Selective effects of thiol reagents on the binding sites for imipramine and neurotransmitter amines in the rat brain.

The action of the antithyroid drugs methimazole (MMI) and propylthiouracil (PTU) on the binding of [3H]-imipramine, [3H]-5-hydroxytryptamine [3H]-5-HT) (to 5-HT1-receptors) and [3H]-spiperone (to 5-HT2-, D2-receptors) of rat brain membranes has been examined. The synaptosomal uptake of [3H]-5-HT was also studied. Micromolar concentrations of the disulphide bond reducing agents MMI, PTU, dithiothreitol (DTT) and mercaptoethanol increased both the binding of [3H]-imipramine and the uptake of [3H]-5-HT. In contrast, they decreased the number of 5-HT1-receptors, and did not affect 5-HT2-and D2-sites. Reaction with membrane-bound sulphydryl (SH) groups by micromolar concentrations of N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), hydroxymercuribenzoic acid (PCMB), or Ellman's reagent (DTNB) decreased the binding of [3H]-imipramine, the number of 5-HT1-receptors, and the uptake of [3H]-5-HT. Millimolar concentrations of NEM were necessary in order to decrease partially 5-HT2- and D2-receptors. The effects of NEM on imipramine recognition sites and on the uptake of 5-HT could be prevented by DTT; protection was not obtained in other receptor systems. Three groups of receptors have been, thus, postulated, based upon their different sensitivity towards alterations in membrane [disulphide bridges in equilibrium SH] equilibrium: Group I, including imipramine recognition sites and the uptake system for 5-HT; Group II, including 5-HT1-receptors; Group III, including 5-HT2-and D2-receptors.     

3H]-imipramine binding sites in fawn-hooded rats

The existence of high-affinity [3H]-imipramine recognition sites was demonstrated in membranes prepared from the cerebral cortex, hypothalamus and platelets obtained from fawn-hooded rats. The Bmax and Kd values for [3H]-imipramine binding to cerebral cortical membranes were virtually identical to those obtained with cortical membrane preparations of Sprague-Dawley rats. An NBR strain of rats, genetically related to fawn-hooded rats, was found to have significantly higher levels of [3H]-imipramine binding sites in cerebral cortical membranes when compared to fawn-hooded and Sprague-Dawley rats. All four strains of rats examined possessed extremely high densities of [3H]-imipramine binding sites in a purified platelet membrane fraction. These results do not support the finding of others that the cerebral cortex and platelets of fawn-hooded rats are virtually devoid of [3H]-imipramine binding sites.     

Effect of ovariectomy and estrogen on [3H]imipramine binding to different regions of rat brain

In rats, 35 days after ovariectomy, the number of [3H]imipramine binding sites increased more than 200% in striatum, hippocampus and hypothalamus but it did not change in cerebral cortex and brain-stem. Estradiol-17 beta acting in vitro inhibited [3H]imipramine binding in control membranes of striatum, hippocampus and hypothalamus, but not in the same regions from ovariectomized rats.     

Down regulation of dihydroalprenolol and imipramine binding sites in brain of rats repeatedly treated with imipramine

In rats receiving repeated injections of imipramine, there is a reduction in the number of high affinity binding sites for [3H]imipramine and [3H]dihydroalprenolol present in crude synaptic membrane preparations from various brain structures. The location of the sites that become subsensitive to the two ligands did not coincide; the binding sites to [3H]imipramine became subsensitive in the hippocampus but not in cortex or cerebellum. In contrast the binding sites to [3H]dihydroalprenolol became subsensitive in cortex and cerebellum but not in hippocampus. It can be suggested that in rats repeatedly treated with imipramine the down regulation of beta-adrenergic receptors may not coincide with the down regulation of the high affinity binding sites for imipramine. Such a dissociation is supported further by experiments with rats treated with iprinidol.     

Changes in the rat brain 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptors after chronic administration of levoprotiline, (+)-oxaprotiline and other antidepressant drugs.

The effects of levoprotiline (LEV), a (-)-enantiomer of oxaprotiline (OXA) and a clinically effective antidepressant, on the binding parameters of hippocampal 5-HT1A and cortical 5-HT2 receptors of rats were compared with those of (+)-enantiomer of OXA ((+)-OXA), imipramine and mianserin. Both LEV and (+)-OXA displayed in vitro some affinity for 5-HT1A receptors labelled with [3H]-8-OH-DPAT, and for 5-HT2 receptors labelled with [3H]-ketanserin. Repeated administration of LEV, for 14 days led to a marked increase in the number of 5-HT1A binding sites in the rat hippocampus, with no change in the KD values. (+)-OXA, imipramine and mianserin produced similar effects on 5-HT1A binding parameters. The number of 5-HT2 receptors was increased after two weeks of LEV administration, not altered after (+)-OXA, and decreased after imipramine or mianserin. The number of [3H]-ketanserin binding sites was decreased after four weeks of (+)-OXA administration, but not altered after LEV. The specific binding of [3H]-ketanserin in the rat cerebral cortex was decreased after repeated treatment with LEV and (+)-OXA (ex vivo). In competition studies the affinity of serotonin for [3H]-ketanserin binding sites was decreased in LEV- and increased in (+)-OXA-treated rats. The results suggest that LEV similarly to other antidepressants increases the number of 5-HT1A receptors, however without common alteration in 5-HT2 receptor number and function.     

Examination of the relationship between the uptake site for 5-hydroxytryptamine and the high affinity binding site for [3H]imipramine. II. The role of sodium ions

Exogenous sodium ions stimulated both the high affinity binding of [3H]5-imipramine to membranes from the cortex of the rat and the high affinity accumulation of [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) into synaptosomes from the cortex of the rat with similar potencies. Imipramine and zimelidine inhibited synaptosomal uptake of [3H]5-HT potently in standard Tris-Krebs medium, but in a low-sodium medium their inhibitory potencies were significantly attenuated. The inhibitory potencies of panuramine and exogenous 5-HT on the uptake of [3H]5-HT were not significantly affected whether the uptake was measured in a normal or low-sodium Tris-Krebs. Imipramine and zimelidine were potent blockers of high affinity binding of [3H]imipramine whereas panuramine and 5-HT only inhibited the binding of [3H]imipramine at concentrations in excess of those required to inhibit the uptake of [3H]5-HT. It is suggested that imipramine inhibits the uptake of 5-HT by a sodium-dependent action probably at the high affinity binding site for [3H]imipramine, whereas panuramine and 5-HT inhibit the uptake of 5-HT by a sodium-independent mechanism at a site other than the binding site for [3H]imipramine.     

Repeated electroconvulsive shock does not change [3H]-paroxetine binding to the 5-HT uptake site in rat cortical membranes

The effects of repeated electroconvulsive shock on the 5-HT uptake site were studied in rat cortex using [3H]-paroxetine binding. This ligand was used because it is thought to directly label the 5-HT uptake site, whereas [3H]-imipramine may bind to a presynaptic recognition site different from the uptake site. No changes were found in the maximum number of [3H]-paroxetine binding sites and equilibrium dissociation constant after repeated electroconvulsive shock, whereas a parallel investigation of -adrenoceptor binding showed the expected decrease in receptor number.     

Effect of nifedipine on the shuttlebox escape deficit induced by inescapable shock in the rat

The behavioural effect of subchronic treatment with calcium channel antagonists (nifedipine, verapamil) and with imipramine was assessed in rats subjected to inescapable shock (IS). The effect of subchronic treatment with nifedipine and imipramine on specific [3H]nitrendipine ([3H]NDP) binding was investigated in frontal cortex of naive rats and in rats given IS then tested for shuttlebox escape. The rats showed a severe impairment in escape behaviour after IS. Imipramine and nifedipine significantly reduced FR1 and FR2 escape deficits. Verapamil had no effect. A small but significant increase in the number of [3H]NDP binding sites (Bmax) was seen in rats exposed to the shuttlebox escape test independent of a previous exposure to IS. Imipramine had no influence on Bmax in any of the groups. Nifedipine did not affect [3H]NDP binding in naive rats but decreased Bmax in rats subjected to IS and the shuttlebox escape test. The comparable ability of nifedipine and imipramine to reverse the shuttlebox escape deficit induced by IS argues for a possible antidepressant activity of nifedipine. The biochemical data indicate that cortical [3H]NDP binding sites are not correlated to performance in the shuttlebox escape test.     

3H]imipramine binding in subcellular fractions of rat cerebral cortex after chemical lesion of serotonergic neurons

The specific high affinity binding of [3H]imipramine was investigated in subcellular fractions of rat cerebral cortex before and after chemical denervation of serotonergic neurons. In control animals the proportion of the total number of [3H]imipramine binding sites in the nuclear (N), heavy mitochondrial (M), light mitochondrial (L) and microsomal (P) fractions corresponded respectively to 3, 45, 16 and 36% of the total number of binding sites. After chemical lesion of serotonergic neurons with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) the density of [3H]imipramine binding sites in fractions M and L was decreased by 42 and 52% respectively. In these experiments the uptake of [3H]5-HT in fractions M and L decreased by approximately 80%. The Bmax of [3H]imipramine binding in fraction P was decreased by 80% after chemical denervation with 5,7-DHT. In the control group there was no detectable [3H]5-HT uptake while the endogenous serotonin levels in fraction P were rather low. Our results support the view that the high affinity binding of [3H]imipramine is partly located on serotonergic nerve terminals. The significance of the [3H]imipramine binding sites present in the microsomal (P) fraction remains to be clarified.     

Human platelet imipramine recognition sites: Biochemical and pharmacological characterization

The influence of the membrane environment on the integrity of the human platelet [³H]-imipramine recognition site was examined. When platelet membranes were isolated in a buffer containing enzyme inhibitors (EDTA, EGTA and antiproteases) a significantly greater number of high affinity [³H]-imipramine binding sites was observed. A calcium-stimulated degradation of imipramine sites was also demonstrated. This degradation occurred in vitro over physiologically relevant time periods. Furthermore, inactivation of imipramine binding was achieved by very low concentrations (1C₅₀=5 μg/ml) of phospholipase A₂. Specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors were potent displacers of [³H]-imipraminebinding; histamine (H₁), alpha-adrenergic (α₁),, and muscarinic agents were much less active. The receptor was shown to be proteinaceous in nature due to its sensitivity to proteases, heat denaturation and chemical modification with N-ethylmaleimide. From these results it is proposed that membrane lipid perturbations, catalyzed by calcium, may control expression of platelet [³H]-imipramine sites. The relation of this recognition site to aminergic systems and the possible relevancy to the action of antidepressants are addressed.     

Regional distribution of imipramine, desipramine and specific [3H]desipramine binding sites in the rat brain after acute and chronic treatment with imipramine.

Regional distribution of imipramine, desipramine and specific [3H]desipramine binding sites in the rat brain after acute and chronic treatment of rats with imipramine has been investigated. Both substances were distributed unevenly within rat brain after single and prolonged administration of imipramine. This was partly connected with the regional cerebral blood flow, lipid content in the regions and lipophilicity of the substances investigated. It was also found that the number of specific [3H]desipramine binding sites was different in the various brain areas, and that prolonged administration of imipramine led to a decrease of their number in some of those regions. No correlation was found between the regional cerebral distribution of desipramine and the regional density of specific [3H]desipramine binding sites.     

Long-term diazepam treatment produces changes in cholecystokinin receptor binding in rat brain

This study examined the effect of chronic diazepam administration on central benzodiazepine and CCK-8 receptor binding in rat brain. After a two-week treatment with diazepam (5 mg/kg per day) tolerance developed towards the sedative but not towards the anxiolytic action of this drug as determined using elevated plus-maze and open field tests. The % entries the rats made onto open arms and % time the rats spent in open arms were markedly decreased 24 h after the last dose of diazepam, probably indicating withdrawal anxiety. There were no changes in [3H]flunitrazepam binding either 30 min or 24 h after the last diazepam dose. However, 30 min after the last diazepam administration the apparent number of sulphated [3H]CCK-8 binding sites was significantly increased in the primary olfactory cortex. Acute diazepam treatment (5 mg/kg) had no influence on [3H]flunitrazepam or sulphated [3H]CCK-8 binding in any brain region studied. Cessation of chronic diazepam treatment was followed after 24 h by an increase in the number of CCK-8 receptors in frontal cortex and hippocampus as compared to the vehicle group. These results demonstrate that certain alterations in CCK-8 receptor characteristics may be important in the anti-anxiety effect, tolerance, and withdrawal reaction reaction after benzodiazepine administration.     

Time and brain region specific up-regulation of low affinity neuronal nicotinic receptors during chronic nicotine administration in mice

We studied the effects of chronic oral nicotine on brain low affinity nicotine binding sites. Mice received nicotine in the drinking water for 4 or 7 weeks. Receptor binding was measured at 24 or 48 h after cessation of nicotine administration with [3H]methyllycaconitine, an antagonist in alpha7 and alpha3/alpha6beta2beta3* nicotinic receptors in striatum, midbrain, hippocampus and cortex. Chronic nicotine for 4 weeks resulted in a significant increase in the [3H]methyllycaconitine binding in the striatum and cortex, whereas after 7 weeks the increase in binding could be found in the hippocampus but not in the other brain areas studied. For comparison, high affinity nicotine binding sites (mostly alpha4beta2) were measured with [3H]epibatidine after 7-week chronic nicotine treatment. [3H]Epibatidine binding sites were increased in the hippocampus, midbrain and cortex, but not in the striatum. The up-regulation of [3H]methyllycaconitine binding was significant at 24 h but that of [3H]epibatidine binding sites was not observed until at 48 h after cessation of chronic nicotine. These results suggest that up-regulation of low affinity nicotine binding sites does occur during chronic nicotine administration. Furthermore, the low affinity and high affinity binding differ clearly as regards regions and duration suggesting that different nicotinic receptors respond differently to nicotine administration.     

In vivo action of phosphatidylserine, amitriptyline and stress on the binding of [3H]imipramine to membranes of the rat cerebral cortex

Liposomes of bovine brain phosphatidylserine and of phosphatidylcholine were prepared and injected i.p. into rats for 5 days. Another group received i.p. injections of amitriptyline in addition to phosphatidylserine. Subgroups of control and phosphatidylserine-injected rats were submitted to an acute swimming stress for 15 min. The number of [3H]imipramine binding sites in the phosphatidylserine-injected rats, decreased 23% whereas there was no change in the phosphatidylcholine-injected rats. The combination of amitriptyline and phosphatidylserine produced a more marked reduction in [3H]imipramine binding (-47%). Control rats undergoing acute stress showed a 30% decrease in [3H]imipramine binding whereas the stress did not significantly change the control values of the phosphatidylserine-treated animals. These findings are discussed in relation to the known action of phosphatidylserine on several neurotransmitter systems and on the potentiation of antidepressant effects.     

[3H]Imipramine binding in type I and type II alcoholism

Platelet [³H]-imipramine binding was measured in 29 male alcohol dependents (DSM III-R) serially over 14 days of withdrawal. 29 male abstainers and 20 healthy volunteers. [³H]-Imipramine binding was significantly greater in alcohol dependents and abstainers when compared with controls. On further grouping, type II alcoholism was specifically associated with the raised imipramine binding and this occurred irrespective of the duration or severity of drinking or the length of abstinence. The result indicates that platelet [³H]-imipramine binding could be a biological marker of type II alcoholism.     

Binding of [3H]Ro 11-2465. Possible identification of a subclass of [3H]imipramine binding sites

Ro 11-2465 is a cyanide derivative of imipramine. In cerebral cortex homogenates, [3H] Ro 11-2465 displays a binding profile similar to that of [3H]imipramine. Agents compete with binding of [3H]Ro 11-2465 in an order of potency similar to their ability to block serotonin uptake, and raphe lesions greatly decrease the binding of [3H]Ro 11-2465. These observations suggest that the sites labeled by [3H]Ro 11-2465 are presynaptic. The binding of [3H]Ro 11-2465 is sodium ion-dependent, as are both the binding of [3H] imipramine and the serotonin uptake mechanism. In the presence of sodium ions, binding of [3H]Ro 11-2465 to brain tissue or platelets at 4 degrees is apparently irreversible. Binding is not displaced by high concentrations of the displacing agent desipramine or by repeated washing. However, by either removing sodium or increasing the assay temperature to 23 degrees, the ligand dissociates from the tissue. In tissue where [3H]Ro 11-2465 is irreversibly bound to receptor at 4 degrees, subsequent [3H]imipramine binding is decreased by about 50%. At temperatures greater than 23 degrees, [3H]Ro 11-2465 binding displays a temperature dependency similar to that of [3H]imipramine; that is, when temperatures are raised from 23 degrees to 30 degrees or 37 degrees there is no change in the Bmax, but the affinity of the ligand for the receptor is decreased. These data suggest that [3H]Ro 11-2465 binds to a discrete population of [3H]imipramine binding sites, comprising about one-half of the total [3H] imipramine binding sites.     

Gonadotropin- and estrogen-induced increase of peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding sites in the hypophyseal-genital axis of rats

Peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding sites (PBS) were demonstrated in the cell membranes of various organs (ovary, uterus, oviduct, pituitary and kidney) of mature and immature female rats by using the PBS-specific ligand [3H]PK 11195. The equilibrium dissociation constants of [3H]PK 11195 for PBS in mature rats ranged from 3 to 4 nM. The specific binding of [3H]PK 11195 (2 nM) in the hypophyseal-genital axis of immature (19-27 days old) female rats was found to be significantly increased in the ovary and uterus, concurrently with the increase in age. Administration of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin or diethylstilbestrol to immature rats increased the density of PBS in the ovary and uterus 2- to 3-fold but no change was found in the kidney. The affinity of [3H]PK 11195 to these tissues did not change following hormonal treatment. These results suggest that gonadotropin and estrogen are involved in the induction of PBS in the organs of the hypophyseal-genital axis in female rats.     

Strain differences in changes in some parameters of cerebral cortical adrenergic system following chronic imipramine administration to rats.

The characteristics of [3H]prazosin binding sites in the membranes from cerebral cortex, the basal level of formation of cyclic AMP in cortical slices, and the responsiveness of the cyclic AMP generating system to noradrenaline and isoproterenol in this preparation were measured in Long-Evans, Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats treated chronically with saline or imipramine. No differences between strains and treatments were observed regarding the Bmax and KD of [3H]prazosin binding sites. The basal levels of cyclic AMP formation were similar in control rats of all strains, but imipramine treatment augmented it significantly in Sprague-Dawley rats. The responses of the cyclic AMP generating system to noradrenaline were significantly lower in Long-Evans than in the remaining strains of rats. Only in Sprague-Dawley rats a significant downregulation of response to noradrenaline was observed after imipramine treatment. All three strains of rats differed significantly among themselves in their responsiveness to isoproterenol; only in Sprague-Dawley rats this response was down-regulated significantly (by 80%) by imipramine treatment.     

Binding of H3-imipramine, H3-dimetacrine and S35-chlorpromazine to synaptosomes

Binding of H3-imipramine, H3-dimetacrine and S35-chlorpromazine to synaptosomes of rat cerebral cortex was studied using a centrifugation method, and kinetic analysis of the experimental data. Three psychotropic drugs were shown to be rapidly bound to synaptosomes at 2 degrees C, representing a typical binding mode with two classes of binding components, i.e., saturable and non-saturable binding. A double reciprocal plot of the saturable binding component of these drugs revealed that H3-dimetacrine and S35-chlorpromazine represented a single binding mode, whereas H3-imipramine showed a multiple one. When the synaptosomes were treated by freezing and thawing 15 times, a high affinity binding component of H3-imipramine was not observed, while the other two drugs showed a single binding mode as well as those of the undisrupted synaptosomes. To investigate the specificity of this multiple binding mode, comparative binding studies of H3-imipramine were carried out using myelin fragments of rat cerebral cortex. In the myelin fragments preparation, two typical classes of binding mode as shown in the synaptosomes were also recognized. However, a double reciprocal plot of the saturable binding component showed only a straight line, i.e., single binding mode. These findings suggest that imipramine has multiple binding sites to synaptosomes and a high affinity binding component is affected by freezing and thawing procedure.     

Kinetic properties of [3H]2-nitroimipramine binding to human platelets

2-Nitroimipramine has previously been reported to be a slowly dissociating ligand at [3H]imipramine binding sites in rat brain. This binding site has been tentatively identified as the recognition site for the serotonin transport mechanism. Since we have previously solubilized imipramine binding sites from platelets, the slowly dissociating nature of this compound was of interest in the continuance of our molecular characterisation studies. Association of [3H]2-nitroimipramine to human platelets was complete within 2 h and saturation analyses implied that the affinity of this ligand was similar to that of [3H]imipramine. Moreover, the ligand binding was inhibited by non-radioactive compounds in a manner consistent with reversible, competitive kinetics. However the dissociation rate, after only 20 min association, was slow (t1/2 = 8.3 h) as compared with [3H]imipramine. After prolonged incubation with membranes (16-20 h) the dissociation rate for [3H]imipramine was essentially unaltered whereas that for [3H]2-nitroimipramine decreased approximately three fold. I conclude that [3H]2-nitroimipramine gradually becomes more slowly reversible upon prolonged incubation, but following short incubation periods it behaves essentially like [3H]imipramine.