Effect of adenine nucleotides on cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzyme products of arachidonic acid in human platelets

Nucleotides are known to enhance cyclooxygenase product formation in several tissues and, in addition, are believed to function as cofactors for mammalian 5-lipoxygenases. Since nucleotides are released by stimulated platelets and by damaged tissue, we examined the hypothesis that nucleotides can affect the metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA) in washed human platelets. The various nucleotides were given 15 sec prior to the addition of 3 microM arachidonic acid and 1 muCi [3H]AA. We found that the phosphorylated adenine derivatives (ATP, ADP, and AMP) increased the formation of 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) by 2-fold without altering the formation of cyclooxygenase products. Adenosine was without effect on 12-HETE formation. ATP also stimulated 12-HETE formation in lysed platelets. This suggests that the 12-lipoxygenase enzyme of platelets can be regulated by adenine nucleotides. We next determined the portion of the nucleotide molecule responsible for the enhanced 12-lipoxygenase activity of platelets. Alteration of the nucleotide base led to a decrease in stimulation, with GTP less active than ATP, and UTP even less active than GTP. Studies with adenine nucleotides showed that the length of the phosphate chain was not important. We also found that the stable methylene isosters of ATP (alpha, beta-methylene ATP and beta, gamma-methylene ATP) increased 12-HETE formation, suggesting that the conformation and hydrolysis of the phosphate chain are not responsible for the stimulatory activity. Cyclic 3',5'AMP and 3'AMP were inactive, implying the necessity for a free phosphate at the 5' position for nucleotide stimulation of 12-HETE synthesis. In conclusion, platelet 12-lipoxygenase was stimulated by ATP, as is true for several mammalian 5-lipoxygenases. However, cyclooxygenase product formation by platelets was not altered by nucleotide addition. These studies suggest that following in vivo injury or platelet aggregation, when local concentrations of nucleotides are high, platelet lipoxygenase activity may be stimulated.     

Regulation of 5-HT2 receptors in rat cortex. Studies with a putative selective agonist and an antagonist

The phenylisopropylamine derivative 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodo-phenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) has been suggested recently as a selective serotonin2 (5-HT2) receptor agonist. Because of the potential importance of such a tool for investigations of 5-HT2 receptor regulation, receptor binding studies were performed in rats after acute and chronic treatment with DOI, the selective 5-HT2 antagonist ketanserin, or vehicle. Single injections of 5 or 10 mg/kg DOI reduced the Bmax of cortical sites labeled with [3H]1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromo-phenyl)-2-aminopropane and [3H]ketanserin (9-32 or 32-46%, respectively). Chronic daily treatment with DOI (3-9 mg/kg) further down-regulated 5-HT2 sites in cortex identified with either [3H]ketanserin (-60%) or with [3H]DOB (-75%), without altering Kd values or affecting 5-HT1 sites. In vitro addition to the [3H]ketanserin or [3H]DOB binding assay of 10 nM to 1 microM DOI resulted in competitive inhibition, suggesting that down-regulation found in vivo was not secondary to residual drug. Chronic treatment with ketanserin (10 mg/kg) also down-regulated both [3H]ketanserin (-38%) and [3H]DOB (-58%) sites in cortex without charges in 5-HT1 sites. In naive cortex, competition experiments revealed a Ki (nM) for ( +/- )-DOI of 1.7 +/- 0.02 at sites labeled by [3H]DOB, and a KH and KL of 4.8 +/- 1.5 and 53 +/- 2 nM at sites labeled by [3H]ketanserin. These data indicate that in chronic treatment, DOI, like ketanserin, is highly selective for 5-HT2 vs 5-HT1 sites at behaviorally useful doses. However, a representative putative 5-HT2 selective agonist and antagonist have similar effects on 5-HT2 receptors labeled by agonist or antagonist radioligands.     

Effects of the 5-HT2A receptor agonist 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) on plasma glucose and glucagon levels of rats

Effects of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)2A receptor agonist 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) on plasma glucagon levels were studied in rats. Systemic injection of DOI induces significant increases in plasma glucagon levels. Hyperglucagonemia induced by DOI was dose-dependently prevented by the 5-HT2A receptor antagonist ketanserin. Adrenodemedullation abolished hyperglucagonemia elicited by DOI. Previous report demonstrated that the peripheral 5-HT2A receptor agonist induces hyperglycemia in rats but does not increase plasma glucagon levels at doses inducing hyperglycemia. Therefore, our findings suggest that DOI-induced glucagon release was elicited by stimulation of the central 5-HT2A receptor, which in turn increasing adrenaline release.     

Multiple effects of a new anti-inflammatory agent, timegadine, on arachidonic acid release and metabolism in neutrophils and platelets

Casein-elicited rat peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) and rabbit platelets were prelabelled with [1-14C]arachidonic acid, and the effect of timegadine, a new anti-inflammatory agent, on the release and metabolism of arachidonic acid induced by A23187 (PMNL) and thrombin (platelets) was studied and compared with the effect of other compounds reported to affect these enzymatic mechanisms. Timegadine inhibited arachidonic acid release from both cells (IC50 = 2.7 X 10(-5) M), the lipoxygenase activity in PMNL (IC50 = 4.1 X 10(-5) M) and the cyclooxygenase activity in platelets (IC50 = 3.1 X 10(-8) M). By these mechanisms, PMNL leukotriene B4 formation was inhibited by 50% at 2.0 X 10(-5) M, platelet thromboxane B2 at 3.2 X 10(-8) M, and platelet 12-HETE at 4.9 X 10(-5) M. These effects might add to the understanding of the anti-inflammatory properties of timegadine.     

Inhibition of 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced and -amplified human platelet aggregation by ketanserin (R 41 468), a selective 5-HT2-receptor antagonist

Ketanserin, a selective 5-HT2-receptor antagonist, inhibits the reversible aggregation induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in human platelet-rich plasma (PRP). In this respect, the compound is equipotent to cyproheptadine and more active than methysergide (IC50: 1.66 x 10(-8) M, 1.44 x 10(-8) M and 5.62 x 10(-8) M respectively). Ketanserin is active against 5-HT-induced platelet aggregation after both in vitro and oral administration to human volunteers. At concentrations up to 500 times in excess of the IC50 for 5-HT-induced platelet reactions, ketanserin does not affect the aggregation induced by ADP, epinephrine, collagen or Thrombofax, the prostaglandin biosynthesis of thrombin-stimulated platelets, nor the active uptake of 14C-5-HT by platelets. 5-Hydroxytryptamine amplifies the human platelet aggregation induced by threshold concentrations of ADP, collagen, epinephrine, norepinephrine and induced irreversible aggregation of platelets pre-sensitized with Thrombofax. This amplification by 5-hydroxytryptamine results in a platelet response typical for the potentiated agonist; for the combination of the monoamine with collagen, the serotonergic amplification results in enhanced aggregation, release of beta-TG and PF4 and excessive formation of TXB2. Ketanserin, after both in vitro and oral administration to man reduces the amplified response to the level of the potentiated agonist. The present evidence suggests the presence of functional 5-HT2 receptors on the human platelet, different from those involved in the uptake of the monoamine.     

Serotonin-glutamate interaction in rat cerebellum: involvement of 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors

The effects of serotonin (5-HT) on the release of endogenous glutamate (GLU) in rat cerebellum were investigated in slices depolarized with 35 mM K+. The Ca2+-dependent release of GLU was potently inhibited by 5-HT in a concentration-dependent way. Release was also inhibited by the 5-HT1 receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and by the 5-HT2 receptor agonist 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane HCl (DOI). The inhibition by 10 nM 5-HT was partly (35-40%) counteracted by the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist ketanserin but was fully blocked by the mixed 5-HT1/5-HT2 receptor antagonist methiothepin. The effect of 8-OH-DPAT was not affected by ketanserin but was totally antagonized by methiothepin, while the effect of DOI was entirely suppressed by ketanserin. Ketanserin or methiothepin themselves increased (by 23 and 55%, respectively, at 10 nM) the K+-evoked release of GLU. In conclusion the release of endogenous GLU in rat cerebellum can be inhibited by 5-HT through receptors of the 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 type. The enhancement of GLU release by ketanserin or methiothepin could suggest a tonic inhibition. The possible localization of the 5-HT receptors involved in the interaction with the GLU systems is discussed.     

山莨菪碱对洗涤大鼠血小板代谢花生四烯酸的影响

作者建立了一个用大鼠洗涤血小板研究药物对外源性及内源性AA代谢影响的方法。采用HPLC测定血小板AA代谢物HHT及12-HETE,观察了底物(AA)浓度、孵育时间、A23187加量等对血小板代谢AA的影响。并用此法研究了654-2对洗涤血小板AA代谢的影响。654-2显著减少血小板从内源性AA形成HHT及12-HETE,且作用随剂量增加而增强,但不影响血小板对外源性AA的代谢。上述结果表明,654-2是通过抑制AA释放而减少AA代谢物的形成。     

The effects of the peptide-coupling agent, EEDQ, on 5-HT2A receptor binding and function in rat frontal cortex.

This ex vivo study in rat frontal cortex determined the influence of 5-HT receptor agonists and antagonists on EEDQ-induced depletion of 5-HT2A binding sites and reduction in their functional coupling to phospholipid hydrolysis. Twenty-four hours after EEDQ (6 mg/kg) administration a marked reduction (66%) of cortical 5-HT2A binding sites with no change in binding affinity was observed. The 5HT2A antagonists ritanserin (1 mg/kg), ketanserin (1 and 5 mg/kg), metergoline (3 mg/kg) or the 5HT2A agonist, DOI (3 and 10 mg/kg) also significantly reduced (by 15-44%) these binding sites 24 h after injection. Thirty minute pretreatment with ritanserin, ketanserin, metergoline or DOI (at the doses above) afforded 49-65% protection against the loss of 5-HT2A binding sites induced by EEDQ (6 mg/kg). DOI (10 mg/kg) pretreatment (-24 h) decreased by 26% the accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates (IPs) evoked by 5-HT (100 microM), but did not affect that produced by DOI (100 microM). Ketanserin (5 mg/kg, -24 h) decreased 5-HT- and DOI-induced IP formation by 65% and 53%, respectively. The EEDQ (6 mg/kg, -24 h)-evoked reductions (-50%) of 5-HT- and DOI-induced IP formation were not altered by DOI (10 mg/kg) or ketanserin (5 mg/kg) given 30 min before EEDQ. G-protein-stimulated IP accumulation was unaffected by EEDQ (6 mg/kg). Overall, EEDQ reduces 5-HT2A binding sites and function in rat frontal cortex, whereas its effects on binding were attenuated by various 5-HT receptor antagonists and agonists, its effects on function was unaltered by these drugs.     

Effect of thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibition, singly and combined with thromboxane A2/prostaglandin endoperoxide receptor antagonism, on inositol phospholipid turnover and on 5-HT release by washed human platelets

Differential effects on human platelet function of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) synthetase inhibition singly and of TXA2 synthetase inhibition combined with TXA2/prostaglandin endoperoxide receptor antagonism were revealed, using ridogrel as a probe. Ridogrel combines selective TXA2 synthetase inhibition with TXA2/prostaglandin receptor antagonism in one molecule: in washed human platelets, the compound reduces the production of TXB2 (IC50 = 1.3 X 10(-8) M) and increases that of PGF2 alpha, PGE2, PGD2 from [14C]arachidonic acid. Additionally, at higher concentrations (Ki = 0.52 X 10(-6) M), it selectively antagonizes the breakdown of inositol phospholipids, subsequent to stimulation of TXA2/prostaglandin endoperoxide receptors with U 46619. The latter happens in a competitive way with fast receptor association-dissociation characteristics. At low concentrations (1 X 10(-9)-1 X 10(-7) M) producing single TXA2 synthetase inhibition, ridogrel reduces the collagen-induced formation of TXB2 by washed platelets, but enhances [32P]phosphatidic acid (PA) accumulation and [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) release. At higher concentrations (1 X 10(-6)-1 X 10(-5) M) which additionally block U 46619-induced [32P]PA accumulation, ridogrel inhibits the [32P]PA accumulation and release of [3H]5-HT by human platelets stimulated with collagen. These observations, corroborated by results obtained with OKY 1581, sulotroban, indomethacin and human serum albumin, suggest a causal role for prostaglandin endoperoxides in the stimulation by TXA2 synthetase inhibition of platelet reactions to collagen. They reinforce the concept that TXA2 synthetase inhibition-induced reorientation of cyclic endoperoxide metabolism, away from TXA2 into inhibitory prostanoids, requires additional TXA2/prostaglandin endoperoxide receptor antagonism to achieve optimal anti-platelet effects.     

Characterisation of 5-HT2 receptor subtypes in the Suncus murinus intestine.

The involvement of 5-HT2 receptor subtypes in mediating a contraction response in the isolated intestine of Suncus murinus was investigated using DOI ((+/-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-amino-propane, a 5-HT2 receptor agonist) which produced a bell-shaped concentration response curve that was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by methysergide (a 5-HT1/2 receptor antagonist, 1 microM) but not ketanserin (a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist, 1 microM), yohimbine (a 5-HT2B receptor antagonist, 1 microM) or a combination of ondansetron (a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, 1 microM) plus SB204070 (8-amino-7-chloro(N-butyl-4-piperidyl) methylbenzo-1,4-dioxan-5-carboxylate hydrochloride, a 5-HT4 receptor antagonist, 1 nM). The contraction response to the lower concentrations of DOI (10 nM-0.3 microM) was reduced in the presence of SB206553 (5-methyl-1-(3-pyridylcarbamoyl)-1,2,3,5-tetrahydropyrrolo[2 ,3-f]indole, a 5-HT2B/2C receptor antagonist, 1 microM), whilst conversely, the reducing response to the higher concentrations of DOI (1-30 microM) was prevented. A repeated challenge with 3 microM DOI produced a smaller response (desensitisation) and also reduced the response to 5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine, 0.3 microM) that was inhibited by SB206553 (1 microM). Data indicate that 5-HT2C receptors are likely candidates to mediate the contractile response to DOI and demonstrate desensitisation to repeated challenges.     

Differential involvement of 5-HT(2A) receptors in the discriminative-stimulus effects of cocaine and methamphetamine

Involvement of 5-HT(2A) receptors in the discriminative-stimulus effects of cocaine versus methamphetamine was studied in Sprague Dawley rats (n=10) trained to discriminate 10 mg/kg cocaine, i.p., from saline under a fixed-ratio 10 (FR10) schedule of food presentation. The ability of (+/-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI), a 5-HT(2A) receptor agonist, and ketanserin, a 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonist, to either substitute for or block the discriminative-stimulus effects of cocaine, or to shift the cocaine dose-response curve, was evaluated. DOI (0.18-1.0 mg/kg) partially substituted for the training dose of 10 mg/kg cocaine, but only at doses that decreased rates of responding. At the highest dose of DOI tested (1.0 mg/kg), there was about 65% cocaine-appropriate responding. Substitution of DOI for cocaine and DOI-induced decreases in rates of responding were completely reversed by ketanserin (3.0 mg/kg). Ketanserin (3.0 mg/kg) also produced a significant shift to the right of the cocaine dose-response curve and antagonized increases in rates of responding produced by lower doses of cocaine. Ketanserin (1.0-10.0 mg/kg), however, did not block the discriminative-stimulus effects of the training dose of cocaine. When DOI (0.3 mg/kg) was co-administered with different doses of cocaine, there was a slight leftward shift in the cocaine dose-response curve, which was not significant and appeared to reflect simple additive effects of DOI and cocaine. In contrast, the same dose of DOI (0.3 mg/kg) produced a marked and highly significant shift to the left of the methamphetamine (0.18-1.0 mg/kg) dose-response curve in the same subjects and the effects of DOI and methamphetamine were clearly more than additive. The present findings provide new evidence that there is some serotonergic modulation of cocaine's discriminative-stimulus actions, which appears to involve stimulation of 5-HT(2A) receptors. However, involvement of 5-HT(2A) receptor activity in the discriminative-stimulus actions of cocaine appears to be less pronounced than in similar actions of methamphetamine.     

Effects of 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors on the modulation of nociceptive transmission in rat spinal cord according to the formalin test

We used the formalin test to clarify the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor subtypes involved in the modulation of spinal nociceptive transmission in rats. Intrathecal administration of a 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)-tetraline (8-OH-DPAT; 1, 10, and 30 microg), or a 5-HT1B receptor agonist, 1, 4-dihydro-3-(1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinyl)-5H-pyrrol (3, 2-b) pyridin-5-one (CP 93129; 1 and 10 microg), produced no significant change in the number of flinches. A 5-HT(2) receptor agonist, (+/-)-2, 5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI; 10, 30, and 100 microg), and a 5-HT3 receptor agonist, 2-methyl-5-HT (100 and 300 microg), produced dose-dependent decreases in the number of flinches in phases 1 (1 to 6 min) and 2 (10 to 61 min) of the test. The antinociceptive effects of DOI and 2-methyl-5-HT were antagonized by intrathecal pretreatment with a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, ketanserin, and a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, 3-tropanyl-3, 5-dichlorobenzoate (MDL-72222), respectively. These results suggest that 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors in the spinal cord mediate antinociception to chemical stimuli.     

5-Hydroxytryptamine and arachidonic acid metabolites modulate extensive platelet activation induced by collagen in cats in vivo.

1. The pathways contributing to the platelet adhesion/aggregation reaction elicited by collagen microfibrils, administered to cats in vivo, were analysed. 2. The intra-aortic infusion of collagen (100 micrograms kg-1 in 1 min) caused an extensive activation of platelets, as evidenced by the time-dependent drop of free platelet numbers in whole blood, and the increases of 5-hydroxyindoles (5-HI), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) levels in plasma, prepared from effluent venous blood sampled from the inferior caval vein. 3. 5-HT2 receptor blockade with ketanserin (0.63 mg kg-1 i.v., 10 min) and cyclo-oxygenase inhibition with aspirin (10 mg kg-1 i.v., 10 min) slightly attenuated the peak reduction of free platelets in whole blood in response to collagen without affecting changes in plasma 5-HI. Aspirin, but not ketanserin, reduced the collagen-induced changes in plasma TXB2, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and 6K-PGF1 alpha. 4. Dual TXA2 synthetase inhibition/TXA2-prostaglandin endoperoxide receptor antagonism with ridogrel (5 mg kg-1 i.v., 10 min) halved the drop in free platelets, reduced the release of platelet 5-HI, inhibited the increase in plasma TXB2 and elevated that of 6K-PGF1 alpha and PGE2 in response to collagen. 5. Combined treatment with ketanserin and aspirin reduced the collagen-induced drop of free platelets and the release of platelet 5-HI to a similar extent as ridogrel alone; plasma prostanoids were affected as with aspirin alone. 6. Combined administration of ketanserin and ridogrel virtually eliminated the collagen-induced platelet adhesion/aggregation response and release of 5-HI; prostanoids were affected as with ridogrel alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effect of ketanserin, a 5-HT2-receptor antagonist, on 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced irreversible platelet aggregation in patients with cardiovascular diseases

Platelet aggregation in response to 5-hydroxytryptamine was investigated in 40 normal subjects, in 45 patients with acute myocardial infarction, and in 65 patients with peripheral arterial obstructive disease. It was found that of the 110 patients with cardiovascular disease, 40% had a biphasic irreversible platelet aggregation, whereas this phenomenon occurred in only 7.5% of the normal population. A double-blind placebo-controlled study further showed that a subacute treatment with ketanserin, a selective 5-HT2-receptor antagonist both on platelets and on vascular tissue, efficiently abolished the irreversible platelet aggregation in patients hyperreactive to 5-hydroxytryptamine. In an additional open study, including 10 patients with peripheral arterial obstructive disease, a chronic treatment with ketanserin 40 mg t.i.d. for a period of 3 months significantly suppressed the primary platelet aggregation to 5-HT at 2 X 10(-5) M and at 2 X 10(-6) M and significantly lowered the plasma beta thromboglobulin levels. Since 5-HT is a potent mediator of vasospasm, treatment with ketanserin might be of therapeutic value in atherosclerotic diseases, where platelet activation is thought to be involved.     

Pharmacological characteristics and regulation of 5-HT receptor-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis in the rat spinal cord

In slices from immature rat spinal cord, both 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and the 5-HT2A/C receptor agonists (+/-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) and alpha-methyl-5-HT (alpha-Me-5-HT) stimulate phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis. PI breakdown is also increased by the 5-HT3 receptor agonist 2-Me-5-HT but not by phenylbiguanide. The effect of either 5-HT or DOI is blocked by selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonists such as spiperone and ketanserin and more markedly by mixed 5-HT2 receptor antagonists, such as ritanserin, methysergide and mesulergine, with higher affinity at the 2C subtype. The effect of 2-Me-5-HT is blocked by 5-HT2 and not by 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, indicating that 5-HT3 receptors do not directly or indirectly take part in PI hydrolysis in the spinal cord. Moreover, lesion with neonatal capsaicin of thin primary afferents to the dorsal spinal cord enhances inositol phosphate formation stimulated by 5-HT or DOI but not by 2-Me-5-HT. This lesion also increases 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptor density. After neonatal injection of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine, which results in a marked loss of 5-HT content in the cord, 5-HT and 5-HT2 receptor agonists also enhance PI breakdown without a concomitant change in receptor number. The results suggest that the 5-HT-stimulated PI response in the rat spinal cord is associated only with the 5-HT2 receptor class, in particular with the 5-HT2C subtype.     

5-HT1 and 5-HT2 binding properties of derivatives of the hallucinugen 1-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane (2,5-DMA)

The affinities of a series of 1-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane (2,5-DMA) derivatives, most of which are hallucinogenic in man, and several related agents were determined for rat cortical serotonin (5-HT) binding sites. Competition assays were performed in which these agents were competed for the 5-HT2 binding of [3H]ketanserin, or the 5-HT1 binding of [3H]LSD (in the presence of ketanserin). The R(-)-isomers of DOI, DOM and DON (i.e. the 4-iodo, -methyl and -nitro derivatives of 2,5-DMA) were found to be more potent than their racemates and demonstrated selectivity for 5-HT2 sites. These same agents in competing for [3H]ketanserin binding resulted in Hill coefficients significantly less than unity; computer-assisted analysis indicated a two-state model better fit the data. In the presence of 10(-4) M Gpp(NH)p the competition curve for R(-)-DOI produced a Hill coefficient close to unity. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that certain derivatives of 2,5-DMA, in particular R(-)-DOI, may be potent and selective agonists at 5-HT2 binding sites, sites that may constitute a serotonin receptor that is regulated by a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein. Conversely, the interactions of these agents at 5-HT1 sites was with a lower affinity and a lack of stereoselectivity. Although DOI and DOM are amongst the most potent of these agents as hallucinogens, it is still too premature to draw any conclusions regarding a possible relationship between 5-HT binding and hallucinogenic potency.     

Stimulation of 5-HT 1A receptors increases the seizure threshold for picrotoxin in mice

To evaluate the possible role of 5-HT 1A and 5-HT 2A receptors in the anticonvulsant effect of swim stress, mice were pre-treated with agonists and antagonists of these receptors prior to exposure to stress and the intravenous infusion of picrotoxin. 8-OH-DPAT ((+/-)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin) and WAY-100635 (a selective agonist and antagonist of 5-HT 1A receptors), DOI (1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane) and ketanserin (a 5-HT 2A/2C receptor agonist and antagonist) were used. Results demonstrated that 1 and 3 mg/kg of 8-OH-DPAT increased the doses of picrotoxin producing running/bouncing clonus, tonic hindlimb extension and death in stressed and unstressed mice, respectively. Pre-treatment with WAY (0.3 mg/kg) prevented the effect of 8-OH-DPAT (3 mg/kg). DOI (2.5 mg/kg) and ketanserin (1 mg/kg) failed to affect the seizure threshold for picrotoxin. The results show that stimulation of 5-HT 1A receptors exerts anticonvulsant actions in stressed and unstressed mice, while stimulation of 5-HT 2A/2C receptors does not interfere with the effect of stress on picrotoxin-induced convulsions.     

Effects of a new antihypertensive agent, SGB-1534, on rat platelet aggregation

The present study was designed to examine the antiplatelet activity of SGB-1534, 3-[2-[4-(o-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-2,4(1H, 3H)- quinazolinedione monohydrochloride, compared with prazosin, ketanserin and aspirin. The equihypotensive doses of SGB-1534, prazosin and ketanserin were administered orally to rats; and 1 hr later, their effects on collagen-induced platelet aggregation, compared with those of aspirin, were examined under ex vivo conditions. The bleeding time was determined by using the tail transection method. SGB-1534 (10 mg/kg) as well as ketanserin (3 and 10 mg/kg) and aspirin (10 mg/kg) effectively inhibited the platelet aggregation; and in addition, they significantly prolonged bleeding times. Prazosin in doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg did not affect either the aggregation or bleeding times. Whereas 10(-4) M aspirin significantly inhibited the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) in rat platelets, SGB-1534, prazosin and ketanserin even in considerably high concentrations (10(-4) or 10(-3) M) did not affect the MDA production and the cyclic AMP levels in the platelets. In isolated rat femoral arteries, SGB-1534, prazosin and ketanserin antagonized the contractile response to phenylephrine with pA2 values of approximately 10.06, 10.39 and 7.71, respectively. Also, SGB-1534 and ketanserin attenuated the contractile response to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) with pA2 values of 6.36 and 9.53, respectively, while prazosin had no antagonistic effects on 5-HT-induced contraction.     

In vivo modulation of nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) neurones by activation of 5-hydroxytryptamine(2) receptors in rats

In in vivo experiments, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and (+/-)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine HCl (DOI), a 5-HT(2) receptor agonist, were applied by ionophoresis to rat nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) neurones identified by their vagal and cardiopulmonary afferent inputs to test whether the response of NTS cells to 5-HT(2) receptor activation was related to whether they received mono- or polysynaptic vagal inputs and their presumed function as defined by their afferent input. Cells were classified on the basis of the variability of the latency of the vagal-evoked spikes: this varied by less than 3 ms for Group 1, from 3 to 5 ms for Group 2, and more than 5 ms for Group 3. Both 5-HT and DOI inhibited most Group 1 cells (16/18) and inactive (without ongoing activity) cells (8/13) in Group 2. Cells inhibited by DOI were also inhibited by cardiopulmonary afferent stimulation, evoked by atrial phenylbiguanide administration. By contrast, application of 5-HT and DOI excited the majority of Group 3 cells (14/19) and Group 2 with ongoing activity (7/9). Cells excited by DOI were also activated by cardiopulmonary stimulation. Both actions of DOI were reversed by application of ketanserin (n=15). In conclusion, these data demonstrate that activation of 5-HT(2) receptors in the NTS produces different effects dependent on whether the neurones received mono- or polysynaptic vagal input and their response to cardiopulmonary afferent stimulation.     

山莨菪碱对大鼠胸水中性白细胞花生四烯酸代谢的影响

本文研究了654-2对大鼠胸水中性白细胞代谢[1-¹⁴C]AA及内源性AA的影响。大鼠白细胞AA经5-LPO代谢途径形成的主要产物为LTB₄及5-HETE,经CO途径的主要产物为HHT及TXB₂。654-2对白细胞代谢[1-¹⁴C]AA无抑制作用,但显著减少白细胞从内源性AA形成的LTB₄,5-HETE,HHT及TXB₂。这种抑制作用与654-2呈剂量依赖关系。本实验结果表明,654-2抑制PG及LT的形成可能是影响了AA从胞膜的释放,而并非直接抑制CO及5-LPO。