represents a distinct locus where 5-HT can increase the impulse activity of these visceral C-fiber afferents.

The role of sensorial neuropeptides in the edematogenic responses mediated by B(1) agonist des-Arg(9)-BK in rats pre-treated with LPS.

In the present study we have investigated some of the mechanisms underlying B(1) kinin receptor-induced paw edema formation in rats that had been treated with LPS, paying special attention to the involvement of neurogenic inflammation. Intradermal (i.d.) injection of the B(1) receptor agonist des-Arg(9)-BK (100 nmol/paw) resulted in a marked increase in paw volume in animals pre-treated with LPS (0.40+/-0.06 ml). The co-injection of the selective NK(1) FK888 (1 nmol/paw) or NK(2) SR 48968 (3 nmol/paw) receptor antagonists resulted in a significant inhibition of the edema induced by des-Arg(9)-BK (30+/-4 and 25+/-7%, respectively). The NK(3) SR 142801 (3 nmol/paw) antagonist did not demonstrate any significant effect on B(1) receptor-mediated paw edema. The edema induced by des-Arg(9)-BK was also significantly inhibited (33+/-5%) by the co-injection of the CGRP-receptor antagonist CGRP 8-37 (1 nmol/paw) or by treatment of animals with capsaicin (50 mgkg(-1), s.c., 48 h, prior) (45+/-4%). The pre-treatment of animals with methysergide or with mianserin, 5-HT(1) and 5HT(2) antagonists, respectively (both 10 mgkg(-1), i.p. 30 min), resulted in a significant reduction of the edema mediated by B(1) receptors (23+/-5 and 20+/-3%, respectively). In addition, compound 48/80 (12 microg/paw, 24 h) significantly reduced des-Arg(9)-induced paw edema in rats pre-treated with LPS (23+/-3%), while the treatment of animals with the H(1) receptor antagonist pyrilamine (10 mgkg(-1), i.p., 30 min) failed to affect the edematogenic responses involving B(1) receptors. Finally, the co-injection of NOS inhibitors L-NAME (100 nmol/paw) or 7-NINA (10 nmol/paw) did not affect the rat paw edema caused by des-Arg(9)-BK, whereas they significantly inhibited BK-induced paw edema. Jointly, the results of the present study show that the edematogenic response mediated by the activation of B(1) receptors, in animals pre-treated with LPS, involves the release of tachykinins and CGRP, as well as serotonin, while NO and histamine seem not to be involved. Therefore, these data further support the notion that B(1) receptors have an important role in modulating the inflammatory processes.

Characterization and quantitative autoradiography of [3H]tryptamine binding sites in rat brain.

[3H]Tryptamine binds with high affinity (Kd = 9.1 nM, Bmax = 54 fmol/mg wet wt.) to tissue sections of rat brain. The binding occurs rapidly and is reversible. Low concentrations of the beta-carbolines harmaline (IC50 = 25 nM) and tetrahydronorharman (tetrahydro-beta-carboline, IC50 = 50 nM) inhibit [3H]tryptamine binding. Serotonin (5-HT, IC50 = 2600 nM) as well as the 5-HT receptor antagonists methysergide and metergoline displace [3H]tryptamine at much higher concentrations from brain slices. The distribution of [3H]tryptamine binding sites in sections of rat brain has been analyzed by quantitative autoradiography. The highest density of binding sites is found in the nucleus (n.) interpeduncularis, a slightly lower one in the locus coeruleus. Moderately labelled are the n. accumbens septi, n. septi lateralis, n. medialis habenulae, n. tractus olfactorii lateralis, the central region of the amygdala, n. caudatus/putamen, n. reuniens and the hippocampal formation. A low density of binding sites is detected in the cerebral cortex and the subiculum. Even less binding sites are found in the n. dorsalis raphe and the substantia nigra. The pattern of distribution of [3H]tryptamine binding sites differs from that of [3H]5-HT (5-HT1), [3H]ketanserin (5-HT2) as well as [3H]imipramine binding sites. These data suggest unique tryptamine binding sites.

Correlation between 5-HT7 receptor affinity and protection against sound-induced seizures in DBA/2J mice.

Audiogenic seizures can be induced in DBA/2J mice following intense auditory stimulation. A number of neurotransmitters, including 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), are believed to be involved in mediating this effect since it has been shown previously that depletion of 5-HT or blockade of 5-HT receptors protects DBA/2J mice from these audiogenic seizures. The present study was undertaken to determine whether antagonism of the newly identified 5-HT7 receptor may protect DBA/2J mice from audiogenic seizures by attempting to correlate in vivo potency of compounds with their affinity at the 5-HT7 receptor. All compounds used in the correlation were shown to be antagonists at the 5-HT7 receptor and a statistically significant correlation was observed between 5-HT7 affinity and doses for half-maximal response (ED50) for protection of DBA/2J mice from sound-induced seizures (r = 0.80; P < 0.05). No significant correlation was observed between in vivo activity and affinity at either 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A or 5-HT2C receptors. It is also unlikely that interactions between the 5-ht5 receptor will protect DBA/2J mice from audiogenic seizures since metergoline and mesulergine which are both active in this in vivo model have no affinity for the 5-ht5 receptor. There are similarities between the pharmacology of the 5-HT7 receptor and that of the 5-HT1A receptor, however the correlation between the in vivo potency in DBA/2J mice and 5-HT1A affinity was not significant. Furthermore, the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY 100135 did not protect DBA/2J mice from audiogenic seizures at doses that antagonise 5-HT1A receptor-mediated effects in mice. These data suggest that antagonism of 5-HT7 receptors may protect against audiogenic seizures in DBA/2J mice although a definitive conclusion must await studies with selective 5-HT7 antagonists.

Heterogeneous 3H-rauwolscine binding sites in rat cortex: two alpha 2-adrenoceptor subtypes or an additional non-adrenergic interaction?

Ligand binding and isolated tissue data have provided evidence for the existence of two, tissue-specific, alpha 2-adrenoceptor subtypes in various rodent and non-rodent species. Thus it has been proposed that the complex binding of alpha 2-antagonists to rat cortical membranes is due to the presence of both subtypes in this tissue. We have previously shown that the alpha 2-antagonist 3H-rauwolscine binds to two sites on rat cortical membranes: a high affinity component characterised pharmacologically as an alpha 2-binding site, and a low affinity, spiperone-sensitive, serotonergic-like component. By the use of computerised non-linear curve-fitting, and the inclusion of (in the incubation buffer of displacement experiments) a concentration of spiperone previously shown to selectively occlude the low affinity component of the 3H-rauwolscine saturation isotherm, we have determined the rank order of affinity at each of the two sites. Whereas the rank order of affinity at the high affinity site retains the pharmacological profile of a single, monophasic alpha 2-binding site, that at the low affinity component is markedly different and is similar to that at the putative 5HT1A subtype. These data, together with the additional, functional serotonergic interactions of rauwolscine and yohimbine, indicate that there is no evidence to support the existence of heterogeneous alpha 2-binding sites, as measured by 3H-rauwolscine binding, on rat cortical membranes. Furthermore, we present evidence that the specific, low affinity serotonergic interaction of 3H-rauwolscine could be avoided by a more judicial estimation of specific binding.

Pharmacokinetics of methysergide and its metabolite methylergometrine in man.

Five healthy men were given 1.0 mg methysergide maleate intravenously and 2.7 mg methysergide maleate orally in a cross-over study. The systemic availability of methysergide was only 13%, most probably due to a high degree of first-pass metabolism to methylergometrine. We also found evidence of extrahepatic clearance of methysergide. After oral administration the plasma concentrations of the metabolite were considerably higher than those of the parent drug and the area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC) for methylergometrine was more than ten times greater than for methysergide. Our findings may be relevant to the treatment of migraine if methylergometrine contributes to the effect of methysergide. Methylergometrine had a significantly longer elimination half-life than methysergide (223 +/- 43 min vs 62.0 +/- 8.3 min and 174 +/- 35 min vs 44.8 +/- 8.1 min in the oral and intravenous studies respectively).

Kinetics of competitive drug action at 5-hydroxytryptamine2 receptors in isolated rabbit aorta.

The kinetics of agonist and antagonist interactions with the 5-hydroxytryptamine2 receptor were studied in the isolated rabbit aorta by following the antagonist-induced decrease in the steady-state response to an agonist. A model describing the competitive drug-receptor interactions was fitted to the data and yielded estimates of the association and dissociation rate constants of the agonist and the antagonist. A high concentration of the agonist ([agonist] much greater than KA) was used to reduce the influence of antagonist diffusion to the receptor upon the onset of antagonism. The effect of a diffusion barrier was evaluated by comparing the kinetics of drug competition in the absence and in the presence of the adventitia. The rate constants of the high-affinity antagonists spiperone, methysergide or ketanserin were similar in the absence and in the presence of the adventitia. In contrast, the rate constants of the low affinity antagonist 5-methoxygramine were reduced almost 5-fold in the presence of the adventitia. This observation may be explained by the large partition coefficients of the high-affinity antagonists as compared to the relatively low partition coefficient of 5-methoxygramine. The ratios of the estimated rate constants (k-x/kx) are in good agreement with the dissociation constants of the drugs determined with steady-state methods. In addition the results suggest that the association rate constant is a primary determinant of drug affinity for the receptor. The kinetic rate constants of the high-affinity antagonists measured in this preparation are similar to those previously reported in high-affinity binding studies. We conclude that the kinetic parameters obtained in our experiments reflect primarily the molecular interactions of these drugs with the receptor.

Pharmacological differentiation and characterization of 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, and 5-HT1C binding sites in rat frontal cortex.

Drug interactions with 5-HT1 (5-hydroxytryptamine type 1) binding site subtypes were analyzed in rat frontal cortex. 8-Hydroxy-N,N-dipropyl-2-aminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT) displays high affinity (Ki 3.3 +/- 1 nM) for 29 +/- 3% of total [3H]5-HT binding in rat frontal cortex and low affinity (Ki 9,300 +/- 1,000) for 71 +/- 4% of the remaining 5-HT1 sites. Therefore, non-5-HT1A binding in rat frontal cortex was defined as specific [3H]5-HT binding observed in the presence of 100 nM 8-OH-DPAT. 5-Methoxy 3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinyl) 1 H indole (RU 24969), 1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine (TFMPP), mianserin, and methysergide produce shallow competition curves of [3H]5-HT binding from non-5-HT1A sites. Addition of 10(-3) M GTP does not increase the apparent Hill slopes of these competition curves. Computer-assisted iterative curve fitting suggests that these drugs can discriminate two distinct subpopulations of non-5-HT1A binding sites, each representing approximately 35% of the total [3H]5-HT binding in the rat frontal cortex. All three 5-HT1 binding site subtypes display nanomolar affinity for 5-HT and 5-methoxytryptamine. A homogeneous population of 5-HT1A sites can be directly labeled using [3H]8-OH-DPAT. These sites display nanomolar affinity for 8-OH-DPAT, WB 4101, RU 24969, 2-(4-[4-(2-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl] butyl)-1,2-benzisothiazol-3-(2H)one-1, 1-dioxidehydrochloride (TVX Q 7821), 5-methoxydimethyltryptamine, and d-lysergic acid diethylamide. The potencies of RU 24969, TFMPP, and quipazine for [3H]5-HT binding are increased by addition of 100 nM 8-OH-DPAT and 3,000 nM mianserin to the [3H]5-HT binding assay. Moreover, the drugs have apparent Hill slopes near 1 under these conditions. This subpopulation of total [3H]5-HT binding is designated 5-HT1B. By contrast, methysergide and mianserin become more potent inhibitors of residual [3H]5-HT binding to non-5-HT1A sites in the presence of 100 nM 8-OH-DPAT and 10 nM RU 24969. The drug competition curves under these conditions have apparent Hill slopes of near unity and these sites are designated 5-HT1C. Drug competition studies using a series of 24 agents reveals that each 5-HT1 subtype site has a unique pharmacological profile. These results suggest that radioligand studies can be used to differentiate three distinct subpopulations of 5-HT1 binding sites labeled by [3H]5-HT in rat frontal cortex.

Methylergometrine, an active metabolite of methysergide.

In conscious dogs methysergide (MS) caused constriction of the saphenous vein at about 3000 times lower doses than methylergometrine (MT) when infused locally, but it elicited only a short-lasting venoconstrictor response when injected systemically intravenously. MS and MT proved to be equally active venoconstrictor agents when administered orally. Analysis of canine plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography showed that after both oral and intravenous administration of MS large amounts of MT appeared in the plasma, whereas only low and transient levels of MS could be detected. It is suggested that one of the first steps in metabolism of MS is demethylation at position 1 of the indole, leading to the formation of MT, which may be a main active principle of the therapeutic effectiveness of MS in the interval treatment of migraine headache.

Clinical pharmacokinetics of ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, ergotoxine, bromocriptine, methysergide, and lergotrile.

The clinical pharmacokinetics of ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, ergotoxine, bromocriptine, methysergide, and lergotrile are reviewed. Generally the new radioimmunoassay methods have partially resolved the problems involved in determining some of these ergot derivatives in biologic fluids after the low doses used clinically. However, our present knowledge of their pharmacokinetics is limited and much work remains to be done in this area. Many cases show a great difference between results produced with a radioactive drug and with radioimmunoassay. The longer half-lives measured by using a radioactive derivative are apparently due to the many metabolites of ergot alkaloids. However, we still do not know the clinical importance of these metabolites. For instance, the amount of dihydroergotamine reaching the systemic circulation remains below 1% (radioimmunoassay), but according to studies performed with a radioactive derivative the absorption quotient is about 30%. Further studies are needed to resolve the problem of an apparently high "first-pas" metabolism of this and other ergot alkaloids in the liver or gastrointestinal mucosa.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a rat brain cDNA encoding a 5-hydroxytryptamine1B receptor.

To date, there have been at least eight different receptors for the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) identified in the central nervous system. These receptors fall into four pharmacological classes: 5-HT1, 5-HT2, 5-HT3 and 5-HT4. The 5-HT1 class has been shown to contain at least four pharmacologically distinct subtypes, 5-HT1A-D. Of these, cDNAs encoding the 5-HT1A and 5-HT1C receptors have been previously characterized. We now report the cloning and expression of a rat brain cDNA encoding another member of the 5-HT1 receptor family. Transient expression of this clone demonstrated high-affinity binding of [3H]5-HT with a pharmacological profile corresponding to that of the 5-HT1B subtype: 5-CT, 5-HT greater than propranolol greater than methysergide greater than rauwolscine greater than 8-OH-DPAT. In situ hybridization revealed expression of cognate mRNA within cells of the dorsal and median raphe nuclei, consistent with previous reports that the 5-HT1B receptor acts as an autoreceptor on 5-HT terminals in this species. mRNA expression was also detected in cells within the CA1 region of hippocampus, striatum, layer 4 of cortex and in the cerebellum, suggesting a previously unrecognized post-synaptic role for the 5-HT1B receptor.

A single amino-acid difference confers major pharmacological variation between human and rodent 5-HT1B receptors.

Neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, migraine, vasospasm and epilepsy may involve different subtypes of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor. The 1B subtype, which has a unique pharmacology, was first identified in rodent brain. But a similar receptor could not be detected in human brain, suggesting the absence in man of a receptor with equivalent function. Recently a human receptor gene was isolated (designated 5-HT1B receptor, 5-HT1D beta receptor, or S12 receptor) which shares 93% identity of the deduced protein sequence with rodent 5-HT1B receptors. Although this receptor is identical to rodent 5-HT1B receptors in binding to 5-HT, it differs profoundly in binding to many drugs. Here we show that replacement of a single amino acid in the human receptor (threonine at residue 355) with a corresponding asparagine found in rodent 5-HT1B receptors renders the pharmacology of the receptors essentially identical. This demonstrates that the human gene does indeed encode a 1B receptor, which is likely to have the same biological functions as the rodent 5-HT1B receptor. In addition, these findings show that minute sequence differences between homologues of the same receptor from different species can cause large pharmacological variation. Thus, drug-receptor interactions should not be extrapolated from animal to human species without verification.

Effects of D-5-hydroxytryptophan and D-DOPA on binding at serotonin and dopamine receptors.

Binding of the D-amino acids D-5-hydroxytryptophan (D-5-HTP) and D-dihydroxyphenylalanine (D-DOPA) to high affinity sites for serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) was studied in bovine striatum. D-5-HT bound to the 5-HT site with affinity in the micromolar range, but showed no appreciable binding at the DA site. D-DOPA showed little binding to either 5-HT or DA receptors.

Displacement of specific serotonin and lysergic acid diethylamide binding by Ergalgin, a new antiserotonin drug.

[3H]-serotonin and [3H]-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) bind with a high affinity, KD = 12 nM and 6 nM, respectively, to distinct receptors of rat caudate membranes in vitro. Displacement experiments with unlabeled serotonin and LSD support the hypothesis of serotonin receptors existing in an agonist and antagonist state. Methysergide and Ergalgin display quite similar potencies in displacing [3H]-serotonin and [3H]-LSD from their specific binding sites (Ki = 46,7 and 53,4 nM; 22,3 and 36,5 nM, respectively). Contrary to pharmacological findings these binding results are in favour of mixed agonist/antagonist properties of these compounds.