title: Citalopram: a new potent inhibitor of serotonin (5-HT) uptake with central 5-HT-mimetic properties.
abstract: Citalopram (1--16 mg/kg), but not amitriptyline, clomipramine, imipramine or zimelidine, stimulated the hind limb flexor reflex in the spinal rat. This stimulatory effect was abolished by serotonin (5-HT) receptor blocking agents (cyproheptadine, metergoline) and prevented ty p-chlorophenylalanine, an inhibitor of 5-HT synthesis. Citalopram (20 mg/kg), similarly but more strongly than clomipramine (20 mg/kg), prevented both fenfluramine- and p-chloroamphetamine-induced hyperthermia in rats kept at 28 degrees C. In contrast to amitriptyline and imipramine, citalopram did not reduce the number of quipazine-induced head twitches in rats (ID50 greater than 50 mg/kg). Also, unlike the above mentioned antidepressants, it did not antagonize, but rather potentiated the 5-HT-mediated rise in blood pressure in pithed rats. The results obtained indicate that, unlike the presently known inhibitors of 5-HT uptake, citalopram considerably potentiates serotonergic transmission, possibly by producing very strong inhibition of uptake without simultaneous blockade of the postsynaptic 5-HT receptors.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D015283:Citalopram; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D011437:Propylamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011814:Quipazine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects; D010133:p-Chloroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001572:Benzofurans; D011437:Propylamines; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D015283:Citalopram; D005277:Fenfluramine; D012701:Serotonin; D011814:Quipazine; D010133:p-Chloroamphetamine