title: Serotonergic modulation of respiratory motoneurons and interneurons in brainstem slices of perinatal rats.
abstract: Respiration-related membrane potential fluctuations were recorded in hypoglossal (XII) motoneurons and pre-Bötzinger complex (pre-BötC) interneurons in medullary slices from perinatal rats. Bath application of serotonin (5-HT) evoked a ketanserine-sensitive depolarization (approximately 11 mV) and tonic spike discharge in XII motoneurons, whereas pre-BötC neurons responded with a <6 mV depolarization and no tonic discharge. The membrane effects were accompanied by an increase in respiratory frequency by up to 260% in 64% of preparations. A frequency decrease leading to block of respiratory activity could also occur (20%) as well as an initial acceleration that turned into a frequency depression (16%). In contrast, iontophoresis of 5-HT into the pre-BötC exclusively increased respiratory frequency by 30-220%, whereas iontophoresis into the XII nucleus did not change respiratory frequency but induced tonic nerve discharge. The effects of local iontophoretic administration of 5-HT on membrane properties of XII and pre-BötC cells were very similar to those upon bath application. Bath application and iontophoresis of the 5-HT2 receptor agonist -methyl-hydroxytryptamine mimicked the effects of 5-HT. Bath application of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxydipropylaminotetralin hydrobromide did not affect XII nerve bursting or pre-BötC neurons. Iontophoresis of 8-hydroxydipropylaminotetralin hydrobromide had almost no effect on respiratory frequency and induced in the interneurons either a depolarization or hyperpolarization (<5 mV) which was blocked by the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist N-(2-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl)ethyl)N-2-pyridinylcyclohexane carboxamide. In conclusion, 5-HT-evoked tonic excitation of respiratory XII motoneurons is mediated by postsynaptic 5-HT2 receptors. The excitatory effects on respiratory rhythm are also primarily attributable to postsynaptic 5-HT2 receptors of pre-BötC neurons. Additional modulatory effects on the interneurons appear to be mediated by postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors.
authors.affiliation: Zentrum Anatomie, Universität Göttingen, Kreuzbergring 36, D-37075, Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Schwarzacher
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pestean
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Günther
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ballanyi
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D019706:Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007002:Hypoglossal Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D007395:Interneurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D011903:Raphe Nuclei / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012125:Respiratory Center / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D012701:Serotonin