Abstract

The receptors involved in the bronchoconstriction evoked in vivo by intravenous administration to the anesthetized guinea pig of serotonin and serotonin-related agonists have been examined in this study. Animals were pretreated with indomethacin and (+/-)-propranolol to inhibit cyclooxygenase and beta adrenergic receptors, respectively, and pulmonary parameters were obtained with a Buxco pulmonary mechanics computer. Dose-dependent increases in pulmonary resistance and decreases in dynamic lung compliance were produced by serotonin, 2-methyl-serotonin, 5-methoxy-tryptamine, alpha-methyl-serotonin, 5-carboxamidotryptamine, and m-trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP). Responses to all agonists except 2-methyl-serotonin, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3) agonist, were antagonized by the 5-HT2 antagonists, LY53857 and ketanserin. Zaclopride, 1 and 10 mg/kg, a selective 5-HT3 antagonist, blocked responses to 2-methyl-serotonin. A maximally effective dose of LY53857 (1 mg/kg) produced larger shifts of the dose-response curves to serotonin, 5-methoxytryptamine and alpha-methyl-serotonin than did a maximally effective dose of ketanserin (1 mg/kg). Thiorphan, 10 mg/kg, an inhibitor of neutral endopeptidase, potentiated 2-methyl-serotonin and, when studied in the presence of LY53857, also potentiated serotonin, 5-methoxytryptamine and TFMPP. After thiorphan and LY53857, responses to serotonin, but not 5-methoxytryptamine or TFMPP, were blocked by zaclopride. Capsaicin pretreatment of the animals resulted in rightward shifts of the dose-response curves to serotonin, 2-methyl-serotonin and TFMPP, but not to 5-methoxytryptamine or alpha-methyl-serotonin. Potentiation by thiorphan and antagonism by zaclopride of responses to serotonin were still evident after capsaicin pretreatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)