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In our previous work, spiroxatrine was taken as reference compound to develop selective NOP ligands. Therefore, several triazaspirodecanone derivatives were synthesized. Here, we verify their selectivity towards other 5-HT1 receptor subtypes and with respect to α2-AR (Adrenergic Receptors). Binding affinities were determined on cells expressing human cloned receptors for 5-HT1A/B/D and α2A/B/C subtypes. The Ki values were determined for those with at least 50% radioligand inhibition. All our derivatives show a moderate affinity for α2 subtypes, spanning from 5 to 7.5 pKi values. Moreover, they show affinity values in a μM–nM range at the 5-HT1A receptor, while they are practically inactive at 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D subtypes. Compound 11, the best of the series, has a 5-HT1A pKi value of 8.43 similar to spiroxatrine but, notably, it has a 5-HT1A favorable selectivity ratio of 52, 8 and 29, respectively over α2A, α2B and α2C adrenoceptor subtypes. In this SAR study, a 5-HT1A selective ligand has been identified in which a tetralone moiety replaced the 1,4-benzodioxane of spiroxatrine and the methylene linker to the triazaspirodecanone portion was maintained in position 2.

Kinetic on and off rate constants for many receptor ligands are difficult to determine with regular radioligand binding technique since only few of the ligands are available in labeled form. Here we developed a new and simple radioligand binding method for determining the kinetic off-rate constant for unlabeled ligands, using whole cells expressing alpha(2A)- and alpha(2C)-adrenoceptors. The new method involves pre-incubation with unlabeled ligand, centrifugation of microtiter plates in order to adhere the cells to the bottom surface, and then upside-down centrifugation of the plates for few seconds to wash away the non-bound fraction of the pre-incubated ligand. The final on-reaction assay for the radioligand is then started by quick addition of a relatively fast-associating radioligand to the cells. The curve obtained is defined by a fairly simple mathematical formula that reflects the simultaneous dissociation of pre-incubated ligand and association of the radioligand. The method proved to produce highly reproducible results in determining the k(off) constants for various unlabeled ligands. The results show that the alpha(2C)-selectivity of MK912 depends mainly on a very slow off-rate at the alpha(2C)-adrenoceptor subtype. Regarding the markedly alpha(2C)- over alpha(2A)-selective compound spiroxatrine, its much faster on-rate at alpha(2C)- than alpha(2A)-adrenoceptors explains much of its exceptional alpha(2C)-selectivity. Several new techniques for determining the kinetic component of ligand-receptor interactions at molecular level are currently developing. As a reference, based on standard radioligand binding techniques, the present study describes a simple and robust experimental and mathematical procedure for determining k(off) constants of unlabeled drugs.

Several spiroxatrine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as potential NOP receptor ligands. Structural modifications of the 1,4-benzodioxane moiety of spiroxatrine have been the focus of this research project. The structure-activity relationships that emerged indicate that the presence of an H-bond donor group (hydroxyl group) is more favorable for NOP activity when it is positioned α with respect to the CH2 linked to the 1-phenyl-1,3,8-triaza-spiro[4.5]decan-4-one portion. Moreover, cis diastereoisomers of the hydroxyl derivatives4 and 22 show a moderately higher degree of stereoselectivity than trans isomers. In particular, the spiropiperidine derivative cis-4 has submicromolar agonistic activity, and it will be the reference compound for the design and synthesis of new NOP agonists.

In tissues as well as in transfected cells, α2C-adrenoceptors show poorer expression levels compared to α2A-adrenoceptors. In order to characterize which regions of the α2C-adrenoceptor are involved in regulating the expression of binding-competent receptors at the plasma membrane, six chimeric α2A-/α2C-adrenoceptors were constructed. The wild-type α2A- and α2C-adrenoceptors and the six chimeric α2A-/α2C-adrenoceptors were transiently transfected into human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells, and the expression levels were investigated by radioligand binding. The results show that the C-terminal half of the α2C-adrenoceptor, ranging from the second extracellular loop to the C-terminus, is the main determinant of the low expression level of binding-competent α2C-adrenoceptors in HEK293 cell membranes. The so-called retention signal in the N-terminus of the α2C-adrenoceptor had a less profound effect on the expression levels of the chimeric receptors. For seven drugs competing for [3H]-RX821002 binding, the K i values were determined at the wild-type α2A- and α2C-adrenoceptors and at four of the chimeric α2A-/α2C-adrenoceptors. The results show that the α2C- over α2A-selectivity of spiroxatrine, spiperone, clozapine, MK912, and chlorpromazine, as well as the α2A- over α2C-selectivity of BRL44408, resides mainly in the C-terminal half of the receptors. To some extent, the region comprising the N-terminal half of the receptors contributed to the α2C-selectivity of spiperone, clozapine, and chlorpromazine.

Background The adrenergic system and progesterone play major roles in the control of the uterine function. Our aims were to clarify the changes in function and expression of the α2-adrenergic receptor (AR) subtypes after progesterone pretreatment in late pregnancy. Methods Sprague Dawley rats from pregnancy day 15 were treated with progesterone for 7 days. The myometrial expressions of the α2-AR subtypes were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. In vitro contractions were stimulated with (−)-noradrenaline, and its effect was modified with the selective antagonists BRL 44408 (α2A), ARC 239 (α2B/C) and spiroxatrine (α2A). The accumulation of myometrial cAMP was also measured. The activated G-protein level was investigated via GTPγS binding assays. Results Progesterone pretreatment decreased the contractile effect of (−)-noradrenaline through the α2-ARs. The most significant reduction was found through the α2B-ARs. The mRNA of all of the α2-AR subtypes was increased. Progesterone pretreatment increased the myometrial cAMP level in the presence of BRL 44408 (p

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Some large antagonist ligands (ARC239, chlorpromazine, prazosin, spiperone, spiroxatrine) bind to the human α2A-adrenoceptor with 10- to 100-fold lower affinity than to the α2B- and α2C-adrenoceptor subtypes. Previous mutagenesis studies have not explained this subtype selectivity.

In the presence of NMDA receptor open-channel blockers [Mg2+; (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate (MK-801); 1-amino-3,5-dimethyladamantane (memantine)] and TTX, high concentrations (30–100 μM) of either 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) or α-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (α-Me-5-HT) significantly potentiated NMDA-induced depolarizations of frog spinal cord motoneurones. Potentiation was blocked by LY-53,857 (10–30 μM), SB 206553 (10 μM), and SB 204741 (30 μM), but not by spiroxatrine (10 μM), WAY 100,635 (1–30 μM), ketanserin (10 μM), RS 102221 (10 μM), or RS 39604 (10–20 μM). Therefore, α-Me-5-HT's facilitatory effects appear to involve 5-HT2B receptors. These effects were G-protein dependent as they were prevented by prior treatment with guanylyl-5′-imidodiphosphate (GMP-PNP, 100 μM) and H-Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro-Gln-Gln-D-Trp-Phe-D-Trp-D-Trp-Met-NH2 (GP antagonist 2A, 3–6 μM), but not by pertussis toxin (PTX, 3–6 ng ml−1, 48 h preincubation). This potentiation was not reduced by protein kinase C inhibition with staurosporine (2.0 μM), U73122 (10 μM) or N-(2-aminoethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide HCl (H9) (77 μM) or by intracellular Ca2+ depletion with thapsigargin (0.1 μM) (which inhibits Ca2+/ATPase). Exposure of the spinal cord to the L-type Ca2+ channel blockers nifedipine (10 μM), KN-62 (5 μM) or gallopamil (100 μM) eliminated α-Me-5-HT's effects. The calmodulin antagonist N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphtalenesulfonamide (W7) (100 μM) diminished the potentiation. However, the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM Kinase II) blocker KN-93 (10 μM) did not block the 5-HT enhancement of the NMDA responses. In summary, activation of 5-HT2B receptors by α-Me-5-HT facilitates NMDA-depolarizations of frog motoneurones via a G-protein, a rise in [Ca2+]i from the entry of extracellular Ca2+ through L-type Ca2+ channels, the binding of Ca2+ to calmodulin and a lessening of the Mg2+ -produced open-channel block of the NMDA receptor. British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 143, 351–360. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705935

1. Pig nasal mucosal strips were incubated with alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists followed by alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist concentration-response curves. 2. Contractions elicited by the alpha2-adrenoceptor agonists BHT-920 (pD2 = 6.16 +/- 0.07), UK 14,304 (pD2 = 6.89 +/- 0.13) and PGE-6201204 (pD2 = 7.12 +/- 0.21) were blocked by the alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine (0.1 microm). In contrast, the alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin (0.03 microm) had no effect on the BHT-920-, UK 14,304- and PGE-6201204-induced contractions, but blocked the contractile response to the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine (pD2 = 5.38 +/- 0.04) and the mixed alpha1- and alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist oxymetazoline (pD(2) = 6.30 +/- 0.22). 3. The alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine (0.01-0.1 microm, pA2 = 8.04), alpha2B/C-adrenoceptor antagonist ARC 239 (10 microm, pK(b) = 6.33 +/- 0.21), alpha2A/C-adrenoceptor antagonist WB 4101 (0.3 microm, pK(b) = 8.01 +/- 0.24), alpha2A-adrenoceptor antagonists BRL44408 (0.1 microm, pK(b) = 6.82 +/- 0.34) and RX 821002 (0.1 microm, pKb = 8.31 +/- 0.35), alpha2C-adrenoceptor antagonists spiroxatrine (1 microm, pKb = 7.32 +/- 0.32), rauwolscine (0.1 microm, pKb = 8.16 +/- 0.14) and HV 723 (0.3 microm, pKb = 7.68 +/- 0.14) inhibited BHT-920-induced contractions in pig nasal mucosa. 4. The present antagonist potencies showed correlations with binding affinity estimates (pKi) obtained for these antagonists at the human recombinant alpha2A- and alpha2C-adrenoceptors (r = 0.78 and 0.83, respectively) and with binding affinity estimates (pKd) obtained in pig native alpha2A- and alpha2C-monoreceptor assays (r = 0.85 and 0.78, respectively). No correlation was observed for the alpha2B-subtype. 5. In conclusion, contractile responses to phenylephrine, BHT-920, UK 14,304, PGE-6201204 and oxymetazoline indicate that alpha1- and alpha2-adrenoceptors are present and mediate vasoconstriction in pig nasal mucosa. Furthermore, correlation analysis comparing antagonist potency in pig nasal mucosa with affinities for human recombinant alpha2-adrenoceptors and native pig alpha2-adrenoceptors suggest that alpha2A- and alpha2C-adrenoceptor subtypes constrict pig nasal mucosa vasculature.

We have investigated pre- and post-junctional responsiveness in vas deferens from wild-type and α2A/D-adrenoceptor knockout mice. The response to a single stimulus was not significantly different between wild-type and knock-out mice. The isometric contraction to 10 Hz stimulation for 4 s was significantly larger in vas deferens from knockout as compared with wild-type. The maximum potentiation of 10 Hz stimulation-evoked contractions by yohimbine was to 206.2±38.0% of control in wild-type but to 135.8±13.6% of control in knockout. The α2A/D-adrenoceptor selective antagonist BRL 44408 significantly increased the 10 Hz stimulation-evoked contraction in wild-type but not knockout, and the reverse was true for the α2C-adrenoceptor selective antagonist spiroxatrine. The α2B-adrenoceptor antagonist imiloxan had no effect on the evoked contraction except at high concentrations, and only in wild-type. Following cocaine (3 μM) and BRL 44408 (1 μM), 10 Hz responses were similar in shape and maximum between wild-type and knock-out. The α2-adrenoceptor agonist xylazine virtually abolished the early component of the contraction to 10 Hz stimulation in the presence of nifedipine (10 μM) in vas deferens from knockout mice in a way consistent with a change of receptor subtype but without clear evidence for a reduced receptor number. However, the late component of the contraction to 10 Hz stimulation was significantly potentiated by xylazine in tissues from knock-out mice. It is concluded that, although non-α2A/D-adrenoceptors replace α2D-adrenoceptors in this knockout, the α2-adrenoceptor agonist and antagonist data are contradictory. The antagonist data suggest a major loss of prejunctional α2-adrenoceptors, but this is not necessarily supported by the agonist data. British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 136, 857–864. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704791

In pithed rats, 5-HT mediates tachycardia both directly (by 5-HT2 receptors) and indirectly (by a tyramine-like effect). The receptor mediating tachycardia directly has been classified as an ‘atypical' 5-HT2 receptor since it was ‘weakly' blocked by ketanserin. Moreover, 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI), a 5-HT2 agonist, failed to mimic 5-HT-induced tachycardia. Since 5-HT2 receptors consist of 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B and 5-HT2C subtypes, this study investigated if these subtypes mediate the above response. In pithed rats, intraperitoneally (i.p.) pre-treated with reserpine (5 mg kg−1), intravenous (i.v.) administration of 5-HT, 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MeO-T), 1-(3-chlorophenyl) piperazine (mCPP) and 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT) (10, 30, 100 and 300 μg kg−1 each), produced dose-dependent tachycardic responses. Interestingly, DOI (10 – 1000 μg kg−1, i.v.) induced only slight, dose-unrelated, tachycardic responses, whilst the 5-HT2C agonist, Ro 60-0175 (10 – 1000 μg kg−1, i.v.), produced a slight tachycardia only at 300 and 1000 μg kg−1. In contrast, sumatriptan and 1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)- piperazine (TFMPP) were inactive. The rank order of potency was: 5-HT⩾5-MeO-T> mCPP⩾5-CT⩾DOI>Ro 60-0175. The tachycardic responses to 5-HT, which remained unaffected after i.v. saline (0.3 and 1 ml kg−1) or propranolol (3 mg kg−1), were selectively blocked by the 5-HT2A antagonists ketanserin (30 and 100 μg kg−1) or spiperone (10 and 30 μg kg−1) as well as by the non-selective 5-HT2 antagonists, ritanserin (10 and 30 μg kg−1) or mesulergine (100 μg kg−1). Remarkably, these responses were unaffected by the antagonists rauwolscine (5-HT2B), SB204741 (5-HT2B/2C) or Ro 04-6790 (5-ht6) (300 and 1000 μg kg−1 each). These results suggest that the ‘atypical' 5-HT2 receptors mediating tachycardia in reserpinized pithed rats are pharmacologically similar to the 5-HT2A receptor subtype. Keywords: Ketanserin, 5-HT, 5-HT2A receptors, Ro 04-6790, Ro 60-0175, SB204741, spiperone, cardiac serotonin receptors Introduction Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) elicits complex changes in the cardiovascular system of anaesthetized animals comprising bradycardia or tachycardia, hypotension or hypertension and vasodilatation or vasoconstriction (for review see Martin, 1994; Saxena & Villalon, 1990; 1991). In most species, bradycardia induced by 5-HT is mediated by 5-HT3 receptors, via the von Bezold Jarish reflex. In contrast, 5-HT-induced tachycardia is notoriously species-dependent and is mediated, directly or indirectly, either by 5-HT2 (dog), 5-HT3 (rabbit, dog), 5-HT4 (pig, human) and 5-HT7 (cat) receptors or by tyramine-like (guinea-pig) or unidentified mechanisms (Saxena, 1986; Saxena & Villalon, 1990; 1991; Villalon et al., 1997). The tachycardia induced by 5-HT in the pithed rat has been reported to involve two main mechanisms: (i) a direct stimulation of 5-HT2 receptors at low doses (up to 100 μg kg−1, intravenously, (i.v.)) and (ii) an indirect sympathomimetic (tyramine-like) action at high doses, which can be reduced by desipramine (Gothert et al., 1986), propranolol (Docherty, 1988) or reserpine (Dabire et al., 1992). The first mechanism was proposed on the basis that the tachycardia to 5-HT is antagonized by non-selective 5-HT2 receptor antagonists, including cyproheptadine (Saxena, 1986; Saxena & Villalon, 1990; 1991), mesulergine (Krstic & Katusic, 1994), LY53857 (Dabire et al., 1992) or methiothepin (Dabire et al., 1992; Krstic & Katusic, 1994), but is resistant to blockade by drugs affecting 5-HT1A (spiroxatrine; Dabire et al., 1992), 5-HT1A/1B (pindolol; Dabire et al., 1992), 5-HT3 (MDL72222; Dabire et al., 1992; Krstic & Katusic, 1994), 5-HT4 (metoclopramide; Krstic & Katusic, 1994) and α-adrenoceptors (idazoxan; Dabire et al., 1992). In addition, the tachycardic response to 5-HT is mimicked by the agonists 5-MeO-T (Gothert et al., 1986), α-methyl-5-HT and mCPP (Chaouche-teyara et al., 1993), but is not mimicked by the agonists 8-OH-DPAT (5-HT1A), RU-24969 (5-HT1A/1B), ipsapirone (5-HT1A), DOI (5-HT2) or 5-CT (5-HT1/7) (Dabire et al., 1992; Docherty, 1988; Saxena & Lawang, 1985). However, the 5-HT2 receptors mediating this response have been considered ‘atypical' on the basis of: (i) the low antagonist potency of ketanserin, which did not match with its high affinity at 5-HT2 binding sites (see Table 1); and (ii) the weak tachycardic activity of the classical 5-HT2 receptor agonist, 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI; see Table 1) (Dabire et al., 1989; Chaouche-teyara et al., 1993). Table 1 Receptor binding affinity (pKi) of the drugs used in the present study at 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, 5-HT2C, 5-ht5, 5-ht6 and 5-HT7 receptors One of the main reasons for the above ‘discrepancy' in the low blocking potency of ketanserin may be that the indirect tyramine-like-component of 5-HT-induced tachycardia in rats could have overshadowed the blockade produced by ketanserin. Hence, it is reasonable to propose that the only way to unequivocally analyse the pharmacological properties of the 5-HT2 receptors involved would be, in principle, the use of catecholamine-depleted rats. Moreover, it is nowadays clear that the 5-HT2 receptor is, in fact, a heterogeneous family consisting of 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B and 5-HT2C receptor subtypes (Hoyer et al., 1994; Martin, 1994). In the light of these findings, the present study set out to further characterize the pharmacological profile of the receptors involved in the tachycardia induced by 5-HT in pithed rats, with particular emphasis on verifying the possible involvement of 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B and/or 5-HT2C receptor subtypes. For this purpose, we made use of rats systematically pre-treated with reserpine to exclude 5-HT-induced indirect mechanisms mediated via the release of catecholamines.

A series of N-substituted analogs based upon the spiropiperidine core of the lead compound Spiroxatrine was synthesized. In particular, the new compounds were obtained by replacing the benzodioxane moiety of the Spiroxatrine with several 2-substituted 1,3-dioxolanes. Thus the designed derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as possible NOP receptor ligands. As a conclusion of these studies, the new triazaspirodecanone derivatives showed unique and significant SAR as NOP receptor agonists. In particular, the present study demonstrated that 1-phenyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro[4.5]decan-4-one portion together with appropriate 1,3-dioxolane substituents could lead to a new promising class of NOP receptor ligands.

Spiroxatrine was identified as a moderately potent (K:(i)=118 nM) but non-selective agonist at the human nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor, ORL1. This compound was subject to chemical modification and one of the resulting compounds, (8-naphthalen-1-ylmethyl-4-oxo-1-phenyl-1,3,8-triaza-s piro[4. 5]dec-3-yl)-acetic acid methyl ester (NNC 63-0532) was shown to have high affinity for ORL1 (K:(i)=7.3 nM). NNC 63-0532 showed only moderate affinity for the following receptors (K:(i) values in parentheses): mu-opioid (140 nM), kappa-opioid (405 nM), dopamine D(2S) (209 nM), dopamine D(3) (133 nM) and dopamine D(4.4) (107 nM) out of 75 different receptors, ion-channels and transporters. In functional assays, NNC 63-0532 was shown to be an agonist at ORL1 (EC(50)=305 nM), a much weaker agonist at the mu-opioid receptor (EC(50)>10 microM) and an antagonist or weak partial agonist at dopamine D(2S) (IC(50)=2830 nM). Thus, NNC 63-0532 is a novel non-peptide agonist with approximately 12 fold selectivity for ORL1 and may be useful for exploring the physiological roles of this receptor owing to its brain-penetrating properties.

The purpose of this study was to define the ocular actions of 8-OH-DPAT(DPAT), a 5-HT(1A)receptor agonist. The intraocular pressure responses to topically applied DPAT were dose related (25, 125, 250 microgram) and bilateral in normal rabbits but of relatively short duration. Ocular hypotension induced by topical, unilateral DPAT (125 microgram) in normal eyes did not occur in sympathetically denervated eyes. DPAT-induced ocular hypotension was inhibited by pretreatment with spiroxatrine, a 5-HT(1A)and alpha(2C)receptor antagonist, but not spiperone, a 5-HT(2A)receptor antagonist. In contrast, the hypotensive effect produced by unilaterally applied DPAT in the contralateral eye was abolished following pretreatment with rauwolscine, an alpha(2)-receptor antagonist, but the DPAT-induced ocular hypotension was not antagonized in the treated (ipsilateral) eye. Following central administration of DPAT (3 microgram) into the lateral ventricle, intraocular pressure was lowered bilaterally at 10 min and the effect lasted for 2 hr. In in vitro experiments, DPAT (0.1, 1, 10 micrometer) failed to alter norepinephrine release in rabbit iris-ciliary bodies. However, DPAT depressed basal cAMP levels in rabbit iris-ciliary bodies and also caused a dose-related (1, 10, 100 micrometer) inhibition of isoproterenol (1 micrometer)-stimulated cAMP accumulation by 26%, 58% and 82%, respectively. These findings indicate that: (1) based upon bilateral activity by the topical route, DPAT-induced ocular hypotension could result, in part, through activation of 5-HT(1A)receptors in the eye and 5-HT(1A)receptors and/or alpha(2C)adrenoreceptors in the central nervous system, (2) the activity of DPAT on 5-HT(1A)and/or alpha(2C)receptors was confirmed by antagonism of the ocular hypotensive response by spiroxatrine, (3) although there is no apparent prejunctional effect of DPAT on sympathetic nerves of iris-ciliary bodies, the accumulation of basal and isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP levels were depressed by DPAT, and (4) as a result of inhibition by rauwolscine, the ocular hypotensive effect of DPAT in the contralateral eye could involve an action on alpha(2)adrenoreceptors in the central nervous system.

A-74283, (+,-)trans-2-(4-(3a,4,4a,6a,7,7a-hexahydro-4,7-etheno-1H cyclobut [f] isoindol-1,3-dionyl)-butyl)-9-methoxy-2,2,2a,4,5,9b-hexahydro-1H-benz[e]isoindol HCl, was studied in receptor binding assays and in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). In radioligand binding to rat cortex, A-74283 had high affinity (equipotent to 8-OH-DPAT) and high selectivity for 5HT1A receptors compared to 5HT1B sites. In conscious SHR, A-74283 lowered mean arterial pressure (MAP) in a dose-related fashion with a prolonged effect after oral administration of higher doses, but heart rate (HR) was not changed. In anesthetized SHR, i.v. administration of A-74283 decreased MAP and total peripheral resistance, but not cardiac output. Pretreatment of conscious SHR with the selective 5TH1A receptor antagonists spiroxatrine or BMY 7378 reduced the hypotensive effect of A-74283 significantly, but pretreatment with adrenergic antagonists phenoxybenzamine or idazoxan or the 5HT2 receptor blocker ketanserin did not alter the effect of A-74283. Intracisternal administration of A-74283 also decreased MAP; however, A-74283 had no effect on blood pressure in pithed SHR in which blood pressure was supported with vasopressin, in contrast to nitroprusside. These data demonstrate that A-74283 exerts a potent hypotensive effect in SHR via systemic vasodilation originating from a central 5HT1A receptor mechanism. A-74283 may be useful for studying 5HT1A receptors and cardiovascular function.

G-protein activation by different 5-HT receptor ligands was investigated in h5-HT1A receptor-transfected C6-glial and HeLa cells using agonist-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding to membranes in the presence of excess GDP. 5-HT (10 μM) stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding in the C6-glial membrane preparation to a larger extent than in the HeLa preparation; maximal responses with 30 μM GDP were 490 ± 99 and 68 ± 12%, respectively. With the 5-HT receptor agonists that were being investigated, the two preparations displayed the same rank order of potency for stimulation of [35S]GTPγS binding. In the C6-glial preparation at 0.3 μM GDP, the rank order of maximal effects was: 5-HT (1.00) > 8-OH-DPAT (0.90) = R(+)-8-OH-DPAT (0.87) = 5-CT (0.86) = L694247 (0.84) > S(–)8-OH-DPAT (0.68) = buspirone (0.67) = spiroxatrine (0.67) = flesinoxan (0.64) > ipsapirone (0.53) = (–)-pindolol (0.50) > SDZ216525 (0.25). However, differences in maximal response in the C6-glial preparation were magnified by increasing the GDP concentrations, indicating that the activity state of G-proteins can affect the maximal response. With the exception of 5-CT and L694247, increasing the amount of GDP to 30 μM and higher concentrations resulted in an attenuation of both the ligand’s maximal effect (24 to 56%) and apparent potency (6 to 24-fold). Each of the [35S]GTPγS binding responses was mediated by a 5-HT1A receptor as indicated by the competitive blockade by WAY100635 and spiperone. Only 5-CT and L694247 in some conditions displayed an efficacy similar to that of 5-HT at the h5-HT1A receptor; the other agents with intrinsic activity are partial agonists at this receptor. The data also suggest that the activity state of the G-proteins is involved in the maximal effects that can be produced by activating the h5-HT1A receptor.

In the present study we examined the distribution of alpha 2A- and alpha 2C-adrenoceptors in tissue slices from the rat cervical spinal cord and from brain slices collected at the level of the striatum. To differentiate between alpha 2A- and alpha 2C-adrenoceptors, the slices were incubated with [3H]MK912 in the presence of graded concentrations of the alpha 2A-selective drug, BRL44408, or the alpha 2C-selective drug, spiroxatrine. Computer analysis of the autoradiograms indicated that 0.4 nM [3H]MK912 plus 185 nM BRL44408 selectively labeled alpha 2C-adrenoceptors, while 0.4 nM [3H]MK912 plus 220 nM spiroxatrine selectively labeled alpha 2A-adrenoceptors. Using this approach, alpha 2C-adrenoceptors were detected in the striatum, while alpha 2A-adrenoceptors predominated in the cortical layers 1-4, the spinal cord distal dorsal horn, the septum and the endopiriform nucleus.

We investigated the effects of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) on nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells. We measured the production of nitrite, a stable metabolite of NO, and the expression of inducible NO synthase protein in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells. Incubation of the cultures with interleukin-1beta (10 ng/ml) caused a significant increase in nitrite production. 5-HT inhibited nitrite production by interleukin-1beta -stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells in a concentration-dependent manner (10(-8)-10(-5) M). 5-HT-induced inhibition of nitrite production was accompanied by decreased inducible NO synthase protein accumulation in vascular smooth muscle cells. Addition of the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist ketanserin, but not the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist spiroxatrine, inhibited the effect of 5-HT. On the other hand, the 5-HT2 receptor agonist alpha-methyl-5-HT, but not the 5-HT1A receptor agonist (+/-)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin, decreased interleukin-1beta-induced nitrite production by vascular smooth muscle cells. 5-HT significantly increased protein kinase C activity in vascular smooth muscle cells, and the protein kinase C inhibitor calphostin C dose-dependently abolished the effect of 5-HT on nitrite production. After protein kinase C activity was functionally depleted by treatment of cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate for 24 h, the effect of 5-HT was abolished. These results indicate that 5-HT acts on 5-HT2 receptors and inhibits NO synthesis in interleukin-1beta-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells at least partially through a protein kinase C-dependent pathway.

1. In the dog saphenous vein alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors mediate noradrenaline-induced contractions in vitro. In order to study the alpha 2-adrenoceptor in isolation, alpha 1-adrenoceptors were inactivated by treatment of tissues with the alkylating agent phenoxybenzamine (3.0 microM for 30 min) in the presence of rauwolscine (1 microM) to protect alpha 2-adrenoceptors. 2. Noradrenaline-induced contractions of tissues treated with phenoxybenzamine were antagonized competitively by the selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist rauwolscine, pKB = 8.63 +/- 0.07 (means +/- s.e. mean; n = 3), consistent with an interaction at alpha 2-adrenoceptors. 3. Noradrenaline was a full agonist at alpha 2-adrenoceptors in dog saphenous vein. By use of the method of partial receptor alkylation and analysis of concentration-effect curve data by direct, operational model fitting methods, the affinity (pKA) and efficacy (tau) were 5.74 +/- 0.07 and 7.50 +/- 1.05, respectively (n = 6). Nine other agonists which were examined each had affinities higher than noradrenaline, but with the exception of the imidazoline, A-54741 (5,6-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthyl-imidazoline) had relatively lower efficacies. 4. To compare the alpha 2-adrenoceptor in dog saphenous vein to the human recombinant subtypes, the affinities of twenty-one compounds were estimated in functional studies in the dog saphenous vein and in radioligand binding studies for the human alpha 2A, alpha 2B and alpha 2C receptor subtypes expressed in Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells. 5. Of twenty-one compounds examined in ligand binding studies, only nine had greater than ten fold selectivity for one human receptor subtype over either of the other two. These compounds were A-54741, oxymetazoline, guanfacine, guanabenz, prazosin, spiroxatrine, tolazoline, WB 4101 and idazoxan. In dog saphenous vein, their affinities (pKA and pKB for agonists and antagonists respectively) were: A-54741 (pKA = 8.03 +/- 0.05), oxymetazoline (pKA = 7.67 +/- 0.09), guanfacine (pKA = 6.79 +/- 0.03); guanabenz (pKA = 7.02 +/- 0.13); prazosin (pKB = 5.19 +/- 0.08), spiroxatrine (pKB = 6.59 +/- 0.04), tolazoline (pKB = 6.21 +/- 0.07), WB 4101 (pKB = 7.42 +/- 0.09) and idazoxan (pKB = 7.11 +/- 0.08). 6. Comparisons of affinity estimates for these nine compounds at the receptor in dog saphenous vein and at the human recombinant subtypes suggest that the vascular receptor is most similar to the h alpha 2A subtype; correlation coefficients (r) were 0.82 (h alpha 2A), 0.24 (h alpha 2B) and 0.04 (h alpha 2C).

1. Although conscious dogs have often been used for colonic motility studies with 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), the effects of 5-HT on the isolated colon have not been thoroughly characterized yet. The current study was undertaken to characterize the response to 5-HT of the canine isolated colon longitudinal muscle. 2. Longitudinal strips of canine midcolon deprived of (sub)mucosa were prepared for isotonic measurement. 5-HT induced contractions from 3 nM onwards, which were not affected by selective inhibition of 5-HT re-uptake, monoamine oxidase or blockade of alpha-adrenoceptors. Tetrodotoxin (0.3 microM) did not affect the responses to 5-HT, suggesting that smooth muscle 5-HT receptors are involved. The selective 5-HT4 receptor antagonist SB 204070 (10 nM) slightly enhanced contractions to 5-HT and therefore it was included in the organ bath solution in all further experiments. The 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptor antagonist methysergide (0.1 microM) depressed the curve to 5-HT, but the selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist granisetron (0.3 microM) had no effect. 3. Besides 5-HT, alpha-methyl-5-HT (alpha-Me-5-HT), 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MeOT), 2-methyl-5-HT (2-Me-5-HT) and 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT) also induced contractions, with the following rank order of potency (pEC50 values in parentheses): 5-HT (6.9) = alpha-methyl-5-HT (6.9) > 2-Me-5-HT (5.8) = 5-MeOT (5.7) = 5-CT (5.6), indicative of 5-HT2 receptor involvement, alpha-Me-5-HT produced a bell-shaped curve, which was not affected by alpha-adrenoceptor blockade. 5-HT, 5-MeOT, 2-Me-5-HT and 5-CT produced a monophasic concentration-response curve, consistent with an interaction with a single receptor site. 8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and tryptamine only induced contractions at a concentration exceeding 1 microM. 4. The selective 5-HT2B receptor antagonist SB 204741 (0.3 microM) did not affect the curve to 5-HT. Ketanserin, cisapride and spiroxatrine behaved as competitive antagonists with pKb values of, respectively, 8.4, 8.1 and 6.7. Spiroxatrine (1 microM) shifted the curve to 5-MeOT rightward yielding an apparent pA2 of 7.1. Other antagonists at 5-HT2A receptors also surmountably inhibited the contractions to 5-HT (apparent pA2 value in parentheses): mesulergine (8.2), cinanserin (8.2), yohimbine (6.2) and mianserin (8.6). However, as well as a rightward shift, methiothepin (8.3), pizotifen (8.6) and spiperone (8.8) also caused a depression of the curve, indicative of "pseudo-irreversible' antagonism. Taken together, the above mentioned affinity estimates most closely corresponded to literature affinity values for 5-HT2A receptors. 5. It was concluded that 5-HT induces contractions of the canine midcolon longitudinal muscle primarily by stimulation of smooth muscle 5-HT2A receptors. The presence of inhibitory 5-HT4 receptors cannot be ruled out.

The effects of acute and repeated treatment with 1-(2-pyrimidinyl)piperazine (1-PP), a metabolite of the 5-HT 1A receptor ligand azapirones, were investigated on hippocampal excitatory synaptic transmission. Recordings of the electrically evoked field population excitatory post-synaptic potentials (e.p.s.p.s) were carried out in the stratum radiatum of the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus of alert rats. Acute i.p. administration of 1-PP transiently reduced the e.p.s.p. amplitude in a dose-dependent (0.25–1 mg/kg) manner. This effect was blocked by the 5-HT 1A receptor antagonists spiroxatrine (1 mg/kg) and MDL 73005EF (8-[2-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-2-yl methylaminoethyl]-8-azaspirol[4,5]decane-7,9-dione methyl sulphonate, 2 mg/kg). Intraphippocampal administration of 1-PP (5 μg) evoked a transient reduction of the e.p.s.p. amplitude which was similar to that obtained with 5-HT (10 μg). 1-PP (0.25 mg/kg per day) administered for 9 days produced a gradual reduction in the daily pre-injection baseline e.p.s.p. amplitude coupled with a decrease in the acute response to the drug. The chronic baseline reduction was transiently reversed by spiroxatrine and full recovery to pretreatment levels was observed 4 days after the last 1-PP dose. These findings indicate that the previously reported reduction in the e.p.s.p. produced by the azapirone group of 5-HT 1A receptor ligands may be mediated in part by their metabolite 1-PP through activation of 5-HT 1A receptors.

Simultaneous computer modelling of control and guanfacine-masked [ 3 H]-MK 912 saturation curves as well as guanfacine competition curves revealed that both α 2A - and α 2C -adrenoceptor subtypes were present in the guinea pig cerebral cortex. The K d value of [ 3 H]-MK 912 determined for the α 2A -subtype was 403 pM and for the α 2C -subtype 79.8 pM; the receptor sites showing capacities 172 and 19.5 fmol/mg protein, respectively. The K d s of guanfacine were 20 and 880 nM for the α 2A - and α 2C -adrenoceptor, respectively. In the guinea pig kidney [ 3 H]-MK 912 bound to a single saturable site with K d 8.34 nM and capacity 285 fmol/mg protein, the site showing pharmacological properties like an α 2B -adrenoceptor. Binding constants of 22 compounds for the three guinea pig α 2 -adrenoceptor subtypes were determined by com puter modelling competition curves using for the cerebral cortex a «3-curve assay», for the kidney an «1-curve assay», and using [ 3 H]-MK 912 as labelled ligand. Of the tested drugs guanfacine and BRL 44408 were found to be clearly α 2A -selective. Spiroxatrine, yohimbine, rauwolscine and WB 4101, as well as [ 3 H]-MK 912 itself, were found to be α 2C -selective. The most selective compounds for α 2B -adrenoceptors, when compared to α 2A -adrenoceptors, were ARC 239 and prazosin. In the guinea pig kidney [ 3 H]-p-aminoclonidine bound to α 2 -adrenoceptors as well as to non-adrenergic imidazoline sites. The α 2 -adrenoceptors could be completely blocked using 10 μM (-)-adrenaline without the non-adrenergic sites being affected. During these conditions the analysis of combined saturation and competition studies using labelled and unlabelled p-aminoclonidine with computer modelling revealed that the ligand labelled two different sites with was of 310 and 47,000 nM, respectively. Competition curves of 16 compounds for the non-adrenergic [ 3 H]-p-aminoclonidine sites were shallow and resolved into two-site fits. For the high affinity [ 3 H]-p-aminoclonidine site the highest affinities were shown by 1-medetomidine, UK-14,304, guanabenz and detomidine; the K d s of these drugs ranging 26-72 nM. All drugs tested showed low but varying affinities for the low affinity [ 3 H]-p-aminoclonidine site. These data indicated that the [ 3 H]-p-aminoclonidine binding sites of the guinea pig kidney are grossly different from the [ 3 H]-idazoxan binding I 2 -receptors previously demonstrated also to be present in the guinea pig kidney

The effects of 5-HT 1A (8-hydroxydipropylaminotetralin, 8-OH-DPAT) and 5-HT 2 (α-methylserotonin) receptor agonists on abomasal motility and their antagonism by 5-HT 1A (spiroxatrine) and 5-HT 2 (ritanserin) receptor blockers were evaluated by electromyography in conscious ewes equipped with chronically implanted electrodes on the gastric body and antrum, and with intravenous (i.v.) and intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) cannula. 8-OH-DPAT (80 μg kg −1 , i.v. and 8 μg kg −1 , i.c.v.) nearly stopped the myoelectric body activity and reduced the frequency of spike bursts of the antrum. Spiroxatrine, pre-administered i.v. ( 100 μg kg −1 ) and i.c.v. ( 10 μg kg −1 ), blocked the effects of i.v. and i.c.v. injection of 8-OH-DPAT respectively, whereas i.c.v. pretreatment with spiroxatrine greatly diminished the effects of the i.v. injection of 8-OH-DPAT. α-Methylserotonin, injected i.v. ( 100 μg kg −1 ), initially stimulated the abomasal myoelectric activity and then inhibited it, while administered i.c.v. (10 μg kg −1 ) it only inhibited the activity. Ritanserin, pre-injected i.v. (200 μg kg −1 ) and i.c.v. (20 μg kg −1 ), abolished the effects of the i.v. and i.c.v. administration of α-methylserotonin, respectively. In addition, i.c.v. pretreatment of the animals with ritanserin blocked the inhibitory, but not the stimulatory, effects of i.v. α-methylserotonin. It is concluded that activation of central and peripheral 5-HT 1A and central 5-HT 2 receptors results in inhibition of the abomasal motility.

The effects of acute and repeated treatment with the 5-HT1A receptor ligand gepirone on hippocampal excitatory synaptic transmission were investigated. Recordings of the electrically evoked field population excitatory postsynaptic potentials (e.p.s.p.s) were made in the stratum radiatum of the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus of alert male Wistar rats. Acute injection of gepirone reduced the e.p.s.p. amplitude in a transient dose-dependent (0.5-10 mg/kg, i.p.) manner. This effect was blocked by the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist MDL 73005EF (8-[2-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-2-yl methylaminoethys]-8- azaspiro[4,5]decane-7,9-dione methyl sulphonate, 2 mg/kg, i.p.). Gepirone (1 mg/kg per day, i.p.) administered for 7 days produced a gradual reduction in the daily pre-injection baseline e.p.s.p. amplitude coupled with a concomitant reduction of the acute response to the drug. The chronic baseline reduction was transiently reversed by the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist spiroxatrine and complete recovery to pretreatment levels was observed 48 h after the last gepirone dose. The data indicate that with repeated administration, a prolongation and enhancement of the 5-HT1A receptor-mediated reduction in the e.p.s.p. by gepirone occurs. This delayed effect may contribute to the slow onset of therapeutic action of gepirone.

The nucleus tractus solitarius (nTS) is an important site for the integration of visceral information and its modification by afferent neural systems. One such afferent system arises from the raphe nuclei. This study investigated the electrophysiological effects of the primary transmitter of the raphe nuclei, serotonin (5-HT), on neurones in the nTS of the rat. Extracellular single unit recordings were made of the spontaneous activity of nTS neurones in isolated, superfused brainstem slices during bath-application of 5-HT (50, 100, 250, 500, 1000 nM). Twenty-seven of 46 neurones studied (≈90%) showed concentration-dependent decreases of firing rate, with a calculated EC50 of 261 nM. An additional 3 neurones displayed excitatory responses, while the remaining 16 were unaffected. The broad-spectrum 5-HT1 antagonist methysergide (200 nM) was highly effective in producing blockade of 5-HT-evoked depressions of neuronal activity (4 of 4), whereas the 5-HT1A receptor-selective antagonist spiroxatrine (5 nM) and the 5-HT2-selective antagonist mianserin (200 nM) were considerably less effective (1 of 5 and 2 of 5, respectively). Seven additional neurones were examined during exposure to the 5-HT1-selective agonist 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT) or the 5-HT2-selective agonist DOI. 5-CT depressed the activity of three of the four neurones tested, the remaining neurone being unresponsive at concentrations up to 50 nM. DOI at concentrations up to 100 nM failed to affect the activity of two of the three neurones tested, and depressed the activity of the third at a concentration of 50 nM. These data provide electrophysiological evidence of the presence of 5-HT, serotonergic receptors in the nTS, and suggest that 5-HT primarily has a depressent effect on the activity of individual neurones in the nTS.

The long-lasting descending inhibition of lumbar segmental reflexes in the neonatal rat spinal cord has been investigated in vitro by recording from lumbar ventral roots on stimulation of a single lumbar dorsal root. Descending inhibition was elicited by a single stimulus to the latero-ventral thoracic cord. A number of strategies were used to clarify the role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in inhibiting the monosynaptic reflex, the ipsilateral polysynaptic response and the contralateral fast response evoked on the opposite side of the lumbar cord. The 5-HT uptake inhibitor, citalopram (10 nM), potentiated both short-interval (0.5–2 s) inhibition and long-interval (5–100 s) inhibition of the monosynaptic reflex, and also inhibition of the polysynaptic response 10–100 s after the thoracic stimulus. Inhibition of the monosynaptic reflex was blocked by ketanserin (1 μM), spiperone (1 μM) and methiothepin (1 μM), but not by spiroxatrine (0.1 μM) or sulpiride (1 μM). Sumatriptan (20 nM) and methysergide (10 nM) enhanced inhibition of the monosynaptic reflex 0.2–1 s after the thoracic stimulus. It was concluded that 5-HT acting through 5-HT2A/2C receptors is the transmitter responsible for monosynaptic reflex inhibition, at intervals of 0.5–100 s, but a stronger stimulus to the thoracic cord may elicit a non-serotonergic component at intervals of 0.1–2 s. There was no unequivocal evidence that endogenous 5-HT activates 5-HT1 receptors to produce inhibition. 5-HT acting through 5-HT2A/2C receptors is also responsible for part of the inhibition of the polysynaptic response, but the transmitter(s) responsible for the ketanserin-resistant component of inhibition and for inhibition of the contralateral fast response has still to be identified.

Administration of 2 and 5 but not 0.4 microgram/microliter 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) into the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus 10 min before the acquisition trial in a passive avoidance task significantly reduced retention latencies 24 h later. The effect of 5 micrograms 8-OH-DPAT on retention latencies was completely antagonized by 1 microgram/microliter spiroxatrine, a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, infused into the dorsal hippocampus 5 min before 8-OH-DPAT. Administered 5 min after the acquisition trial, 5 micrograms/microliters 8-OH-DPAT had no effect on retention latencies 24 h later. Administration of 5 micrograms/microliters 8-OH-DPAT into the dorsal hippocampus did not significantly change the thresholds for responses to the same electrical stimuli used in the passive avoidance task and had no antidepressant-like effect in the forced swimming test. The dose of 5 micrograms/microliters 8-OH-DPAT administered into the dorsal hippocampus caused anxiolytic-like effects assessed by stress-induced deficit in open field locomotor activity. The results suggest that stimulation of 5-HT1A receptors in the dorsal hippocampus impairs rats' performance in a passive avoidance task by interfering with memory processes or by attenuating the emotional impact of the shock through an anxiolytic action.

1. The 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1A agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) has been evaluated in a mouse model for detecting potential antidepressants (Porsolt test). The effects of various receptor antagonists, lesions of brain monoaminergic neurones and chronic drug treatments on this 8-OH-DPAT-induced response have also been determined. 2. 8-OH-DPAT (0.3-10.0 mg kg-1, s.c.) dose-dependently increased the mobility of mice in the Porsolt test. Other selective 5-HT1A receptor ligands (0.3-30 mg kg-1, s.c.) either mimicked the 8-OH-DPAT response (ipsapirone, at 10 and 30 mg kg-1, s.c.) or were inactive (buspirone and gepirone). However, each of these compounds (< or = 100 mg kg-1, p.o.) inhibited the response to 8-OH-DPAT (3 mg kg-1, s.c.) when given concurrently. 3. The putative 5-HT1A antagonists, spiroxatrine (1-30 mg kg-1, p.o.), (+/-)-pindolol (30 mg kg-1, p.o.) and methiothepin (3-10 mg kg-1, p.o.), each attenuated the 8-OH-DPAT (3 mg kg-1, s.c.)-induced increase in mobility. 4. The dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, SCH 23390 (3-10 mg kg-1, p.o.), weakly reversed the 8-OH-DPAT response. Antagonists at 5-HTlc/5-HT2 receptors (ketanserin; 0.1-3.0 mg kg-1, p.o.),5-HT3 receptors (ondansetron; 0.03-10mg kg-1, p.o.), at-adrenoceptors (prazosin; 1-3mgkg-1, p.o.),alpha2 -adrenoceptors (idazoxan; 3-30mg kg-1, p.o.), alpha 1-adrenoceptors (metoprolol; 1-30mgkg-1, p.o.),beta 2-adrenoceptors (ICI 118,551; 1-30 mg kg-1, p.o.), dopamine D2 receptors (sulpiride; 10-300mg kg-',p.o.) and opiate receptors (naloxone; 3-100 mg kg-', p.o.) had no effect on the 8-OH-DPAT response.5. Selective destruction of 5-HT neurones with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine or inhibition of 5-HT synthesis with p-chlorophenylalanine did not change the 8-OH-DPAT response in the Porsolt test. This response was also unaltered by pretreatment with the noradrenergic neurotoxin, DSP-4.6. Administration of 8-OH-DPAT (3 mg kg-1, s.c.) twice-daily for 10 days attenuated the hypothermia,but not the increased mobility, induced by 8-OH-DPAT (3 mg kg-1, s.c.). Similarly, repeated administration of amitriptyline (3-30 mg kg-1), desipramine (3-30 mg kg-1) or dothiepin (10-100 mg kg-1) also attenuated the former, but not the latter, response.7. We conclude that 8-OH-DPAT produces an antidepressant-like effect in the Porsolt test which is mediated via postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors.

The characteristics of 5-HT(1A)-recognition sites and receptor-mediated release of intracellular calcium were established in two transfected HeLa cell lines (HA 6 and HA 7) expressing different levels of human 5-HT(1A) receptors (about 3000 and 500 fmol/mg protein, Fargin et al. 1989; 1991; Raymond et al. 1989). The pharmacological profiles of the binding (determined with [3H]8-OH-DPAT) and the calcium response (measured using Fura-2) were clearly of the 5-HT(1A) type. Compounds such as 5-HT, 5-CT and 8-OH-DPAT acted as full agonists on the calcium response in both HeLa cell lines. In addition, methiothepin, pindolol, NAN 190 and SDZ 21 6-525 (Seiler et al. 1991) acted as silent and potent antagonists. Marked differences were observed in the responses mediated in the two cell lines. EC50values of agonists (particularly 5-HT, 5-CT, flesinoxan and 8-OH-DPAT) were higher in HA 7 cells (up to 80-fold) than in other 5-HT(1A) receptor models (e. g. inhibition of adenylate cyclase in calf hippocampus). Further, a variety of compounds (ipsapirone, buspirone, spiroxatrine, MDL73005) acted as agonists in HA 6 cells, whereas they behaved as silent antagonists in HA 7 cells (which express fewer receptors). By contrast, K(B) values for antagonists were comparable in HA 6 and HA 7 cells. The present data show that EC50values and intrinsic activity for a given drug are subject to large variations depending on the number of receptors expressed in the target tissue. The results obtained in HA 6 cells are comparable with respect to both potency and efficacy to those observed in calf or mouse hippocampus (inhibition of forskolin stimulated adenylate cyclase), whereas the results obtained in HA 7 cells are similar to those reported in mouse cortex (which was suggested to represent an atypical subtype of the 5-HT(1A) receptor). Since the agonist activity of a given compound at the same receptor can vary markedly, the present data show that intrinsic activity is not only ligand-dependent but also varies with the receptor-effector system studied. In addition, there seems to be no simple way to make predictions about intrinsic activity, since that feature is model-dependent.

1. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) stimulated adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) production by cultured GH4ZD10 cells with an EC50 value of about 7 nM. The extracellularly recovered cyclic AMP predominated, and was reduced by co-incubation with 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propyl-amino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), whereas dopamine (0.1-30 microM) did not reduce VIP-stimulated cyclic AMP production. 2. The responses to 5-HT and 8-OH-DPAT were blocked by (-)-alprenolol and NAN 190. The antagonism by (-)-alprenolol was competitive in nature with a pA2 value of 7.0. 3. The responsiveness of the cells to 5-HT agonists was highly dependent upon the culturing conditions used. Thus, 8-OH-DPAT inhibition of VIP (30 nM)-stimulated cyclic AMP production decreased with increasing passage number of the cells. Reduction of the zinc concentration used to promote expression of the 5-HT1A receptor gene produced a greater sensitivity of the cells to 5-HT agonists. 4. Under such conditions, the following efficacies (5-HT = 100) were found: lisuride 106, (+)-lysergic-acid diethylamide 100, 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine 98, RU 24949 98, 5-carboxamidotryptamine 97, (+/-)-8-OH-DPAT 90, (+)-8-OH-DPAT 87, 1-[2-(4-aminophenyl)ethyl]-4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-piperazine 86, flesinoxan 79/88, (-)-8-OH-DPAT 62, buspirone 43/50, ipsapirone 46. Spiroxatrine and spiperone had a low intrinsic activity, but reduced the response to 5-HT. These efficacies are similar to those reported in the literature for post-synaptically localized 5-HT1A receptors in the rat hippocampus. Thus, the GH4ZD10 cells serve as a useful in vitro model system for these receptors.

Sucrose gap recordings from the ventral roots of isolated, hemisected frog spinal cords were used to evaluate the effects of high concentrations of serotonin (5-HT) and α-methyl-5-HT (α-Me-5-HT) on the changes in motoneuron potential produced by dorsal root stimulation and by excitatory amino acids and agonists. Bath application of 5-HT in concentrations of 10 μM or greater produced a concentration-dependent motoneuron depolarization. Polysynaptic ventral root potentials evoked by dorsal root stimuli were reduced in both amplitude and area by 5-HT or α-Me-5-HT (both 100 μM). This may result from a reduction of the postsynaptic sensitivity of motoneurons to excitatory amino acid transmitters because 5-HT significantly depressed motoneuron depolarizations produced by addition of l -glutamate and l -aspartate to the superfusate. Similarly, 5-HT reduced depolarizations produced by the excitatory amino acid agonists N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA), quisqualate, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazoleproprionic acid (AMPA), and kainate. α-Me-5-HT reduced NMDA depolarizations. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) did not affect the ability of 5-HT to attenuate NMDA or kainate depolarizations, but did eliminate the 5-HT-induced attenuation of quisqualate and AMPA depolarizations. The glycine receptor site associated with the NMDA receptor did not appear to be affected by 5-HT because saturation of the site by excess glycine did not alter the 5-HT-induced depression of NMDA responses. The 5-HT1C/2 antagonist ketanserin and the 5-HT1A/2 antagonist spiperone significantly attenuated the 5-HT-induced depression of NMDA NMDA-depolarizations. The relatively selective 5-HT1A antagonist spiroxatrine and the selective 5-HT3 blocker MDL 72222 were without effect against the depressive effects of 5-HT. These observations support the notion that 5-HT putatively released from descending bulbospinal fibers can alter frog motoneuronal output. The data indicate that 5-HT1C/2 receptors affect the afferent input to motoneurons and do so by attenuation of NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic processes.

The effects of serotonin and excitatory amino acids on motoneurons were examined by sucrose gap recordings from the ventral root of the isolated, hemisected frog spinal cord superfused with magnesium-free, carbonate-buffered Ringer solution. Low concentrations of serotonin (0.1 microM) and the serotonin1A agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(n-dipropylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT; 0.01 microM) significantly increased the duration and amplitude of the polysynaptic components of ventral root potentials produced by dorsal root stimulation. The facilitations of the ventral root potentials were blocked by the serotonin1A antagonist spiroxatrine, but were unaffected by the serotonin2 antagonist ketanserin or the serotonin3 antagonist 1 alpha H,3 alpha,5 alpha H-tropan-3-yl-3,-dichlorobenzoate (MDL 72222). The actions of 0.1 microM serotonin on motoneuron depolarizations evoked by the putative excitatory amino acid transmitters L-glutamate and L-aspartate were quite variable, but in the presence of ketanserin (20 microM), small consistent increases in amino acid-induced motoneuron depolarizations were observed. 8-OH-DPAT significantly enhanced motoneuron depolarizations elicited by the selective excitatory amino acid agonist N-methyl-D-aspartate in both normal and tetrodotoxin-containing Ringer solution. Quisqualate-induced motoneuron depolarizations were also facilitated by 8-OH-DPAT in normal Ringer solution, but these increases were eliminated by addition of either tetrodotoxin or the N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist D(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate to the Ringer superfusate. Kainate-depolarizations were not altered by low concentrations of serotonin or 8-OH-DPAT. Prior exposure of the cord to spiperone, but not ketanserin or MDL 72222 blocked the enhancement of N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced motoneuron depolarizations by 8-OH-DPAT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In this study, we have investigated serotonin hyperalgesia employing the mechanical paw withdrawal nociceptive threshold test in the rat. Intradermally injected serotonin was found to produce a dose-dependent hyperalgesia that was not attenuated by procedures which eliminate the known indirect mechanisms of hyperalgesia such as sympathectomy, polymorphonuclear leukocyte depletion or cyclooxygenase inhibition. In addition, the latency to onset of serotonin hyperalgesia is extremely short, with maximal hyperalgesia observed in less than 1 min, a similar temporal onset to direct-acting hyperalgesic agents such as prostaglandin E2. The results suggest, therefore, that the hyperalgesic effects of serotonin in our animal model are exerted by direct action on primary afferent neurons. Only the intradermal injection of selective serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) agonists for the 1A receptor subset (5-HT1A), (+/-)-2-dipropylamino-8-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthaline hydrobromide and N,N-dipropyl-5-carboxamido-tryptamine maleate, produced dose-dependent hyperalgesia. No hyperalgesia was seen after 5-HT1B, CGS-12066B maleate and m-trifluoromethylphenyl-piperazine hydrochloride; 5-HT2+IC, alpha methyl 5HT and (+/-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane HCl; or 5-HT3, 2-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine maleate and phenylbiguanide, agonists. Similarly, only the 5-HT1A antagonists, spiroxatrine and spiperone, attenuated the hyperalgesia induced by intradermally injected serotonin. 5-HT2+IC antagonists, mesulergine and ketanserin, and 5-HT3 antagonists, quipazine and 3-tropanyl-indole-3-carboxylate, did not significantly attenuate 5-HT hyperalgesia. We conclude that serotonin produces hyperalgesia by a direct action on the primary afferent neuron via the 5-HT1A subset of serotonin receptors.

The roles of the alpha(2)-adrenoceptor subtypes in the regulation of cervical resistance have previously not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to identify these receptors in the late-pregnant cervix and determine their functions in vitro in the rat. The expressions of the alpha(2)-adrenoceptor subtypes were determined by means of RT-PCR and Western blotting techniques. The changes in cervical resistance due to subtype-selective antagonists were investigated in stretching tests. The cyclic AMP immunoassay technique was used to detect the level of cyclic AMP following stimulation of the alpha(2)-adrenoceptors with or without pertussis toxin. On pregnancy days 18, 20, 21 and 22, the RT-PCR and Western blotting studies revealed the expressions of all three alpha(2)-adrenoceptor subtype mRNAs and proteins. On days 18 and 20, noradrenaline increased and decreased the resistance, respectively. Its effect was blocked by each of the antagonists used, except ARC 239 on both days. On day 21, noradrenaline again increased the resistance, this effect being maintained only in the presence of spiroxatrine. Noradrenaline was ineffective on day 22. These results were supported by the changes in cyclic AMP levels. Pertussis toxin pretreatment eliminated the changes in the cyclic AMP level on days 18 and 21. We presume that the alpha(2A)- and alpha(2C)-adrenoceptors play predominant roles in the regulation of cervical resistance on days 18-21. Depending on the day of pregnancy, stimulation of these alpha(2)-adrenoceptors could even result in opposite effects. This fluctuation can be explained by the changes in the G(i)/G(s)-coupling of the alpha(2A)- and alpha(2C)-adrenoceptors.

Several serotonergic and adrenergic agents were tested for an ability to interact with mu, delta, and kappa opioid binding sites. Spiroxatrine interacted nearly equipotently with all three opioid subtypes, yielding Ki values near 110 nM. A number of other serotonergic and adrenergic agents interacted with affinities in the 1-50 microM range. Most of the other compounds tested in this study were found to compete for opioid binding to some degree, though not achieving a 50% inhibition of binding at concentrations up to 100 microM. If this interaction between monoaminergic agents and opioid receptors is found to have functional significance, it must be considered in the interpretation of results from studies using these agents to evaluate the contribution of monoaminergic systems to opioid-mediated events.

The effect of buspirone on corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and stress-stimulated cecal motility and its antagonism by 5-HT1A (spiroxatrine) and sigma (BMY 14802) antagonists were evaluated by electromyography in rats equipped with chronically implanted electrodes on the cecum and a small catheter into the right lateral ventricle of the brain. Exposure to mental stress, consisting of a fear-conditioned response, increased during 30 min the frequency of cecal spike bursts significantly (P less than 0.01). The frequency of cecal spike bursts was also increased following intracerebroventricular injection of CRF (500 ng/kg). Buspirone (1 mg/kg s.c.) abolished the stimulatory effects of mental stress and CRF on cecal motility. Whereas spiroxatrine (0.5 mg/kg s.c.) blocked the effect of buspirone on the colonic hypermotility induced by i.c.v. injection of CRF, BMY 14802 at a similar dose (0.5 mg/kg s.c.) was unable to block the action of buspirone. It is concluded that s.c. administration of buspirone suppresses the stress-induced cecal motor response through 5-HT1A receptors, probably by inhibiting the central or peripheral pathways involved in CRF mediation of these effects.

This study was designed to determine if morphine administered intrathecally (IT) interacts with serotonergic or noradrenergic nerve terminals in the spinal cord to produce analgesia on the spinally mediated tail-flick test. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fitted with IT catheters. One week later, animals were spinally pretreated with receptor antagonists selective for opioid, serotonin or α-adrenoceptors, and the ability of these agents to alter spinal morphine-induced antinociception was assessed. Morphine dose-dependently elevated tail-flick latency in a naltrexone-reversible manner. The serotonin receptor antagonists spiroxatrine (5-HT 1A ), pindolol (5-HT 1B ), ritanserin (5-HT 2 ) and ICS 205–930 (5-HT 3 ) attenuated the spinal analgesic effects of morphine. In contrast, the α 1 and α 2 -adrenoceptor antagonists prazosin and yohimbine, respectively, did not alter morphine-induced elevations in tail-flick latency. These data substantiate earlier reports that spinal morphine-induced antinociception relies on an opioid receptor-mediated component in addition to a local serotonergic component. The finding that the α-adrenoceptor antagonists did not alter the antinociceptive effects of IT morphine suggests that spinal norepinephrine does not contribute to the analgesic effects of the opiate.

Serotonin, 8-OH-DPAT, buspirone, ipsapirone, RU-24969, dopamine and isoproterenol all stimulate C-AMP production in rabbit retinal homogenates. The dopamine and isoproterenol responses are specifically antagonized by haloperidol and propranolol, respectively. In contrast the effects produced by the other substances are specifically nullified by spiroxatrine, a known 5-HT 1a antagonist. Since 5-HT 2 antagonists (methysergide, kentanserin), 5-HT 1b antagonist (propranolol), 5-HT 4 antagonist (ICS-205930), 5-HT 3 antagonist (MDL-72222, ICS-205930) or the primarily α 2 -antagonist mianserin, had no influence on the stimulation of C-AMP caused by serotonin or 8-OH-DPAT, it is concluded that 5-HT 1a receptors, positively coupled to C-AMP production exist in the retina.

Two new iodinated ligands for human brain exploration by SPECT were synthesized. For this purpose tosylethyl precursors were prepared in a one-pot synthesis from ethylene glycol di-p-toluene sulfonate and potassium salt of spiperone, a D2 receptor antagonist, or spiroxatrine, a 5HT1A receptor antagonist. Substitution of the precursor tosyl group by iodide or radioiodide yielded respectively iodoethylspiperone, iodoethylspiroxatrine and their radioiodinated analogs. In vitro displacement studies demonstrated that iodoethylspiperone and iodoethylspiroxatrine have specific binding properties for the D2 and 5HT1A receptors respectively. Thus this method of synthesis seemed suitable to prepare new potential agents to study receptors.

Selective activation of the 5-HT1A receptor induces lower lip retraction (LLR) in rats. 8-Hydroxy-dipropylamino tetralin (8-OH-DPAT)-induced LLR could not be antagonised by the 5-HT antagonists methysergide, metergoline or mesulergine. In fact, some 5-HT antagonists induced LLR. However, 8-OH-DPAT-induced LLR could be antagonised by pindolol, spiperone, spiroxatrine and NAN-190, but not by the beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist metoprolol, the beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist butoxamine or the dopamine antagonist haloperidol. This antagonism was competitive as the dose-response curve of 8-OH-DPAT was shifted to the right. Pindolol, spiperone, spiroxatrine and NAN-190 all have a high affinity for the 5-HT1A receptor. This indicates that blockade of 8-OH-DPAT-induced LLR is only possible by selective blockade of 5-HT1A receptors. A possible mechanism of action is discussed. The increased defecation induced by 8-OH-DPAT could be antagonised by pindolol and NAN-190. The effect of spiroxatrine and haloperidol on the 8-OH-DPAT-induced increase in defecation was bimodal: an increase after a low and a decrease after a high dose of 8-OH-DPAT. Metoprolol and butoxamine had no effect on the 8-OH-DPAT-induced increase in defecation, thereby excluding an influence of beta-adrenoceptors.

Lever pressing of squirrel monkeys was maintained under second-order schedules of either food presentation or cocaine injection. The first response after 3 min produced a 2 sec change in the color of a visual stimulus; the tenth stimulus presentation was followed by either an i.m. injection of cocaine (0.3, 1.0, or 2.0 mg/kg) or the delivery of food. The benzodiazepine chlordiazepoxide (0.3-5.6 mg/kg) increased responding maintained by food at doses that decreased cocaine-maintained responding. In contrast, buspirone, a novel nonbenzodiazepine anxiolytic (0.001-0.03 mg/kg), its analog gepirone (0.003-0.03 mg/kg), and the N serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) agonist 8-hydroxy-2(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT; 0.0003-0.001 mg/kg) increased cocaine-maintained responding at doses that decreased responding maintained by food. The inverse agonist at benzodiazepine receptors β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (βCCE) only decreased response rates irrespective of the maintaining event. m-Chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP), an agonist at 5-HT1b receptors, increased responding maintained by food while only decreasing cocaine maitained responding (0.001-0.03 mg/kg), whereas metergoline (0.1-0.3 mg/kg), a serotonin antagonist with affinity for both 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors, produced large response rate increases in both groups of monkeys. Administration of the 5-HT2 antagonist ketanserin (0.03-3.0 mg/kg), the 5-HT1A compound spiroxatrine (0.0003-0.03 mg/kg), or the nonselective 5-HT agonist quipazine (0.003-1.0 mg/kg) resulted in dose-dependent response rate decreases in both groups. These results further differentiate buspirone and related compounds from typical anxiolytics and suggest a differential involvement of 5-HTIA receptors in behaviors maintained by cocaine or food presentation.

The roles of the alpha2-adrenoceptor (alpha2-AR) subtypes (alpha2A-, alpha2B- and alpha2C-AR) in uterine contractility have not been investigated. The aims of this study were to identify these receptors in the non-pregnant and the late-pregnant rat myometrium and to determine their roles in contractions. We found that the myometrial alpha2-AR subtypes are involved differently in the control of late-pregnant contractions, while they have no influence on the contractions of the non-pregnant myometrium. The myometrial expressions of the alpha2-AR subtypes were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting techniques. In vitro contractions were stimulated with noradrenaline, and its effect was modified with the selective antagonists BRL 44408 (alpha2A), ARC 239 (alpha2B/C) and spiroxatrine (alpha2C). cAMP production was followed by noradrenaline stimulation in the presence of isobutylmethylxanthine and forskolin, and alterations induced in it by the antagonists were determined with an Enzyme Immunoassay Kit. The most effective antagonist was tested on labour-induced uteri in vitro. All the alpha2-AR subtypes were identified in both non-pregnant and pregnant uteri. Noradrenaline was not able to contract the non-pregnant tissue in the presence of propranolol and doxazosin, while its contracting effect in the pregnant uteri was enhanced by BRL 44408, spiroxatrine and the combination BRL 44408+spiroxatrine. ARC 239 exerted a strong inhibitory effect on noradrenaline-stimulated contractions. The increasing and the decreasing effects of the compounds were confirmed by the changes in the intracellular cAMP levels. The effect of ARC 239 on the labour-induced myometrium was similar to that on the 22-day-pregnant myometrium. The stimulation of alpha2-ARs does not evoke contractions in the non-pregnant uterus. The alpha2A- and alpha2C-ARs mediate decreases, while the alpha2B-AR mediates an increase in the contractions in the 22-day-pregnant myometrium. These differences may offer new targets for drugs against premature contractions in pregnancy.