Pindolol increases extracellular 5-HT while inhibiting serotonergic neuronal activity

Casimir A. Fornal, Francisco J. Martín, Anna Mendlin, Christine W. Metzler, Bjørn Bjorvatn, Barry L. Jacobs

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effects of pindolol, a beta-adrenoceptor blocker/putative 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)(1A/1B) antagonist, on both the single-unit activity of serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and extracellular 5-HT levels in the caudate nucleus, were examined in freely moving cats. Administration of (±)-pindolol (1 and 10 mg/kg, s.c.) decreased neuronal activity and increased 5-HT levels in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The subsequent administration of WAY-100635 {(N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-(2-pyridinyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide} (0.2 mg/kg, s.c.), a selective 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist, blocked pindolol-induced neuronal suppression and potentiated 5-HT output. These results indicate that pindolol may be acting at the level of the nerve terminal to increase 5-HT. Copyright (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)187-191
Number of pages5
JournalEuropean Journal of Pharmacology
Volume377
Issue number2-3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 21 1999

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pharmacology

Keywords

  • 5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine), extracellular
  • 5-HT(1A) autoreceptor
  • Microdialysis
  • Pindolol
  • Serotonergic neuronal activity
  • Serotonin
  • WAY-100635

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