Evidence for an antagonistic action of tabernanthine on hypoxia-induced changes in brain serotonin levels.
The effects of tabernanthine on serotonin (5-HT) levels were determined in several brain areas of rats exposed to various simulated altitudes (1800, 5200, 7000 m). The 5-HT synthesis inhibitor, para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), was used to dissociate the effects occurring at synthesis and release levels. Tabernanthine antagonized the decrease in hypothalamic 5-HT levels induced by a 7000 m hypoxia and also suppressed the decrease in PCPA-induced depletion observed at 5200 and 7000 m in the hypothalamus, the striatum and the rest of the brain. It was assumed that tabernanthine stimulates different steps of 5-HT metabolism. These effects, revealed by hypoxia, are related to other peripheral and central properties of this drug.
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000531:Altitude; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000378:metabolism; D010134:Fenclonine / Q000494:pharmacology; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000378:metabolism*; D007050:Ibogaine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*
D000470:Alkaloids; D012701:Serotonin; D007050:Ibogaine; D010134:Fenclonine; C027202:tabernanthine