The involvement of presynaptic 5-hydroxytryptamine1A (5-HT1A) autoreceptors in the anxiolytic-like properties of lesopitron (E-4424) (2-(4-[4-(4-chloro-1-pyrazolyl)butyl]-1- piperazinyl)pyrimidine) was studied. Brain microdialysis was used to examine the effect of the drug on the release of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the frontal cortex of awake, freely moving rats. Moreover, extracellular cortical 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) were also studied to assess the possible participation of dopaminergic systems. 2. Lesopitron administered at a dose which induces anxiolytic behavior in rats (30 micrograms kg-1, i.p.) markedly reduced 5-HT levels (to 45% of the basal value) in cortical perfusates, having no effect on 5-HIAA, DOPAC and HVA. The effects of lesopitron were compared with those produced by the anxiolytic, and structurally related compound, buspirone. 3. Buspirone administered at a dose inducing anxiolytic-like effects in rats (5 mg kg-1, i.p.) produced a marked decrease in cortical 5-HT levels (to 20% of the basal value), but in contrast to lesopitron, buspirone produced a pronounced increase in cortical DOPAC (to 300% of the basal value) and HVA (to 400% of the basal value) levels. Buspirone administered at a low dose (30 micrograms kg-1, i.p.) was unable to affect cortical 5-HT levels. 4. To test the hypothesis that the 5-HT decreasing effect of lesopitron could be due to 5-HT1A autoreceptor (somatodendritic)-mediated inhibition of 5-HT neurotransmission, lesopitron was administered locally into the raphe nuclei. Intraraphe administration of 10 micro M lesopitron caused a decrease incortical 5-HT levels (the effect being of the same order as that obtained after systemic injection), with no effect on 5-HIAA, DOPAC and HVA. Raphe 5-HT extracellular levels were not modified afterintraraphe administration of lesopitron, indicating the absence of 5-HT reuptake blocking properties.5 We concluded that lesopitron, at an anxiolytic dose produced a marked inhibition of 5-HT release in the frontal cortex of awake, freely moving rats. This effect was observed after systemic administration as well as after intraraphe administration of the drug, suggesting an agonistic action at raphe 5-HTIA autoreceptors controlling 5-HT release in the projecting areas. In contrast to buspirone, lesopitrontreatment had no effect on cortical DOPAC or HVA levels.
