Biomedical subjects

F Chaouloff

Publications and source records attributed to F Chaouloff.

96 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMed1985

Effects of conditioned running on plasma, liver and brain tryptophan and on brain 5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism of the rat.

An investigation was made into the effects of conditioned running (1 h and 2 h at 20 m min-1), which accelerates lipolysis, on the concentrations of tryptophan (Trp) in plasma, liver and brain and on 5-hydroxytrptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels in brain. Running caused time-dependent increases in plasma free Trp and brain Trp of the rat, leading to increased brain 5-HT turnover as revealed by higher amounts of its metabolite, 5-HIAA. The ratio of brain Trp to plasma free Trp was decreased after 2 h of running. Liver Trp content rose only after 3 h of running, while liver unesterified fatty acid (UFA) concentrations remained unmodified. A comparison between food deprivation and running (both of which promote lipolysis) was performed. Running for 2 h affected to the same extent plasma Trp disposition when compared with 24 h food deprivation. Nevertheless, the ratio of brain Trp to plasma free Trp was decreased in the food-deprived rats, when compared to the runners. Nicotinic acid, which inhibits fat catabolism, completely abolished the plasma UFA increase induced by 1 h of running. The drug did not affect plasma free Trp, brain Trp, 5-HT or 5-HIAA but enhanced plasma total Trp level. Naloxone, an opiate antagonist, which decreased running-induced lipolysis, did not alter plasma Trp disposition. Desipramine, an antidepressant compound, affected only peripheral Trp concentrations of the runners. Plasma free and total Trp concentrations were increased in desipramine-treated runners, compared with saline-treated runners. In addition, desipramine increased the ratio of brain Trp to plasma free Trp of the runners. Brain 5-HT and 5-HIAA were increased in both desipramine-treated controls and runners. 9 The results suggest that running, which like food deprivatiQn accelerates lipolysis, increases brain Trp content and then 5-HT turnover. Comparison of these two physiological situations suggests that effectiveness of brain Trp entry is much more altered by fasting.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of chlorisondamine and restraint on cortical [3H]ketanserin binding, 5-HT2A receptor-mediated head shakes, and behaviours in models of anxiety.

A recent study has indicated that ganglionic transmission mediates acute restraint-elicited increases in brain tryptophan (5-HT precursor) levels, 5-HT synthesis and (possibly) release. Because restraint-induced release of 5-HT has been shown to be associated with a paradoxical increase in cortical 5-HT2A receptor binding, we have examined the influence of 5-HT synthesis/release upon cortical 5-HT2A receptor binding and 5-HT2A receptor-mediated head shakes in 3-hr restrained rats pretreated with the ganglionic blocker chlorisondamine. In keeping with past reports regarding the effects of restraint and ganglionic blockade upon anxiety, we have also measured the behavioural effects of restraint and/or chlorisondamine in two animal models of anxiety, the elevated plus-maze and the social interaction test. Chlorisondamine pretreatment (2.5 mg/kg, 20 min beforehand) prevented restraint-elicited defaecation and body weight decreases. Although stress amplified the head shake response to the injection of the 5-HT2A/5-HT2C receptor agonist 1-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI, 1 or 2 mg/kg 2 hr after the end of restraint), cortical [3H]ketanserin binding remained unaltered. Chlorisondamine treatment was inactive, except for the amplification of the head shake response to DOI (2 mg/kg) in restrained rats. When exposed to the social interaction test, neither restraint nor chlorisondamine affected social interaction, locomotion, or rearings. In the elevated plus-maze, the percent number of open arms entered and the total number of arms entered were decreased by acute restraint, whilst chlorisondamine pretreatment was inactive.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Physiopharmacological interactions between stress hormones and central serotonergic systems.

The present review tries to delineate some mechanisms through which the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) interact with central serotonergic systems. The recent progress in 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor pharmacology has helped to define the means by which central serotonergic activity may alter the respective activities of the SNS (sympathetic nerves and adrenomedulla) and of the HPA axis. These pharmacological findings have also helped to characterize the differential effects of central 5-HT upon different branches of the SNS and the numerous sites at which 5-HT exerts stimulatory influences upon the HPA axis. Although relevant to stress-related neuroendocrinology, the extent to which these interactions are involved in the antidepressant/anxiolytic properties of some serotonergic agents still remains to be clarified. Beside these findings, there is also abundant evidence for a tight control of central serotonergic systems by stress hormones. Activation of the SNS increases, by numerous means, central availability of tryptophan, whereas glucocorticoids exert differential actions upon the intra- and the extraneuronal regulation of 5-HT function. Actually, a significant number of these mechanisms is involved in the maintenance of homeostasis during stressful events, thereby conferring to these mechanisms a key role in adaptation processes.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Serotonin does not mediate the adrenal catecholamine-releasing effect of acute lithium administration in rats.

The activity of central serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) systems has been reported to be affected by repeated, and to a lesser extent by acute, lithium chloride (LiCl) treatment. Because (1) acute LiCl administration increases sympathoadrenal function, and in turn plasma glucose levels, and (2) stimulation of either the 5-HT1A, the 5-HT1C or the 5-HT2 receptor subtype has adrenal catecholamine-releasing and hyperglycemic effects, we have investigated the influence of prior blockade of either of these receptor subtypes on plasma catecholamine and glucose responses to acute LiCl administration in conscious, catheterized rats. Acute administration of LiCl (1-8 mEq/kg IV) triggered dose-dependent increases in plasma epinephrine (Epi), norepinephrine (NE), and glucose levels throughout the 60-min analysis. In contrast, administration of NaCl (8 mEq/kg IV) did not alter plasma Epi or NE levels, nor did it affect plasma glucose levels. Prior blockade of 5-HT1A receptor and beta-adrenoceptors by means of (-)-propranolol (5 mg/kg IV), 10 min beforehand) did not affect plasma Epi and NE responses to LiCl (4 mEq/kg), but it did prevent the hyperglycemic effect of LiCl. Plasma Epi, NE and glucose responses to LiCl remained intact in rats pretreated with the 5-HT1C/5-HT2 receptor antagonist LY 53857 (1 mg/kg IV), 10 min beforehand). These results strongly suggest that LiCl-induced adrenal catecholamine release (and hyperglycemia) is not mediated by increased 5-HT release.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of food deprivation on midbrain 5-HT1A autoreceptors in Lewis and SHR rats.

Food deprivation stimulates the activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis and brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) synthesis. Because midbrain somato-dendritic 5-HT1A autoreceptors may obey homologous and heterologous (e.g. by glucocorticoids) down-regulation, we have analyzed whether 24 hr of fasting affects midbrain 5-HT1A receptor binding and sensitivity in Lewis and SHR rats (i.e. strains that differ in behavioral/neuroendocrine responses to stressors). Fasting affected neither [3H]8-hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)tetralin ([3H]8-OH-DPAT) binding at 5-HT1A autoreceptors nor 8-OH-DPAT-induced inhibition of midbrain 5-HT synthesis (an index of 5-HT1A autoreceptor sensitivity). Because fasting increased 5-HT precursor (tryptophan) levels to similar extents in the midbrains of saline- and 8-OH-DPAT-treated rats, we conclude that food deprivation does not affect 5-HT1A autoreceptors. In turn, our results suggest that the differential effects of 5-HT1A receptor agonists on food intake, in fed and fasted rats may be independent from 5-HT1A autoreceptors.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Evidence that 5-HT2 receptors mediate the pressor effect of 8-OH-DPAT in the spinally pithed rat.

The aim of the present experiments was to investigate whether 8-OH-DPAT, a selective 5-HT1A agonist, could induce vasoconstriction in vivo and, if so, the type of receptors functionally involved. Dose-response curves to bolus intravenous doses of 8-OH-DPAT were established in anesthetized spinally pithed rats. The peak increase in the mean arterial pressure-log dose (microgram/kg) relationship was fitted to a sigmoidal logistic equation. In the control group, the dose-response curve was steep. The half maximal dose was 743 micrograms/kg. The maximal response was 43 mmHg. Ketanserin, a potent 5-HT2 and alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist (0.25 mg/kg), essentially abolished the effect of 8-OH-DPAT (maximal rise = 6 mmHg). Ritanserin (0.25 mg/kg) and LY 53857 (100 micrograms/kg), which have relatively weak affinity for alpha 1-adrenoceptors, also markedly reduced the pressor action of 8-OH-DPAT (maximal rise 17 and 9 mmHg). Prazosin, an alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, slightly reduced the maximal response to 8-OH-DPAT (22% reduction). Adrenalectomy did not affect the pressor response (42 mmHg). This excluded a contribution of an acute release of adrenaline in the blood pressure elevation. (-)Propranolol (5 mg/kg), a beta-blocker with a 5-HT1A antagonistic action, affected the 8-OH-DPAT-induced blood pressure elevation (37% reduction). However, two other beta-blockers with a similar 5-HT1A antagonistic property, (-)pindolol (5 mg/kg) and (+/-)cyanopindolol (10 mg/kg), did not (maximal rise 44 and 39 mmHg). Finally, 8-OH-DPAT dose-dependently increased local vascular resistances, with a regional profile similar to that of 5-HT, with the hindquarter being the most sensitive vascular bed. Ketanserin also prevented the vascular effects of 8-OH-DPAT. Our pharmacological analyses of the vascular action of 8-OH-DPAT in the spinally pithed rat indicated that this drug caused dose-related increases in blood pressure. This effect depended on a rise in peripheral vascular resistance, particularly in the hindquarter and kidney beds. Our data suggest that the 5-HT1A agonistic property of 8-OH-DPAT cannot account for this pressor effect which seems to depend on the activation of the vascular 5-HT2 receptor.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗