title: The effect of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists on the writhing response in mice.
abstract: 1. The ability of several 5-HT3 receptor antagonists (MDL 72,222EF, the methyl quaternary ammonium salt of MDL 72,222, dolasetron, tropisetron, granisetron and ondansetron) to inhibit writhing induced in the mouse by either 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), acetylcholine or acetic acid was examined. 2. All of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists were able to inhibit writhing induced by acetylcholine. MDL 72,222EF and tropisetron were also able to inhibit writhing induced by 5-HT and acetic acid but higher doses were required to have the same effect as against acetylcholine. Dolasetron inhibited writhes induced by 5-HT but failed to significantly affect writhes induced by acetic acid. 3. MDL 72,222EF and its quaternary salt were more potent and had a more rapid onset of action after i.p. than after s.c. administration. 4. 2-Methyl-5-HT did not induce writhing at doses up to 4 mg/kg i.p., whereas 5-HT dose-dependently induced writhing over the range 0.5-2 mg/kg. 5. These results show that 5-HT3 receptor antagonists can inhibit writhes induced by a variety of compounds and this appears to be a local action. However, the inability of 2-methyl-5-HT to induce writhing and the high doses of antagonist required indicate that further studies are required to establish a role for 5-HT3 receptors in this effect.
authors.affiliation: Synthélabo Recherche (L.E.R.S.), Rueil Malmaison, France.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Moser
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D017829:Granisetron / Q000494:pharmacology; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000109:Acetylcholine; D017829:Granisetron; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012701:Serotonin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D012965:Sodium Chloride