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Antagonists, but not agonists, of the 5-HT3 receptor are useful therapeutic agents, and it is possible that partial agonists may also be potentially useful in the clinic. Here we show that 5-fluorotryptamine (5-FT) is a partial agonist at both 5-HT3A and 5-HT3AB receptors with an Rmax (Imax/Imax 5-HT) of 0.64 and 0.45 respectively. It is about 10 fold less potent than 5-HT: EC50=16 and 27 microM, and Ki for displacement of [3H]granisetron binding=0.8 and 1.8 microM for 5-HT3A and 5-HT3AB receptors respectively. We have also explored the potencies and efficacies of tryptamine and a range of 5-substituted tryptamine derivatives. At 5-HT3A receptors tryptamine is a weak (Rmax=0.15), low affinity (EC50=113 microM; Ki=4.8 microM) partial agonist, while 5-chlorotryptamine has a similar affinity to 5-FT (EC50=8.1 microM; Ki=2.7 microM) but is a very weak partial agonist (Rmax=0. 0037). These, and data from 5-methyltryptamine and 5-methoxytryptamine, reveal the importance of size and electronegativity at this location for efficient channel opening.

The pharmacological effect of the 5-HT1A receptor ligands, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), indorenate, and buspirone, alone or in combination with the antagonist MM-77, was studied in mice subjected to forced swimming. It was confirmed that this stressful factor produces an anxiolytic-like effect, which is reversed by the mentioned 5-HT1A receptor agonists. Only the 8-OH-DPAT-induced decrease of such an effect could be blocked by the postsynaptic antagonist of the 5-HT1A receptor 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-[(4-succinimido)butyl]-piperazine (MM-77). Stressing by forced swimming seems to induce plastic changes in 5-HT1A receptors, which in turn modify the behavioural actions of 5-HT1A receptor agents.

The effects of the 5-HT receptor agonist, 5-methoxytryptamine, on plasma glucose levels were investigated in rats. 5-Methoxytryptamine induced a significant hyperglycemia above the dosage of 1 mg/kg. 5-Methoxytryptamine-induced hyperglycemia was antagonized by pretreatment with the 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, methysergide, or the 5-HT2A receptor antagonist, ketanserin, whereas the 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptor antagonist, tropisetron, and the 5-HT4 receptor antagonist, SDZ 205-557 (2-methoxy-4-amino-5-chloro-benzoic acid 2-(diethylamino) ethyl ester), showed no effect. In addition, the peripheral 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, xylamidine, reduced 5-methoxytryptamine-induced hyperglycemia. These results suggest that 5-methoxytryptamine-induced hyperglycemia is mediated by the peripheral 5-HT2A receptor, although it has a high affinity for the 5-HT4 receptor. Adrenodemedullation abolished the 5-methoxytryptamine-induced hyperglycemia. 5-Methoxytryptamine did not affect the blood levels of the pancreatic hormones, insulin and glucagon. The hyperglycemia induced by 5-methoxytryptamine was not affected by pretreatment with dexamethasone which inhibits corticosterone release. These results indicate that 5-methoxytryptamine-induced hyperglycemia is elicited by a facilitated adrenaline release from the adrenal gland. Therefore, it is suggested that the 5-HT2A receptor may be partly involved in the pharmacological effects induced by the 5-HT4 receptor agonist, 5-methoxytryptamine. © 1997 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

We have investigated the effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on electrically induced contractions of rabbit isolated bladder. Electrical field stimulation evoked twitch contractions which were potentiated by 5-HT (0.3-10 microM). The potentiating effect of 5-HT was inhibited by ondansetron (pA2 9.2) and granisetron (pA2 9.1) but not by methysergide or SB 204070 ((1-butyl-4-piperidinyl)methyl 8-amino-7-chloro-1,4-benzodioxan-5-carboxylate hydrochloride). This suggests that the potentiating effect of micromolar concentrations of 5-HT on neuromuscular transmission in rabbit isolated bladder is mediated by 5-HT3 receptors. The receptors involved in the response to lower concentrations of 5-HT, observed in some tissues, remain to be characterised.

This study examined effects of 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MOT), an agonist at 5-HT4 and 5-HT2B receptors, on the contractile response and acetylcholine release in rat stomach fundus strips. 5-MOT (10−9 − 10−5 M) produced a concentration-dependent increase in the contraction, while it evoked acetylcholine release in a ‘bell-shaped’ concentration-dependent manner. Atropine reduced 5-MOT (10−8 − 10−6 M)-induced contractions, but it had little effect on the contractions evoked by higher concentrations. 5-MOT-induced contraction and acetylcholine release were inhibited by SDZ 205–557 (2-methoxy-4-amino-5-chloro-benzoic acid 2-[diethylamino] ethyl ester), a 5-HT4 receptor antagonist. In the presence of atropine, both SDZ 205–557 and yohimbine, a 5-HT2B receptor antagonist, inhibited the contraction. In the presence of tetrodotoxin, the contraction was inhibited by yohimbine, but not by SDZ –557. These results suggest that the contractile action of 5-MOT in rat stomach fundus involves atropine-sensitive and atropine-resistant components. The sensitive contraction appears to be mediated through 5-HT4 receptors located on cholinergic neurons, whereas the resistant contraction is mediated through 5-HT4 receptors located on non-cholinergic neurons and through 5-HT2B receptors.

The 5-HT receptor mediating postjunctional relaxation of precontracted guinea-pig ileum has been characterized using several agonists and antagonists. Substance P precontracted tissues were potently relaxed by 5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine, serotonin), 5-CT (5-carboxamidotryptamine) and several other indoles. The rank order of potency, with pEC50 values in parentheses, was 5-CT (7.6)5-methoxytryptamine (5.7)5-HT (5.5)alpha-methyl-5-HT (4.7)2-methyl-5-HT (4.0) = tryptamine (4.0) = N,N-dimethyl-tryptamine (4.0) = N,N-dimethyl-5-HT (4.0) = dipropyl-5-CT (4.0) = sumatriptan (4.0). 8-OH-DPAT (8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)-tetralin) acted as a potent (6.3), but partial, agonist with respect to 5-HT. The responses to 5-CT were antagonized by several compounds with the following rank order of affinity, with pKB values in parentheses: LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide; 8.1) = mesulergine (7.8)methysergide (7.6) = spiperone (7.6)clozapine (7.3)(-)-pindolol (6.0)ketanserin (6.0) = ondansetron (6.0) = GR 113808 ([1-(2-methane-sulphonamido-ethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-methyl-in dole-3- carboxylate maleate;6.0). The relaxant responses to 5-HT were also resistant to tetrodotoxin. These data are consistent with a functional 5-HT receptor, mediating relaxation of guinea-pig ileum, which exhibits an operational profile similar to that of the cloned guinea-pig 5-ht7 receptor. This study, therefore, provides evidence for a functional correlate of the 5-ht7 gene product.

Intracellular electrophysiological methods were used to examine the effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT), 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MeOT), 4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxy-N-(4-[1-azabicyclo[3,3,1]nonyl]) benzamide hydrochloride (renzapride), cis-4-amino-5-chloro-N[1-[3- (4-fluorophenoxy)propyl]-3-methoxy-4-piperidinyl[-2-methoxybenzamide monohydrate (cisapride) and endo-N-(8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl)-2,3-dihydro-3- (1-methyl)ethyl-2-oxo-1 H-benzimidazole-1-carboxamidehydrochloride (BIMU 8) on noncholineric slow excitatory postsynaptic potentials (slow EPSPs) in myenteric afterhyperpolarization (AH) neurons of guinea pig ileum. 5-HT (0.01-1 microM) and 5-CT (0.001-0.1 microM) produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of slow EPSPs. The 5-HT1A receptor antagonist 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-(2-phthalimidobutyl]piperazine (NAN-190) produced rightward shifts in 5-HT and 5-CT concentration-response curves; facilitation of slow EPSPs was never observed. 5-MeOT caused a depolarization and inhibited spike afterhyperpolarizations in a concentration-dependent manner but this effect was not blocked by the 5-HT3/5-HT4 receptor antagonist, tropisetron (1 microM). Renzapride (0.01-0.3 microM), cisapride (0.01-1.0 microM) and BIMU 8 (0.01-1.0 microM) did not change the membrane potential of any neuron tested. Renzapride and BIMU 8 did not change the amplitude of slow EPSPs. In 13 of 19 neurons cisapride did not change the amplitude of slow EPSPs; in 6 neurons cisapride (1 microM) reversibly inhibited the slow EPSP. Responses to substance P which mimicked the slow EPSP were not affected by cisapride.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The involvement of visceral afferent fibers and 5-HT3 or 5-HT4 receptors in the vomiting induced by oral administration of copper sulfate was investigated in beagle dogs. Vomiting induced by copper sulfate (100 mg/kg) was inhibited markedly by bilateral abdominal vagotomy and bilateral greater splanchnic nerve section. The vomiting induced by copper sulfate was inhibited by blocking 5-HT4 receptors with high doses (1 and 3 mg/kg, i.v.) of ICS 205-930. On the other hand, blocking 5-HT3 receptors with MDL 72222 (0.5 and 5 mg/kg, i.v.) or low doses (0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg, i.v.) of ICS 205-930 had no apparent effect on the vomiting induced by copper sulfate. Oral administration of a 5-HT4 receptor agonist, 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MT), caused vomiting at a dose of 100 mg/kg, and the vomiting was inhibited markedly by abdominal visceral nerve section or a high dose (1 mg/kg, i.v.), but not a low dose (0.01 mg/kg, i.v.), of ICS 205-930. Intravenous administration of 5-MT (10 mg/kg) failed to induce vomiting. These results suggest that the abdominal visceral afferent fibers and possibly peripheral 5-HT4 receptors play an important role in the vomiting induced by oral administration of copper sulfate in dogs.

Changes in mechanical events and intracellular levels of cAMP induced by the activation of the 5-HT4 receptor were investigated in the rat esophagus tunica muscularis mucosae preparation. Serotonin (5-HT) and 5 methoxytryptamine (5-MOT; 5-HT4 agonist) caused concentration-related relaxation responses, while 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT; 5-HT1 agonist), 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-amino-propane (DOI; 5-HT2 agonist) and 2-methyl-serotonin (2-methyl-5-HT; 5-HT3 agonist) were less active. The prokinetic agents, cisapride and renzapride also induced concentration-dependent relaxation of rat esophagus which was intermediate to 5-HT and 5-MOT in potency. The relaxation was not due to activity at receptors other than the 5-HT4 since methysergide (5-HT1 and 5-HT2 antagonist) and granisetron (5-HT3 antagonist) did not block the relazant response to 5-HT while ICS 205930 (5-HT4 antagonist) antagonized this response (pA2 = 6.45). Serotonin also caused concentration-related increases in tunica muscularis mucosae cAMP with the rank order of efficacy of 5-HT agonists in raising tissue cAMP levels reflecting their relaxant activities (5HT⩾5-MOT>5-CT>DOI = 2-methyl-5-HT = control). Enhancement of cAMP concentrations was also observed following renzapride treatment. This cAMP relaxation response was specific for 5-HT4 receptor actication as demonstrated by the lack of ICS 205930 inhibition of rat esophagus relaxation caused by isoproterenol, 16,16-dimethyl-prostaglandin E2 and forskolin. ICS 205930 (10−5 M) alone, however, significantly decreased tissue cAMP, emphasizing its lack of selectivity as an antagonist for blocking the 5-HT4-mediated rise in cAMP. These data suggest that the activation of the putative 5-HT4 receptor mediates rat esophagus relaxation via generation of cAMP.

Serotonin (5-HT) agonists, selective for 5-HT1, 5-HT2 or 5-HT3 receptor subtypes, were tested for their ability to mimic 5-HT in narrowing the tetraethylammonium-induced calcium-dependent plateau of action potentials recorded from frog sensory neurons. 5-Carboxamidotryptamine, 5-HT, alpha-methyl 5-HT and 5-methoxy-tryptamine possessed full agonist activity, with EC50S of 19 nM, 210 nM, 3.7 microM and 1.7 microM, respectively. 2-Methyl 5-HT was inactive. This agonist profile indicates that the calcium-dependent plateau in these sensory somata is modulated by a 5-HT1-like receptor.

Lipids, including cholesterol, are critical components of the cell membrane where they are enriched in microdomains, lipid rafts, which organize and concentrate receptors and intracellular proteins involved in signal transduction. The present study examined the effects of cholesterol depletion on serotonin (5-HT) binding and signaling via 5-hydroxytryptamine(7) (5-HT(7)) receptors in stably transfected HeLa cells. Immunohistochemical, ligand-binding and biotinylation experiments demonstrated that the studied cells expressed high levels of 5-HT(7) receptors at their surface with a pharmacological profile resembling 5-HT(7) receptors in native tissue. Depletion of cholesterol, by combined treatment with mevastatin, fumonisin B(1) and mevalonate or methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MbetaCD), caused highly significant reductions in the B(max) values of [(3)H]5-HT- and [(3)H]-(R)-3-(2-(2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-ethyl)pyrrolidine-1-sulfonyl)phenol ([(3)H]SB269970)-binding to 5-HT(7) receptors. Cholesterol depletion also reduced the total level of 5-HT(7) receptor protein determined by Western blot analysis. None of the examined treatments affected the affinity of [(3)H]5-HT- or [(3)H]SB269970-binding to 5-HT(7) receptors. Treatment with serotonin caused strong inductions in the phosphorylation states of Ser(63)-ATF-1 and Ser(133)-CREB. These effects of serotonin on signal transduction were significantly counteracted by pre-treatment with cholesterol synthesis inhibitors. Altogether, the present study demonstrates that cholesterol depletion decreases binding of both agonist and antagonist radioligands to 5-HT(7) receptors and counteract 5-HT(7) receptor-mediated intracellular signaling.

Interaction between the 5-HT 4 receptor and cholinergic-dependent and -independent contraction of the rat oesophageal muscularis mucosae was determined. Substance P- (in the presence of atropine) and carbachol-precontracted tissue was relaxed by tryptamines and the substituted benzamides with the following rank order of potency: 5-HT>5-methoxytryptamine>cisapride>( R )-zacopride>lintopride>metoclopramide, consistent with 5-HT 4 receptor activation. The response to 5-HT was not antagonized by tetrodotoxin, methysergide or ondansetron, but was shifted to the right by GR113808 ([1-[2-[methylsulphonyl)amino]ethyl]-4-piperidinyl]methyl-1- H -indole-3-carboxylate) in substance P- and carbachol-precontracted tissue, confirming 5-HT 4 -mediated relaxation. This study shows for the first time that although 5-HT 4 receptors are involved in the modulation of cholinergic neurotransmission they can also act independently of this system modulating tachykinergic responsiveness. © 1997 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

The antiemetic activity of N-3389 (endo-3,9-dimethyl-3,9-diazabicyclo[3,3,1]non-7-yl-1 H-indazole-3-carboxamide dihydrochloride), a new 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptor antagonist, against cisplatin-, cyclophosphamide- and copper sulfate-induced emesis was investigated using ferrets. We also examined the effects of these agents on abdominal afferent vagus nerve activity in anesthetized ferrets. Both intraperitoneal (0.1-1.0 mg/kg) and oral (0.1-1.0 mg/kg) administration of N-3389 produced dose-dependent antiemetic effects. The time-course of cisplatin (10 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced emesis in another group of ferrets paralleled the increase in abdominal afferent vagus nerve activity induced by cisplatin (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and was inhibited by pretreatment with N-3389 (1.0 mg/kg, i.v.). Furthermore, the cisplatin (10 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced increase in abdominal afferent vagus nerve activity was markedly reduced by an additional injection of N-3389 (0.1-1.0 mg/kg, i.v.) in a dose-dependent manner. The antiemetic effects exhibited by N-3389 are probably due to the inhibition of 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors on the abdominal afferent vagus nerves.

It has been suggested that benzamides, like cisapride, exert their effects on the guinea-pig ileum via activation of a 5-HT receptor (5-HT4 receptor?) mechanism. The aim of this study was to determine whether an how the 5-HT4 receptor (previously described in mouse colliculi neurones) is involved in the cisapride-induced effect. The effects induced by cisapride were compared with those of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MeOT) either alone or in the presence of a 5-HT4 antagonist (micromolar concentration of ICS 205–930) or a benzamide antagonist (R 50 595). As a model we used the electrically stimulated longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus preparation from the guinea-pig ileum. Cisapride (3.10−7 M), 5-HT and a 5-HT4 receptor agonist 5-MeOT (3.10−10−10−6 M) induced similar effects, i.e. enhancement of the twitch responses. After rinsing the organ baths, a second addition of the agonists resulted in a similar response. The studied agonists showed mutual desensitization. Cisapride desensitized the response induced by 5-HT or 5-MeOT, and 5-MeOT or 5-HT desensitized the effect induced by cisapride. In preparations preincubated with a 5-HT4 receptor antagonist, ICS 205-930- (3.10−6 M) or R 50 595 (3.10−7 M), a benzamide with a specific antagonistic action on the effect induced by 5-HT and benzamides on the guinea-pig ileum, the effects induced by cisapride, 5-HT and 5-MeOT were abolished. These results indicate that cisapride indeed exerts its effect via an agonistic action on a serotonin receptor, probably the previously described 5-HT4 receptor.

The pharmacological characteristics of hindlimb scratching induced by serotonergic compounds were studied. We conclude that hindlimb scratching induced by serotonergic compounds is mediated by a serootonin 1D (5-HT 1D ) or 5-HT 1D -like receptor outside the blood-brain barrier because hindlimb scratching could be induced by s.c. injection of 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MeOT), 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT), bufotenine, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and tryptamine. These compounds have high affinity for 5-HT 1A and 5-HT 1D receptors. The 5-HT 1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), the 5-HT 1C receptor agonist MK 212, and the mixed 5-HT 1C /5-HT 2 receptor agonists (dl)-1-(2,5 dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) and quipazine did not induce hindlimb scratching. Rather, the latter compounds attenuated 5-MeOT-induced hindlimb scratching. The 5-HT releasing compounds fenfluramine and p-chloroamphetamine (PCA) inhibited whereas the 5-HT re-uptake inhibitors fluvoxamine and indalpine potentiated 5-MeOT-induced hindlimb scatching, 5-MeOT-induced hindlimb scratching could be inhibited dose dependently by the α- 2 -adrenoceptor blockers yohimbine and rauwolsince, which also have high affinity for 5-HT 1D receptors, whereas the α 2 -adrenoceptor blocker piperoxan only weakly counteracted hindlimb scratching. Haloperidol, apomorphine, morphine, clonidine and methiothepin strongly attenuated hindlimb scratching, atropine, naloxone and ICS 205930 attenuated it weakly whereas domperidone, methylatropine and mepyramine were inactive in doses up to 10 mg/kg. Hindlimb scratching induced by 5-MeOT was potentiated by the 5-HT receptor antagonists metergoline, methysergide, mesulergine, mianserin, ritanserin and xylamidine. Hindlimb scratching was not induced by i.c.v. injection of 5-MeOT. This lack of i.c.v. activity of 5-MeOT and the effect of xylamidine suggests that the site of action for induction of hindlimb scratching is outside the blood-brain barrier.

The study concerns the effects of indorenate, a tryptamine derivative with antihypertensive properties as well as high affinity for the 5-HT1A binding site, on carotid haemodynamics in anaesthetized pigs. Intracarotid infusions of indorenate (0.3, 1.0, 3.0 and 10.0 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 for 10 min each) caused dose-related decreases in total common carotid artery blood flow due almost exclusively to a reduction in arteriovenous anastomotic flow. These effects of indorenate were not appreciably modified after treatment with the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist ketanserin (0.5 mg.kg-1 i.a.), but were markedly reduced after treatment with methiothepin (1.0 mg.kg-1 i.a.), which antagonizes not only 5-HT2 receptors, but also the putative 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B 5-HT1C and 5-HT1D subtypes of 5-HT1-like receptors. Nonetheless, metergoline (1 mg.kg-1 i.a.), a drug with higher affinity than methiothepin for the above 5-HT1 receptor subtypes, failed to significantly modify the responses to indorenate. It is therefore concluded that, like 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and 5-methoxy-3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinyl)-1H-indole (RU 24969), indorenate reduces both total common carotid and cephalic arteriovenous anastomotic blood flow in the pig by stimulating 5-HT1-like receptors; these receptors, however, do not seem to correspond to either 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT1C or 5-HT1D binding sites.

The serotonin (5-HT) agonists, D-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and 5-methoxytryptamine (5-Me-O-T), dose dependently inhibited the K+-evoked outflow of [3H]5-HT from preloaded rat hippocampal slices in vitro, indicating activation of the 5-HT autoreceptor. However, this effect was abolished in slices pretreated with pertussis toxin. It is thus concluded that the 5-HT autoreceptor in the hippocampus is coupled to G proteins.

The characteristic behavioral effects of mescaline in cats were nearly completely blocked by pretreatment with low doses of either a specific serotonin antagonist (methysergide) or a dopamine specific antagonist (haloperidol). These blocking effects were not due to non-specific actions, since methysergide did not block the behavioral effects of apomorphine, and haloperidol did not block the behavioral effects of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine. Thus, it appears that the behavioral effects of mescaline are dependent upon the simultaneous action of the drug at both serotonin and dopamine receptors.