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Biomedical subjects

P H Hutson

Publications and source records attributed to P H Hutson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Gaboxadol, a selective extrasynaptic GABA(A) agonist, does not generalise to other sleep-enhancing drugs: a rat drug discrimination study.

Gaboxadol is a selective extrasynaptic GABA(A) receptor agonist (SEGA) which enhances slow-wave sleep, and may act principally at extrasynaptic GABA(A)alpha4betadelta receptors. Drug discrimination is a very useful approach for exploring in vivo pharmacological similarities and differences between compounds and was therefore used to compare gaboxadol and zolpidem, an established hypnotic drug, against zopiclone, S-zopiclone, indiplon and tiagabine, all of which have been reported to enhance sleep. Gaboxadol generalised to itself, but not to zolpidem, zopiclone, S-zopiclone, R-zopiclone, indiplon or tiagabine. By contrast, zolpidem generalised to itself, zopiclone, S-zopiclone and indiplon, but not to R-zopiclone (the inactive enantiomer of zopiclone), gaboxadol or tiagabine. This suggests that zolpidem, zopiclone, S-zopiclone and indiplon share a discriminative stimulus, which may be mediated by their efficacy at GABA(A)alpha1betagamma receptors. Gaboxadol and tiagabine each have a different discriminative stimulus from all the other drugs tested.

Animals↗

Effect of the beta3 adrenoceptor agonist CL 316243 on hypothalamic 5-HT synthesis and suppression of REM sleep in the rat.

Beta3 adrenoceptor agonists show an antidepressant-like profile in preclinical rodent assays and improve mood in clinically-obese patients. These observations suggest a possible antidepressant utility for beta3 adrenoceptor agonists. The present study examined the effects of acute and chronic administration of the beta3 adrenoceptor agonist CL 316243 on two physiological indicators of antidepressant activity in the rat: hypothalamic 5-HT synthesis and suppression of REM sleep. 5-HT synthesis was estimated by the accumulation of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) after treatment with the L-aromatic acid decarboxylase inhibitor NSD 1015. Sleep-wake patterns were monitored using electroencephalogram and electromyogram signals collected by radiotelemetry. Rats were administered CL 316243 acutely or once daily for 11 days. Acute administration of CL 316243 significantly increased hypothalamic 5-HT synthesis, as indicated by increased levels of 5-HTP, and reduced the amount of REM sleep. However, chronic administration produced no changes in 5-HTP or REM compared with vehicle treatment. The present observations suggest that acute administration of CL 316243 causes antidepressant-like effects on REM sleep, possibly mediated by increased central 5-HT synthesis. However, these effects are not maintained with repeated dosing.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗

Behavioral and biochemical characterization of a mutant mouse strain lacking D-amino acid oxidase activity and its implications for schizophrenia.

D-amino acid oxidase (DAO) degrades D-serine, a co-agonist at the NMDA receptor (NMDAR). Hypofunction of the NMDAR has been suggested to contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Intriguingly, DAO has been recently identified as a risk factor for schizophrenia through genetic association studies. A naturally occurring mouse strain (ddY/DAO-) has been identified which lacks DAO activity. We have characterized this strain both behaviorally and biochemically to evaluate DAO as a target for schizophrenia. We have confirmed that this strain lacks DAO activity and shown for the first time it has increased occupancy of the NMDAR glycine site due to elevated extracellular D-serine levels and has enhanced NMDAR function in vivo. Furthermore, the ddY/DAO- strain displays behaviors which suggest that it will be a useful tool for evaluation of the clinical benefit of DAO inhibition in schizophrenia.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Genetic knockout and pharmacological blockade studies of the 5-HT7 receptor suggest therapeutic potential in depression.

The affinity of several antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs for the 5-HT7 receptor and its CNS distribution suggest potential in the treatment of psychiatric diseases. However, there is little direct evidence of receptor function in vivo to support this. We therefore evaluated 5-HT7 receptors as a potential drug target by generating and assessing a 5-HT7 receptor knockout mouse. No difference in assays sensitive to potential psychotic or anxiety states was observed between the 5-HT7 receptor knockout mice and wild type controls. However, in the Porsolt swim test, 5-HT7 receptor knockout mice showed a significant decrease in immobility compared to controls, a phenotype similar to antidepressant treated mice. Intriguingly, treatment of wild types with SB-258719, a selective 5-HT7 receptor antagonist, did not produce a significant decrease in immobility unless animals were tested in the dark (or active) cycle, rather than the light, adding to the body of evidence suggesting a circadian influence on receptor function. Extracellular recordings from hypothalamic slices showed that circadian rhythm phase shifts to 8-OH-DPAT are attenuated in the 5-HT7 receptor KO mice also indicating a role for the receptor in the regulation of circadian rhythms. These pharmacological and genetic knockout studies provide the first direct evidence that 5-HT7 receptor antagonists should be investigated for efficacy in the treatment of depression.

Animals↗

Determination of guinea-pig cortical gamma-secretase activity ex vivo following the systemic administration of a gamma-secretase inhibitor.

(2S)-2-{[(3,5-Diflurophenyl)acetyl]amino}-N-[(3S)-1-methyl-2-oxo-5-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-3-yl]propanamide (compound E) is a gamma-secretase inhibitor capable of reducing amyloid beta-peptide (1-40) and amyloid beta-peptide (1-42) levels. In this study we investigated the effect of in vivo administration of compound E on guinea-pig plasma, CSF and cortical amyloid beta-peptide (1-40) concentration. Using repeated sampling of CSF, compound E (30 mg/kg p.o.) was shown to cause a time-dependent decrease in CSF amyloid beta-peptide (1-40) levels, which was maximal at 3 h (70% inhibition), compared to baseline controls. After 3 h administration, compound E (3, 10 and 30 mg/kg p.o.), reduced plasma, CSF and DEA-extracted cortical amyloid beta-peptide (1-40) levels by 95, 97 and 99%; 26, 48 and 78%; 32, 33, and 47%, respectively, compared to vehicle control values. In the same animals, compound E (3, 10 and 30 mg/kg p.o.) inhibited cortical gamma-secretase activity, determined ex vivo using the recombinant substrate C100Flag, by 40, 71 and 79% of controls, respectively. These data demonstrate the value of determining not only the extent by which systemic administration of a gamma-secretase inhibitor reduces amyloid beta-peptide, but also the inhibition of brain gamma-secretase activity, as a more direct estimate of enzyme occupancy.

Administration, Oral↗

Reduced social interaction following 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine is not associated with enhanced 5-HT 2C receptor responsivity.

This study examined the long-term change in serotonergic (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) neuronal function and 5-HT(2C) receptor agonist-induced behaviour following treatment of young rats with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). On post-natal day (PND) 28, Lister-hooded rats received either MDMA (15 mg/kg i.p.) or saline (1 ml/kg i.p.) twice daily for 3 days. On PND 50 social interaction was assessed between treatment-matched pairs of rats derived from separate litters. The effect of either the 5-HT(2C) receptor agonist, m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP, 2.5 or 1 mg/kg i.p., respectively) or saline was examined on open-field exploration (PND 52) and elevated plus-maze behaviour (PND 56). Acutely, MDMA produced hyperlocomotion and hypothermia compared with saline injection (p<0.001). Following 20 days abstinence, social interaction was decreased by 26% (p<0.05) in MDMA pre-treated rats compared with saline controls, without any change in locomotion. There was no difference in open-field or elevated plus-maze behaviour between pre-treatment groups. m-CPP caused hypolocomotion in the open-field and decreased both the percentage entries into, and time spent in, the open arms of the elevated plus-maze to a comparable extent in MDMA and saline pre-treated rats. Hippocampal and frontal cortical 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were significantly reduced in MDMA pre-treated rats, without any change in [(3)H]paroxetine binding or plasma corticosterone levels. These data suggest that the MDMA-induced reduction in social interaction is not mediated via alteration of 5-HT(2C) receptor function.

Animals↗

The hypothermic effect of 5-CT in mice is mediated through the 5-HT7 receptor.

The 5-HT(7) receptor is a recent addition to the 5-HT receptor family and to date there is no clear idea as to its potential role in the CNS. The receptor has been mapped by in situ hybridization and 5-HT(7)-like immunoreactivity and has been detected in discrete areas of the brain including the hypothalamus (Oliver et al., 1999). This suggests the receptor may be involved in temperature regulation and have shown that a selective 5-HT(7) receptor antagonist reverses the hypothermic effect of 5-CT in guinea-pigs. The current study confirmed that the 5-HT(7) receptor antagonists, SB-269970 (1-30 mg/kg, i.p.) and SB-258719 (5-20 mg/kg, i.p.), but not the 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist, WAY 100635(0.1-1 mg/kg, s.c.), or the 5-HT(1B/D) antagonist, GR127935 (1.25-5 mg/kg, i.p.), reversed the hypothermic effect of 5-CT in mice. In addition the effect of 5-CT on body temperature was examined on 5-HT(7) receptor null mutant mice. 5-CT (0.1-1 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced rectal temperature in wildtype but not 5-HT(7) receptor knockout mice. This suggests that the hypothermic effects of 5-CT are mediated through the 5-HT(7) receptor. All procedures were carried out in accordance with the UK Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (1986).

Animals↗

3-(4-Fluoropiperidin-3-yl)-2-phenylindoles as high affinity, selective, and orally bioavailable h5-HT(2A) receptor antagonists.

The development of very high affinity, selective, and bioavailable h5-HT(2A) receptor antagonists is described. By investigation of the optimal position for the basic nitrogen in a series of 2-phenyl-3-piperidylindoles, it was found that with the basic nitrogen at the 3-position of the piperidine it was not necessary to further substitute the piperidine in order to obtain good binding at h5-HT(2A) receptors. This meant the compounds no longer had high affinity at the IKr potassium channel, an issue with previous series of 2-aryl-3-(4-piperidyl)indoles. Improvements could be made to oral bioavailability in this series by reduction of the pK(a) of the basic nitrogen, by adding a fluorine atom to the piperidine ring, leading to 3-(4-fluoropiperidin-3-yl)-2-phenyl-1H-indole (17). Metabolic studies with this compound identified oxidation at the 6-position of the indole as a major route in vitro and in vivo in rats. Blocking this position with a fluorine atom led to 6-fluoro-3-(4-fluoropiperidin-3-yl)-2-phenyl-1H-indole (22), an antagonist with 0.06 nM affinity for h5-HT(2A) receptors, with bioavailability of 80% and half-life of 12 h in rats.

Animals↗

An in vivo binding assay to determine central alpha(1)-adrenoceptor occupancy using [(3)H]prazosin.

An alpha(1) adrenoceptor (alpha(1)-AdR) assay using [(3)H]prazosin binding in mouse brain is described which allows in vivo determination of central alpha(1)-AdR occupancy for ligands with alpha(1)-AdR affinity. Binding of [3H]prazosin in rat and mouse brain membranes in vitro was used to characterise the pharmacological profile of alpha(1)-AdRs in order to determine any potential species variations. Saturation and displacement studies yielded comparable affinity and pharmacological profile for [(3)H]prazosin binding in mouse and rat brain homogenates. These studies confirmed the absence of species variation for ligands in central alpha(1)-AdR pharmacology which is in good agreement with previous studies in rat brain. Subsequently, in vivo binding of [(3)H]prazosin in mouse whole brain was used to measure the occupancy of a number of AdR ligands. Timecourse studies revealed that a [3H]prazosin (5 mu Ci/mouse) pretreatment time of at least 20 min following intravenous (i.v.) administration was required for optimal specific binding. Ligands were administered systemically 40 min prior to i.v. administration of radiolabel. The alpha(1)-adrenoceptor ligands prazosin (ED(50)=0.15 mg/kg i.p.), benoxathian (0.52 mg/kg i.p.) and phentolamine (51 mg/kg i.p.) were all able to block in vivo [(3)H]prazosin binding from mouse brain. In addition, receptor occupancy values for a number of compounds including haloperidol (ED(50)=0.83 mg/kg s.c.), clozapine (2.2 mg/kg s.c.) and MDL-100907 [R(+)-alpha-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-[2-(4-fluorophenylethyl)]-4-piperidine-methanol], (10 mg/kg s.c.)], which possess high to moderate affinity at alpha(1)-adrenoceptors, were also determined. These results suggest that in the mouse, [(3)H]prazosin binding can be used to measure in vivo receptor occupancy of ligands with affinity at central alpha(1)-adrenoceptors.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

Modulation of [3H]MK-801 binding to NMDA receptors in vivo and in vitro.

[3H]MK-801 binding in vivo was used to determine the occupancy of NMDA receptor ligands shown to allosterically modulate binding in vitro. ED(50) values (mg/kg) were obtained for the channel blockers (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5,4-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate ((+)-MK-801, 0.2), 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)piperidine (phencyclidine, PCP, 1.7) and ketamine (4.4). Antagonists at the glutamate (DL-(2-carboxypiperazine-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonate (DL-CPP, 5.7)) and glycine site (7-Chloro-4-hydroxy-3-(3-phenoxy)-phenyl-2(H)quinolinone (L-701,324, 14.1), 3R(+)cis-4-methyl-pyrrollid-2-one (L-687,414, 15.1)) inhibited [3H]MK-801 binding in vivo to varying maximum levels (69%, 103% and 45%, respectively). NR2B subunit-selective compounds acting at the ifenprodil site inhibited [3H]MK-801 in vivo by a maximum of 52-72% and gave ED(50) values (mg/kg) of: (+/-)-(1S*, 2S*)-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenylpiperidino)-1-propanol ((+/-)CP-101,606), 1.9; (+/-)-(3R, 4S)-3-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidin-1-yl]chroman-4,7-diol ((+/-)CP-283,097), 1.8; (+/-)-(R*, S*)-alpha-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-beta-methyl-4-(phenylmethyl)-1-piperidine propanol ((+/-)Ro 25-6981), 1.0; ifenprodil, 6.0. The glycine site agonist D-serine stimulated binding to 151% of control with an ED(50) of 1.7 mg/kg. Results show that [3H]MK-801 binding in vivo may be used to measure receptor occupancy of ligands acting not only within the ion channel but also at modulatory sites on the NMDA receptor complex.

Animals↗

Evidence for accelerated desensitisation of 5-HT(2C) receptors following combined treatment with fluoxetine and the 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist, WAY 100,635, in the rat.

Both pre-clinical and clinical studies suggest that additional treatment with 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonists may accelerate the antidepressant efficacy/onset of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Given that chronic SSRI treatment has been shown to desensitise 5-HT(2C) receptor mediated responses, we have used the rat social interaction test to determine if combined treatment with WAY 100,635, a selective 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist, will accelerate this effect. In pairs of unfamiliar rats, acute administration of the 5-HT(2C) receptor agonist m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) or fluoxetine decreased the time spent in social interaction, responses which were reversed by the 5-HT(2C/2B) receptor antagonists SB 200646A and SB 221284. Similar reductions in social interaction were observed in rats treated with fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, i.p. daily) for 4, 7 and 14 days but was no longer apparent after 28 days of treatment. In contrast, only 7 days of combined treatment with WAY 100,635 (1 mg/kg/s.c./day) and fluoxetine were needed to reverse this response. The decrease in social interaction induced by an acute challenge of mCPP (1 mg/kg, i. p.) was also reduced after 6 days co-treatment with WAY 100,635 and fluoxetine. Thus, WAY 100,635 accelerates SSRI-induced desensitisation of 5-HT(2C) receptors, suggesting that this response might contribute towards the therapeutic effects of SSRIs in man.

Animals↗

Activation of mesolimbic dopamine function by phencyclidine is enhanced by 5-HT(2C/2B) receptor antagonists: neurochemical and behavioural studies.

Administration of the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonists phencyclidine (PCP) (0.6-5 mg/kg s.c.) and MK-801 (0.1-0.8 mg/kg s.c. ) dose-dependently increased locomotor activity in the rat. Pre-treatment of rats with SB 221284 (0.1-1 mg/kg, i.p.) a 5-HT(2C/2B) receptor antagonist or SB 242084 (1 mg/kg, i.p.) a selective 5-HT(2C) receptor antagonist, doses shown to block mCPP induced hypolocomotion, significantly enhanced the hyperactivity induced by PCP or MK-801. Neither compound altered locomotor activity when administered alone. Furthermore, systemic administration of PCP (5 mg/kg s.c.) increased nucleus accumbens dopamine efflux in the rat to a maximum of approximately 220% of basal, 40-60 min after administration. Pre-treatment with the 5-HT(2C/2B) receptor antagonist SB 221284 (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and the 5-HT(2C) receptor antagonist SB 242084 (1 mg/kg i.p.) failed to affect nucleus accumbens dopamine efflux per se but significantly enhanced the magnitude and duration of the increase induced by PCP. However, the time course of the neurochemical and behavioural effects were qualitatively and quantitatively different, suggesting the potential involvement of other neurotransmitter pathways. Nevertheless, the present results provide behavioural and neurochemical evidence which demonstrate that, in the absence of effects per se, blockade of 5-HT(2C) receptors enhanced the activation of mesolimbic dopamine neuronal function by the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonists PCP and MK-801.

Aminopyridines↗

Kindling induced by pentylenetetrazole in rats is not directly associated with changes in the expression of NMDA or benzodiazepine receptors.

Repeated injections of a subconvulsant dose of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ, 30 mg/kg IP three times weekly for 13 injections) in Wistar and hooded Lister rats resulted in kindled seizures, the extent of which varied between strains. Wistar rats achieved stage 4 of clonic-tonic seizures, whereas hooded Lister rats only reached stage 2 of convulsive waves axially through the body. Rats were killed 10 days after their final injection, and radioligand binding was used to measure the expression of NMDA receptors in cortex and hippocampus using [3H]MK-801 and [3H]L-689,560, the latter binding specifically to the NR1 subunit. [3H]Ro 15-1788 measured expression of GABA(A)-benzodiazepine binding sites containing alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, or alpha5 subunits. Specific analysis of GABA(A) receptors containing the alpha5 subunit, which are preferentially localized in the hippocampus, was assessed with [3H]L-655,708. In the cortex, there was no effect of strain or treatment on the K(D) or B(max) of any of the ligands. Similarly, there was no effect of strain or treatment on hippocampal [3H]L-689,560 or [3H]Ro 15-1788 binding. However, in the hippocampus there was a significant, albeit modest, effect of treatment on the B(max) of [3H]MK-801 binding and the B(max) and K(D) of [3H]L-655,708 binding, i.e., PTZ-treated rats had fewer [3H]MK-801 and [3H]L-655,708 binding sites (NMDA and alpha5-containing GABA(A) receptors, respectively), but, these reductions were significant only in the relatively seizure-insensitive hooded Lister strain. This suggests that the increased susceptibility to kindling in Wistar rats is not directly related to alterations in the expression of NMDA or GABA(A) receptors.

Aminoquinolines↗

Characterisation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-specific [(3)H]Ifenprodil binding to recombinant human NR1a/NR2B receptors compared with native receptors in rodent brain membranes.

We have performed [(3)H]ifenprodil binding experiments under NMDA receptor-specific assay conditions to provide the first detailed characterisation of the pharmacology of the ifenprodil site on NMDA NR1/NR2B receptors, using recombinant human NR1a/NR2B receptors stably expressed in L(tk-) cells, in comparison with rat cortex/hippocampus membranes. [(3)H]Ifenprodil bound to a single, saturable site on both human recombinant NR1a/NR2B receptors and native rat receptors with B:(max) values of 1.83 and 2.45 pmol/mg of protein, respectively, and K:(D) values of 33.5 and 24.8 nM:, respectively. The affinity of various ifenprodil site ligands-eliprodil, (R:(*), R:(*))-4-hydroxy-alpha-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-beta-methyl-4-pehnyl-1-pi per idineethanol [(+/-)-CP-101,606], cis-3-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-1-piperidinyl]-3, 4-dihydro-2H:-1-benzopyran-4,7-diol [(+/-)-CP-283,097], and (R:(*), S:(*))-alpha-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-beta-methyl-4-(phenylmethyl)-1-piperid inepropanol [(+/-)-Ro 25-6981] was very similar for inhibition of [(3)H]ifenprodil binding to recombinant human NR1a/NR2B and native rat receptors, whereas allosteric inhibition of [(3)H]ifenprodil binding by polyamine site ligands (spermine, spermidine, and arcaine) showed approximately twofold lower affinity for recombinant receptors compared with native receptors. Glutamate site ligands were less effective at modulating [(3)H]ifenprodil binding to recombinant NR1a/NR2B receptors compared with native rat receptors. The NMDA receptor-specific [(3)H]ifenprodil binding conditions described were also applied to ex vivo experiments to determine the receptor occupancy of ifenprodil site ligands [ifenprodil, (+/-)-CP-101,606, (+/-)-CP-283,097, and (+/-)-Ro 25-6981] given systemically.

Allosteric Site↗

Deficits of NMDA receptors and glutamate uptake sites in the frontal cortex in AIDS.

HIV infection frequently leads to neurological deficits and is associated with neuronal loss and damage. We have investigated two neurochemical indicators of the integrity of glutamatergic systems in brain tissue taken postmortem from the frontal cortex of AIDS patients and age-matched controls. NMDA receptor density was determined by saturation analysis of [3H]L-689,560 occupation of the glycine binding site, while saturable [3H]D-aspartate binding provided a marker of the glutamate uptake site. NMDA receptor density was significantly reduced by 33% in the AIDS group, an effect which was more profound in the demented patients, and ligand binding to the glutamate uptake site was significantly reduced by >50% in demented AIDS patients compared with the control group. These reported glutamatergic deficits are consistent with an NMDA-receptor mediated excitotoxic mechanism being responsible for the neuronal loss occurring in AIDS.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

NR2B-containing NMDA receptors are up-regulated in temporal cortex in schizophrenia.

Saturation analyses of [3H]L-689,560, [3H]CGP 39653 and NMDA-specific [3H]ifenprodil binding revealed an equivalent increase (0.7 pmol/mg) in the number of [3H]L-689,560 and [3H]ifenprodil binding sites in superior temporal cortex (BA22) from drug-treated chronic schizophrenic patients and control subjects. No differences were observed between control and schizophrenic subjects for [3H]CGP 39653 binding in BA22, or for any of the radioligands binding to pre-motor cortex (BA6). Since [3H]L-689,560, [3H]CGP 39653 and [3H]ifenprodil label the glycine, glutamate and ifenprodil sites of the NMDA receptor complex, which are associated with NR1, NR1/NR2A and NR1/NR2B subunits respectively, our findings suggest that NR2B-containing receptors are selectively up-regulated in superior temporal cortex in schizophrenia.

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗

Inhibition of hippocampal 5-HT synthesis by fluoxetine and paroxetine: evidence for the involvement of both 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B/D autoreceptors.

Hippocampal serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) synthesis, as determined by the accumulation of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) following inhibition of L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase with NSD 1015, was inhibited by systemic administration of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors fluoxetine (10 mg/kg i.p.) and paroxetine (3 mg/kg i.p.). Pretreatment of rats with the selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY 100635 for a period of 7 days using subcutaneously implanted osmotic minipumps (1 mg/kg/day) was sufficient to block the inhibition of 5-HT synthesis following the 5-HT 1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT (0.3 mg/kg s.c.), but failed to inhibit the decrease of hippocampal 5-HT synthesis by fluoxetine (10 mg/kg i.p.) or paroxetine (3 mg/kg i.p.). Similarly, pretreatment of rats with GR 127935 (5 mg/kg i.p.), an antagonist with high affinity for 5-HT1B/D receptors, blocked the reduction of hippocampal 5-HT synthesis following the 5-HT receptor agonist TFMPP (3 mg/kg s.c.) without affecting the reduction of hippocampal 5-HT synthesis by either fluoxetine or paroxetine. In contrast, pretreatment with WAY 100635 (1 mg/kg/day, for 7 days s.c. in osmotic minipumps) in combination with GR 127935 (5 mg/kg i.p.) significantly attenuated the decrease of hippocampal 5-HT synthesis by both fluoxetine and paroxetine. These results indicate that both 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B/1D receptors, which function in the rat as inhibitory somatodendritic and nerve terminal autoreceptors, independently regulate hippocampal 5-HT synthesis and must be simultaneously blocked to prevent the inhibition of 5-HT synthesis by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors which increase 5-HT availability at both nerve terminals in hippocampus and 5-HT cell bodies in the raphe nuclei.

Animals↗