title: Behavioral effects of the 5-hydroxytryptamine3 receptor agonists 1-phenylbiguanide and m-chlorophenylbiguanide in rats.
abstract: We have investigated the behavioral effect of the 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3) receptor agonists 1-phenylbiguanide (PBG) and m-chlorophenylbiguanide (mCPBG) in rats after i.p. and i.c.v. injection. It was hoped that this approach may provide an alternative means of studying the role of 5-HT3 receptors on animal behavior, for the majority of related studies have used antagonists at this subtype. Both PBG (3-60 mg/kg, i.p.) and mCPBG (1-30 mg/kg i.p.) produced abdominal constrictions, writhing and salivation in some, but not all, rats. The most marked behaviors were seen after mCPBG (30 mg/kg, i.p.), where paw shakes and chin rubbing was also recorded. Almost certainly as a consequence of these behaviors, PBG (3-30 mg/kg, i.p.) and mCPBG (0.3-10 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a conditioned place aversion. Pretreatment with the 5-HT3 antagonists ondansetron (0.01-0.1 mg/kg, s.c.), ICS205-930 and quaternized ICS205-930 (both 0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) blocked the PBG (30 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced place aversion. PBG (30 mg/kg, i.p.) and mCPBG (10 mg/kg, i.p.) also produced a conditioned taste aversion. The central administration of PBG (1-30 micrograms, i.c.v.) and mCPBG (0.1-10 micrograms, i.c.v.) enhanced locomotor- and gnawing-related behavior, although the effects with PBG seemed more consistent. These PBG (10 micrograms, i.c.v.)-induced behaviors were completely blocked by haloperidol (0.01-0.1 mg/kg, s.c.). In contrast, ondansetron (0.0001-1 mg/kg, s.c.) and ICS205-930 (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) produced only a mild and inconsistent attenuation of these responses. PBG (1-30 micrograms, i.c.v.) failed to produce any place conditioning (i.e., neither a preference nor aversion was found). It is concluded that activation of peripheral 5-HT3 receptors leads to aversive-type behaviors, which may be related to gastrointestinal discomfort or malaise. In contrast, central injection of PBG and mCPBG produced a range of dopamine-related behaviors; however, a 5-HT3 receptor involvement is unclear. Because both PBG and mCPBG have dopamine releasing properties, the use of 5-HT3 agonists lacking such effects and/or the use of more discrete microinjection studies are needed to more clearly elucidate the roles of 5-HT3 receptors in the central nervous system.
authors.affiliation: Addiction Research Foundation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Joharchi
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Sellers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001645:Biguanides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects*; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077526:Tropisetron
chemical_list: D001645:Biguanides; D007211:Indoles; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D000077526:Tropisetron; C065734:1-(3-chlorophenyl)biguanide; D006220:Haloperidol; D004298:Dopamine; C008846:phenyl biguanide