Inhibition of reflex responses of neonate rat lumbar spinal cord by 5-hydroxytryptamine.
1. Monosynaptic (MSR) and polysynaptic (PSR) segmental reflex responses were recorded from a ventral root of the neonate rat hemisected spinal cord. Amplitudes of the two components were monitored with a peak height detector. 2. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) depressed the MSR and PSR in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 for MSR depression was 9.5 +/- 3.2 microM and for PSR depression was 9.0 +/- 4.8 microM. 3. Blockade of neuronal uptake of 5-HT by citalopram (0.1 microM) greatly increased sensitivity to 5-HT. In the presence of citalopram, the IC50 for MSR depression was 30 +/- 18 nM and for PSR depression was 89 +/- 23 nM. 4. 5-HT did not depress the MSR or the PSR by releasing glycine since strychnine (1 microM) did not prevent these actions of 5-HT. 5. 5-Carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT), 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), RU 24969, 1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-piperazine (TFMPP) and methysergide were full agonists for depression of the MSR. The IC50 for 5-CT was 3.6 +/- 0.5 nM, for 8-OH-DPAT was 0.4 +/- 0.04 microM, for TFMPP was 0.93 +/- 0.3 microM and for methysergide was 21.8 +/- 3.0 nM. The order of potency was 5-CT greater than methysergide greater than 5-HT greater than 8-OH-DPAT greater than TFMPP. 6. 8-OH-DPAT, RU 24969, TFMPP and methysergide had either no or only a minor action in reducing the PSR. 5-CT caused a 50% depression at the highest concentration tested (30 nM). 7. Neither ketanserin (1 microM) nor spiperone (1 microM) caused appreciable blockade of 5-HT depression of the MSR or 5-HT depression of the PSR. 8. Blockers of neuronal 5-HT uptake (citalopram 0.1 or 1 microM, fluvoxamine 1 microM) usually reduced the MSR and, to a lesser extent, the PSR. Reflex depressions were reversed by ketanserin (1 microM). 9. It was concluded that 5-HT has a potent depressant action on segmental reflexes; depression of the MSR is unrelated to depolarization of motoneurones. Although depression of the MSR was mimicked by 5-HTIA receptor ligands, the action of endogenous 5-HT may be mediated through 5-HT2 receptors. Exogenous 5-HT may act at a mixture of 5-HT receptor subtypes to depress the MSR.
Department of Physiology, University of Wales College of Cardiff.
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D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D015283:Citalopram / Q000494:pharmacology; D004566:Electrodes; D005260:Female; D007650:Ketanserin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008024:Ligands; D051381:Rats; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects*; D012023:Reflex, Monosynaptic / Q000187:drug effects; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects*; D013134:Spiperone / Q000494:pharmacology
D008024:Ligands; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D015283:Citalopram; D012701:Serotonin; D013134:Spiperone; D007650:Ketanserin