Hypothermia induced in mice by enzyme-mediated depletion of serotonin

Summary Injection of a purified serotonin (and tryptophan)-degrading enzyme into mice produced a pronounced hypothermia when the mice were maintained at 22°C, but not at 30°C. Brain levels of serotonin and tryptophan were strikingly depleted, but concentrations of norepinephrine and dopamine remained unchanged.This investigation was supported by grants CA-18844 and CA-08748 awarded by the National Cancer Institute, DHEW. We thank Barbara Morelli and Margaret Costello for their technical assistance.     

Hypothermia induced in mice by enzyme-mediated depletion of serotonin

Injection of a purified serotonin (and tryptophan)-degrading enzyme into mice produced a pronounced hypothermia when the mice were maintained at 22 degrees C, but not at 30 degrees C. Brain levels of serotonin and tryptophan were strikingly depleted, but concentrations of norepinephrine and dopamine remained unchanged.     

Selective depletion of caudate nucleus dopamine and serotonin during chronic manganese dioxide administration to squirrel monkeys

Riassunto Scimmie scoiattolo trattate cronicamente con MnO₂ presentano disturbi del sistema extrapiramidale ed una riduzione delle concentrazioni di serotonina e dopamina nel nucleo caudato. L'intensità dei disturbi extrapiramidali e la riduzione della concentrazione delle amine nel caudato appaiono correlate.

---

---

This work was supported in part by the Clinical Research Center for Parkinson's and Allied Diseases, NB 05184, and the Parkinson Information Center, a part of the National Information Network of NINDB under contract NIH-69-76.     

Selective blockade of components of potassium activation inMyxicola axons

Summary The K⁺ conductance inMyxicola giant axons activates in two phases which are pharmacologically separable. The fast phase of K⁺ activation is specifically inhibited by 4-aminopyridine and by the substitution of D₂O for H₂O. We suggestMyxicola giant axons, like the amphibian node of Ranvier, may possess more than one variety of K⁺ channel.     

Selective blockade of components of potassium activation in Myxicola axons

The K+ conductance in Myxicola giant axons activates in two phases which are pharmacologically separable. The fast phase of K+ activation is specifically inhibited by 4-aminopyridine and by the substitution of D2O for H2O. We suggest Myxicola giant axons, like the amphibian node of Ranvier, may possess more than one variety of K+ channel.     

Selective depletion of spinal noradrenaline inhibits post-decapitation convulsions in rats

Summary Local administration of 6-hydroxydopamine in the subarachnoidal space of the spinal cord in rats resulted in a selective long-lasting depletion of spinal noradrenaline, but not of dopamine, and prevented the occurrence of postdecapitation convulsions.     

Inhibition of reserpine-induced PGO waves in the cat by ergot derivatives

Summary The number of reserpine-induced PGO waves in the cat is decreased by administration of ergot derivatives. The inhibition is dose-dependent and the various ergot derivatives show differing potencies. The action of the ergot derivatives may result from stimulation of central serotonin receptors. In addition, possible involvement of dopaminergic systems is discussed.     

Selective effects of gonadal steroids on the response of peripheral serotonin receptors

Summary The maximal contraction provoked by serotonin (5-HT) in isolated stomach strips of adult rats, a functional index for peripheral 5-HT receptors, was sexually differentiated, androgen-sensitive, and estrogen refractory. This is at variance with the reported sensitivity of central 5-HT receptors to estrogen.     

Selective effects of gonadal steroids on the response of peripheral serotonin receptors

The maximal contraction provoked by serotonin (5-HT) in isolated stomach strips of adult rats, a functional index for peripheral 5-HT receptors, was sexually differentiated, androgen-sensitive, and estrogen refractory. This is at variance with the reported sensitivity of central 5-HT receptors to estrogen.     

Adrenergic blockade by iproniazid

Zusammenfassung 1-Isonicotinyl-2-isopropylhydrazin (Iproniazid) blokkiert reversibel den Angriffsort des Adrenalins im Furchgottschen Präparat der Kaninchenaorta. Die Wirkung wird der strukturchemischen Ähnlichkeit zwischen Adrenalin und Iproniazid zugeschrieben.     

Corticosteroidogenesis by isolated human adrenal cells: Effect of serotonin and serotonin antagonists

Summary The direct effect of serotonin and antiserotonin agents on adrenal steroid biosynthesis was studied in isolated adrenal cells derived from patients with Cushing's syndrome. The results indicate that serotonin increases corticosterone production, while the serotonin antagonists cyproheptadine and methysergide depress adrenal steroid-particularly cortisol and aldosterone-biosynthesis.The authors are indebted to Dr. M. Kárteszi, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, for the determination of plasma ACTH by radioimmunoassay in our patients, and to Prof. P. Vecsei, Department of Pharmacology, University of Heidelberg, providing us with highly specific antisera for corticosteroids RIA-s.     

Corticosteroidogenesis by isolated human adrenal cells: effect of serotonin and serotonin antagonists.

The direct effect of serotonin and antiserotonin agents on adrenal steroid biosynthesis was studied in isolated adrenal cells derived from patients with Cushing's syndrome. The results indicate that serotonin increases corticosterone production, while the serotonin antagonists cyproheptadine and methysergide depress adrenal steroid - particularly cortisol and aldosterone - biosynthesis.     

Selective depletion of nor-adrenaline in the adrenal medulla of the rat after administration of reserpine (histochemical research)

Riassunto Con tecniche istochimiche è stata indagata l'azione della reserpina sul contenuto catecolico della midollare surrenale del ratto. Viene documentata una scarica pressochè selettiva di nor-adrenalina.