Tryptamine-induced myoclonus in guinea-pigs pretreated with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor indicates pre- and post-synaptic actions of tryptamine upon central indoleamine systems.

Abstract

Tryptamine (1-320 mg/kg) evoked only slight muscle jerking in naive guinea-pigs but, in animals pretreated with pargyline (75 mg/kg; 1 hr previously), tryptamine induced a dose-dependent (6-160 mg/kg) myoclonus. The myoclonus induced by tryptamine (40 mg/kg) plus pargyline (75 mg/kg) was differentially inhibited by the indoleamine receptor antagonists, methergoline (5 mg/kg) which was more potent than methysergide (10 mg/kg), mianserin (10 mg/kg) which was more potent that cyproheptadine (10 mg/kg) and propranolol (20 mg/kg) which was more potent than cinanserin (10 mg/kg). This rank order of potency differed from that observed for the order of potency of these drugs in inhibiting the myoclonus induced by L-5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) plus carbidopa in guinea-pigs (Luscombe, Jenner and Marsden, Neuropharmacology, 1981), perhaps indicating involvement of pharmacologically distinct indoleamine receptors. Manipulation of presynaptic function of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) by tryptophan hydroxylase inhibition with p-chlorophenylalanine to produce depletion of cerebral 5HT, or by an L-tryptophan load to elevate 5HT in brain, suggested that the functional integrity of serotonergic neurones is required for the expression of myoclonus induced by tryptamine plus pargyline. A range of blockers of 5HT re-uptake did not alter the jerking produced by tryptamine (40 mg/kg) in guinea pigs pretreated with pargyline (75 mg/kg; 1 hr previously), or the threshold myoclonus induced by a smaller dose of tryptamine (10 mg/kg; plus pargyline 75 mg/kg). It is suggested that myoclonus induced by tryptamine in guinea pigs pretreated with pargyline involves activation of post-synaptic indoleamine receptors by tryptamine by a mechanism which requires intact presynaptic function of 5HT.

• Authors: G Luscombe, P Jenner, C D Marsden
• Journal: Neuropharmacology (Neuropharmacology) Vol. 21 Issue 12 Pg. 1257-65 (Dec 1982) ISSN: 0028-3908 [Print] England
• PMID: 6130489 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
• Neurotransmitter Agents
• Tryptamines
• Serotonin
• Pargyline
• 5-Hydroxytryptophan
• Tryptophan Hydroxylase

Topics

• 5-Hydroxytryptophan (pharmacology)
• Animals
• Behavior, Animal (drug effects)
• Female
• Guinea Pigs
• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Myoclonus (chemically induced)
• Neurotransmitter Agents (metabolism)
• Pargyline (pharmacology)
• Serotonin (pharmacology)
• Synapses (drug effects)
• Tryptamines (metabolism, pharmacology)
• Tryptophan Hydroxylase (metabolism)