title: The effect of alpha 2 adrenoceptor blockers on aggressive behavior in mice: implications for the actions of adrenoceptor agents.
abstract: The effects of three alpha 2 adrenoceptor blockers (idazoxan, yohimbine and CH-38083) on isolation-induced aggressive behavior was studied in male mice. The three drugs produced different behavioral profiles. Idazoxan reduced aggressiveness dose-dependently by decreasing the duration of offensive/aggressive interactions and increasing the duration of defensive behaviors. The other two drugs produced only parts of the dual action of idazoxan: yohimbine affected mainly defensive behaviors, while CH-38083 affected only the time spent with fighting. Saline injections per se also influenced behavior and, in contrast to alpha 2 adrenoceptor blockers, induced an increase in aggressiveness. These results are different from those previously obtained in rats, which show bell-shaped dose-response curves in response to alpha 2 adrenoceptor blockers (small doses increased, while large doses decreased aggression). It is postulated that the strong behavioral reaction of mice to the injection per se may mask the aggression-heightening effects of small doses of alpha 2 adrenoceptor blockers in this species. A theory is also presented regarding the complexity of adrenoceptor interactions when both pre-, and postsynaptic alpha 2 adrenoceptors are blocked.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haller
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Makara
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kovács
mesh_terms: D058669:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D001599:Berberine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019329:Idazoxan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D015016:Yohimbine / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D058669:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D001599:Berberine; C048886:7,8-(methylenedioxy)-14-hydroxyberbane; D015016:Yohimbine; D019329:Idazoxan