title: Pharmacological characterisation of the decrease in 5-HT synthesis in the mouse brain evoked by the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor citalopram.
abstract: The selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram decreases the synthesis of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the mouse brain in vivo. The underlying mechanism was studied by recording the accumulation of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) in hypothalamus and hippocampus after inhibition of the aromatic amino acid decarboxylase activity with m-hydroxybenzylhydrazine (NSD 1015). Depletion of 5-HT with reserpine markedly reduced the citalopram-induced decrease of 5-HTP but not that evoked by the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT, which indicates that the presence of endogenous 5-HT is necessary for full effect of citalopram. In contrast to the almost complete antagonism of the decrease in 5-HT synthesis induced by 8-OH-DPAT, the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY-100,635 only slightly affected the citalopram-evoked decrease in 5-HT synthesis. Likewise, the 5-HT1B receptor antagonists NAS-181 and GR127935 only slightly antagonised the citalopram effect although they strongly inhibited the decrease in 5-HT synthesis induced by the 5-HT1B receptor agonist anpirtoline. Combined treatment with 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptor antagonists did not produce any additive antagonistic effect on the citalopram-induced decrease in 5-HT synthesis. The 5-HT2A/2C receptor antagonist ketanserin, the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron and the 5-HT4 receptor antagonist RS-39604 had no effect on the citalopram-induced decrease in 5-HT synthesis. The same was found for several other non-selective 5-HT receptor antagonists, e.g. cyproheptadine, dihydroergotamine, methiothepin, methysergide, metergoline and mianserin. It is concluded that the citalopram-induced decrease in 5-HT synthesis differs in sensitivity from that mediated by 5-HT1A or 5-HT1B receptor agonists and citalopram also seems to require endogenous 5-HT for its full effect.
authors.affiliation: AstraZeneca R&D Södertälje, Bioscience, Sweden.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stenfors
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Ross
mesh_terms: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin / Q000494:pharmacology; D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D015283:Citalopram / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D044302:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D044263:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT1; D012110:Reserpine / Q000494:pharmacology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan; D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin; D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D015283:Citalopram; D010879:Piperazines; D011725:Pyridines; D044302:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D044263:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT1; D012110:Reserpine; D012701:Serotonin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; C090413:N-(2-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl)ethyl)-N-(2-pyridinyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide