Effects of selective 5-HT1 receptor agonists in water-deprived rats on salt intake in two-choice tests

Twenty-two-hour water-deprived rats were divided into two groups: The first was given access to 1.8% saline and water in a 30-min two-choice test; the second was given access to 0.9% saline and water in the same type of intake preference test. Animals were tested following administration of several selective 5-hydroxytryptamine1 (5-HT1) receptor agonists. The results indicated a clear-cut distinction between the effects of selective 5-HT1A receptor agonists, on the one hand, and putative 5-HT1B/1C agonists on the other. Ipsapirone, gepirone, and 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) all showed evidence of increasing the consumption of 1.8% saline (less preferred to water) but had no effect on intake of the more preferred 0.9% saline. In contrast, 1-3-(chlorophenyl)piperazine (mCPP) and 1-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperazine (TFMPP) (5-HT1B/1C agonists) reduced intake of 1.8 and 0.9% saline in the two tests. One interpretation of these results is to assume that the 5-HT1A agonists act at inhibitory autoreceptors to diminish central serotonergic activity, while mCPP and TFMPP act postsynaptically to enhance serotonergic activity. The possibility is discussed that mCPP and TFMPP may act to increase the perceived salt concentration during drinking, whereas the 5-HT1A agonists may have the opposite effect.