title: 5-HT1A agonists induce central cholinergic antinociception.
abstract: The antinociceptive effects of the 5-HT1A agonists buspirone [3 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.)], gepirone (3-6 mg/kg i.p.), and 8-OH-DPAT [3-5 mg/kg i.p.; 1-3 micrograms per mouse intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.)] were examined in mice by using the hot-plate (thermal stimulus) and abdominal constriction (chemical stimulus) tests. Buspirone, gepirone, and 8-OH-DPAT produced significant antinociception, which was prevented by atropine (5 mg/kg i.p.), the ACh depletor hemicholinium-3 (1 microgram per mouse i.c.v.), and the 5-HT1A antagonist NAN 190 (0.5 microgram per mouse i.c.v.), but not by naloxone (1 mg/kg i.p.), the GABAB antagonist CGP 35348 (100 mg/kg i.p.), and pertussis toxin (0.25 microgram per mouse i.c.v.). NAN 190 which totally antagonized buspirone, gepirone, and 8-OH-DPAT antinociception, did not modify the analgesic effect of morphine (5 mg/kg subcutaneously). In the antinociceptive dose range, none of the 5HT1A agonists impaired mouse performance evaluated by rota-rod and hole board tests. On the basis of these data, it can be postulated that buspirone, gepirone, and 8-OH-DPAT exert an antinociceptive effect mediated by a central amplification of cholinergic transmission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preclinical and Clinical Pharmacology M. Aiazzi-Mancini, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Galeotti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ghelardini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bartolini
mesh_terms: D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002065:Buspirone / Q000494:pharmacology; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000187:drug effects; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects*; D044263:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT1; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D011743:Pyrimidines; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D044263:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT1; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; C039979:gepirone; D002065:Buspirone