title: The increase in cyclic-AMP levels elicited by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in mouse cerebral cortical slices is potentiated by ergot alkaloids.
abstract: We have recently observed that noradrenaline potentiates, via the activation of specific ?-receptors, the stimulatory effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide on cyclic-AMP levels. We report here that certain ergot derivatives of the ergopeptine class, such as bromocriptine, ergotamine and codergocrine known to interact with alpha-adrenergic receptors, will also potentiate the effects of VIP on cyclic-AMP levels, without increasing directly the levels of the cyclic nucleotide. To our knowledge, these results demonstrate for the first time the existence of an interaction between a neuropeptide and ergot alkaloids within the cerebral cortex.
authors.affiliation: Département de Pharmacologie, Centre Médical Universitaire, 1211 Geneva Switzerland.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Magistretti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hof
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schorderet