The anxiolytic effects of flesinoxan, a 5-HT1A receptor agonist, are not related to its neuroendocrine effects.
The effects of flesinoxan, a selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist, were studied under basal non-stress conditions and in the shock-probe burying paradigm. Flesinoxan (1 and 3 mg/kg s.c.) significantly reduced burying and freezing behaviour, indicating clear anxiolytic properties. Under non-stress conditions, injection of 3 mg/kg flesinoxan significantly enhanced plasma corticosterone and glucose levels, whereas prolactin secretion was significantly enhanced after both 1 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg flesinoxan. Flesinoxan (1 and 3 mg/kg) did not suppress shock-probe stress-induced rises in plasma corticosterone and glucose levels. The enhanced plasma prolactin levels induced by flesinoxan were not further affected by shock-probe exposure. Our data show that the anxiolytic effects of flesinoxan in the shock-probe burying paradigm are not related to increases in plasma corticosterone and glucose levels.
Groenink
L
L
Department of Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Rudolf Magnus Institute for Neurosciences, Utrecht University, Netherlands.
Van der Gugten
J
J
Verdouw
P M
PM
Maes
R A
RA
Olivier
B
B
D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004597:Electroshock; D008297:Male; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000187:drug effects*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D010879:Piperazines; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; C056895:flesinoxan; D011388:Prolactin; D003345:Corticosterone