An investigation of the role of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the attenuation of presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated responses by antidepressant treatments.

Changes in the function of presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors in the brain were assessed by rating the hypoactivity (sedation) response of mice to clonidine (0.1 mg/kg). A single injection of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT, 75 micrograms ICV) or administration of p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA; 200 mg/kg) daily for 11-15 days produced 62-77% reductions in brain 5-HT concentrations and marked supersensitivity of 5-HT2 receptor function, as indicated by the enhancement of the head-twitch response to 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (2 mg/kg). Clonidine-induced hypoactivity was moderately enhanced after 5,7-DHT lesioning, but not after repeated PCPA injection. In addition, 5,7-DHT lesioning prevented the adaptive attenuation of this alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated response produced by daily injection of desipramine (10 mg/kg) for 14 days, but had no effect on the reduction caused by five electroconvulsive shocks (ECS, 200 V, 2 s) spread over 10 days. In contrast, repeated PCPA treatment did not prevent the reduction of clonidine-induced hypoactivity produced by repeated desipramine or ECS administration. Together, these results indicate that 5-HT (or possibly a cotransmitter contained within 5-hydroxytryptamine neurones) influences presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptor function. Furthermore, an intact 5-HT neuronal input is a prerequisite for the attenuation of clonidine-induced hypoactivity by desipramine, but not ECS. The probable explanation for a contrasting requirement for a functional 5-HT input is that desipramine and ECS induce this common adaptive response by different pharmacological mechanisms.