SKF 38393 and SCH 23390 inhibit reuptake of serotonin by rat hypothalamic synaptosomes.
OBJECTIVE
Both the dopamine receptor D(1) agonist SKF 38393 and the antagonist SCH 23390 are benzazepine derivatives that have been widely used as pharmacological tools and radioligands. Evidence suggests that behavioral effects of both compounds do not always correspond to their established receptor subtype selectivity. Here, we assessed the effects of SKF 38393 and SCH 23390 on the synaptosomal uptake of tritiated serotonin.


METHODS
Uptake experiments were performed by using [(3)H]serotonin and synaptosomal fractions prepared from the hypothalamus of rat brain.


RESULTS
Both SKF 38393 and SCH 23390 inhibited synaptosomal uptake of [(3)H]serotonin, with IC(50) values of 910 ± 60 nmol/l and 1,400 ± 80 nmol/l, respectively. Clomipramine, a known inhibitor of serotonin uptake, and (+)-amphetamine, a weak inhibitor, had IC(50) values of 14 ± 1 nmol/l and more than 10,000 nmol/l, respectively, under the same experimental conditions. The IC(50) values for SKF 38393 and SCH 23390 fall within the broad range of corresponding values for antidepressants that have been shown to inhibit the uptake of serotonin. This finding indicates that SKF 38393 and SCH 23390 can enhance the activity of the serotonergic system in the brain, a mechanism that may be responsible for some of the effects of these drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
SKF 38393 and SCH 23390 are useful tools to differentiate D(1) from D(2) receptors, but their indirect effects on serotonergic mechanisms have to be considered.
Department of Pharmacology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
M R
MR
Zarrindast
Z
Z
Honardar
F
F
Sanea
A A
AA
Owji
D015647:2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1 / Q000819:agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013574:Synaptosomes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D015647:2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001552:Benzazepines; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1; D012701:Serotonin; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; C534628:SCH 23390