Korean J Psychopharmacol.  2004 Sep;15(3):371-379.

Monoaminergic Activity by Drugs Acting on Adrenergic alpha2-receptors in Rat Hippocampus and Primary Visual Cortex

• Kim HG
• Lee YC
• Paik KC
• Lim MH
• Kim HW
• Kang BJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim of the this study was to compare the effects of clonidine (a alpha2-adrenoceptor and imidazoline receptor agonist), yohimbine (a selective alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist) and idazoxan (a alpha2-adrenoceptor and imidazoline receptor antagonist) on extracellular monoamines and their metabolites by using the awakening animal microdialysis and high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) in brain regions, which are suggested to have regulatory role in depression. METHODS: We used intracerebral microdialysis in awakening rats by inserting probe through the dorsal hippocampus and occipital cortex especially in primary visual cortex, We studied respective effects of 2.0 mg/kg of clonidine, 5.0 mg/kg of yohimbine, and 5.0 mg/kg of idazoxan on the release of MHPG (a major metabolite of norepinephrine), norepinephrine (NE), DOPAC (a major metabolite of dopamine), and 5-HIAA (a main metabolite of serotonin) by intraperitoneal administration. RESULTS: Clonidine decreased the release of MHPG, NE, DOPAC, and 5-HIAA in both dorsal hippocampus and occipital cortex regions, and there were no significant differences in releasing pattern of all monoamines and their metabolites. Both yohimbine and idazoxan enhanced the release of MHPG, NE, DOPAC, and 5-HIAA in both brain regions, but there were significant differences in releasing pattern of NE and 5-HIAA. Idazoxan induced the delayed and higher efflux of NE and 5-HIAA in the primary visual cortex than yohimbine, but not in the hippocampus. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the selective alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonists increase basal monoamine output and enhance the metabolism of them in the hippocampus and primary visual cortex, and the imidazoline receptor has modulatory role in the regulation of monoamine release in primary visual cortex than hippocampus. It also suggests that high turnover rate of serotonin and norepinephrine in primary visual cortex may contribute to the pathophysiological role in depression.

Keyword

Depression; Hippocampus; Primary visual cortex; Imidazoline receptor; alpha2-adrenoceptor; Awakening animal microdialysis

MeSH Terms

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid
Animals
Brain
Chromatography, Liquid
Clonidine
Depression
Hippocampus*
Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
Idazoxan
Metabolism
Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol
Microdialysis
Norepinephrine
Rats*
Serotonin
Visual Cortex*
Yohimbine
3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid
Clonidine
Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
Idazoxan
Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol
Norepinephrine
Serotonin
Yohimbine