title: Potentiation of DOI-induced forward locomotion in rats by (-)-pindolol pretreatment.
abstract: The present experiments were undertaken in order to examine mechanisms of action for reported interactions between the beta-blocker (-)-pindolol and serotonergic agents. It was found that pretreatment with (-)-pindolol (2 mg kg-1 s.c.) potentiated the stereotyped forward locomotion induced by the 5-HT2A/C receptor agonist DOI (0.125-1.0 mg kg-1 s.c.) in rats observed in an open-field arena. This (-)-pindolol/DOI-induced stereotyped forward locomotion was fully antagonized by the 5-HT2A/C receptor antagonist ritanserin (2 mg kg-1 s.c.), suggesting that (-)-pindolol enhances serotonin release, resulting i.a. in postsynaptic 5-HT2A/C receptor activation. This effect by (-)-pindolol is in all probability indirect since this compound lacks affinity for 5-HT2A/C receptors, and could be explained by reported antagonism of inhibitory serotonergic somato-dendritic 5-HT1A autoreceptors, although other possibilities related to 5-HT1B receptors or beta-adrenoceptors can not be excluded at this time. Furthermore, (-)-pindolol treatment also enhanced 5-HTP-induced (12.5-100 mg kg-1 i.p.) effects on spontaneous motor activity. These effects, however, were of smaller magnitude, and less consistent than those seen in combination with DOI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemical and Behavioral Pharmacology, Astra Arcus AB, Södertälje, Sweden.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahlenius
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D010869:Pindolol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016713:Ritanserin / Q000494:pharmacology; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000662:Amphetamines; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D016713:Ritanserin; D010869:Pindolol; C015952:4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenylisopropylamine