Tonic inhibitory influence of a supraspinal monoaminergic system on presynaptic inhibition of an extensor monosynaptic reflex

Abstract

Presynaptic inhibition of the extensor (quadriceps, QUAD) monosynaptic reflex (MSR) in unanaesthetized decerebrate cats was antagonized by imipramine hydrochloride (2–5 mg/kg), 5-hydroxytryptophan (75 mg/kg) and a specific 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) neuronal uptake blocker, fluoxetine hydrochloride (Lilly 110140, 0.25–6 mg/kg). These effects of imipramine and fluoxetine were partially reversed by the 5-HT antagonist, cyproheptadine hydrochloride (5 mg/kg), and completely reversed by the application of a thoracic cold block which prevents supraspinal inputs to the caudal spinal cord. Imipramine, however, failed to antagonize this inhibition in animals pretreated with either dl- p-chlorophenylalanine ( p-CPA, 300 mg/kg i.p. for 2 consecutive days) or dl-α-methyl- p-tyrosine methyl ester hydrochloride (α-MPT, 125 mg/kg i.p. 16 and 4 h prior to the experiment). Cyproheptadine (2.5–5 mg/kg), phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride (2.5–5 mg/kg) and a cold block enhanced the inhibition of this extensor MSR but a cold block failed to alter the inhibition in animals pretreated with p-CPA or α-MPT. Presynaptic inhibition of the flexor (posterior biceps-semitendinosus, PBST) MSR was however not blocked by imipramine, fluoxetine or a cold block nor enhanced by cyproheptadine or phenoxybenzamine. The effects of the drugs tested and a cold block on the excitability of the QUAD group Ia afferents were reciprocal to those on the MSR during presynaptic inhibition. The results of this study indicate that descending tonically active systems (1) involving 5-HT and noradrenaline, antagonize presynaptic inhibition of the QUAD but not the PBST-MSR, (2) decrease the excitability of the QUAD Ia afferents and (3) increase the excitability of QUAD motoneurones.