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The antipsychotic drug sulpiride does not affect bodyweight in male rats. Is insulin resistance involved?

Previous studies have shown that prolonged administration of antipsychotic drugs induces obesity in female but not in male rats. To explore the mechanisms involved in this sex-dependent effect, we administered the dopamine antagonist sulpiride (20 mg/kg i.p.) or vehicle (0.1 N HCl) to adult male rats during 21 days and daily assessed bodyweight and food intake. Then, we evaluated the glucose tolerance and the serum levels of insulin, leptin, total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S), thyroid hormones and blood lipids. In another experiment, food intake and water intake were assessed after acute injections of sulpiride or vehicle into the perifornical lateral hypothalamus. Lastly, the dopamine metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanilic acid (HVA) in the lateral hypothalamus were assessed by in vivo microdialysis after acute systemic injections of sulpiride and vehicle. Chronic sulpiride administration did not affect bodyweight gain and food intake. However, prolactin levels and the area under the glucose and insulin curves were significantly elevated. Acute sulpiride significantly increased food intake, water intake, DOPAC and HVA levels. The acute effects of sulpiride show that this drug is active at the perifornical lateral hypothalamus, which is a brain area where blockade of dopamine receptors stimulates feeding. However, after prolonged administration, sulpiride did not affect body weight. This lack of effect may be related to the impairment of insulin sensitivity, which may prevent body weight gain, and counteract other effects of sulpiride that promote adiposity such as hyperprolactinemia. These findings noticeably contrast with those observed in sulpiride-treated female rats that appear to display enhanced insulin sensitivity. The changes in insulin sensitivity do not appear related to a decrease in androgenic activity, because testosterone and DHEA-S levels were not affected by sulpiride. However, these results should be considered as preliminary because other relevant endocrine variables such as free testosterone, steroid binding globulin and pituitary gonadotrophin levels were not evaluated. Since the same sex-dependent effect on body weight and food intake in rats has been observed during administration of risperidone, which has a different pharmacological profile than sulpiride, future studies must evaluate other neurotransmitters involved in food intake regulation such as serotonin, noradrenaline and histamine.

Animals↗

A risk-benefit assessment of sulpiride in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Sulpiride is a substituted benzamide with a selective action on receptors of the dopamine D2-like family, and clinical and pharmacological data suggest that it could be considered to be an atypical antipsychotic. Sulpiride penetrates the blood-brain barrier poorly because of its low lipid solubility. It is mainly excreted unchanged in the urine, and accumulation of the drug could occur in patients with renal dysfunction and possibly in elderly patients with declining glomerular filtration rate. At low dosages (50 to 150 mg/day), sulpiride produces a disinhibiting and antidepressant effect, which is probably related to its action on D2 presynaptic autoreceptors, thus facilitating dopaminergic neurotransmission. Data have confirmed the efficacy of sulpiride in patients with acute or chronic schizophrenia during both short and long term treatment, but long term, placebo-controlled trials are still lacking. It is still doubtful whether sulpiride is more effective than typical antipsychotics for the treatment of negative symptoms. Data from clinical studies are controversial; the majority of authors indicate that sulpiride produces a better recovery rate from negative than from positive symptoms at low doses, but it shows a similar efficacy either on negative and positive symptoms at higher doses. The safety profile of sulpiride is similar to that of typical antipsychotics, although the frequency of adverse effects seems to be globally lower. Extrapyramidal reactions appear generally to be mild. Autonomic effects occur less frequently with sulpiride than with typical antipsychotics, showing no clinically relevant influence on cardiovascular parameters and, on the whole, good tolerability in elderly patients. Sulpiride is known to induce prolactin elevation in both serum and CSF, which may be associated with impotence in men and diminished gonadal function in women; these effects appear to be dosage-dependent. Sulpiride can be considered to be an atypical antipsychotic, considering its action on negative, defective symptoms, its partial activity against positive symptoms, and its low incidence of extrapyramidal adverse effects. Sulpiride could find its specific therapeutic role in elderly patients with schizophrenia, as it shows a good margin of safety between therapeutic dosages and toxic concentrations.

Antipsychotic Agents↗

[Sulpiride in the management of gastroduodenal ulcers. A comparative double-blind study].

UNLABELLED: Sulpiride (Dogmatil) is a new type of drug acting on the hypothalamus resulting in a physiological increase in amplitude and frequency of gastric motor activity, reduction of signs of abnormal activity and pyloric spasm and an increase in the rate of gastric emptying. Gastric secretion is for all practical purposes unchanged, either in quantity or in acid content. The effects of Sulpiride on the duodenum are similar through some hypotony may be seen. The motor effects of Sulpiride do not relate to its effectiveness in treatment of gastroduodenal ulceration and experiments have shown that this activity can be explained by the reduction of capillary vaso-constriction in local blood circulation at the site of experimentally-induced ulcers, producing a vaso-dilatation assisting healing. This study objectively evaluates the activity of Sulpiride in gastro-duodenal ulcers. 64 patients were studied under strict criteria and acute hemorragic, multiple or abnormally situated ulcers as well as those associated with other infections were eliminated. The dosage was uniform, two ampoules daily of 100 mgs i.m. of Sulpiride or placebo for 12 days, followed by 3 capsules daily of 50 mgs of Sulpiride or placebo for 48 days. No other treatment was given and no dietery restrictions were imposed, though alcohol and Aspirin and similar drugs were restricted. Of the 64 patients, 26 (18 men, 8 women, aged from 21 to 80 years) had gastric ulcers, 14 were treated with Sulpiride, 12 with placebo. 38 cases (29 men and 9 women, aged between 21 and 70 years) had duodenal ulcers, 18 were treated with Sulpiride, 20 with placebo. Full clinical, biological, radiological and endoscopic tests were carried out and a full questionnaire was completed. RESULTS: Highly significant differences in favour of Sulpiride were shown in both gastric and duodenal ulcer cases, maximum from the 20th day than less significative radiological results appeared. Similar remarks apply to endoscopic results. Sulpiride was extremely well tolerated, though amenorrhea (1) or galactorrhea (2) were noted without causing inconvenience to the patient. The author believes that the clinical effectiveness of Sulpiride in the treatment of gastro-duodenal ulcers is incontestable showing maximum results in ambulatory patients from the 20th day. A large number of patients would probably have produced statistically significant differences in radiological and endoscopic evidence of healing.

Adult↗

Differential effects of intra-accumbens sulpiride on cocaine-induced locomotion and conditioned place preference.

The effects of intra-accumbens sulpiride on conditioned place preference and locomotion produced by i.v. cocaine were investigated. Every other day during conditioning, rats received infusions of sulpiride (0-0.4 microgram) into the nucleus accumbens (NAc) or caudate-putamen. Fifteen min later, they were placed into a distinct compartment and injected with saline or cocaine (4.2 mg/kg, i.v.). On the alternate days, rats received sham intracranial injections and were placed into a different compartment. Locomotion and stereotypies were assessed after the first and last injection, and conditioned place preference was assessed 24 hr after the last conditioning day. After behavioral testing, receptors occupied by sulpiride were quantified by injecting rats intracranially with their respective dose of sulpiride, followed by a systemic injection of the irreversible antagonist N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ). Receptors protected from EEDQ induced inactivation by sulpiride were revealed on autoradiograms of sections labeled with 3H-sulpiride. Sulpiride did not alter cocaine-conditioned place preference or cocaine-induced stereotypies. However, the two lowest doses of intra-accumbens sulpiride attenuated cocaine-induced locomotion and occupied > 42% of the sulpiride binding sites in the NAc, and the highest dose completely reversed cocaine-induced locomotion and occupied > 96% of the sulpiride binding sites in the NAc. Intracaudate sulpiride also attenuated cocaine-induced locomotion without occupying a significant number of binding sites in the NAc. These findings suggest that D2-like receptors in the NAc and anterior medial caudate-putamen are involved in cocaine-induced locomotion, but not cocaine-conditioned place preference.

Animals↗

Cross-sensitisation with d-amphetamine following repeated intra-perifornical sulpiride infusions.

Infusions of the dopamine D2/D3 receptor antagonist sulpiride within the perifornical region of the lateral hypothalamus have been reported to increase locomotor activity. The current investigation examined the effect of repeated lateral hypothalamic sulpiride infusions. In experiment la, rats were placed repeatedly in an activity chamber either prior to, or following an infusion of 10 micrograms sulpiride or vehicle. Repeated infusions of sulpiride prior to, but not following exposure to the activity chamber increased locomotor activity during subsequent sessions. In experiment 1b, repeated pretreatment with intra-perifornical sulpiride prior to placement within the activity chamber was found to engender a significant increase in conditioned activity when placed subsequently within the same chamber drug-free. Alternatively, pretreatment with sulpiride in the home cage was found subsequently to engender a significant increase in locomotor activity during a test session with intra-perifornical sulpiride. In experiment 2, repeated pretreatment with intra-perifornical sulpiride significantly increased the locomotor response to a subsequent systemic challenge with d-amphetamine. Animals pretreated in the home cage exhibited a moderate increase in activity over vehicle controls, while animals repeatedly pretreated immediately prior to placement in the activity chamber exhibited the largest response subsequently to d-amphetamine of any group. Experiment 3 showed that repeated sulpiride infusions either 1 mm anterior or 1 mm posterior to the perifornical region were without effect upon locomotor activity. These data are suggested to reflect an indirect action of intra-perifornical sulpiride upon the mesoaccumbens dopamine projection, via the level of the ventral tegmental area. Precise neural mechanisms are under current investigation.

Amphetamine↗

d-Sulpiride inhibits oral behaviour elicited from the nucleus accumbens of freely moving rats.

The present study analyzed the effect of intra-accumbens administration of the stereoisomers of sulpiride upon (3,4-dihydroxyphenylimino)-2-imidazoline (DPI)-induced changes in oral behaviours and electromyographic patterns of jaw muscles. In line with earlier findings, DPI (5 micrograms) administered into the nucleus accumbens increased chewing and tremor. l-Sulpiride (2-50 ng) had no effect on DPI-induced oro-facial behaviours. d-Sulpiride (10-50 ng) significantly antagonized the DPI-induced increase in chewing and had a biphasic effect on tremor with potentiation (10 ng) followed by attenuation (50 ng). When administered alone, l- or d-sulpiride did not affect oro-facial behaviours. The electromyographic signals, which were analyzed according to a previously described method, were described with the help of three classes: A (the seconds marked by frequency 3 Hz), B (the seconds marked by the frequencies 4-6 Hz); C (the seconds marked by the frequencies 7-15 Hz). DPI enhanced Class B and C of the masseter muscle but did not significantly affect any frequency class of the digastric muscle. l-Sulpiride (2-50 ng) had no effect on DPI-induced (5 micrograms) changes in electromyographic signals. d-Sulpiride (50 ng) antagonized the effects of DPI on Class B of the masseter muscle. Furthermore, d-sulpiride had a biphasic effect on Class C with potentiation (10 ng) followed by attenuation (50 ng). When administered alone, l- or d-sulpiride did not affect the frequency classes of the jaw muscles. It is concluded that d-sulpiride inhibits DPI-induced changes in oral behaviour and electromyographic patterns. It is suggested that d-sulpiride may be effective in the pharmacotherapy of oro-facial dyskinesias in man.

Animals↗

Effect of sulpiride on serum growth hormone and prolactin concentrations following L-DOPA administration in man.

The effect of chronic administration of sulpiride on serum human growth hormone (hGH), prolactin and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was examined in 6 normal subjects. Sulpiride was given orally at a dose of 300 mg (t.i.d.) for 30 days. Sulpiride raised serum prolactin levels in all subjects examined. In addition, sulpiride suppressed hGH release induced by L-dopa, although the basal hGH level was not changed. Sulpiride treatment appeared to antagonize partially the inhibitory effect of L-dopa on prolactin release. Following thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) injection, the percent increment in prolactin levels from the baseline in sulpiride-treated subjects was less than in controls without sulpiride. In contrast, both the basal and TRH-stimulated TSH levels were not influenced by sulpiride. These observations suggest that sulpiride suppresses L-dopa-induced hGH release and stimulates prolactin release, presumably by acting against the dopaminergic mechanism either on the hypothalamus or on the pituitary. The decreased prolactin response to TRH after sulpiride treatment may indicate a diminished reserve capacity in pituitary prolactin release.

Administration, Oral↗

Interactions between sulpiride infusions within the perifornical region of the lateral hypothalamus and the nucleus accumbens on measures of locomotor activity and conditioned place preference.

There is growing evidence of a functionally significant link between the perifornical region of the lateral hypothalamus (PFH) and the mesoaccumbens dopamine projection. The present study assessed the ability of intra-accumbens dopamine receptor blockade, firstly to impair the locomotor stimulant properties of intra-PFH sulpiride, and secondly the ability of intra-PFH sulpiride to support a conditioned place preference. Locomotor activity and conditioned place preference training were assessed using an apparatus consisting of three distinctive compartments. Following a pre-exposure session in which groups showed equivalent preference for the three compartments, conditioned place preference training was carried out over five drug (0, 0.03 or 0.1 microg intra-accumbens sulpiride; 0 or 5 microg intra-PFH sulpiride) and five vehicle sessions. For each animal, drug and vehicle treatments were randomly paired with one of the two outermost compartments. Locomotor activity was monitored during each session. Intra-PFH sulpiride alone increased locomotor activity during later sessions, and this gradual increase in locomotor response, relative to vehicle infusions, was blocked by intra-accumbens sulpiride co-infusion. On the final drug-free test day for conditioned place preference, animals were again permitted free access to all three compartments, and the time spent in each was compared with that on initial exposure. Intra-PFH sulpiride alone supported a conditioned place preference. Intra-accumbens sulpiride was without intrinsic effect, but nevertheless blocked the ability of intra-PFH sulpiride to support a conditioned place preference. These data provide further support for a functionally significant link between the PFH and mesoaccumbens dopamine projection, with regard to the locomotor stimulant properties and ability of intra-PFH infusions of sulpiride to support a conditioned place preference.

Analysis of Variance↗

Differential effects of continuous administration for 1 year of haloperidol or sulpiride on striatal dopamine function in the rat.

Administration of haloperidol (1.4-1.6 mg/kg/day) for up to 12 months or sulpiride (102-109 mg/kg/day) for between 6 and 12 months increased the frequency of purposeless chewing jaw movements in rats. N,n-propylnorapomorphine (NPA) (0.25-2.0 mg/kg SC) did not induce hypoactivity in haloperidol-treated rats at any time; sulpiride treatment for 9 and 12 months caused a reduction in the ability of NPA to induce hypoactivity. Haloperidol, but not sulpiride, treatment enduringly inhibited low dose apomorphine effects (0.125 mg/kg SC). After 12 months, stereotypy induced by high doses of apomorphine (0.5-1.0 mg/kg) was exaggerated in haloperidol-, but not sulpiride-treated rats. Bmax for specific striatal 3H-spiperone binding was increased by haloperidol, but not sulpiride, treatment throughout the study. Bmax for 3H-piflutixol binding was not altered by chronic haloperidol or sulpiride treatment. Striatal dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was inhibited for the 1st month of haloperidol treatment, thereafter returning to control levels; dopamine stimulation was increased after 12 months of sulpiride treatment. Striatal acetylcholine content was increased after 3 and 12 months of treatment with haloperidol, but was not affected by sulpiride. Chronic administration of sulpiride does not induce identical changes in striatal dopamine function to those caused by haloperidol.

Acetylcholine↗

Differential alterations in striatal dopamine receptor sensitivity induced by repeated administration of clinically equivalent doses of haloperidol, sulpiride or clozapine in rats.

Rats received therapeutically equivalent doses of either haloperidol (1.7-1.9 mg/kg/day), sulpiride (112-116 mg/kg/day) or clozapine 30-35 mg/kg/day) continuously for 4 weeks. Treatment with haloperidol, but not sulpiride or clozapine, caused inhibition of stereotyped behaviour induced by apomorphine (0.125-0.25 mg/kg SC). Following drug withdrawal for up to 7 days, haloperidol and sulpiride, but not clozapine treatment caused an exaggeration of stereotyped behaviour induced by apomorphine. Bmax values for striatal 3H-spiperone binding were elevated in animals treated for 2 and 4 weeks with haloperidol, but not with sulpiride or clozapine. Following drug withdrawal, haloperidol, but not sulpiride or clozapine, treatment caused an increase in Bmax for striatal 3H-spiperone binding. Bmax values for striatal 3H-NPA binding revealed no change during haloperidol or clozapine treatment. Sulpiride treatment for 1 week caused an increase in Bmax for 3H-NPA binding, which returned to control levels at 2 and 4 weeks. Following drug withdrawal, there was an increase in Bmax for 3H-NPA binding in rats treated with haloperidol and sulpiride, but not clozapine. On continuous treatment and following withdrawal from haloperidol, sulpiride, or clozapine the ability of dopamine to stimulate striatal adenylate cyclase activity did not differ from that in control animals. Repeated administration of sulpiride or clozapine may not induce striatal dopamine receptor supersensitivity when given in clinically relevant doses, although haloperidol does.

Animals↗

Mechanism of the body weight increase induced by systemic sulpiride.

Long-term intraperitoneal administration of sulpiride induced body weight increase in female but not in male rats. The hypothesis that systemic sulpiride causes an endocrine unbalance which in turn causes body weight gain and hyperphagia was tested in four experiments. First, it was shown that even when they are on a high-fat diet male rats do not show body weight gain induced by systemic sulpiride. Second, sulpiride suppressed the estrous cycle. Third, gonadectomy prevented the body weight gain induced by systemic sulpiride in female rats. Fourth, estradiol simultaneously administered with sulpiride prevented the expected sulpiride-induced body weight gain. These results are discussed in terms of an hypothetical functional castration produced by systemic sulpiride. The well known hyperprolactinemia, induced by the pituitary D2 dopamine receptor blockade, might bring about an impairment of the steroidogenesis with subsequent decrease in estrogens level, which in turn might be responsible for the hyperphagia and body weight increase induced by systemic injections of sulpiride.

Animals↗

Sulpiride plus hydroxyzine decrease tinnitus perception.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to confirm the effectiveness of sulpiride and hydroxyzine in tinnitus patients. The administration of sulpiride, a D2 antagonist of dopamine receptors, together with hydroxyzine, a subcortical sedative, covers the areas of tinnitus perception. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, single blinded, placebo-control study was done in general otorhinolaryngology consultations for 2002-2004 in Seville and Zaragoza (Spain). One hundred and fifty patients consulted for subjective tinnitus. They were included randomly in three groups of 50. A group took sulpiride (50 mg/8 h) alone, other the same dose of sulpiride plus hydroxyzine (25 mg/12 h), and the third placebo (lactose), for 1 month. One hundred and twenty-two patients completed the study. Clinical history, tonal audiometry, tympanometry, and tinnitometry were done in the beginning and end of the study. Subjective Grading of Tinnitus Perception and visual analogical scale (0-10) were done for result evaluation. RESULTS: Based on the Subjective Grading of Tinnitus Perception, tinnitus perception diminished by 56% in patients treated with sulpiride and by 81% in patients treated with sulpiride plus hydroxyzine. Based on the visual analogical scale, tinnitus perception diminished from 7.8 to 6.3 in the patients treated with sulpiride, and from 7.8 to 5.1 in those treated with sulpiride plus hydroxyzine. CONCLUSIONS: Sulpiride plus hydroxyzine decreases tinnitus perception. Tinnitus auditolimbic dopaminergic pathway opens wide therapeutical implications.

Adult↗

Clinical evaluation of sulpiride in schizophrenic patients--a double-blind comparison with chlorpromazine.

To evaluate the clinical potential of sulpiride for the treatment of schizophrenic patients, a double-blind study was performed comparing fixed doses of sulpiride (800 mg daily) and chlorpromazine (400 mg daily). Twenty-five schizophrenic (RDC) patients participated in each treatment group. Antipsychotic effects were evaluated by CPRS and NOSIE ratings before and after 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Interrater reliabilities for CPRS items and subscales were satisfactory. Treatment with sulpiride or chlorpromazine resulted in a significant reduction of psychotic morbidity as estimated by CPRS and global ratings. CPRS scores reflecting autism were significantly reduced in all ratings of sulpiride-treated patients, but only after four weeks in the chlorpromazine group. Total NOSIE scores indicated improvement in both treatment groups. A significant difference in favour of sulpiride was obtained for the NOSIE subscale "retardation". Extrapyramidal side effects occurred at a similar frequency in both treatment groups. Autonomic side effects occurred to a greater extent in chlorpromazine-treated patients. Lactation was reported only in four sulpiride-treated patients. Liver transaminase enzymes in serum were markedly elevated only in chlorpromazine-treated patients. The results indicate that sulpiride has a marked antipsychotic effect which is at least not inferior to that of chlorpromazine. A better effect on autistic components of behaviour was demonstrated for sulpiride. The results indicate a higher risk of lactation but a lower risk of anticholinergic side effects and liver toxicity for treatment with sulpiride than with chlorpromazine.

Adolescent↗

Relationships between drug concentrations in serum and CSF, clinical effects and monoaminergic variables in schizophrenic patients treated with sulpiride or chlorpromazine.

Schizophrenic patients were treated with fixed doses of sulpiride (800 mg) or chlorpromazine (400 mg) during eight weeks using a double-blind design. In order to examine relationships between pharmacokinetic, clinical and biochemical parameters in relation to treatment the following variables were recorded before and 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. Concentrations of sulpiride, CPZ, 7-OH-CPZ, nor1-CPZ were determined in serum and CSF using liquid chromatography and mass fragmentography. Clinical variables were psychotic morbidity and side effects as evaluated by CPRS, NOSIE and side effect ratings. Monoaminergic variables were concentrations of the major cerebral monoamine metabolites, HVA, 5-HIAA and MOPEG in the cerebrospinal fluid as measured by mass fragmentography. Prolactin levels in serum and CSF were measured by radioimmunoassay. During steady state, concentrations of sulpiride in serum varied fourfold between patients and CPZ twentyfold. Drug concentrations in serum and CSF were highly correlated in CPZ-but not in sulpiride-treated patients. Although sulpiride passed into the CSF, transport between serum and CSF was restricted. In the sulpiride group, improvement of psychotic morbidity and HVA elevation in CSF tended to be negatively related to the drug concentrations in serum. Sulpiride-treated patients with extrapyramidal side effects had significantly higher drug concentrations in serum. In CPZ-treated patients, improvement of psychotic morbidity, HVA elevation and prolactin elevation all tended to be positively correlated to drug concentrations in serum and CSF. CPZ-treated patients with extrapyramidal side effects also had significantly higher CPZ concentrations in serum. In both treatment groups, the MOPEG reduction in CSF tended to be correlated to improvement of psychotic morbidity. The study supplied clinical evidence for the view that antipsychotic drugs belonging to the phenothiazine and benzamide series induce antipsychotic effects in schizophrenic patients in a graded fashion which is proportional to the degree of interaction with the central dopaminergic mechanisms. The results also support the view that sulpiride has a more selective effect on central dopaminergic mechanisms than chlorpromazine. In the schizophrenic patients studied and with the doses used, sulpiride concentrations tended to be maximal with regard to clinical and biochemical effects. For CPZ on the other hand, drug concentrations in some patients seemed to be too low to induce optimal effects.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of dopamine receptor sites labeled by [3H]-S-sulpiride and [3H]-spiperone in striatum.

Binding of the radiolabeled active isomer of the neuroleptic sulpiride, [3H]-S-sulpiride, to rat and rabbit striatal membranes was characterized. Regardless of whether the specific binding of [3H]-S-sulpiride was defined with spiperone or the active isomers of butaclamol or flupenthixol, a single homogeneous++ population of binding sites (rat: Kd = 5.6 nM, maximum binding = 590 fmol/mg of protein; rabbit: Kd = 8.3 nM, maximum binding = 540 fmol/mg of protein) was detected. The pharmacological profile of these sites was characteristic of that described for the dopaminergic D-2 receptor subtype. To determine whether [3H]-S-sulpiride and [3H]spiperone label common sites in the striatum, the binding of these two radioligands was compared under similar assay conditions. When specific binding of [3H]spiperone was defined with S-sulpiride, [3H]spiperone labeled the same number of binding sites as [3H]-S-sulpiride despite the fact that the affinity of the sites for [3H]spiperone was 80- to 90-fold higher than for [3H]-S-sulpiride. When specific binding of [3H]spiperone was defined with either (+)-butaclamol or (alpha)-flupenthixol, however, approximately 30% more sites were labeled. The predominant site labeled by [3H]spiperone also possessed the characteristics of the D-2 receptor. It is concluded that [3H]-S-sulpiride under the conditions used is a selective radioligand with which dopamine receptors of the D-2 subtype can be directly measured and localized. [3H]Spiperone can be used to detect the same sites only if specific binding is defined with S-sulpiride.

Animals↗

Sulpiride for schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: The antipsychotic drug sulpiride was formulated over 20 years ago and was marked as having a low incidence of adverse effects and an effect on the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. This relatively inexpensive antipsychotic drug has a similar neuropharmacological profile to several novel atypical drugs. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of sulpiride. SEARCH STRATEGY: Electronic searches of Biological Abstracts (1982-1997), CINAHL (1982-1998), Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Register (March 1998), Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 1998), EMBASE (1980-1998), MEDLINE (1966-1998), PsycLIT (1974-1997), SIGLE (1994-1998), and Sociofile (1974-1997) were supplemented by reference searching, contacting authors and the manufacturers of sulpiride. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised or quasi-randomised clinical trials focusing on the use of different doses of sulpiride or comparing sulpiride to (i) placebo; (ii) typical antipsychotic drugs; or (iii) atypical antipsychotic drugs, for those with schizophrenia or serious mental illness were selected. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Trials were reliably selected and quality rated. Data were independently extracted, by two reviewers (BGOS, MF), and analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. It was assumed that people who did not complete the follow up had no improvement. Authors of trials were contacted for additional and missing data. Relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of dichotomous data were calculated with the random effects model and weighted mean difference (WMD) was calculated for continuous data. MAIN RESULTS: The review currently includes 18 studies (30 citations). Studies are generally small and of poor quality. Limited evidence suggests that there is little difference between sulpiride and other drugs although the incidence of side effects may be less for sulpiride. There are no clear findings relating to negative symptoms. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Sulpiride may be an effective antipsychotic drug but evidence is limited and data relating to claims for its value against negative symptoms is not trial-based.

Antipsychotic Agents↗

Enhancement by sulpiride of the inhibitory effects of cysteamine on gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats.

The effects of sulpiride on cysteamine inhibition of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and on the BUdR labelling index of gastric mucosa were investigated in inbred Wistar rats. After 25 weeks of oral treatment with MNNG, rats received one of the following alternate-day injections: cysteamine (2 doses), cysteamine (2 doses) plus sulpiride or sulpiride. At week 52, prolonged administration of cysteamine significantly reduced the incidence of adenocarcinomas of the glandular stomach. Cysteamine at low dose had no effect on the incidence of gastric cancers, but a combination of low-dose cysteamine and sulpiride caused a significantly greater reduction in the incidence of gastric cancers. Administration of sulpiride alone had no influence on gastric carcinogenesis. The labelling index of the antral mucosa was significantly lower in rats treated with high but not low doses of cysteamine. However, a combination of low-dose cysteamine and sulpiride significantly decreased the labelling index of the antral mucosa. Our findings indicate that cysteamine suppressed gastric carcinogenesis and that sulpiride enhanced this inhibition. Because sulpiride is a dopamine antagonist, these findings also indicate that dopamine may play an important role in cysteamine inhibition of gastric carcinogenesis.

Animals↗

Effect of sulpiride on poor puerperal lactation.

Forty-two primiparous and 54 multiparous women with total yields of milk not exceeding 50 ml for the first 3 postpartum days were treated with 100 mg of oral sulpiride or placebo for 4 days from the third postpartum day. In the primiparous mothers, the mean daily yield of milk in the sulpiride group increased significantly (p less than 0.01) over that in the control group after the fourth postpartum day. Mean (+/- SE) total volumes of milk for the third to fifth postpartum days were 661.5 +/- 64.4 and 441.2 +/- 51.2 ml in the sulpiride and the control groups, respectively. However, in the multiparous mothers, no significant difference between the control and the sulpiride group was noted in total yield of milk, since a good increase in the secretion of milk was obtained without medication in these mothers. Determinations of daily serum levels of prolactin in 20 primiparous women revealed significantly higher concentrations in the sulpiride group. The ratio of primiparous mothers with complete breast-feeding 1 month after delivery was higher in the sulpiride group (55%) than in the control group (30%), whereas there was no difference between the control group and the sulpiride group of multiparous women. These data indicate that poor initiation of puerperal lactation in primiparous mothers can be effectively treated with oral sulpiride.

Adult↗