羽叶三七叶中甙类成分的研究

从羽叶三七叶中分离到十三种甙类成分,经FAB-MS,¹³CNMR谱,双照射¹HN-MR谱,¹H-¹H COSY谱及与标准品直接对照,证明十一种为已知化合物,分别为人参皂甙F₁(Ⅰ),F₂(Ⅱ),F₃(Ⅲ),R_g2(Ⅳ),R_a(Ⅴ),R_d(Ⅵ),R_b1(Ⅷ),R_b3(Ⅷ),24(S)-假人参甙F₁₁(Ⅸ),人参黄酮(Ⅹ)和珠子参甙F₁(Ⅺ);另外两种为新的达玛烷型皂甙,命名为羽叶三七甙F₁(Ⅻ)和F₂(ⅫⅠ),并确定其化学结构。同时修正珠子参甙F₃的结构。进一步阐明人参黄酮甙结构中的两个糖的连接方式。     

四氢异喹啉类生物碱对大鼠脑内α肾上腺素受体的作用

应用放射受体结合法研究了近30种四氢异喹啉类(TIQs)生物碱对大鼠脑内α肾上腺素受体的作用。其中l-CBN,l-THC和l-STP对α₁受体亲和力最高,K_i值为～2.0×10^-7mol/L。其次是DHS,XLP和l-DCT,K_i值分别为4.7×10^-7,6.5×10^-7和7.6×10^-7mol/L。DHS对α₂受体亲和力最高(K_i=1.25×10^-6mol/L),l-REM次之。对α受体亚型亲和力选择比K_i(alpha-2)/Ki(alpha-1)最高的是l-STP(357) 和XLP(154),它们对α₂受体几无亲和力(K_i>10^-4mnl/L)。提示l-STP和XLP对α₁受体有较高的选择性。l-SPD和l-THP对α₁和α₂受体亲和力相近,均为中等强度。THJ,DRC及l-TTD等6种TIQs对α₁和α₂受体均无亲和力(K_i>10^-4mnl/L)。     

脑5-HT1A/1B、α2受体及腺苷酸环化酶参与了胍丁胺的抗抑郁作用

为了在单胺受体及受体后腺苷酸环化酶(adenylate cyclase,AC)水平探讨胍丁胺(agmatine,AGM)抗抑郁作用的精细机制,采用小鼠悬尾实验和强迫游泳实验观察AGM抗抑郁行为改变。采用放射免疫方法测定大鼠前额皮层突触膜蛋白AC活性。结果表明,AGM(5～40 mg·kg^-1,ig)在小鼠悬尾实验和强迫游泳实验模型上均有显著抗抑郁活性。同时伍用β受体/5-HT_1A/1B受体阻断剂吲哚洛尔(pindolol, PIN, 20 mg·kg^-1, ip)、 α₂肾上腺素受体拮抗剂育亨宾(yohimbine, YOH, 5～10 mg·kg^-1, ip)或咪唑克生(idazoxan, IDA, 4 mg·kg^-1, ip)对AGM(40 mg·kg^-1, ig)的抗抑郁活性具有显著拮抗效应; 而β受体阻断剂普萘洛尔(propranolol, PRO, 5～20 mg·kg^-1, ip)或5-HT₃受体拮抗剂曲匹西隆(tropisetron, TRO, 5～40 mg·kg^-1, ip)对AGM(40 mg·kg^-1, ig)的抗抑郁活性无显著影响。AGM(0.1～6.4 μmol·L^-1)与大鼠前额皮层提取的突触膜共孵可剂量依赖地激活AC活性, 而PIN(1 μmol·L^-1)或YOH(0.25～1 μmol·L^-1)均显著拮抗AGM(6.4 μmol·L^-1)对AC的激活作用; 慢性给予大鼠AGM(10 mg·kg^-1, ig, bid)或氟西汀(fluoxetine, FLU, 10 mg·kg^-1, ig, bid) 2 w也显著增强大鼠前额皮层基础及Gpp(NH)p 预激活的AC活性。本研究表明, 调节脑内5-HT_1A/1B和α₂等受体功能, 并激活前额皮层AC可能是AGM抗抑郁活性的重要机制之一。     

某些四氢异喹啉类生物碱对大鼠脑内多巴胺和5-羟色胺受体的作用

本文报道十二种四氢异喹啉类生物碱对大鼠脑内D-2,5-HT₁和5-HT₂受体的结合特性。其中l-千金藤碱(l-STP)对这三种受体均有较高的亲和力,其Ki值分别为1.7×10^-7,9.4×10^-8和1.8×10^-7mol。l-莲碱(l-REM)对5-HT₂受体的亲和力与Z-STP相似(Ki=1.7×10^-7mol)。THB,THC和THJ对D-2受体的亲和力介于l-SPD和l-THP之间。本文报道的多数生物碱能同时影响两种或两种以上受体部位的结合特性,提示它们对单胺神经系统可能有复杂的相互作用。     

中国辽宁栽培西洋参化学成分的研究

中国辽宁栽培西洋参(Panax quinquefolius Linn)的总皂甙用低压硅胶柱和反相Rp18Labar柱层析分离得到18种化合物,用IR,MS(FD-MS,FAB-MS),¹³C-NMR及化学方法鉴定了16种化合物的化学结构;分别为棕榈酸(1),齐墩果酸(2),胡萝卜甙(daucosterin 3),人参皂甙-Rh₁(4),—Rg₃(5),—Rg₂(6),—Rg₁(7),—Rf(8),—Re(9),—Rd(10),—Rb₂(11),—Rb₁(12)、—R₀(13),蔗糖(14),人参三糖(15)及一种新皂甙(16),结构为:20(s)原人参二醇-3-[-O-β-D-吡喃糖基(1→2)β-D-葡萄吡喃糖基(1→2)β-D-葡萄吡喃糖基],20-[-O-β-D-葡萄吡喃糖基(1→6)β-D-葡萄吡喃糖甙,命名为人参皂甙-RAO(ginsenoside-RA₀)。化合物(4)和(5)系首次从西洋参中分离出的已知皂甙。     

腺苷A1受体和NMDA受体在海马齿状回突触传递活动中的关系

目的探讨腺苷A₁受体阻断剂对海马齿状回(DG)突触传递活动的影响及其与NMDA受体的关系。方法 采用在体记录麻醉大鼠LTP的电生理学方法,观察腺苷A₁受体特异性阻断剂8-环戊-1,3-二丙基黄嘌呤(DPCPX)与NMDA受体激动剂、阻断剂在海马DG基础突触传递活动和高频刺激诱导的LTP中作用的相关性。结果DPCPX(6 mg·L^-1,5 μL,icv)或NMDA(0.2 mg·L^-1,5 μL,icv)不影响大鼠海马DG突触传递活动,DPCPX对icv NMDA后高频刺激诱导已形成的LTP维持也无影响;预先给予DPCPX后则可显著增强NMDA的海马DG基础突触传递活动和LTP;AP₅(0.5 mg·L^-1,5 μL)阻断NMDA受体后对LTP的抑制作用不受DPCPX的影响,但预先给予DPCPX则可取消AP₅对LTP的抑制作用。结论DPCPX不影响海马DG突触传递活动,但可影响NMDA受体的效应,增强NMDA受体在海马DG突触传递活动中的作用。     

M3受体与大鼠缺血性心肌细胞凋亡关系的研究M3受体与大鼠缺血性心肌细胞凋亡关系的研究

目的观察M₃受体对大鼠缺血性心肌细胞凋亡的作用及其机制。方法结扎大鼠左冠状动脉前降支建立急性心肌缺血模型,给予M₃受体激动剂胆碱或阻断剂4DAMP进行干预,观察M₃受体对其的影响。结果缺血前15 min iv胆碱10 mg·kg^-1可提高血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力,降低丙二醛(MDA)含量,减少凋亡细胞的数量(P<0.01),并可增加Bcl-2表达,减少Fas表达。预先5 min iv 4DAMP 0.12 mg·kg^-1阻断心肌M₃受体可逆转胆碱的作用。结论激动M₃受体对结扎大鼠冠状动脉诱导的心肌损伤有保护作用,其机制可能与调节Bcl-2和Fas表达从而抑制心肌细胞凋亡有关。     

一种新的α1A肾上腺素受体选择性拮抗剂—Sertindole

本工作分别在稳定表达α_1A,α_1B和α_1D肾上腺素受体(adrenoceptor,AR)的人胚胎肾脏细胞( human embryonic kidney 293,HEK 293)和大鼠离体血管上,用放射配体结合实验和离体血管收缩功能实验方法以确定sertindole对α₁-AR亚型的选择性拮抗作用。结果显示sertindole与克隆α_1A-AR的亲和性分别是与克隆α_1B-AR和克隆α_1D-AR的69倍和132倍。Sertindole拮抗去甲肾上腺素引起的主动脉和肾动脉收缩反应的pA₂值分别与其对α_1D和α_1A亚型的pKI值相符。分别稳定表达3种亚型受体的HEK293细胞膜标本经与sertindole预温育30min后,受体与¹²⁵IBE2254结合的B_max值显著降低,KD值无显著变化;而在 sertindole 存在条件下,α₁-AR3种亚型与¹²⁵IBE2254 结合的KD值显著增大,但B_max值无显著改变。上述结果表明sertindole为不可逆性竞争性α₁-AR拮抗剂,并有α_1A亚型选择性。     

抗心律失常药物作用的新靶点M3R/IKM3

目的研究心脏M₃受体/M₃受体介导的钾通道与心律失常的关系，寻找抗心律失常药物的新靶点。方法 分别以结扎大鼠左冠状动脉前降支所致急性心律失常模型和膜片钳技术为基础，观察M₃受体的干预作用及作用机制。结果M₃受体阻断剂4DAMP(4-diphenylacetoxy-n-methylpiperidine-methiodide)加重结扎大鼠冠状动脉前降支所致心律失常，而M₃受体激动剂胆碱能明显对抗其作用。其他亚型受体阻断剂，M₁受体阻断剂(prienzepine)、M₂受体阻断剂(methotramine)和M₄受体阻断剂(tropicamide)对结扎大鼠左冠状动脉前降支所致急性心律失常无影响。在膜片钳实验中发现，胆碱可激活一种延迟整流钾电流(IK_M3)，此电流可被M₃受体阻断剂4DAMP明显抑制。而M₁，M₂和M₄受体阻断剂对胆碱介导的电流无作用。结论胆碱通过激动心肌M₃受体诱发一外向钾电流(IK_M3)，并在维持心脏离子通道平衡中起重要作用。M₃受体/IK_M3可能是抗心律失常新靶点。     

用核磁共振新技术测定日本续断皂甙E1的结构

从日本续断Dipsocus japunicus Miq.根的乙醇提到物中得到一个新三萜皂甙(5糖甙)，命名为日本续断皂甙E₁(japondipsaponin E₁)。用化学方法及¹HNMR,¹³CNMR,¹H-¹H COSY，一维多重接力COSY，选择性远程DEPT和三重共振NOE差谱等方法，鉴定其结构为3-O-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖(1-3)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖（1→3）-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖（1→2）-α-L-吡喃阿拉伯糖常春藤皂甙元28-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖甙。     

Different affinities of native alpha1B-adrenoceptors for ketanserin between intact tissue segments and membrane preparations

The pharmacological profiles of alpha1-adrenoceptors for ketanserin, prazosin, silodosin, and BMY 7378 (8-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-8-azaspiro[4,5]decane-7,9-dione dihydrochloride) were examined under different assay conditions. Among the tested antagonists and alpha1-adrenoceptors subtypes, ketanserin showed significantly lower affinity for the alpha1B-adrenoceptor subtype in intact tissue sampled from the rat tail artery, thoracic aorta, and cerebral cortex (functional pKB and binding pKi were approximately 6), than in cerebral cortex membrane preparations or whole cell and membrane preparations of alpha1B-adrenoceptor transfected human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK 293T) cells (pKi was approximately 8). In these tissues and cells, however, ketanserin showed a similar affinity (pKi = approximately 8) for alpha1A- and alpha1D-adrenoceptors even though the assays were conducted under different conditions. In contrast, the affinities of alpha1A-, alpha1B-, and alpha1D-adrenoceptors for prazosin, silodosin, and BMY 7378 did not significantly change under different assay conditions and in different tissues. The present study reveals that the pharmacological profiles of native alpha 1B-adrenoceptors for ketanserin is strongly influenced by the assay conditions and suggest that antagonist affinity is not necessarily constant.     

The selectivity of DG-5128 as an alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist

DG-5128 (2-[2-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-1-phenylethyl]pyridine dihydrochloride sesquihydrate) at concentrations up to 10 microM inhibited [3H]clonidine binding more effectively than it did [3H]prazosin binding in rat cerebral cortex membranes. The mode of inhibition was homogeneous and consistent with the law of simple mass action. DG-5128 exhibited a 7.4 times higher affinity (pKi = 6.28) toward alpha 2-adrenoceptors than alpha 1-adrenoceptors. The results indicate that DG-5128 is a preferential alpha 2-antagonist.     

Differences between central and peripheral rat alpha-adrenoceptors revealed using binuclear ligands

We have used two homologous series of binuclear ligands, diacridines and diquinolines, and the radioligand receptor assay to compare the topology of alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors in rat cerebral cortex and kidney membranes. While the chain length-dependence of affinity of the diacridines, as well as that of the diquinolines, for the alpha 1-adrenoceptors of these central and peripheral tissues are similar, we find marked differences in affinity profiles for interaction with central and peripheral alpha 2-adrenoceptors. In the context of our previously proposed model for the binding of diacridines and diquinolines to alpha-adrenoceptors the results suggest that the surface features of central and peripheral alpha 2-adrenoceptors differ in the area surrounding the noradrenaline binding site. This difference may prove to be of therapeutic relevance.     

Comparison of the binding affinity of CGP-12177A at recombinant rat alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors expressed in BHK-21 cell membranes and alpha(1)-adrenoceptors present in rat cerebral cortex membranes

Recent in vitro studies, performed in rat aorta, mesenteric and intrapulmonary arteries, and human pulmonary artery, demonstrated that the beta-adrenoceptor ligand CGP-12177A (4-[3-[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]-2-hydroxypropoxy]-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one) is also provided with antagonist or partial agonist properties at alpha(1)-adrenoceptors. These observations were supported by estimates of CGP-12177A binding affinity at alpha(1)-adrenoceptors, which have been always performed in rat cerebral cortex membranes, as a surrogate of vascular tissue. Since alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors are predominant in both rat aorta and mesenteric artery, in the present study, we measured, for the first time, the binding affinity of CGP-12177A at recombinant rat alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors expressed in BHK-21 cell membranes. CGP-12177A binding affinity was also determined in rat cerebral cortex membranes, where various alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes are present. By means of [(3)H]prazosin binding competition experiments, we found that CGP-12177A bound to alpha(1D)-adrenoceptor-expressing BHK-21 cell membranes, with a binding affinity (pK(i)=5.39+/-0.27) almost identical to that measured in cerebral membranes (pK(i)=5.44+/-0.07), indicating that it is a non-subtype selective alpha(1)-adrenoceptor ligand. Moreover, CGP-12177A binding affinity was very close to its functional affinity evaluated in rat aorta in terms of antagonist potency against phenylephrine-induced contraction (pK(B)=5.65+/-0.07). In conclusion, our results demonstrate that, in order to evaluate CGP-12177A binding affinity at aorta and mesenteric artery alpha(1)-adrenoceptors, estimates in rat cerebral membranes are as reliable as those in recombinant rat alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors, since both values are very close to CGP-12177A functional affinities in isolated vessels.     

Affinity profiles of BTM-1086 and BTM-1041 at muscarinic receptor subtypes and at H1- and alpha 1-receptors

The affinities of the (+) and (-) enantiomers of the antimuscarinic benzothiazepinone derivative, cis-2,3-dihydro-3-(4-methyl-1-piperazinylmethyl)-2-phenyl-1,5-benzoth iazepin-4 (5H)-one (BTM-1041 and BTM-1086), for muscarinic receptor subtypes, histamine H1-receptors and alpha 1-adrenoceptors were determined in vitro using isolated organs: field-stimulated rabbit vas deferens (M1-receptors), guinea-pig left atrium (M2-receptors), guinea-pig ileum (M3- and histamine H1-receptors) and rat vas deferens (alpha 1-adrenoceptors). We also assessed the binding profile of BTM-1041 and BTM-1086 at muscarinic receptor subtypes in guinea-pig cortex (M1), heart (M2) and salivary glands (M3) as well as at alpha 1-adrenoceptors in rat cerebral cortex. Functional and binding experiments showed that the (-) enantiomer (BTM-1086) had a high affinity (pA2 = 7.98-8.81; pKi = 8.31-9.15) for the three muscarinic receptor subtypes, whereas the (+) enantiomer (BTM-1041) showed a low antimuscarinic potency (pA2 = 4.87-5.31; pKi = 4.85-5.55). This results in an extremely high stereoselectivity for these optical isomers [-)/(+) ratios = 1023 to 6918). The affinity of the (-) enantiomer BTM-1086 was lower for both histamine H1- and alpha 1-receptors than for muscarinic receptors, whereas the reverse was true for the (+) enantiomer, BTM-1041. Thus, the stereochemical demands for the two optical isomers were most stringent at muscarinic receptors but were inverse and less pronounced at histamine H1- and alpha 1-receptors (stereoselectivity ratios = 0.16-0.22).     

8-NH2-boldine, an antagonist of alpha1A and alpha1B adrenoceptors without affinity for the alpha1D subtype: structural requirements for aporphines at alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes

Structure-activity analysis of 21 aporphine derivatives was performed by examining their affinities for cloned human alpha (1A), alpha (1B) and alpha (1D) adrenoceptors (AR) using membranes prepared from rat-1 fibroblasts stably expressing each alpha (1)-AR subtype. All the compounds tested competed for [ (125)I]-HEAT binding with steep and monophasic curves. The most interesting compound was 8-NH (2)-boldine, which retains the selective affinity for alpha(1A)-AR (pKi = 6.37 +/- 0.21) vs. alpha(1B)-AR (pKi = 5.53 +/- 0.11) exhibited by 1,2,9,10-tetraoxygenated aporphines, but shows low affinity for alpha(1D)-AR (pKi < 2.5). Binding studies on native adrenoceptors present in rat cerebral cortex confirms the results obtained for human cloned alpha (1)-AR subtypes. The compounds selective for the alpha (1A) subtype discriminate two binding sites in rat cerebral cortex confirming a mixed population of alpha (1A)- and alpha (1B)-AR in this tissue. All compounds are more selective as inhibitors of [ (3)H]-prazosin binding than of [ (3)H]-diltiazem binding to rat cerebral cortical membranes. A close relationship was found between affinities obtained for cloned alpha (1A)-AR and inhibitory potencies on noradrenaline-induced contraction or inositol phosphate accumulation in tail artery, confirming that there is a homogeneous functional population of alpha(1A)-AR in this vessel. On the contrary, a poor correlation seems to exist between the affinity of 8-NH (2)-boldine for cloned alpha (1D)-AR and its potency as an inhibitor of noradrenaline-induced contraction or inositol phosphate accumulation in rat aorta, which confirms that a heterogeneous population of alpha (1)-AR mediates the adrenergic response in this vessel.     

Studies on YM-12617: A selective and potent antagonist of postsynaptic α1-adrenoceptors

YM-12617, 5-[2-[[2-(2-ethoxyphenoxy)ethyl]-amino]propyl]-2 -methoxybenzenesulfonamide HCl is a structurally new type of extremely potent alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist. Its alpha-adrenoceptor blocking properties have been compared with those of prazosin, phentolamine and yohimbine using both pharmacological and 3H-ligand binding techniques in vitro and in vivo. In the isolated rabbit aorta, a tissue known to contain mainly alpha 1-adrenoceptors at postjunctional sites, YM-12617 competitively antagonized noradrenaline-induced contraction with a pA2 value of 10.11. Although YM-12617 was also a competitive antagonist toward clonidine at prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors in the isolated rat vas deferens, its affinity for these receptors (pA2 = 6.41) was 5,000 times lower than that displayed for the postjunctional alpha 1-adrenoceptors in the isolated rabbit aorta. YM-12617 displaced both 3H-WB 4101 and 3H-clonidine binding to rat brain membranes; however, the affinity of YM-12617 for alpha 1-adrenoceptors (pKi = 9.64) was 3800 times higher than that for alpha 2-adrenoceptors (pKi = 6.06). Based on pA2 values obtained in the isolated tissues and pKi values in the binding assays, YM-12617 was 2-18, 36-117 and 1,740-5,750 times more potent than prazosin, phentolamine and yohimbine in antagonizing alpha 1-adrenoceptors, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A possible structural determinant of selectivity of boldine and derivatives for the alpha 1A-adrenoceptor subtype.

1. The selectivity of action of boldine and the related aporphine alkaloids, predicentrine (9-O-methylboldine) and glaucine (2,9-O-dimethylboldine) and alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes was studied by examining [3H]-prazosin competition binding in rat cerebral cortex. WB 4101 and benoxathian were used as selective alpha 1A-adrenoceptor antagonists. 2. In the competition experiments [3H]-prazosin (0.2 nM) binding was inhibited by WB 4101 and benoxathian. The inhibition curves displayed shallow slopes which could be subdivided into high and low affinity components (pKi = 9.92 and 8.29 for WB 4101, 9.35 and 7.94 for benoxathian). The two antagonists recognized approximately 37% of the sites with high affinity from among the total [3H]-prazosin specific binding sites. 3. Boldine, predicentrine and glaucine also competed for [3H]-prazosin (0.2 nM) binding with shallow and biphasic curves recognizing 30-40% of the sites with high affinity. Drug affinities (pKi) at the high and low affinity sites were, 8.31 and 6.50, respectively, for boldine, 8.13 and 6.39 for predicentrine, and 7.12 and 5.92 for glaucine. The relative order of selectivity for alpha 1A-adrenoceptors was boldine (70 fold alpha 1A-selective) = predicentrine (60 fold, alpha 1A-selective) > glaucine (15 fold, alpha 1A-selective). 4. Pretreatment of rat cerebral cortex membranes with chloroethylclonidine (CEC, 10 microM) for 30 min at 37 degrees C followed by thorough washing out reduced specific [3H]-prazosin binding by approximately 70%. The CEC-insensitive [3H]-prazosin binding was inhibited by boldine monophasically (Hill slope = 0.93) with a single pKi value (7.76). 5. These results suggest that whereas the aporphine structure shared by these alkaloids is responsible for their selectively of action for the alpha 1A-adrenoceptor subtype in rat cerebral cortex, defined functional groups, namely the 2-hydroxy function, induces a significant increase in alpha 1A-subtype selectivity and affinity.     

Characterization of [3H]atipamezole as a radioligand for alpha 2-adrenoceptors.

Atipamezole (MPV-1248, 4-(2-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl)-1H-imidazole), a potent alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, was tritiated to high specific activity. We then compared [3H]atipamezole and [3H]rauwolscine as radioligands for alpha 2-adrenoceptors in rat cerebral cortex, neonatal rat lung, and human platelets. (-)-Noradrenaline and phentolamine were used to define specific alpha 2-adrenergic binding. Unlabelled atipamezole was used in a similar manner to define saturable, high-affinity non-adrenergic binding. [3H]Atipamezole binding to human platelets (Kd 1.3 nM) and rat brain membranes (Kd 0.5 nM) equilibrated rapidly and was displaced in the expected manner by alpha 2-adrenergic ligands. In contrast, [3H]atipamezole binding in neonatal rat lung membranes was only effectively inhibited by unlabelled atipamezole, and by high concentrations of idazoxan. The total density of binding sites for [3H]atipamezole was clearly in excess of the density of alpha 2-adrenoceptors in this tissue, as defined by [3H]rauwolscine binding. We conclude that [3H]atipamezole binds with high affinity to alpha 2-adrenoceptors in human platelets and rat cerebral cortex, and that the compound can be used to investigate alpha 2-adrenoceptor properties and drug actions in these tissues. In neonatal rat lung, [3H]atipamezole identified an additional population of binding sites, distinct from both classical alpha 2-adrenoceptors and idazoxan-defined imidazoline receptors. The pharmacological identity of these binding sites remains to be elucidated. This non-adrenergic component in the binding characteristics of [3H]atipamezole complicates its use as a general alpha 2-adrenoceptor radioligand.     

The effects of electroconvulsive shock or imipramine on subtypes of alpha 1-adrenoceptors in the frontal cortex of the rat.

The effects of repeated treatment (14 days) with electroconvulsive shock (ECS) or imipramine on binding sites on alpha 1-adrenoceptors in the rat were studied. The binding of [3H]prazosin studied with WB4101 and phentolamine, as binding inhibitors, showed the existence of two subtypes of alpha 1-adrenoceptor (alpha 1A and alpha 1B). Proportions of the alpha 1A and alpha 1B binding sites were about 3:7 in the frontal cortex and 9:1 in the hippocampus. Pretreatment of the membranes with chlorethylclonidine (CEC) almost abolished the alpha 1B binding sites. Inhibition of the binding of [3H]prazosin studied with antidepressants (imipramine, desipramine, maprotiline and mianserin) showed that these drugs bound to alpha 1-adrenoceptors with low affinity, in an apparent monophasic manner. The characteristics of the alpha 1A and alpha 1B binding sites were studied by the binding assay with [3H]prazosin, in the presence of a small concentration (2 nM) of WB4101 to mask the alpha 1A binding sites, as well as the assay without WB4101, for the total alpha 1-adrenoceptor (alpha 1A and alpha 1B) binding. Repeated treatment with electroconvulsive shock increased but that with imipramine decreased, the density of the alpha 1B binding sites in the frontal cortex, without change of the affinity. Neither treatment affected the alpha 1A binding sites in the frontal cortex. The alpha 1-adrenoceptors (alpha 1A and alpha 1B) in the hippocampus were not affected at all by these repeated treatments. The electroconvulsive shock-induced increase in the alpha 1B binding sites in the frontal cortex of the rat could contribute to differences in clinical effects between electroconvulsive shock and antidepressant drugs.