Repeated exposure of rats to the convulsant agent flurothyl enhances 5-hydroxytryptamine- and dopamine-mediated behavioural responses

Green, AR

HERO ID

5401198

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

1978

Language

English

PMID

638311

HERO ID 5401198
In Press No
Year 1978
Title Repeated exposure of rats to the convulsant agent flurothyl enhances 5-hydroxytryptamine- and dopamine-mediated behavioural responses
Authors Green, AR
Journal British Journal of Pharmacology
Volume 62
Issue 3
Page Numbers 325-331
Abstract 1 Rats were convulsed once daily for 7 days by exposure to the inhalant convulsant agent, flurothyl (Indoklon, bis (2,2,2-trifluouroethyl)ether). Twenty four hours after the final convulsion the rats were injected with tranylcypromine (20 mg/kg) followed 30 min later by L-DOPA (50 mg/kg), a procedure which increases brain dopamine concentrations. The flurothyl-treated rats showed a greater locomotor activity response than rats that had not been convulsed.2 This enhanced response appears to be due to increased postsynaptic dopamine receptor sensitivity since flurothyl-treated rats also showed enhanced locomotor responses to methamphetamine (2 mg/kg) and apomorphine (2 mg/kg).3 Enhanced 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced activity responses following administration of tranylcypromine (20 mg/kg) and L-tryptophan (50 mg/kg) were also seen 24 h after the last of 10 daily flurothyl-induced convulsions.4 The increased 5-hydroxytryptamine response also appears to be due to increased postsynaptic sensitivity since the flurothyl-treated rats showed increased hyperactivity following administration of tranylcypromine (20 mg/kg) and the suggested 5-hydroxytryptamine agonist, 5-methoxy N,N-dimethyltryptamine (2 mg/kg).5 No change in the brain concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, tryptophan, dopamine or noradrenaline was observed 24 h after the last of 10 daily flurothyl-induced convulsions, compared to untreated rats. The rate of 5-hydroxytryptamine accumulation after tranylcypromine/L-tryptophan treatment and of dopamine and noradrenaline accumulation after tranylcypromine/L-DOPA treatment was similar in both groups.6 Repeated flurothyl convulsion has the same effects on these behavioural tests as repeated electroconvulsive shock. Since both treatments have been used successfully to treat depression, it is suggested that the mechanism of action of electroconvulsive therapy may be by increasing postsynaptic responses to the monoamine neurotransmitters.
Doi 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1978.tb08464.x
Pmid 638311
Wosid WOS:A1978ER88500002
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English