Evidence for a postsynaptic action of the serotonergic anxiolytics: Ipsapirone, indorenate and buspirone

Defensive burying in rodents: ethology, neurobiology and psychopharmacology

Defensive burying refers to the typical rodent behavior of displacing bedding material with vigorous treading-like movements of their forepaws and shoveling movements of their heads directed towards a variety of noxious stimuli that pose a near and immediate threat, such as a wall-mounted electrified shock-prod. Since its introduction 25 years ago by Pinel and Treit [J. Comp. Physiol. Psychol. 92 (1978) 708], defensive (shock-prod) burying has been the focus of a considerable amount of research effort delineating the methodology/ethology, psychopharmacology and neurobiology of this robust and species-specific active avoidance or coping response. The present review gives a summary of this research with special reference to the behavioral (face and construct) and pharmacological (predictive) validity of the shock-prod burying test as an animal model for human anxiety. Emphasis is also placed on some recent modifications of the paradigm that may increase its utility and reliability as to individual differences in expressed emotional coping responses and sensitivity to pharmacological treatments. Overall, the behavioral and physiological responses displayed in the shock-prod paradigm are expressions of normal and functionally adaptive coping patterns and the extremes of either active (i.e., burying) or passive (i.e., freezing) forms of responding in this test cannot simply be regarded as inappropriate, maladaptive or pathological. For this reason, the shock-prod paradigm is not an animal model for anxiety disorder or for any other psychiatric disease, but instead possesses a high degree of face and construct validity for normal and functionally adaptive human fear and anxious apprehension. However, the apparent good pharmacological validation (predictive validity) of this test reinforces the view that normal and pathological anxiety involves, at least partly, common neurobiological substrates. Therefore, this paradigm is not only suitable for screening potential anxiolytic properties of new drugs, but seems to be especially valuable for unraveling the neural circuitry and neurochemical mechanisms underlying the generation of active and passive coping responses as different expressions of anxiety.

Cocaine-induced anxiety: alleviation by diazepam, but not buspirone, dimenhydrinate or diphenhydramine

Clinical reports and animal experiments indicate that both cocaine administration and cocaine withdrawal increase anxiety. We investigated the ability of a number of putative anxiolytic agents to alleviate these anxiety states using the elevated plus-maze. Rats in the cocaine condition received either saline or cocaine (20 mg/kg) 40 min prior to testing; those in the withdrawal condition were tested 48 h following a chronic treatment regime (saline or cocaine 20 mg/kg per day for 14 days). Prior to testing, animals received a benzodiazepine (1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg diazepam), a serotonergic agonist (0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg buspirone), an antihistamine (50 mg/kg dimenhydrinate or 27 mg/kg diphenhydramine) or a saline injection. All drugs were administered intraperitoneally. Cocaine administration and cocaine withdrawal reduced the percentage time spent on and the number of entries into the open arms. Diazepam dose-dependently alleviated cocaine withdrawal-induced anxiety and non-significantly attenuated cocaine-induced anxiety. Buspirone, dimenhydrinate and diphenhydramine did not consistently alleviate the anxiety caused by either cocaine pre-treatment regime; in the saline conditions, however, each of these treatments was anxiogenic. In summary, benzodiazepines alleviated cocaine-induced anxiety, while future research on the ability of serotonergic and antihistaminergic drugs to alleviate these anxiety states is warranted.

Individual response profiles of male Wistar rats in animal models for anxiety and depression

Previous work has shown that systematic individual differences between male Wistar rats can be detected in tasks like the elevated plus-maze, or the open field. Here, we investigated whether individual profiles of anxiety, as measured with the plus-maze, may predict behavioral response profiles in other tasks where anxiety, aversion, or depressive behaviors are important. Male Wistar rats were initially screened: (A) in an open field; and (B) in an elevated plus-maze. Based on their plus-maze behavior, that is, the time spent in the open arms, the animals were divided into two subgroups with either 'low' or 'high' anxiety (LA or HA) levels. These subgroups were exposed to other experimental anxiety paradigms, namely object burying and two-way active avoidance, and an animal model of depression, the forced swim test. In the plus-maze, the percentage of time spent on, and the number of entries into the open arms were lower in HA than in LA rats. In the object burying task, HA rats showed more burying behavior of Tabasco-coated marbles, and in the active avoidance task, they showed slower acquisition of avoidance learning and higher escape latency as compared to LA rats. Finally, LA and HA rats behaved similarly in the forced swim test; however, the percentage changes of immobility time between test days 1 and 2 were negatively correlated to open field behavior, namely locomotor activity and center entries. On the other hand, the frequencies of rearing in the open field, which can also gauge functional differences between rats (for example responsiveness to novelty, psychomotor activation), were not substantially related to the behavioral profiles in the tests of anxiety and depression. These results show that individual differences of anxiety in the plus-maze can be predictive of behavior in other anxiety models, but not in forced swim test, indicating that they may be determined partly by similar functional and physiological mechanisms.

Inhibitory effect of buspirone and diazepam, but not of 8-OH-DPAT, on maternal behavior and aggression

The action of diazepam (0.0, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg) and the serotonergic compounds buspirone (0.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/kg) and 8-OH-DPAT (0.0, 0.1, and 1.0 mg/kg) on maternal behavior and aggression were studied. An activity test was made after these treatments to control for unspecific actions due to motor impairment. Diazepam and buspirone dose-dependently inhibited the expression of maternal aggression and the active components of maternal behavior such as retrieving and nest building. 8-OH-DPAT did not affect these behaviors. 8-OH-DPAT (1.0 mg/kg) provoked the serotonergic syndrome and hypothermia; however, ovariectomized animals showed more signs of the syndrome and a decrease in body temperature after 8-OH-DPAT than lactating rats. Buspirone, but not the other anxiolytics, reduced motor activity. The role of drugs acting at the serotonergic, dopaminergic, and GABA-benzodiazepine systems in the control of maternal behavior and aggression is discussed.

Blockade of the anxiolytic-like action of ipsapirone and buspirone, but not that of 8-OH-DPAT, by adrenalectomy in male rats

The effect of the 5-HT1A agonists ipsapirone (5 mg/kg), buspirone (5 mg/kg) and 8-OH-DPAT (0.5 mg/kg) on experimental anxiety was examined in sham-operated, adrenalectomized and adrenally demedullated male rats. The animal model of anxiety used was the defensive burying test. At the doses selected, all 5-HT1A compounds produced an anxiolytic-like action by reducing the burying behavior in both sham-operated and demedullated rats. However, in adrenalectomized subjects, while 8-OH-DPAT still reduced burying behavior, ipsapirone and buspirone lost their action. Data suggest that adrenocortical secretions play a role in the anxiolytic-like actions of buspirone and ipsapirone, but not in those of 8-OH-DPAT. Buspirone and ipsapirone also produced a reduction in burying behavior latency in sham-operated animals that was not observed in adrenalectomized or adrenally demedullated rats. These data suggest that adrenaline may be participating in the action of these compounds on the burying behavior latency. Present findings support possible direct relationships between the stimulation of 5-HT1A receptors and adrenal secretions.

Buspirone treatment of alcoholism: age of onset, and cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid and homovanillic acid concentrations, but not medication treatment, predict return to drinking

Disturbances in central nervous system serotonin (5-HT) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of alcoholism. To test the hypothesis that increasing 5-HT function could promote treatment compliance, we randomized patients who had completed a 5-week inpatient treatment program for alcoholism to receive either buspirone or placebo for 1 year. Ten of the 49 patients remained in the study for the entire year. The days to relapse did not differ significantly between patients receiving buspirone or placebo. Regardless of the medication, late-onset alcoholics had a longer time to relapse than early-onset alcoholics. Cerebrospinal fluid showed that patients with high concentrations of both the 5-HT metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and the dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid, were more likely to relapse, compared with patients with low concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and homovanillic acid.

Effects of amygdaloid lesions, hippocampal lesions, and buspirone on black-white exploration and food carrying in rats

Unlesioned rats exploring a black-white two compartment box spent most of the time in the covered, black half of the box and only little time in the uncovered, white half (67 s/5 min). Large radio-frequency lesions of the amygdala or hippocampus did not alter this pattern of exploration, but rats with hippocampus lesions were more active than the other two groups of rats. Treatment with the 5-HT1A receptor agonist buspirone (0.1 mg/kg, s.c.) increased the time that unlesioned rats spent in the uncovered compartment (103 s), an effect that was less pronounced in hippocampus-lesioned rats and completely abolished by amygdala lesions. In a food transport test, unlesioned rats that traveled from a home cage to an exposed food source consumed small and medium-sized pellets immediately at the food source. Larger pellets, however, were carried back to the home cage for consumption. Rats with amygdala lesions ate fewer pellets at the food source and tended to carry more pellets back to the home cage for consumption than unlesioned rats. Rats with hippocampus lesions carried fewer pellets back to the home cage and ate more pellets at the food source. Buspirone (0.5-1.5 mg/kg, s.c.) reduced the carrying of large food items to the home cage and increased consumption of these pellets at the food source in all groups of rats. These results suggest that neither the amygdala nor the hippocampus play an important role in controlling exploratory behavior in a black-white compartment box, but that the amygdala may have some role in mediating the effect of buspirone to increase exploration of the white/open compartment. Further, the amygdala and hippocampus have opposing influences on the transport of food items to a shelter, the amygdala suppressing food carrying, and the hippocampus enhancing it. Neither structure is essential for the effect of buspirone to reduce food carrying. The hypothesis that limbic structures mediate 'fear/anxiety' responses is discussed critically.

Modification of the anxiolytic action of 5-HT1A compounds by GABA-benzodiazepine agents in rats

The general purpose of the present study was to analyze the possible interactions between the GABA benzodiazepine and the serotonin systems in the mediation of the antianxiety actions of 5-HT1A compounds. The anxiolytic effect of buspirone (5 mg/kg), ipsapirone (5 mg/kg), indorenate (5 mg/kg), and 8-OH-DPAT (0.5 mg/kg) was established in the rat burying behavior test. Flumazenil (5 mg/kg), but not bicuculline (2.5 mg/kg), effectively counteracted the reduction in burying behavior produced by buspirone, ipsapirone, and 8-OH-DPAT. These same 5-HT1A compounds, at subthreshold doses, produced an important reduction in burying behavior when combined with diazepam (0.25 mg/kg). The effect of indorenate was not altered by any of the antagonists and, when combined with diazepam it produced large increases in burying behavior latency. Only buspirone alone and in combination with bicuculline or flumazenil impaired motor coordination as tested in the rota rod. Data are discussed on the bases of the interaction between the GABAergic and serotonergic systems, stressing species differences and variations due to the animal model of anxiety.

Postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors mediate 5-hydroxytryptamine release in the amygdala through a feedback to the caudal linear raphe

Using brain microdialysis, it was demonstrated that the release of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the central nucleus of the amygdala is under inhibitory control of somatodendritic and postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors. Systemic administration of flesinoxan, a selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist, significantly reduced the extracellular levels of 5-HT in the central nucleus of the amygdala. This effect could be completely antagonized by the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist N-(2-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl)-N-(2-pyridyl)cyclohexane carboxamine trihydrochloride (WAY 100635). Local administration of these compounds by reversed microdialysis into the raphe nuclei revealed that extracellular 5-HT levels in the central nucleus of the amygdala can be regulated through 5-HT1A receptors in the caudal linear raphe nucleus, but not in the dorsal and median raphe nuclei. Interestingly, administration of flesinoxan into the central nucleus of the amygdala also decreased dialysate 5-HT levels both locally and in the caudal linear raphe nucleus. The former effect could be blocked by pretreatment with WAY 100635 when applied into the central nucleus of the amygdala, but not when applied into the caudal linear raphe nucleus. These data provide circumstantial evidence for the existence of a 5-HT1A receptor mediated feedback loop from the central nucleus of the amygdala to the caudal linear raphe nucleus.

Pre- or postsynaptic activity of 5-HT1A compounds in mice depends on the anxiety paradigm

The purpose of the present study was to compare the contribution of pre and postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors to the anxiolytic effects of serotonergic1A compounds in two animal models of anxiety. To this aim, the 5-HT1A ligands buspirone, ipsapirone, indorenate, and 8-OH-DPAT were tested in the burying behavior test and the avoidance exploratory behavior paradigm in control, pCPA-treated, and 5,7-DHT-lesioned mice, p-CPA and 5,7-DHT treatments did not modify the burying behavior per se, while 5-HT1A agonists produced a significant reduction in this behavior in both p-CPA- and 5,7,-DHT-lesioned animals. In the exploratory behavior paradigm, p-CPA per se but not 5,7-DHT increased the black/white transitions, interpreted as an antianxiety action. The ICV injection of 5,7-DHT blocked such effect of the 5-HT1A compounds in the avoidance exploratory behavior test. Data suggest that the effect of 5-HT1A compounds in the burying behavior test is mediated via the stimulation of postsynaptic receptors, while in the avoidance exploratory behavior paradigm these compounds act through the stimulation of the presynaptic site. Discussion is based on the differences between the animal models of anxiety.

Age-dependent differences in the rat's conditioned defensive burying behavior: effect of 5-HT1A compounds

The ontogeny of conditioned defensive-burying behavior was studied in rats from 2 to 21 weeks of age. At early ages this parameter shows low values that gradually increase until the 11th week, decreasing steadily thereafter. Reactivity, measured by the burying-behavior latency, appeared increased in 2-week-old rats. The effect of the serotonergic1A compounds: 8-OH-DPAT (0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg), ipsapirone, buspirone, and indorenate (at 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg) was studied at 3, 7, 11, and 21 weeks of age. All compounds produced a dose-dependent decrease in burying behavior in rats of 7 and 11 weeks, while at the Week 21, only 8-OH-DPAT and indorenate reduced it. At 3 weeks of age, burying-behavior latency was increased by all compounds, but burying behavior was not altered. Motor coordination was affected by buspirone at all ages and by 8-OH-DPAT at the Week 21. Data are discussed on the bases of the development of defensive behaviors.

The role of hippocampal 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A (5-HT1A) receptors in the anticonflict activity of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists

The nonselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonists pindolol and cyanopindolol, which bind to 5-HT1A and 5-HT1A receptors showed an anticonflict effect by increasing the number of punished licks in the Vogel conflict test in rats, when administered directly into the CA, region of the dorsal hippocampus (i.hp.). The maximum effect was observed after intrusion of 1 microgram of pindolol and 3 microgram of cyanopindolol. However, the selective beta 1-and beta2-adrenoceptor antagonists betaxolol and ICI 118,551, respectively, which have a negligible affinity for 5-HT receptors, did not affect the punished responding, when administered i.hp. in doses up to 10 micrograms. The anticonflict effect of pindolol (1 microgram) was significantly reduced by (S)-WAY 100135, a selective 5-HT1A-receptor antagonist, administered i.hp (0.1 microgram) or s.c. (10 mg/kg). Furthermore, (S)-WAY 100135 injected i.hp (0.3 micrograms) significantly antagonized the anticonflict effect of pindolol injected i.p. (8 mg/kg). (S)-WAY 100135 given alone i.hp. (0.03-3 micrograms) or s.c. (5-10 mg/kg) did not affect the punished responding in rats. These results indicate that the anticonflict effect of the beta-blockers which were tested, or at least pindolol, depends on their agonist action on postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors located in the hippocampus.

Effects of sertindole on sleep-wake states, electroencephalogram, behavioral patterns, and epileptic activity of rats

In this study we addressed the effects of the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist sertindole in rats. The compound was administered in doses of 0.08, 0.32, and 1.28 mg/kg, whereas a control group received the solvent. The effects of sertindole on sleep-wake states, behavioral patterns, and background electroencephalogram were studied. Following injection of drug or solvent, we recorded the electroencephalogram and electromyogram for two periods of 4 h in the dark period of the light-dark cycle on 2 successive days. On the 1st day sertindole induced a significant increase in deep slow-wave sleep, but only with a dose of 0.32 mg/kg. Furthermore, a decrease in REM sleep in all three drug groups was established. The suppression of REM sleep was still present on the 2nd day. Sertindole also induced a decrease in alternation between behavioral patterns on the 1st day. There were no significant changes in the spectral content of the background electroencephalogram. In a parallel experiment it appeared that sertindole had no main effects on epileptic spike-wave discharges. This was established with a dose of 1.28 mg/kg sertindole in rats with absence seizures. These findings suggest that sertindole, similar to other compounds modulating 5-HT2 receptors, influences sleep-wake states in rats by decreasing REM sleep and mildly increasing deep slow-wave sleep, whereas behavioral variation is slightly diminished, with no effects on the background EEG and almost no effects on spike-wave discharges.

5-HT1A-receptor subtype mediates the effect of fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, on marble-burying behavior in mice

The effect of fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor, was studied in a model of anxiety and/or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in mice. In the anxiety/OCD model, marble-burying behavior, marble-burying was significantly suppressed by fluvoxamine at 30 and 60 mg/kg, p.o. and the monoamine reuptake inhibitor clomipramine, at 60 mg/kg, p.o. No suppressive effect, however, was observed by the selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor desipramine at doses from 15 to 60 mg/kg, p.o. Suppressive effects were obtained by the serotonergic anxiolytic buspirone at 30 and 60 mg/kg, p.o. and the benzodiazepine anxiolytic diazepam at 10 mg/kg, p.o. The effect of fluvoxamine on marble-burying was slightly attenuated after repeated administration. On the other hand, both the effects of buspirone and diazepam completely disappeared after repeated administration. Effect of fluvoxamine on the marble-burying was unaffected by the 5-HT2 antagonist ritanserin. However, the 5-HT1A antagonist NAN-190 (1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-(2-phthalimido)butyl] piperazine) inhibited the suppressive effect of fluvoxamine on the marble-burying. From these results, the 5-HT1A-receptor subtype may be involved in the suppressive effect of fluvoxamine on the marble-burying, but the 5-HT2-receptor subtype is not involved in this effect.

5-Hydroxytryptamine pathways in anxiety and its treatment

The effects of manipulating 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) neuronal function in humans and in animals are reviewed. 5HT pathways do not have a unitary function in modulating anxiety. It is proposed that, rather than acting as input or output channels for brain aversive systems, these pathways provide information concerning waking/motor status, which is crucial to the organisation of appropriate responses to threat. Each terminal region can make use of this information in different ways. Globally, the influence of 5HT neurones on higher centres appears predominantly to facilitate information processing relevant to threat, while their major influence on brainstem centres may be a restraining one.

5-Hydroxytryptamine-interacting drugs in animal models of anxiety disorders: more than 30 years of research

An overview of the behavioral data arising from the vast literature concerning the involvement of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) neurotransmission in the regulation of anxiety is presented. More than 1300 experiments were carried out in this area and they provide evidence that: (1) results obtained in ethologically based animal models of anxiety with drugs stimulating 5-HT transmission are most consistent with the classic 5-HT hypothesis of anxiety in that they show an increase in animals' emotional reactivity; (2) no category of anti-anxiety models are selectively sensitive to the anxiolytic-like effects of drugs targetting 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A or 5-HT2C receptor subtypes; (3) anxiolytic-like effects of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, in the great part, are revealed by models based on spontaneous behaviors. Taken together, these observations lead to the conclusion that different 5-HT mechanisms, mediated by different receptor subtypes, are involved in the genesis of anxiety.

Anxiolytic effect of the 5-HT1A compounds 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin and ipsapirone in the social interaction paradigm: evidence of a presynaptic action

This study analyses at which site, pre- or postsynaptic, the 5-HT1A ligands--8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and ipsapirone--induce their anxiolytic action. The experimental anxiety was assessed in the social interaction test. An anxiolytic action was observed after the systemic administration of 8-OH-DPAT (0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg) and ipsapirone (5 but not 10 mg/kg). In 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT, 150 micrograms/10 microliters) lesioned rats the anxiolytic effect of 8-OH-DPAT and ipsapirone was not observed, suggesting a presynaptic action of these drugs. When directly injected into the dorsal raphe nucleus 8-OH-DPAT (0.1 microgram/microliter) and ipsapirone (0.2 microgram/microliter), both compounds produce anxiolytic effects. At same doses, these drugs lacked an effect after their intrahippocampal infusion. All data strongly suggest that both drugs act presynaptically to reduce the anxiety levels in the social interaction paradigm.

Effects of 5-HT1A receptor ligands on a safety signal withdrawal procedure of conflict in the rat

The present study evaluated in the rat the ability of various 5-HT1A receptor agonists to exert an "anxiolytic-like" release of the suppression of lever pressing for food induced by the withdrawal of a conditioned signal for safety without presentation of a conditioned signal for punishment. During the period associated with the safety signal withdrawal (Saf.CS-/Pun.CS-), control rats exhibited a typical pattern of responding with an initial strong blockade of responding that lessened over the period as presses were rewarded and shocks omitted. The 5-HT1A receptor partial agonists buspirone (0.125-0.5 mg/kg) and 8-(2-[2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-2-yl- methylamino]ethyl)-8-azaspiro[4,5]decane-7,9-dione methyl sulfonate (MDL 73005EF; 0.5-2 mg/kg) and the full agonist (+)-4-[N-(5-methoxy-chroman-3-yl)-N-propylamino]-butyl-8- azaspiro[4,5]decane-7,9-dione (S 20499; 0.125-1 mg/kg) produced a robust and dose-related release of pressing during the Saf.CS-/Pun.CS- period. This effect was less marked with ipsapirone (0.125-1 mg/kg). Conversely, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT; 0.06-0.25 mg/kg), a full agonist, was completely inactive and did not prevent MDL 73005EF (1-2 mg/kg) or diazepam (0.125 mg/kg) from releasing the suppressed behavior. The specific 5-HT1A antagonist (+)-N-tert-butyl-3-4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl-2-phenylpr opa namide [(+)-WAY 100135; 0.25-8 mg/kg] and the beta-adrenoceptor/5-HT1A antagonist (-)-tertatolol (2-8 mg/kg) did not modify the behavioral blockade, nor did (+)-WAY 100135 (2-4 mg/kg) reduce the ability of buspirone (0.25 mg/kg) to enhance responding during the Saf.CS-/Pun.CS- period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The role of 5-hydroxytryptamine1A (5-HT1A) receptors in the anticonflict activity of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists

Using the conflict drinking test as a model, we studied in rats the effect of the nonselective beta-adrenoceptor blockers pindolol and cyanopindolol which bind to 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptors, and of the selective beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonists betaxolol and ICI 118,551, respectively, which have a negligible affinity for 5-HT receptors. Both pindolol (2.0-8.0 mg/kg) and cyanopindolol (0.5-2.0 mg/kg) showed an anticonflict effect, having dose dependently increased the number of punished licks. On the other hand, neither betaxolol nor ICI 118,551--administered separately or in combination--affected the punished responding. The anticonflict effects of pindolol and cyanopindolol were completely abolished by the 5-HT1A receptor and alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-(2-phtalimmido)butyl]piperazine (NAN-190), but were not modified by the selective alpha 1(-)-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin. The effects of pindolol and cyanopindolol were also not modified in animals with lesions of 5-HT neurons, produced by p-chloroamphetamine (PCA). Moreover, it was also found that the anticonflict effects of pindolol and cyanopindolol in PCA-pretreated rats were antagonized by NAN-190 but not prazosin. Our results indicate that the anticonflict effects of pindolol and cyanopindolol depend on their agonist action on postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors.

Interaction of GABA and serotonin in the anxiolytic action of diazepam and serotonergic anxiolytics

The general purpose of the present study was to analyze the possible interactions between the GABA-benzodiazepine and the serotonergic (5-HT) systems in the anxiolytic action of diazepam and the 5-HT1A agonists, ipsapirone, indorenate, and 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT). The effect of the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, flumazenil (10.0 mg/kg), on the anxiolytic action of ipsapirone (5.0 mg/kg), indorenate (5.0 mg/kg), and 8-OH-DPAT (0.125 mg/kg) was examined on the avoidance exploratory behavior paradigm in mice. The effect of the 5-HT1 blockers, methiotepin (0.31 mg/kg), pindolol (3.1 mg/kg), and alprenolol (5.0 mg/kg), on the anxiolytic action of diazepam (0.5 mg/kg) was also studied. In the last part of this work, the putative potentiation between diazepam (0.25 mg/kg) and each of the serotonergic anxiolytics was investigated. The antianxiety effect of diazepam, ipsapirone, indorenate, and 8-OH-DPAT was prevented by flumazenil. The serotonergic/beta-blocker, alprenolol, partially antagonized the diazepam effect. Finally, a potentiation of suboptimal doses of diazepam and ipsapirone, but not with indorenate or 8-OH-DPAT, was observed. The findings suggest an interaction between both systems on the anxiolytic action of diazepam and the 5-HT1A agonists.