Influence of excitatory amino acids on basal and sensory stimuli-induced release of 5-HT in the locus coeruleus

Abstract

1 The interactions between 5-hydroxytryptaminergic neurones and excitatory amino acid utilizing neurones were studied in the locus coeruleus of conscious, freely moving rats. The locus coeruleus was superfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid through a push-pull cannula and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) was determined in the superfusate that was continuously collected in time periods of 10 min. 2 Superfusion of the locus coeruleus with the NMDA receptor antagonist AP5 (10 μM), kynurenic acid (1 mM), or the AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist DNQX (10 μM) reduced the 5-HT release in the locus coeruleus. 3 Superfusion with the agonists NMDA (50 μM), kainic acid (50 μM) or AMPA (10 μM) enhanced the release rate of 5-HT. AP5 (10 μM) blocked the stimulant effect of NMDA, while tetrodotoxin (1 μM) failed to influence the NMDA-induced release of 5-HT. In the presence of 10 μM DNQX, the releasing effect of 50 μM kainic acid was abolished. 4 Pain elicited by tail pinch, as well as noise-induced stress, increased the release of 5-HT. Superfusion of the locus coeruleus with 10 μM AP5 reduced the tail pinch-induced 5-HT release. AP5 (10 μM) did not affect the noise-induced release of 5-HT which was reduced, when the locus coeruleus was superfused simultaneously with this concentration of AP5 and 1 μM kynurenic acid. DNQX (10 mM) failed to influence the release of 5-HT induced by tail pinch or noise. 5 The findings suggest that 5-hydroxytryptaminergic neurones of the locus coeruleus are tonically modulated by excitatory amino acids via NMDA and AMPA/kainate receptors. The release of 5-HT elicited by tail pinch and noise is mediated to a considerable extent through endogenous excitatory amino acids acting on NMDA receptors, while AMPA/kainate receptors are not involved in this process.