Functional subsensitivity of 5-hydroxytryptamine1C or alpha 2 adrenergic heteroreceptors mediating clonidine-induced growth hormone release in the Fawn-Hooded rat strain relative to the Wistar rat strain.

Administration of various doses of clonidine increased plasma growth hormone levels. Pretreatment with the alpha 2 adrenergic antagonists, yohimbine and 1-(2-pyrimidyl)piperazine, completely blocked clonidine's effect on growth hormone levels. Pretreatment with the 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonist, MDL-72222, the 5-HT1A/5-HT2 antagonist, spiperone, and the mixed beta adrenergic/5-HT1B antagonists, l-propranolol and CGP361A, did not attenuate clonidine-induced increases in growth hormone levels. In contrast, pretreatment with the non-selective 5-HT1/2 antagonist, metergoline, and the 5-HT1C/5-HT2-selective antagonist, mesulergine, reduced clonidine-induced increases in growth hormone levels 81 to 87% without affecting clonidine-induced decreases in locomotor activity. Two other 5-HT1C/5-HT2 antagonists, ritanserin and mianserin, also attenuated (47%) clonidine-induced increases in growth hormone levels. Pretreatment with the noradrenergic neurotoxin, DSP4, did not block clonidine's effect on growth hormone levels. Clonidine administration decreased locomotor activity in both the Fawn-Hooded and the Wistar rat strains to the same extent. On the other hand, clonidine administration failed to increase growth hormone levels in the Fawn-Hooded rat strain. These findings suggest that clonidine stimulates growth hormone secretion by activation of alpha 2 adrenergic heteroreceptors present on 5-HT nerve terminals which, in turn, enhance 5-HT activity via stimulation of postsynaptic 5-HT1C receptors to promote growth hormone releasing factor. Furthermore, either 5-HT1C receptors or alpha 2 adrenergic heteroreceptors or both are functionally sub-sensitive in the Fawn-Hooded rat strain relative to the Wistar rat strain.