The effect of repeated treatment with oxaprotiline enantiomers on central 5-HT receptor subpopulations.

The effect of repeated administration of (+)-OXA (a noradrenaline (NA) uptake inhibitor) and (-)-OXA (devoid of an effect on the NA uptake, but a clinically active antidepressant drug) on central 5-HT receptor subpopulations was studied. (-)-OXA given repeatedly, but not acutely, attenuated the 8-OH-DPAT-induced hypothermia in mice. (+)-OXA administered acutely, as well as repeatedly, was inactive in that test. The 8-OH-DPAT-induced syndrome in rats was attenuated by both OXA isomers administered either acutely or repeatedly. The hypothermia induced by m-CPP in mice was attenuated by single-dose administration of (+)-OXA and (-)-OXA; when given repeatedly, (+)-OXA increased the action of m-CPP. (-)-OXA administered repeatedly was inactive in that test. Either single or repeated administration of (+)-OXA had practically no effect on the depression of exploratory activity induced by m-CPP. (-)-OXA administered acutely or repeatedly attenuated the effect of m-CPP in the same manner. Acute, but not chronic, administration of (-)-OXA reduced the number of head-twitch episodes induced by 5-HTP in mice. Repeated, but not acute, treatment with (+)-OXA attenuated the effect of 5-HTP. The obtained results indicate that (+)-OXA administered repeatedly increases the reactivity of 5-HT1B receptors, decreases the reactivity of 5-HT2 receptors, and has no effect on the reactivity of 5-HT1A- (pre- and postsynaptic) and 5-HT1C-receptors. (-)-OXA given repeatedly decreases the reactivity of presynaptic 5-HT1A receptors and has no influence on the reactivity of postsynaptic 5-HT1A-, 5-HT1B-, 5-HT1C- and 5-HT2-receptors.