A TRH analog (DN-1417). Antagonistic effects on reserpine-induced decreases in local cerebral glucose utilization and cerebral monoamine levels

Abstract

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and its analog, DN-1417 (gamma-butyrolactone-gamma-carbonyl-L-histidyl-L-prolinamide citrate), significantly antagonized against reserpine-induced reduction of the spontaneous motor activity and the electroconvulsive threshold in mice. To search for sites of action and mechanisms, effects of DN-1417 on reserpine in local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) and cerebral monoamine levels were also investigated in rats. Reserpine (2 mg/kg, i.p., 24 hr pretreatment) reduced LCGU and the levels of cerebral monoamine in all the brain regions. DN-1417 (5 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly reversed the reduction of LCGU induced by reserpine in the thalamus dorsomedial nucleus, mamillary body, septal nucleus, caudate-putamen and nucleus accumbens. The effects of DN-1417 were completely abolished by pretreatment with a dopaminergic (DA) and a serotonergic (5-HT) receptor blocker, pimozide (1 mg/kg) and methysergide (5 mg/kg), respectively. DN-1417 (20 mg/kg, i.p.) reversed 5-HT level in the hypothalamus depleted by reserpine. These results suggest that the antagonistic effects of DN-1417 against reserpine-induced reduction of the locomotor activity and the electroconvulsive threshold seem to be mediated by DA- and 5-HT-ergic activations mainly in the nucleus accumbens and hypothalamus, respectively.