Serotonergic prejunctional inhibition of canine coronary adrenergic nerves

The actions of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on the response of isolated canine coronary arteries to adrenergic nerve stimulation and norepinephrine were studied. 5-HT inhibited the beta adrenergic relaxation of left circumflex coronary rings in response to transmural electrical stimulation. The sensitivity to exogenously added norepinephrine was unaffected, suggesting that the effect on the response to electrical stimulation is prejunctional. Inhibition of norepinephrine release by 5-HT was confirmed in strips of coronary artery preincubated in [3H]norepinephrine. Serotonergic antagonists were tested for their ability to block the prejunctional inhibition by 5-HT, as well as their effects on the response of the coronary artery to electrical stimulation and norepinephrine. The nonselective serotonergic antagonists, methiothepin and metergoline, but not the selective 5-HT2 antagonists, ketanserin and LY 53857, prevented the inhibition by 5-HT of the response to electrical stimulation and of the stimulated overflow of [3H]norepinephrine. All of the serotonergic antagonists studied had additional effects on the response of the coronary artery to electrical stimulation or to norepinephrine. However, the alpha adrenergic antagonist, phentolamine, had additional effects similar to the serotonergic antagonists, but did not antagonize prejunctional inhibition caused by 5-HT. Furthermore, methiothepin did not block prejunctional inhibition caused by acetylcholine, suggesting the specificity of the nonselective serotonergic antagonists. Because the prejunctional inhibition by 5-HT was unaffected by neuronal uptake blockade with cocaine, these results suggest specific, non-5-HT2 serotonergic receptors on coronary adrenergic nerves which, when activated, inhibit the stimulated release of norepinephrine.     

Prejunctional inhibitory effect of a dopamine D-2 agonist, N-0437, on vascular adrenergic responses

N-0437 [2-(N-propyl-N-2-thienylethylamino)-5-hydroxytetralin], a potent and selective agonist for D-2 dopamine receptors, was used to investigate inhibitory prejunctional dopamine receptors in the rat tail artery and rabbit ear artery. N-0437 inhibited contractile responses to transmural nerve stimulation in a frequency dependent manner. Thus, N-0437 profoundly inhibited responses to nerve stimulation in the rat tail artery at a frequency of 1 Hz (ED50 = 1.6 nM), but had minimal effects when nerves were stimulated at 6 Hz. The D-1/D-2 dopamine agonist, apomorphine, exhibited a similar frequency dependent inhibitory effect but with less potency (ED50 = 30 nM at 1 Hz). In concentrations up to 1 microM, N-0437 had no effect on responses to exogenously applied norepinephrine, but N-0437 inhibited [3H] norepinephrine efflux induced by transmural stimulation. Inhibitory effects of N-0437 were blocked by the D-2 antagonist sulpiride but not by the D-1 antagonist SCH 23390. Furthermore, the selective D-1 agonist SKF 38393 did not inhibit vascular responses to adrenergic nerve stimulation. These data indicate that the inhibitory effects of N-0437 are via activation of D-2 dopamine receptors that inhibit norepinephrine release. Thus, N-0437 shows potency and selectivity of action for prejunctional D-2 dopamine receptors in vascular tissues. The frequency dependence of the actions of N-0437 suggest that the level of sympathetic activity is an important variable in determining effectiveness of prejunctional modulation.     

Accumulation and release of [3H]-5-hydroxytryptamine in saphenous veins and cerebral arteries of the dog

Experiments were performed to examine whether isolated canine blood vessels have the ability to accumulate [3H]-5-hydroxytryptamine ([3H]-5-HT) and if so, whether the 3H-amine can be released from the tissues by stimuli known to evoke release of norepinephrine. Helical strips of saphenous veins and cerebral arteries obtained from dogs were incubated with [3H]-5-HT and mounted for superfusion. Both blood vessels take up [3H]-5-HT in a concentration-dependent manner; this accumulation is markedly reduced in veins and arteries denervated with 6-hydroxydopamine and in veins pretreated with cocaine. In saphenous veins and cerebral arteries labeled with [3H]-5-HT, a basal efflux of 3H, consisting mainly of [3H]-5-hydroxyindole-acetic acid, was observed. Electrical stimulation of the preparations evoked a frequency-dependent overflow of tritium due in part to an overflow of intact [3H]-5-HT. This stimulation-induced 3H-overflow was inhibited by tetrodotoxin and was nearly absent in denervated tissues and in veins pretreated with cocaine. In saphenous veins the overflow of 3H evoked by electrical stimulation was markedly augmented by phentolamine but not influenced by methiothepin. In the veins, both K+ and tyramine caused an overflow of [3H]-5-HT which was absent after denervation or after pretreatment of the preparations with cocaine. Our results show that the major part of the [3H]-5-HT which is taken up by the isolated blood vessels accumulates in the adrenergic nerves and that the indoleamine can be released from these nerves as a "false" transmitter, together with norepinephrine.     

Vasoconstrictor response induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine released from vascular adrenergic nerves by periarterial nerve stimulation

The vasoconstrictor response to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) released from vascular adrenergic nerves by periarterial nerve stimulation (PNS) was studied in the perfused mesenteric vascular bed isolated from the rat. PNS was delivered at 4 to 16 Hz, 2 msec in pulse duration for 30 sec. After treatment with 5-HT (1 and 10 microM) for 20 min, the pressor response to PNS, previously decreased by 80 to 90% with phentolamine (0.1 microM), was greatly potentiated and a frequency-dependent pressor response to PNS reappeared. However, the 5-HT treatment did not alter the pressor response to infusion of exogenous norepinephrine (0.5 and 1 nmol) previously decreased by phentolamine. This potentiation did not occur in the presence of methysergide (0.1 microM), ketanserin (0.1 microM), tetrodotoxin (0.1 microM), guanethidine (5 microM) or in Ca++-free Krebs' solution. Also, in the preparation treated with 6-hydroxydopamine, 5-HT treatment had no effect on the abolished PNS response. Either cocaine (10 microM) or fluoxetine (10 microM) but not corticosterone (10 microM) prevented the potentiation when perfused together with 5-HT. In the mesenteric vascular bed prelabeled with [3H]-5-HT, PNS evoked a frequency-dependent increase of tritium efflux, which was abolished by treatment with tetrodotoxin guanethidine or 6-hydroxydopamine and in Ca++-free Krebs' solution. These results suggest that 5-HT is taken up by vascular adrenergic nerve endings in vitro and it is released by nerve stimulation, resulting in vasoconstriction. It is also suggested that 5-HT may contribute to the maintenance of local vascular tone through this mechanism in vivo.     

Interaction of the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline with prejunctional alpha and muscarinic receptors in the dog saphenous vein

Amitriptyline can cause tachycardia and arrhythmia associated with an excessive release of cardiac catecholamines. We have investigated its effects on norepinephrine release from adrenergic nerves by using the dog saphenous vein as a model of the sympathetic neuroeffector junction. Isolated strips of vein were mounted for isometric tension recording or incubated with [3H]norepinephrine and mounted for superfusion, tension recording and the superfusate. Amitriptyline (10(-6); 5 x 10(-6) M) increased the overflow of [3H]norepinephrine but decreased that of [3,4-3H]dihydroxyphenylglycol from electrically stimulated strips. The selective decreased in the overflow of this metabolite indicates that amitriptyline inhibits neuronal uptake. However, the increased overflow of [3H]norepinephrine caused by amitriptyline also occurred when neuronal uptake was blocked by cocaine (3 x 10(-5) M) but was abolished when prejunctional alpha receptors were blockade by phentolamine (10(-5) M). Amitriptyline attenuated the prejunctional inhibitory action of exogenous norepinephrine, this indicates that the drug interacts with prejunctional alpha receptors. Amitriptyline also antagonized the prejunctional inhibitory action of acetylcholine, both in the absence and presence of cocaine and phentolamine. These effects were not due to a nonspecific action of the drug as it did not reduce the prejunctional inhibitory effect of histamine. Thus, amitriptyline can increase the concentration of norepinephrine at the neuroeffector junction by blockade of neuronal uptake and by interacting with prejunctional alpha and muscarinic receptors. Since the cardiac adrenergic nerves also possess these receptors, the results could help to explain the cardiotoxic effects of the drug.     

Interaction between neuronal uptake inhibitors and presynaptic serotonin autoreceptors in rat hypothalamic slices: comparison of K+ and electrical depolarization

In rat hypothalamic slices prelabeled with [3H]-5-hydroxytryptamine ([3H]-5-HT), exposure to the 5-HT receptor agonist lysergic acid diethylamide (0.1-1 microM) or 5-methoxytryptamine (0.1-10 microM) decreased in a concentration-dependent manner the release of 3H-transmitter elicited by high K+ or electrical stimulation. Exposure to the 5-HT autoreceptor antagonist methiothepin (0.1-1 microM) increased in a concentration-dependent manner the K+ stimulation-evoked overflow of [3H]-5-HT and a similar increase was observed under conditions of electrical stimulation. In contrast, exposure to the nontricyclic 5-HT uptake inhibitor citalopram (0.1-1 microM) did not modify by itself the electrically evoked overflow of [3H]-5-HT, but increased in a concentration-dependent manner the release of 3H-transmitter elicited by K+ stimulation. This effect of citalopram on transmitter release was potentiated when the endogenous stores of 5-HT were depleted by pretreatment with para-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester (300 mg/kg i.p.). Citalopram was shown previously to antagonize the inhibition by lysergic acid diethylamide of the electrically evoked release of [3H]-5-HT in rat hypothalamic slices. Yet, this inhibitor of neuronal uptake of 5-HT did not antagonize the effects of lysergic acid diethylamide when the release of [3H]-5-HT was evoked by K+ depolarization. Electrical stimulation represents a more physiological experimental model for transmitter release than exposure to high K+, and therefore the interaction between 5-HT uptake blockade and presynaptic inhibitory 5-HT autoreceptors, observed in the hypothalamus with electrical stimulation but not with K+ depolarization, remains of biological relevance.     

Inhibition of adrenergic neurotransmission in canine tibial artery after exposure to 5-hydroxytryptamine in vitro

Blood vessels may be exposed to 5-hydroxytryptamine when platelets aggregate and release vasoactive substances at sites of damage or disease. The functional consequences were studied of exposing the dog tibial artery for 2 hr to 5-hydroxytryptamine (10(-6) M) in vitro. During the exposure, unmetabolized 5-hydroxytryptamine was accumulated by the cocaine-sensitive amine uptake mechanism of tibial artery adrenergic nerves. After exposure to [3H]-5-hydroxytryptamine, transmural electrical stimulation caused the release of the tritiated indoleamine which was blocked by tetrodotoxin. After a 1-hr washout of rings of tibial artery exposed previously to 5-hydroxytryptamine, contractions in response to transmural electrical stimulation were depressed, whereas the response to exogenously added norepinephrine was unaffected. That the decreased response to electrical stimulation after exposure to 5-hydroxytryptamine was due to decreased release of norepinephrine from adrenergic nerves was demonstrated in strips of the artery preincubated in [3H]norepinephrine. The inhibition of [3H]norepinephrine release after exposure to 5-hydroxytryptamine, was blocked by the serotonergic antagonist, methiothepin, but not by the alpha adrenergic antagonist, phentolamine, suggesting that serotonergic receptors mediate the inhibition. The inhibition of [3H]norepinephrine release also was prevented by blocking adrenergic neuronal uptake with cocaine before exposure to 5-hydroxytryptamine. These results suggest that 5-hydroxytryptamine is accumulated and released by tibial artery adrenergic nerves as a cotransmitter. In so doing, the indoleamine inhibits adrenergic neurotransmission in the tibial artery by its action at prejunctional serotonergic receptors.     

Role of renal sympathetic nerves in regulating renovascular responses to angiotensin II in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that renal sympathetic nerves modulate angiotensin II-induced renal vasoconstriction in kidneys from genetically hypertensive rats via Y1 receptors activating the Gi pathway. In isolated, perfused kidneys from spontaneously hypertensive rats, the naturally occurring renal sympathetic cotransmitter neuropeptide Y at 6 nM enhanced angiotensin II (0.3 nM)-induced changes in perfusion pressure by 47 +/- 7 mm Hg, and this effect was inhibited by BIBP3226 [N2-(diphenylacetyl)-N-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)-methyl]-D-arginine amide)], a selective Y1 receptor antagonist (1 microM). We next examined whether periarterial nerve stimulation (5 Hz) enhances renal vascular responses to a physiological level of angiotensin II (100 pM). Kidneys were pretreated with prazosin (a selective alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist) to block nerve stimulation-induced changes in perfusion pressure. In kidneys from spontaneously hypertensive rats, but not normotensive rats, periarterial nerve stimulation significantly augmented angiotensin II-induced changes in perfusion pressure (177 +/- 26% of response in absence of stimulation). BIBP3226, but not rauwolscine (a selective alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist), abolished periarterial nerve stimulation-induced enhancement of angiotensin II-mediated renal vasoconstriction. Pretreatment of hypertensive animals with pertussis toxin 3 days prior to kidney perfusion significantly (p < 0.000001) decreased mean blood pressure (203 +/- 2 versus 145 +/- 6 mm Hg in nonpretreated versus pertussis toxin-pretreated spontaneously hypertensive rats) and abolished periarterial nerve stimulation-induced enhancement of angiotensin II-mediated renal vasoconstriction. We conclude that, in spontaneously hypertensive rats but not normotensive rats, sympathetic nerve stimulation enhances renal vascular responses to physiological levels of angiotensin II via a mechanism mainly involving Y1 receptors coupled to Gi proteins.     

Evidence for enhanced inhibitory modulation by cyclooxygenase products of noradrenergic neurotransmission in the mesenteric vasculature of young spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The effects of cyclooxygenase inhibition by indomethacin and meclofenamate on pre- and postjunctional aspects of noradrenergic neurotransmission were determined in mesenteric vascular preparations from 4- to 6-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKYs). Perfusion pressure responses to periarterial nerve stimulation and to exogenous norepinephrine (NE) were significantly greater in SHR than in WKY preparations, whereas fractional NE overflow was equivalent between the two strains. Indomethacin and meclofenamate enhanced perfusion pressure responses to periarterial nerve stimulation in both strains. Fractional NE overflow was significantly enhanced by indomethacin but only at 14 Hz in SHR preparations, whereas it was unaffected in WKY preparations. The combination of indomethacin and cocaine resulted in a significant enhancement of perfusion pressure responses to periarterial nerve stimulation in both strains that was significantly greater than that produced by either drug alone. This effect was significantly greater in SHR than in WKY preparations. This combination also resulted in a significant enhancement of responses to exogenous NE in both strains. Fractional NE overflow was significantly increased in SHR preparations in the presence of the combination of cocaine and indomethacin, whereas it remained unaltered in WKY preparations. These findings suggest that a cyclooxygenase product exerts both pre- and postjunctional inhibitory effects on vascular noradrenergic neurotransmission that differ in these two strains of rats. The prejunctional inhibitory effect of this cyclooxygenase product was observed only in SHR preparations and was especially evident in the presence of cocaine.     

Inhibition of [3H] γ-aminobutyric acid release from guinea-pig hippocampal synaptosomes by serotonergic agents

We studied the effects of (m-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)piperazine (TFMPP) and quipazine on the K(+)-evoked [3H]GABA release from guinea-pig hippocampal synaptosomes loaded with [3H]GABA.TFMPP and quipazine inhibited the K(+)-evoked release of [3H]GABA dose-dependently (IC50 = 153 and 123 microM, respectively). Serotonergic antagonists such as methiothepin (0.1, 0.3 and 1 microM), ketanserin (0.1, 0.3 and 1 microM), dihydroergotamine (0.1 microM), metergoline (0.1 and 0.3 microM), methysergide (0.3 microM), propranolol (1 microM) and yohimbine (1 microM) did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of TFMPP on [3H]GABA release suggesting that neither 5-HT1 nor 5-HT2 receptors are involved in this process. By contrast, the effect of TFMPP was diminished by selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist: MDL 72222 (0.3 microM), tropisetron (0.3 and 1 microM), ondansetron (0.3 microM) and metoclopramide (1 microM). Tropisetron (1 microM) and ondansetron (0.3 microM) also inhibited significantly the quipazine effect whereas methiothepin (1 microM), dihydroergotamine (0.1 microM), yohimbine (1 microM) and ketanserin (1 microM) were ineffective on the quipazine inhibition of [3H]GABA release. Our results show a serotonergic modulatory effect on the K(+)-evoked [3H]GABA release from guinea-pig hippocampal synaptosomes by receptors which are neither 5-HT1, 5-HT2 or 5-HT4. They appear to be pharmacologically related to the 5-HT3 type but different from the 5-HT3 ionic channel receptors.     

Differential inhibition of the prejunctional actions of angiotensin II in rat atria by valsartan, irbesartan, eprosartan, and losartan

The effects of valsartan and other nonpeptide angiotensin II type 1 (AT(1)) receptor blockers on the prejunctional actions of angiotensin II were investigated in the isolated left atria of rat. Norepinephrine stores in rat atria were loaded with [(3)H]norepinephrine, and neuronal norepinephrine release was deduced from the radioactivity efflux. Angiotensin II (10(-9) to 10(-6) M) produced concentration-dependent enhancement of the electrical stimulation-induced efflux of [(3)H]norepinephrine from the preparation. Pretreatment of tissues with valsartan, irbesartan, eprosartan, or losartan (10(-8) to 10(-6) M) produced concentration-dependent inhibitions of the stimulation-induced efflux of radioactivity observed in the presence of angiotensin II (10(-7) M). The AT(1) receptor blockers did not decrease the "basal stimulation-induced overflow of radioactivity but rather selectively inhibited the angiotensin II-mediated augmentation of the response. Regression analyses of the inhibition of the angiotensin II-mediated response by valsartan, irbesartan, eprosartan, and losartan revealed corresponding log IC(50) values (log M, with 95% confidence intervals) of -7.78 (-8.19, -7.51), -7.65 (-8.02, -7.40), -7.12 (-7. 37, -6.86), and -6.75 (-7.00, -6.40), indicating that the IC(50) values for valsartan and irbesartan are significantly lower than those for eprosartan and losartan. Thus, valsartan is a potent inhibitor of the prejunctional facilitatory effect of angiotensin II on the release of norepinephrine from peripheral sympathetic nerves. This implies that the therapeutic domain of valsartan may be extended to include pathophysiological conditions such as congestive heart failure wherein prejunctional angiotensin II receptors apparently play a significant role. Whether the high potency of valsartan translates into a significant clinical advantage relative to the other agents tested remains to be ascertained.     

Prejunctional inhibitory effects of prostanoids on sympathetic neurotransmission in the rabbit iris-ciliary body

Both naturally occurring and synthetic prostaglandins (PGs) caused concentration-dependent inhibition of electrically evoked [3H]norepinephrine (NE) overflow from the isolated, superfused rabbit iris-ciliary body without affecting basal tritium efflux. The rank order of potencies of the agonists was: sulprostone greater than 16, 16-dimethyl-PGE2 greater than PGE2 greater than 11-deoxy-PGE1 greater than iloprost (stable PGl2 analog) greater than PGF2 alpha greater than or equal to PGD2. However, the Tx-mimetic, U-46619, was without effect on transmitter release at concentrations up to 1 microM. The selective EP1-receptor antagonists, AH 6809 (30 microM) or SC-19220 (10 microM) had no effect on basal or field-stimulated [3H]NE secretion, nor did they antagonize the PGE2-mediated reduction of evoked [3H]NE overflow. Indomethacin (3 microM) and the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, BW A4C (1 microM) were without effect on basal or evoked [3H]NE release, suggesting that endogenously formed arachidonic acid metabolites have no significant modulatory role in this in vitro system. Inhibitory effects of submaximal or maximal concentrations of PGE2 combined with corresponding concentrations of clonidine or carbachol were not additive, suggesting that prejunctional PGE2 receptors coexist with alpha-2 adrenergic and muscarinic receptors at neurotransmitter release sites. In the presence of yohimbine (100 nM) and/or atropine (100 nM), however, the inhibition produced by PGE2 was enhanced markedly, suggesting that tonic activation of prejunctional alpha-2 adrenergic or muscarinic receptors by endogenously released transmitters may impair the response to exogenous PGE2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Beta adrenoceptor facilitation of norepinephrine release is not dependent on local angiotensin II formation in the rat isolated kidney

The aim of the study was to investigate beta adrenoceptor modulation of norepinephrine release from sympathetic nerves in rat isolated kidney. After preincubation with [3H]norepinephrine, the renal nerves were stimulated at 1 Hz. The stimulation induced (S-I) outflow of radioactivity was taken as an index of norepinephrine release. Isoproterenol (0.1 microM) enhanced the S-I outflow of radioactivity. This effect was abolished by the beta-2 adrenoceptor blocking drug ICI 118551 (0.1 microM) but unaltered by the beta-1 adrenoceptor blocking drug atenolol (0.3 microM). In the presence of a high concentration of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor captopril (5 microM), isoproterenol failed to enhance the S-I outflow of radioactivity. However, a lower concentration of captopril (0.1 microM), which totally abolished the facilitatory effect of angiotensin I (0.1 microM) on the S-I outflow of radioactivity, failed to alter the facilitatory effect of isoproterenol. Angiotensin II (0.03 microM) enhanced markedly the S-I outflow of radioactivity and in the presence of the angiotensin II receptor blocking drug saralasin (0.1 microM) this facilitatory effect was reduced markedly. Saralasin did not alter the facilitatory effect of isoproterenol. These results suggest that stimulation of prejunctional beta-2 adrenoceptors on renal sympathetic nerve endings enhances norepinephrine release. This effect is independent of local angiotensin II production and does not involve activation of prejunctional angiotensin II receptors within the rat kidney. However, the inhibitory effect of a high concentration of captopril (5.0 microM) on beta-2 adrenoceptor-mediated facilitation of norepinephrine release remains to be clarified.     

Monoamine mediation of cocaine-induced hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal activation.

The acute administration of cocaine (5-20 mg/kg) to rats produced a dose-dependent elevation in both serum corticosterone and plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). These elevations were maximal at 30 min and returned to basal values by 60 min. The dopamine (DA) uptake blockers GBR12909 and nomifensine, the norepinephrine uptake blocker desipramine, as well as the serotonin (5-HT) uptake blocker fluoxetine, also stimulated hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, whereas the local anesthetic procaine did not. Pretreatment with haloperidol (0.2 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the elevations in corticosterone and ACTH elicited by cocaine, as well as the elevation in ACTH produced by GBR12909. Higher doses of haloperidol (1 or 3 mg/kg) also attenuated the HPA response to cocaine and GBR12909. Pretreatment with the D1 antagonist SCH23390, the D2 antagonist sulpiride, the D1/D2 antagonist fluphenazine, or the 5-HT2 antagonist ketanserin significantly decreased the ACTH elevations after cocaine. In contrast, neither the 5-HT antagonist cyproheptadine, the alpha-1 antagonist prazosin nor the beta adrenergic antagonist propranolol attenuated the ACTH response to cocaine. The present results suggest an important stimulatory role for DA in regulation of HPA activity, and a role for both DA and 5-HT in the adrenocortical stimulation by cocaine. Both D1 and D2 receptors appear to be involved in the dopaminergic component of this response.     

Inhibition by 5,6-dihydroxy-2-dimethylaminotetralin (M7) of noradrenergic neurotransmission in the rabbit hypothalamus: role of alpha-2 adrenoceptors and of dopamine receptors

Rabbit hypothalamic slices were prelabeled with [3H]norepinephrine and transmitter release elicited by electrical stimulation. In the presence of 10 microM cocaine and in a low Ca++ medium (0.65 mM), exposure for 8 min to exogenous dopamine (0.01-1 microM) inhibited, in a concentration-dependent manner, the electrically evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine. This inhibitory effect of dopamine on [3H]norepinephrine release was antagonized by the dopamine receptor antagonist S-sulpiride (1 microM), but remained unchanged in the presence of the alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonists idazoxan (1 microM) or yohimbine (0.1 microM). These results indicate that, in a low Ca++ medium, exposure to dopamine decreased [3H]norepinephrine overflow in rabbit hypothalamic slices through the exclusive activation of presynaptic inhibitory dopamine receptors. M7 (5,6-dihydroxy-2-dimethylaminotetralin) is a potent agonist at central presynaptic dopamine autoreceptors and at peripheral alpha-2 adrenoceptors. Exposure to M7 in a normal Ca++ medium, inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner the electrically evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine without affecting the spontaneous outflow of radioactivity. The slope of the concentration-effect curve for these inhibitory effects of M7 was rather flat and the maximal inhibition obtained was 80%. The selective D2 receptor antagonist S-sulpiride (1 microM) failed to produce a significant shift to the right in the concentration-effect curve for the inhibitory effects of M7 on [3H]norepinephrine release. The preferential alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine (0.1 microM) significantly antagonized the inhibition of [3H]norepinephrine release elicited by 0.01 microM M7, but not for higher concentrations of this aminotetraline.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Contractions of isolated canine coronary arteries resistant to S2-serotonergic blockade

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of two serotonergic receptor antagonists on the contractile responses mediated by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in isolated canine coronary arteries. After removing the endothelium and blocking neuronal uptake with cocaine, the coronary artery contracted when exposed to nanomolar concentrations of 5-HT; at micromolar concentrations the amine caused relaxation. A relatively high concentration of the selective S2-serotonergic antagonist, ketanserin (10(-6) M), attenuated peak contractions caused by 5-HT by an average of only 52% and caused no significant change in sensitivity to the amine. In contrast, the antagonist behaved competitively in the canine femoral artery. Cyproheptadine (10(-6) M) also was a noncompetitive serotonergic antagonist in the coronary artery. The relatively nonselective S1- and S2-serotonergic receptor antagonist, methiothepin, competitively antagonized coronary contractions caused by 5-HT with an estimated pA2 of 8.0. The rightward shifts of coronary serotonergic contractions caused by methiothepin were not significantly different whether or not ketanserin (10(-6) M) was present in the assay to block S2-serotonergic receptors. Unlike ketanserin, methiothepin (10(-6) M) nearly abolished coronary artery contractions caused by aggregating platelets. These results indicate that serotonergic coronary contractions are resistant to S2-serotonergic blockade, and suggest that they are mediated at least in part by receptors which are different from the S2-serotonergic subtype.     

Cocaine potentiates ethanol-induced excitation of dopaminergic reward neurons in the ventral tegmental area

The coabuse of cocaine and ethanol is one of the most frequently used substance abuse combinations in the United States. The dopamine (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are important in the rewarding mechanism of these two substances. Cocaine is known to block the reuptake of DA and serotonin (5-HT). At concentrations below 1 microM, cocaine preferentially blocks the reuptake of 5-HT compared with DA. We have previously shown that ethanol increases the firing rate of DA neurons in the VTA, and that this excitation is enhanced by 5-HT. Extracellular single-unit recordings were made from VTA dopaminergic neurons in coronal brain slices from young adult Fischer 344 rats. Cocaine (1-10 microM) reduced the spontaneous firing rate in VTA dopaminergic neurons in a concentration-related manner. A lower concentration of cocaine (500 nM), which is a concentration that is pharmacologically relevant in addicts, produced only a very small decrease in the firing rate of VTA neurons but potentiated ethanol excitation of these neurons. Higher concentrations of cocaine (1 microM) did not enhance ethanol excitation. Ethanol-induced excitation was potentiated by the higher concentrations of cocaine (1 and 2 microM) in the presence of the D(2) receptor antagonist sulpiride (1 microM). Furthermore, cocaine potentiation of ethanol-induced excitation was reversed by ketanserin (2 microM), a 5-HT(2) antagonist. The enhanced ethanol excitation of VTA dopaminergic neurons caused by cocaine may partially explain the high incidence of the coabuse of these two substances.     

Desvenlafaxine succinate: A new serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor

The purpose of this study was to characterize a new chemical entity, desvenlafaxine succinate (DVS). DVS is a novel salt form of the isolated major active metabolite of venlafaxine. Competitive radioligand binding assays were performed using cells expressing either the human serotonin (5-HT) transporter (hSERT) or norepinephrine (NE) transporter (hNET) with K(i) values for DVS of 40.2 +/- 1.6 and 558.4 +/- 121.6 nM, respectively. DVS showed weak binding affinity (62% inhibition at 100 microM) at the human dopamine (DA) transporter. Inhibition of [3H]5-HT or [3H]NE uptake by DVS for the hSERT or hNET produced IC50 values of 47.3 +/- 19.4 and 531.3 +/- 113.0 nM, respectively. DVS (10 microM), examined at a large number of nontransporter targets, showed no significant activity. DVS (30 mg/kg orally) rapidly penetrated the male rat brain and hypothalamus. DVS (30 mg/kg orally) significantly increased extracellular NE levels compared with baseline in the male rat hypothalamus but had no effect on DA levels using microdialysis. To mimic chronic selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment and to block the inhibitory 5-HT(1A) autoreceptors, a 5-HT(1A) antagonist, N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-2-pyridinylcyclo hexanecarboxamide maleate salt (WAY-100635) (0.3 mg/kg s.c.), was administered with DVS (30 mg/kg orally). 5-HT increased 78% compared with baseline with no additional increase in NE or DA levels. In conclusion, DVS is a new 5-HT and NE reuptake inhibitor in vitro and in vivo that demonstrates good brain-to-plasma ratios, suggesting utility in a variety of central nervous system-related disorders.     

Serotonergic modulation of the release of endogenous norepinephrine from rat hypothalamic slices

Ca+(+)-dependent release of endogenous norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine from superfused rat hypothalamic slices was stimulated by 40 mM K+. 20 mM K+ released only NE. Two consecutive exposures to 20 mM K+ (S1 and S2, respectively) produced NE release of similar magnitude (S2/S1 = 1.03 +/- 0.08). Serotonin (5-HT), 3 to 10 microM, in the presence of methylsergide or ritanserin (antagonists at 5-HT1-like and 5-HT2 receptors), caused a concentration-dependent decrease of K(+)-evoked NE release. 5-HT alone did not alter K(+)-evoked NE release. 2-Methyl-serotonin, 2-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine, 3 to 10 microM (a selective 5-HT3 agonist), mimicked the 5-HT response in the presence and in the absence of ritanserin. A highly selective 5-HT3 antagonist, (3 alpha-tropanyl)1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid ester (ICS 205-930), 1 nM, inhibited the effect of both agonists. The isomers of another highly selective 5-HT3 antagonist, zacopride, inhibited the effect of 2-methyl-serotonin, 2-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine, at a concentration range, 0.03 to 20 nM, characteristic of their interaction with 5-HT3 receptors. alpha-Methyl-serotonin, alpha-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine, a selective 5-HT1-like/5-HT2 agonist, failed to affect the K(+)-evoked NE release, but antagonized the effect of 2-methyl-serotonin, 2-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine. These observations provide direct evidence that, in rat hypothalamus, 5-HT modulates release of endogenous NE through activation of 5-HT3 and, possibly, 5-HT1C receptors.     

Interaction between tricyclic and nontricyclic 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake inhibitors and the presynaptic 5-hydroxytryptamine inhibitory autoreceptors in the rat hypothalamus

In slices of the rat hypothalamus prelabeled with [3H]-5-hydroxytryptamine [( 3H]-5-HT), exposure to lysergic acid diethylamide or 5-methoxytryptamine decreased, in a concentration-dependent manner, the release of 3H-transmitter elicited by electrical stimulation. These inhibitory effects were antagonized by the 5-HT receptor antagonist methiothepin (1 microM). Exposure to methiothepin on its own increased in a concentration-dependent manner the electrically evoked overflow of [3H]-5-HT. Exposure to tricyclic antidepressants, like imipramine and amitriptyline, and to nontricyclic 5-HT uptake inhibitors, like paroxetine and citalopram, did not modify by themselves the electrically evoked overflow of [3H]-5-HT. Yet, the four inhibitors of neuronal uptake of 5-HT, antagonized the inhibition by lysergic acid diethylamide or 5-methoxytryptamine of the electrically induced release of [3H]-5-HT. After depletion of endogenous stores of 5-HT by pretreatment with para-chlorophenylalanine (300 mg/kg i.p.), the inhibitors of 5-HT uptake increased the electrically evoked release of [3H]-5-HT in a concentration-dependent manner. Their order of potency to enhance 5-HT overflow after pretreatment with parachlorophenylalanine paralleled their potency at inhibiting neuronal uptake of 5-HT (paroxetine = citalopram greater than imipramine greater than amitriptyline). In para-chlorophenylalanine-treated rat hypothalamic slices, these inhibitors of 5-HT uptake antagonized the inhibition by 5-HT autoreceptor agonists of the electrically evoked release of [3H]-5-HT to a similar extent than was observed in control rats. It is concluded that inhibition of 5-HT uptake reduces the effectiveness of 5-HT autoreceptor agonists to inhibit the electrically evoked release of [3H]-5-HT, irrespective of the chemical structure of the uptake inhibitor or of the levels of endogenous 5-HT achieved in the synaptic gap.