大鼠杏仁核5-HT_3受体参与免疫调制

实验通过大鼠侧脑室和杏仁核给予 5 HT3受体激动剂 1 phenylbiguanide (PBG) ,用 3H TdR掺入法测定脾细胞丝裂原 (concanavalinA ,ConA和lipopolysaccharide ,LPS)刺激增殖效应 ,用活化脾细胞增殖法测定IL 2生成 ,MTT法测定自然杀伤 (naturalkiller,NK)细胞活性和用放射免疫测定血浆皮质酮水平 ,以探讨大鼠杏仁核 5 HT3受体在免疫调控中的作用。结果表明 :5 HT3受体拮抗剂granisetron (GNT ,0 1～ 0 4mg/kgip)剂量依赖地增强ConA和LPS刺激的脾细胞增殖 ,作用在连续给药 5d最明显 ;双侧脑室给予PBG ( 5 μg/side)可增强ConA和LPS刺激的脾细胞增殖效应 ,作用在连续给药 3d最明显 ;双侧和单侧中央杏仁核给予PBG 0 5 μg均增强ConA刺激的脾细胞增殖和IL 2生成 ;底内侧杏仁核给予同剂量PBG仅增强LPS刺激的脾细胞增殖效应 ,不影响ConA刺激的脾细胞增殖和IL 2生成 ;中央杏仁核给予PBG升高血浆皮质酮的作用较底内侧杏仁核给予等量PBG引起的升高血浆皮质酮作用明显 (P <0 0 1)。侧脑室、中央杏仁核和底内杏仁核给予PBG对丝裂原刺激的脾细胞增殖效应影响不同 ,但均被同时同部位给予GNT所拮抗 ,提示杏仁核中央核和底内侧核的 5 HT3受体可能以不同方式参与ConA或LPS刺激的脾细胞增殖效应的调制     

腹腔和脑室注射促肾上腺皮质激素对大鼠不同脑区5-羟色胺含量的影响

本文应用荧光分光光度法测定脑内5-羟色胺(5-HT)含量,观察腹腔内注射(ip)或侧脑室内注射(icv)促肾上腺皮质激素(ACTH)对大鼠海马、下丘脑和中-桥脑内5-HT 含量的影响,结果如下:(1)ACTH(20.0U/kg)ip 可使海马、下丘脑和中-桥脑内5-HT 含量增多,1h达高峰,与对照组比较差异非常显著(P<0.01-0.001);ACTH ip 后3h,三脑区5-HT 含量基本恢复至对照水平。电解损毁中脑中缝核后,ACTH ip 使海马和下丘脑5-HT 含量升高的作用明显降低,摘除两侧肾上腺后,对 ACTH 增加三脑区5-HT 含量的效应没有影响。(2)ACTH(0.5U/10μl)icy 40min 后,也使三脑区5-HT 含量升高,与人工脑脊液 icv的比较,差异显著或非常显著(P<0.05-0.01);电解损毁中脑中缝核后,ACTH icv 使海马和下丘脑5-HT 含量升高的作用也显著下降。(3)ACTH ip 升高三脑区5-HT 含量的作用较 ACTH icv 的强,损毁中脑中缝核后,5-HT 含量的下降,前者却不如后者显著。上述结果提示:ACTH(ip 或 icv)之所以引起海马、下丘脑和中-桥脑5-HT 含量增多,很可能都与激活中脑中缝核有关,ACTH ip 尚可能有其它作用途径,但与肾上腺关系不大。     

大鼠杏仁核5—HT3受体参与免疫调制

实验通过大鼠侧脑室和杏仁核给予5－HT3受体激动剂1－phenylbiguanide(PBG),用3H－TdR掺入法测定脾细胞丝裂原（concanavalin A,Con A和lipopolysaccharide,LPS)刺激增殖效应,用活化脾细胞增殖法测定IL－2生成,MTT法测定自然杀伤（natural killer,NK)细胞活性和用放射免疫测定血浆皮质酮水平,以探讨大鼠杏仁核5－HT3受体在免疫调控中的作用。结果表明：5－HT3受体拮抗剂granisetron(GNT,0.1-0.4mg/kg ip)剂量依赖地增强Con A和LPS刺激的脾细胞增殖,作用在连续给药5d最明显,双侧脑室给予PBG（5ug/side)可增强ConA和LPS刺激的脾细胞增殖效应,作用在连续给药3d最明显,双侧和单侧中共杏仁核给予PBG0．5ug均增强ConA刺激的脾细胞增殖和IL－2生成,底内侧杏仁核给予同剂量PBG仅增强LPS刺激的脾细胞增殖效应,不影响ConA刺激的脾细胞增殖和IL－2生成,中央杏仁核给予PBG升高血浆皮质酮的作用较底侧杏仁核给予等量PBG引起的升高血浆皮质酮作用明显（P＜0．01）,侧脑室,中央杏仁核和底内杏仁核给予PBG对丝裂原刺激的脾细胞增殖效应影响不同,但均被同时同部位给予GNT所拮抗,提示杏仁核中央核和底内侧核的5－HT3受体可能以不同方式参与ConA或LPS刺激的脾细胞增殖效应的调制。     

马桑内酯对在体和离体小胶质细胞 CD11b/c表达的影响

目的研究致痫剂马桑内酯(CL)对在体和离体小胶质细胞CD11b/c表达的影响。方法①正常SD大鼠行马桑内酯侧脑室注射,观察大鼠的行为改变;利用免疫荧光染色的方法观察大鼠大脑皮质、海马内CD11b/c表达的变化。②纯化培养的小胶质细胞无血清培养,给予马桑内酯(5×10-5mol/L)刺激,利用免疫荧光染色结合流式细胞仪检测CD11b/c的表达。结果①马桑内酯侧脑室注射30min后均出现强烈的癫痫样发作,持续约4h;②马桑内酯侧脑室注射后大脑皮质及海马各区CD11b/c阳性细胞表达均出现明显增强,4-6h为表达高峰,至24h大脑皮质恢复至正常水平,但海马各区仍保持较高水平。③纯化培养的小胶质细胞在马桑内酯作用1h出现CD11b/c表达增强,2h达到高峰,至24h恢复正常。结论马桑内酯对小胶质细胞具有直接的活化作用;小胶质细胞的活化参与了马桑内酯的致痫过程。     

胸腺激素对淋巴细胞免疫功能调节的研究:Ⅰ胸腺素F5对有丝分裂原诱导下小鼠胸腺细胞增殖反应的影响

本文介绍了用氚胸腺嘧啶核苷(~3H-TdR)掺入微量法测定小鼠胸腺细胞增殖反应的方法与影响因素;并应用此方法研究胸腺素F_5在体外对小鼠胸腺细胞在有丝分裂原诱导下增殖反应的影响。实验结果表明:小鼠胸腺细胞对ConA刺激反应远较对PHA刺激反应明显。在ConA作用下~3H-TdR掺入强度与胸腺细胞数量,ConA浓度及作用时间有关。同位素浓度与标记时间也直接影响。~3H-TdR掺入。胸腺素F_5在体外与小鼠胸腺细胞预育20小时左右(16—24小时)可增强胸腺细胞对ConA刺激的反应,但对PHA刺激无此作用。胸腺素F_5对小鼠胸腺细胞作用的有效剂量为50—200微克/1×10~7细胞/毫升。胸腺素F_5的这种增强作用,对各年龄组小鼠胸腺细胞都有所表现,但年龄较老的8月龄小鼠胸腺细胞对胸腺素F_5作用反应微弱。胸腺素F_5能增强胸腺细胞对ConA刺激的反应是否由于它能通过某种机制加速T细胞功能分化成熟有关,有待今后进一步研究确定。     

刺激大鼠迷走神经向中端对其不同脑区5-HT含量的影响

采用荧光分光光度法,测定脑内5-HT的含量,观察电刺激两侧颈迷走神经向中端对大鼠海马、下丘脑和中-桥脑内5-HT含量的影响,结果如下:(1)刺激迷走神经向中端后,三脑区的5-HT含量均显著增加(P<0.05-0.005);(2)侧脑室内注射新斯的明(10μg/10μl)或烟碱(10μg/10μl)后,刺激迷走神经向中端使三脑区5-HT含量增多的效应显著提高(p<0.01-0.001);(3)侧脑室内注射六烃季胺(250μg/10μl)后,刺激迷走神经向中端使三脑区5-HT含量增多的效应显著下降(p<0.05-0.005);(4)侧脑室内注射阿托品(10μg/10μl)或纳洛酮(10μg/10μl)后,不影响刺激迷走神经向中端引起的三脑区5-HT含量增多的效应(p>0.05)。由此看来,迷走传入冲动很可能先使脑内Ach释放增多,然后,Ach作用于N-胆碱受体而导致海马、下丘脑和中-桥脑内5-HT含量增加。以上结果表明,在脑内,迷走传入纤维和5-HT能神经元之间可能存在着机能联系。     

环境压力对不同动物脑组织激素水平的影响

分别给予中国树鼩、Wistar 大鼠、BALB/c 小鼠低频电刺激后, 用放射免疫法检测脑组织去甲肾上腺素(noradrenaline, NA)、多巴胺(dopamine,DA)、五羟色胺(serotonin, 5-HT)水平。结果发现, 给予中国树鼩、Wistar 大鼠、BALB/c 小鼠低频电刺激后12 h、24 h、36 h, NA、DA、5-HT 水平均比对照组显著升高(均P<0.01); 电刺激后12 h, NA、DA、5-HT 升高较快的动物依次为中国树鼩>Wistar 大鼠>BALB/c 小鼠。说明不同动物对同一刺激的应激敏感程度不同。     

SOCS-3基因在Balb/c小鼠脑组织中的表达与脑不对称性

为探讨细胞因子信号传导抑制因子-3（suppresso of cytokine signaling-3, SOCS-3）在Balb/c小鼠皮层、海马、下丘脑中的表达及其与脑不对称性的关系.通过伸爪取食法将Balb/c小鼠分为左利组和右利组,取左、右侧皮层,左、右侧海马及下丘脑,以RT-PCR法间接测定SOCS-3 mRNA水平.结果表明：a.在左利鼠右侧皮层中,SOCS-3基因表达水平显著高于左侧皮层(P＜0.05);右利鼠左侧皮层SOCS-3表达显著高于左利鼠左侧皮层(P＜0.05).b.海马中SOCS-3表达：左利鼠右侧海马SOCS-3表达显著高于左侧海马(P＜0.05);右利鼠左侧海马SOCS-3表达显著高于左利鼠左侧海马(P＜0.05).c.右利鼠下丘脑中SOCS-3显著高于左利鼠(P＜0.05).上述研究结果提示,Balb/c小鼠脑中SOCS-3表达与脑不对称性有关.     

海马内注射肾上腺素能受体激动剂对细胞免疫功能的影响

目的 研究肾上腺素能受体激动剂对机体细胞免疫功能的作用及下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴(HPA轴)在此作用中的地位.方法以刀豆蛋白A(ConA)刺激脾淋巴细胞的增殖活性为细胞免疫功能指标,检测在正常及去肾上腺大鼠海马内注射去甲肾上腺素(noradrenaline,A)对机体细胞免疫功能的影响.结果①在正常大鼠,A(4 μl,.0×10-3mol/L)、β1受体激动剂杜丁胺 (dobutamine,ob,μl,.0×10-3mol/L) 和β2受体激动剂异丙喘宁(metaproterenol,et, μl,.0×10-3mol/L)均可抑制Con A刺激的脾淋巴细胞增殖反应、降低NK细胞的活性,其中NA的作用最强,et 次之,ob的作用最弱.α及β受体阻断剂酚妥拉明(Phen, μl,.6×10-2mol/L) 和心得安(Prop,μl,.6×10-2mol/L)均可部分阻断NA的免疫抑制作用,且Prop的作用较强.②在去肾上腺组,A的免疫抑制作用不明显.结论海马内NA对机体的细胞免疫功能具有明显的抑制作用,此作用由α及β受体共同介导,其中β受体的作用大于α受体,且β2受体的作用大于β1受体.此外,保持肾上腺结构和功能完整在NA调节机体细胞免疫功能作用中具有重要意义.     

糖尿病大鼠下丘脑Nesfatin-1对胃运动的影响及机制研究

目的:探讨下丘脑腹内侧核Nesfatin-1对正常大鼠及糖尿病大鼠胃运动的影响及其潜在机制。方法:正常大鼠随机分为0.08μg,0.8μg,8.0μg/0.5μL Nesfatin-1组;30μg/0.5μL astressin-B组;(0.8μg Nesfatin-1+30μg astressin-B)/0.5μL组;0.5μL生理盐水(NS)组;正常羊血清+假刺激(NR+SS)组;正常羊血清+电刺激(NR+ES)组;抗NUCB2/Nesfatin-1抗体+假刺激(anti-Nn-Ab+SS)组;抗NUCB2/Nesfatin-1抗体+电刺激(anti-Nn-Ab+ES)组。制作糖尿病大鼠模型,将糖尿病大鼠随机分为0.08μg/0.5μL Nesfatin-1组;0.8μg/0.5μLNesfatin-1组;8.0μg/0.5μL Nesfatin-1组;0.5μLNS组;NR+SS组;NR+ES组;anti-Nn-Ab+SS组;anti-Nn-Ab+ES组。大鼠胃部置入感应器后腹内侧核置管,记录清醒大鼠胃运动及电刺激海马CA1区后的胃运动。结果:与生理盐水组相比,下丘脑腹内侧核注射不同浓度Nesfatin-1,大鼠胃收缩幅度和频率显著降低,下丘脑腹内侧核注射0.5μL(0.8μg Nesfatin-1+30μg astressin-B)混合液后,相比单独给予0.8μg Nesfatin-1组,大鼠胃收缩幅度和频率显著升高。大鼠下丘脑腹内侧核注射0.5μL Nesfatin-1(0.8μg),大鼠胃收缩幅度和频率显著降低,下丘脑腹内侧核注射0.5μL(0.8μg Nesfatin-1+30μg astressin-B)混合液后,相比单独给予0.8μg Nesfatin-1组,大鼠胃收缩幅度和频率显著升高。下丘脑腹内侧核注射抗NUCB2/Nesfatin-1抗体后再电刺激海马CA1区,与正常羊血清+电刺激组相比,大鼠胃收缩幅度和频率进一步增强,下丘脑腹内侧核注射抗NUCB2/Nesfatin-1抗体后再电刺激海马CA1区,与单独注射抗NUCB2/Nesfatin-1抗体+假电刺激组相比,大鼠的胃收缩幅度和频率显著增高。下丘脑腹内侧核注射抗NUCB2/Nesfatin-1抗体后再给予电刺激海马CA1区,与正常羊血清+电刺激组相比,正常大鼠和糖尿病大鼠胃运动指数均显著增加,下丘脑腹内侧核注射抗NUCB2/Nesfatin-1抗体后再电刺激海马CA1区,与单独注射抗NUCB2/Nesfatin-1抗体+假电刺激组相比,正常和糖尿病大鼠的胃运动指数均显著增高。与正常大鼠相比,电刺激海马CA1区、下丘脑腹内侧核注射抗NUCB2/Nesfatin-1抗体后再给予电刺激海马CA1区,或下丘脑腹内侧核微量注射抗NUCB2/Nesfatin-1抗体,糖尿病大鼠胃运动指数均无显著差异。结论:海马-下丘脑Nesfatin-1信号通路参与胃传入信息和胃运动调控,该作用可能与CRF系统活动有关。     

Effects of chronic paroxetine treatment on dialysate serotonin in 5-HT1B receptor knockout mice

The role of serotonin (5-HT)1B receptors in the mechanism of action of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI) was studied by using intracerebral in vivo microdialysis in conscious, freely moving wild-type and 5-HT1B receptor knockout (KO 5-HT1B) mice in order to compare the effects of chronic administration of paroxetine via osmotic minipumps (1 mg per kg per day for 14 days) on extracellular 5-HT levels ([5-HT]ext) in the medial prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus. Basal [5-HT]ext values in the medial prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus, approximately 20 h after removing the minipump, were not altered by chronic paroxetine treatment in both genotypes. On day 15, in the ventral hippocampus, an acute paroxetine challenge (1 mg/kg i.p.) induced a larger increase in [5-HT]ext in saline-pretreated mutant than in wild-type mice. This difference between the two genotypes in the effect of the paroxetine challenge persisted following chronic paroxetine treatment. Conversely, in the medial prefrontal cortex, the paroxetine challenge increased [5-HT]ext similarly in saline-pretreated mice of both genotypes. Such a challenge produced a further increase in cortical [5-HT]ext compared with that in saline-pretreated groups of both genotypes, but no differences were found between genotypes following chronic treatment. To avoid the interaction with raphe 5-HT1A autoreceptors, 1 micro m paroxetine was perfused locally through the dialysis probe implanted in the ventral hippocampus; similar increases in hippocampal [5-HT]ext were found in acutely or chronically treated wild-type mice. Systemic administration of the mixed 5-HT1B/1D receptor antagonist GR 127935 (4 mg/kg) in chronically treated wild-type mice potentiated the effect of a paroxetine challenge dose on [5-HT]ext in the ventral hippocampus, whereas systemic administration of the selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY 100635 did not. By using the zero net flux method of quantitative microdialysis in the medial prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus of wild-type and KO 5-HT1B mice, we found that basal [5-HT]ext and the extraction fraction of 5-HT were similar in the medial prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus of both genotypes, suggesting that no compensatory response to the constitutive deletion of the 5-HT1B receptor involving changes in 5-HT uptake capacity occurred in vivo. As steady-state brain concentrations of paroxetine at day 14 were similar in both genotypes, it is unlikely that differences in the effects of a paroxetine challenge on hippocampal [5-HT]ext are due to alterations of the drug's pharmacokinetic properties in mutants. These data suggest that there are differences between the ventral hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex in activation of terminal 5-HT1B autoreceptors and their role in regulating dialysate 5-HT levels. These presynaptic receptors retain their capacity to limit 5-HT release mainly in the ventral hippocampus following chronic paroxetine treatment in mice.     

Effect of p-chloroamphetamine on 5-HT1A and 5-HT7 serotonin receptor expression in rat brain

The aim of this study was to investigate if p-chloroamphetamine (PCA), which is neurotoxic to serotonin (5-HT) nerve terminals, was able to induce, like 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, a region-specific regulation of 5-HT1A receptor mRNA expression. The effect of PCA on the expression of 5-HT7 receptors, which share some pharmacological properties with 5-HT1A receptors, was comparatively studied. PCA (2 x 5 mg/kg) produced a lasting depletion of 5-HT content in the rat frontal cortex and hippocampus. In the hippocampus, the maximal 5-HT depletion was found on day 21 (-70%), whereas in the cortex, the highest 5-HT depletion was found on day 14 (-73%), with a partial but significant recovery on day 21. At the latter time point, 5-HT1A receptor mRNA expression was increased by 80% in the cortex and decreased by 50% in the hippocampus. The 5-HT1A receptor mRNA expression was also enhanced after exposure to PCA of rat cortical but not of hippocampal primary cultures. In regard to 5-HT7 receptor mRNA expression, the most remarkable change after PCA was the great increase (+200%) in the brain-stem. Binding studies to 5-HT1A receptors matched the changes in receptor mRNA expression. Gel shift assays revealed enhanced nuclear protein binding to the KB sequence with use of cortical but not hippocampal extracts of PCA-treated rats. Overall, the data show region-specific changes in 5-HT receptor-type expression that may not be entirely dependent on the neurotoxic effect of PCA on 5-HT terminals.     

Alterations in 5-HT(1A) receptors and adenylyl cyclase response by trazodone in regions of rat brain

The in vivo effect of trazodone on the density of [(3)H]5-HT binding sites and 5-HT(1A) receptors and adenylyl cyclase (AC) response was studied in regions of rat brain. The chronic administration of trazodone (10 mg/Kg body wt, 40 days) resulted in a significant downregulation of [(3)H]5-HT binding sites and 5-HT(1A) receptors in cortex and hippocampus. Trazodone significantly (p < 0.0001) decreased the density of [(3)H]5-HT binding sites in cortex (42.6 +/- 3.6 fmol/mg protein, 65%) and hippocampus (12.6 +/- 1.6 fmol/mg protein, 87%) when compared to control values of 121.9 +/- 5.4 and 99.3 +/- 7.5 fmol/mg protein in these regions, respectively. Similarly there was a significant (p < 0.0001) decrease in the density of 5-HT(1A) receptors in both cortex (7.2 +/- 0.5 fmol/mg protein, 70%) and hippocampus (6.3 +/- 1.2 fmol/mg protein, 79%) when compared to control values of 24.2 +/- 2.1 and 30.6 +/- 3.7 fmol/mg protein, in these regions respectively. However, the affinity of [(3)H]5-HT to 5-HT binding sites (1.83 +/- 0.26 nM, p < 0.0001) and [(3)H]8-OH-DPAT to 5-HT(1A) receptors (0.60 +/- 0.06 nM, p < 0.05) was significantly decreased only in cortex when compared to the control K(d) values of 0.88 +/- 0.04 nM and 0.47 +/- 0.02 nM in these regions, respectively.The basal AC activity did not alter in treated rats, where as, the inhibition of forskolin-stimulated AC activity by 5-HT (10 microM) was significantly (p < 0.0001) decreased both in cortex (43%) and hippocampus (40%) when compared to control levels. In conclusion, chronic treatment with trazodone results in downregulation of 5-HT(1A) receptors in cortex and hippocampus along with concomitant increased AC response, suggesting the involvement of 5-HT(1A) receptor-mediated AC response in the mechanism of action of trazodone.     

Preferential Potentiation of the Effects of Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors by 5-HT1A Receptor Antagonists in the Dorsal Raphe Pathway: Role of Somatodendritic Autoreceptors

Abstract: 5-HT_1A autoreceptor antagonists enhance the effects of antidepressants by preventing a negative feedback of serotonin (5-HT) at somatodendritic level. The maximal elevations of extracellular concentration of 5-HT (5-HT_ext) induced by the 5-HT uptake inhibitor paroxetine in forebrain were potentiated by the 5-HT_1A antagonist WAY-100635 (1 mg/kg s.c.) in a regionally dependent manner (striatum > frontal cortex > dorsal hippocampus). Paroxetine (3 mg/kg s.c.) decreased forebrain 5-HT_ext during local blockade of uptake. This reduction was greater in striatum and frontal cortex than in dorsal hippocampus and was counteracted by the local and systemic administration of WAY-100635. The perfusion of 50 µmol/L citalopram in the dorsal or median raphe nucleus reduced 5-HT_ext in frontal cortex or dorsal hippocampus to 40 and 65% of baseline, respectively. The reduction of cortical 5-HT_ext induced by perfusion of citalopram in midbrain raphe was fully reversed by WAY-100635 (1 mg/kg s.c.). Together, these data suggest that dorsal raphe neurons projecting to striatum and frontal cortex are more sensitive to self-inhibition mediated by 5-HT_1A autoreceptors than median raphe neurons projecting to the hippocampus. Therefore, potentiation by 5-HT_1A antagonists occurs preferentially in forebrain areas innervated by serotonergic neurons of the dorsal raphe nucleus.     

Circadian and seasonal rhythms of 5-HT receptor subtypes, membrane anisotropy and 5-HT release in hippocampus and cortex of the rat.

Specific serotonin binding (5-HT1, 5-HT1A, and 5-HT2 subtypes) and membrane anisotropy were measured at 2 h intervals over a 24 h period in the hippocampus and cortex of Wistar WU rats, housed under a 12 h light-dark cycle, with lights on at 07.00. All experiments were performed both in March and December. In the hippocampus significant circadian rhythms could be ascertained for 5-HT1 binding sites in March and December while for 5-HT1A (subtype of 5-HT1) binding sites the circadian rhythm was only significant in March. The membrane anisotropy also showed significant variations only in March. Circadian rhythms were also found in the cortex for 5-HT1 (December) and 5-HT2 (March and December) binding sites as well as for the membrane anisotropy (December). A correlation was found between membrane anisotropy and 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 binding sites in hippocampus and cortex, respectively. A circadian rhythmicity was also observed for serotonin release as measured by in vivo voltammetry in both brain areas. The results obtained on the diurnal variations of serotonin receptor subtypes and serotonin release and the probable inverse relationship of these two parameters may be relevant in understanding the coupling of pre- and postsynaptic activity.     

5-HT(1A) receptor mutant mice exhibit enhanced tonic, stress-induced and fluoxetine-induced serotonergic neurotransmission

Mutant mice that lack serotonin(1A) receptors exhibit enhanced anxiety-related behaviors, a phenotype that is hypothesized to result from impaired autoinhibitory control of midbrain serotonergic neuronal firing. Here we examined the impact of serotonin(1A) receptor deletion on forebrain serotonin neurotransmission using in vivo microdialysis in the frontal cortex and ventral hippocampus of serotonin(1A) receptor mutant and wild-type mice. Baseline dialysate serotonin levels were significantly elevated in mutant animals as compared with wild-types both in frontal cortex (mutant = 0.44 +/- 0.05 n M; wild-type = 0.28 +/- 0.03 n M) and hippocampus (mutant = 0.46 +/- 0.07 n M; wild-type = 0.27 +/- 0.04 n M). A stressor known to elicit enhanced anxiety-like behaviors in serotonin(1A) receptor mutants increased dialysate 5-HT levels in the frontal cortex of mutant mice by 144% while producing no alteration in cortical 5-HT in wild-type mice. There was no phenotypic difference in the effect of this stressor on serotonin levels in the hippocampus. Fluoxetine produced significantly greater increases in dialysate 5-HT content in serotonin(1A) receptor mutants as compared with wild-types, with two- and three-fold greater responses being observed in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, respectively. This phenotypic effect was mimicked in wild-types by pretreatment with the serotonin(1A) antagonist 4-iodo-N-[2-[4-(methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-2-pyridinyl-benzamide (p-MPPI). These results indicate that deletion of central serotonin(1A) receptors results in a tonic disinhibition of central serotonin neurotransmission, with a greater dysregulation of serotonin release in the frontal cortex than ventral hippocampus under conditions of stress or increased interstitial serotonin levels.     

5-HT1B Autoreceptors limit the effects of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors in mouse hippocampus and frontal cortex

We used knockout mice and receptor antagonist strategies to investigate the contribution of the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) 1B receptor subtype in mediating the effects of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Using in vivo intracerebral microdialysis in awake mice, we show that a single systemic administration of paroxetine (1 or 5 mg/kg, i.p.) increased extracellular serotonin levels [5-HT]ext in the ventral hippocampus and frontal cortex of wild-type and mutant mice. However, in the ventral hippocampus, paroxetine at the two doses studied induced a larger increase in [5-HT]ext in knockout than in wild-type mice. In the frontal cortex, the effect of paroxetine was larger in mutants than in wild-type mice at the 1 mg/kg, but not at 5 mg/kg. In addition, either the absence of the 5-HT1B receptor or its blockade with the mixed 5-HT1B/1D receptor antagonist, GR 127935, potentiated the effect of a single administration of paroxetine on extracellular 5-HT levels more in the ventral hippocampus than in the frontal cortex. These data suggest that 5-HT1B autoreceptors limit the effects of SSRIs on dialysate 5-HT levels at serotonergic nerve terminals.     

Cortical 5-HT(1A) receptor downregulation by antidepressants in rat brain

Total 5-HT binding sites and 5-HT_1A receptor density was measured in brain regions of rats treated with imipramine (5 mg/kg body wt), desipramine (10 mg/kg body wt) and clomipramine (10 mg/kg body wt), for 40 days, using [³H]5-HT and [³H]8-OH-DPAT, respectively. It was observed that chronic exposure to tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) results in significant downregulation of total [³H]5-HT binding sites in cortex (42–76%) and hippocampus (35–67%). The 5-HT_1A receptor density was, however, decreased significantly (32–60%) only in cortex with all the three drugs. Interestingly, in hippocampus imipramine treatment increased the 5-HT_1A receptor density (14%). The affinity of [³H]8-OH-DPAT was increased only with imipramine treatment both in cortex and hippocampus. The affinity of [³H]5-HT to 5-HT binding sites in cortex was increased with imipramine treatment and decreased with desipramine and clomipramine treatment. 5-HT sensitive adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity was significantly increased in cortex with imipramine (72%) and clomipramine (17%) treatment, whereas in hippocampus only imipramine treatment significantly increased AC activity (50%). In conclusion, chronic treatment with TCAs results in downregulation of cortical 5-HT_1A receptors along with concomitant increase in 5-HT stimulated AC activity suggesting the involvement of cortical 5-HT_1A receptors in the mechanism of action of TCAs.