A novel in vivo test for drugs affecting central serotonergic and adrenergic systems

In urethane-anaesthetized rats, myoclonic twitches of the anterior digastricus muscle were evoked by L-5-hydroxy-tryptophan (L-5-HTP, 50-100 mg/kg iv.), the serotonin (5-HT) receptor agonist, quipazine (1-8 mg/kg i.v.) and the 5-HT releaser, fenfluramine (4-8 mg/kg i.v.). The effect of L-5-HTP or quipazine on the frequency of twitches was inhibited by the 5-HT receptor antagonist cyproheptadine. Also L-DOPA (100 mg/kg i.p.) or the alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist, cirazoline (0.3-3 mg/kg i.v.) evoked twitches of the muscle which were inhibited by the alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, prazosin. In decerebrate, artificially respired rats, neither L-5-HTP nor L-DOPA evoked the twitches. The frequency of twitches evoked by fenfluramine but not by L-DOPA was increased by the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, clonidine (0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg i.v.); clonidine's effect was abolished by the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, yohimbine. The beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist, salbutamol (0.01-1 mg/kg i.v.) had no effect on fenfluramine-induced twitches. It is concluded that (1) activation of 5-HT receptors or alpha 1-adrenoceptors in the brain of urethane-anaesthetized rats evokes twitches of the anterior digastricus muscle, and (2) this preparation can be utilized as a test to study the action of compounds on central 5-HT and adrenergic systems.