Corticosterone responses in 5-HT1B receptor knockout mice to stress or 5-HT1A receptor activation are normal.
BACKGROUND
Previous research found no adaptations in presynaptic 5-HT1A receptors in mice lacking 5-HT1B receptors (5-HT1B KO). Stress and 5-HT1A receptor agonists induce corticosterone release in mice via hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation. 5-HT1B KO mice are hyperreactive to mild stressors and this might be reflected in altered postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptor sensitivity.


OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to determine whether the activity of the HPA axis was increased in 5-HT1B KO mice in response to mild stress and pharmacological activation of 5-HT1A receptors as an indication of putative adaptive changes in postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptor function.


METHODS
The effect of mild stress [i.e., the stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) paradigm], induced by rectal temperature measurement, was determined on temperature and corticosterone over time (0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, and 90 min) in 5-HT1B KO and wildtype mice. In addition, corticosterone was measured 60 min after 5-HT1A receptor activation by flesinoxan (0, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg s.c.). Blood was collected and plasma corticosterone levels were determined by radioimmunoassay.


RESULTS
Both genotypes showed comparable time-dependent SIH responses, whereas basal temperature was higher in 5-HT1B KO mice. The effect of SIH on temperature was mirrored by mild increases in plasma corticosterone. Activation of 5-HT1A receptors caused a strong dose-dependent release of corticosterone in both genotypes. Neither response observed showed differences between both genotypes.


CONCLUSIONS
Although 5-HT1B KO mice are hyperreactive to mild stress, this reactivity is not reflected by stronger corticosterone responses in the SIH paradigm. The lack of shift in dose-response curves for flesinoxan suggests that postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptor function is unaffected in 5-HT1B KO mice.
Bouwknecht
J A
JA
Department of Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Utrecht University, The Netherlands. J.A.Bouwknecht@pharm.uu.nl
van der Gugten
J
J
Hijzen
T H
TH
Maes
R A
RA
Hen
R
R
Olivier
B
B
D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood*; D005838:Genotype; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D044302:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D044263:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT1; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics
D010879:Piperazines; D044302:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D044263:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT1; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; C056895:flesinoxan; D003345:Corticosterone