Diabetes inhibits the DOI-induced head-twitch response in mice

1-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI): From an Obscure to Pivotal Member of the DOX Family of Serotonergic Psychedelic Agents - A Review

1-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI, or DOX where X = -I) was first synthesized in 1973 in a structure-activity study to explore the effect of various aryl substituents on the then newly identified, and subsequently controlled, hallucinogenic agent 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOM, or DOX where X = -CH3). Over time, DOI was found to be a serotonin (5-HT) receptor agonist using various peripheral 5-HT receptor tissue assays and later, following the identification of multiple families of central 5-HT receptors, an agonist at 5-HT2 serotonin receptors in rat and, then, human brain. Today, classical hallucinogens, currently referred to as serotonergic psychedelic agents, are receiving considerable attention for their potential therapeutic application in various neuropsychiatric disorders including treatment-resistant depression. Here, we review, for the first time, the historical and current developments that led to DOI becoming a unique, perhaps a landmark, agent in 5-HT2 receptor research.

Brexpiprazole prevents colitis-induced depressive-like behavior through myelination in the prefrontal cortex

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have higher rates of psychiatric pathology including depression. The dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-treated mice exhibit IBD- and depressive-like phenotypes. A disturbed intestinal environment causes a decrease in serotonin and abnormal myelination in the brain, along with depressive-like behavior in rodents. However, the involvement of these factors in DSS-induced depressive-like behavior in mice remains unclear. In this study, we examined whether myelin proteins in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampi were altered in DSS-treated mice, along with the changes in the serotonergic system in the PFC by western blotting and HPLC. The effects of brexpiprazole (Brx), a serotonin modulator, on DSS-induced depressive-like behavior using the tail-suspension test were evaluated. Subsequently, we investigated Brx's effects on the levels of myelin, nodal proteins, and neurotrophic molecules in the PFC with western blotting, and examined the altered node of Ranvier formation by immunohistochemistry. DSS-treated mice showed a reduction in myelin and nodal proteins, dysfunction of the serotonergic system, and impaired formation of the nodes of Ranvier in the PFC. Brx administration prevented the DSS-induced depressive-like behavior and demyelination in the PFC. However, the Brx-mediated effects were inhibited by the selective 5-HT_1A antagonist, WAY100635, or the selective TrkB antagonist, ANA-12. Brx decreased the phosphorylation of ERK, CREB, and TrkB along with the expression of BDNF in the PFC of DSS-treated mice. Moreover, the effects of Brx were blocked by WAY100635. These findings indicated that myelination regulated by the activation of the ERK1/2-CREB-BDNF-TrkB pathway in the PFC may be involved in mediating the antidepressant effects of Brx.

Neuronal ablation of p-Akt at Ser473 leads to altered 5-HT1A/2A receptor function

The serotonergic system regulates a wide range of behavior, including mood and impulsivity, and its dysregulation has been associated with mood disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and addiction. Diabetes is a risk factor for these conditions. Insulin resistance in the brain is specifically associated with susceptibility to psychostimulant abuse. Here, we examined whether phosphorylation of Akt, a key regulator of the insulin signaling pathway, controls serotonin (5-HT) signaling. To explore how impairment in Akt function regulates 5-HT homeostasis, we used a brain-specific rictor knockout (KO) mouse model of impaired neuronal phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473. Cortical 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptor binding was significantly elevated in rictor KO mice. Concomitant with this elevated receptor expression, the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) led to an increased hypothermic response in rictor KO mice. The increased cortical 5-HT1A receptor density was associated with higher 5-HT1A receptor levels on the cortical cell surface. In contrast, rictor KO mice displayed significantly reduced head-twitch response (HTR) to the 5-HT2A/C agonist 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI), with evidence of impaired 5-HT2A/C receptor signaling. In vitro, pharmacological inhibition of Akt significantly increased 5-HT1A receptor expression and attenuated DOI-induced 5-HT2A receptor signaling, thereby lending credence to the observed in vivo cross-talk between neuronal Akt signaling and 5-HT receptor regulation. These data reveal that defective central Akt function alters 5-HT signaling as well as 5-HT-associated behaviors, demonstrating a novel role for Akt in maintaining neuronal 5-HT receptor function.

Eating high fat chow increases the sensitivity of rats to 8-OH-DPAT-induced lower lip retraction

Eating high fat food can alter sensitivity to drugs acting on dopamine systems; this study examined whether eating high fat food alters sensitivity to a drug acting on serotonin (5-HT) systems. Sensitivity to (+)-8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino) tetralin hydrobromide (8-OH-DPAT; 5-HT1A receptor agonist)-induced lower lip retraction was examined in separate groups (n=8-9) of rats with free access to standard (5.7% fat) or high fat (34.3% fat) chow; sensitivity to quinpirole (dopamine D3/D2 receptor agonist)-induced yawning was also examined. Rats eating high fat chow gained more body weight than rats eating standard chow and, after 6 weeks of eating high fat chow, they were more sensitive to 8-OH-DPAT (0.01-0.1 mg/kg)-induced lower lip retraction and quinpirole (0.0032-0.32 mg/kg)-induced yawning. These changes were not reversed when rats that previously ate high fat chow were switched to eating standard chow and sensitivity to 8-OH-DPAT and quinpirole increased when rats that previously ate standard chow ate high fat chow. These data extend previous results showing changes in sensitivity to drugs acting on dopamine systems in animals eating high fat chow to a drug acting at 5-HT1A receptors and they provide support for the notion that eating certain foods impacts sensitivity to drugs acting on monoamine systems.

Head-twitch response in rodents induced by the hallucinogen 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine: a comprehensive history, a re-evaluation of mechanisms, and its utility as a model

Two primary animal models persist for assessing hallucinogenic potential of novel compounds and for examining the pharmacological and neurobiological substrates underlying the actions of classical hallucinogens, the two-lever drug discrimination procedure and the drug-induced head-twitch response (HTR) in rodents. The substituted amphetamine hallucinogen, serotonin 2 (5-HT(2) ) receptor agonist, 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) has emerged as the most popular pharmacological tool used in HTR studies of hallucinogens. Synthesizing classic, recent, and relatively overlooked findings, addressing ostensibly conflicting observations, and considering contemporary theories in receptor and behavioural pharmacology, this review provides an up-to-date and comprehensive synopsis of DOI and the HTR model, from neural mechanisms to utility for understanding psychiatric diseases. Also presented is support for the argument that, although both the two-lever drug discrimination and the HTR models in rodents are useful for uncovering receptors, interacting proteins, intracellular signalling pathways, and neurochemical processes affected by DOI and related classical hallucinogens, results from both models suggest they are not reporting hallucinogenic experiences in animals.

Food restriction and streptozotocin differentially modify sensitivity to the hypothermic effects of direct- and indirect-acting serotonin receptor agonists in rats

Food restriction and experimentally-induced diabetes (streptozotocin) can modify serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission and sensitivity to drugs acting on 5-HT systems. This study examined the effects of food restriction and streptozotocin on the hypothermic effects of the 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist (+)-8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino)tetralin hydrobromide (8-OH-DPAT), the 5-HT(2) receptor agonist (+/-)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine hydrochloride (DOM), the 5-HT releaser fenfluramine, and the selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine. All four drugs significantly decreased body temperature in free feeding rats. Limiting rats to 10 g/day of food for 7 days decreased body weight and sensitivity to 8-OH-DPAT induced hypothermia, without affecting sensitivity to DOM, fenfluramine, or fluoxetine induced hypothermia. Subsequently, 7 days of free feeding restored body weight and sensitivity to 8-OH-DPAT. Sensitivity to all drugs was significantly decreased 7 days after 50 mg/kg streptozotocin; subsequently, 10 days of insulin replacement restored sensitivity to all drugs. These results extend to body temperature the observation that food restriction and experimentally-induced diabetes differentially modify sensitivity to drugs acting on 5-HT systems and they further suggest that the clinical response to therapeutic drugs acting on 5-HT systems might be impacted by nutritional and insulin status.

Food restriction and streptozotocin treatment decrease 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptor-mediated behavioral effects in rats

Food restriction and hypoinsulinemia can affect the synthesis, turnover, and receptor function of serotonin (5-HT) in brain. This study explored the effects of food restriction and streptozotocin treatment on behavioral effects related to 5-HT1A (+)-8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino)tetralin hydrobromide (8-OH-DPAT) and 5-HT2A [(+/-)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine hydrochloride (DOI)] receptor activation. Lower lip retraction and flat body posture (8-OH-DPAT) and head twitching (DOI) were measured in rats during free feeding, food restriction, after treatment with streptozotocin, and finally after insulin replacement. 8-OH-DPAT induced lower lip retraction and flat body posture whereas DOI induced head twitching. One week of food restriction (10 g/day) decreased 8-OH-DPAT-induced lower lip retraction, 8-OH-DPAT-induced flat body posture, and DOI-induced head twitching. Subsequently, 1 week of free access to food restored sensitivity to 8-OH-DPAT and DOI-induced behavioral effects. Finally, 1 week after streptozotocin, 8-OH-DPAT-induced flat body posture and DOI-induced head twitching were markedly reduced whereas 8-OH-DPAT-induced lower lip retraction was unchanged. One week of insulin replacement restored sensitivity to 8-OH-DPAT and DOI-induced behavioral effects. These results show that modest food restriction or experimentally induced diabetes can profoundly affect sensitivity to drugs acting at 5-HT1A or 5-HT2A receptors; these results could be relevant to understanding the comorbidity of depression and diabetes.

Involvement of diazepam-insensitive benzodiazepine receptors in the suppression of DOI-induced head-twitch responses in diabetic mice

RATIONALE

We previously reported that the head-twitch responses induced by the 5-HT2 receptor agonist (+/-)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) (DOI-HTRs) were decreased in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

OBJECTIVES

We examined the involvement of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)/benzodiazepine system on the suppression of DOI-HTRs in diabetic mice.

RESULTS

The benzodiazepine receptor antagonist flumazenil (0.1-1 mg/kg, i.v.) dose-dependently and significantly increased DOI-HTRs in diabetic mice to the same levels as in nondiabetic mice. However, flumazenil (0.1-1 mg/kg, i.v.) did not affect DOI-HTRs in nondiabetic mice. The benzodiazepine receptor agonist diazepam (0.1-1 mg/kg, i.p.) had no effect on DOI-HTRs in either nondiabetic or diabetic mice. The GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline (0.1-1 mg/kg, i.p.) and the benzodiazepine receptor partial inverse agonist Ro 15-4513 (0.1-1 mg/kg, i.v.) dose-dependently and significantly suppressed DOI-HTRs in nondiabetic mice to the same levels as in diabetic mice. Ro 15-4513-induced reduction of DOI-HTRs in nondiabetic mice was completely antagonized by flumazenil (1 mg/kg, i.v.), but not diazepam (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.).

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that the abnormal diazepam-insensitive benzodiazepine receptor function partly underlies the suppression of DOI-HTRs in diabetic mice.