There is increasing evidence that the nervous system has influence on the immune response. The effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and of serotonin and its antagonists on the challenge phase of allergic contact dermatitis in humans were tested. The substances were injected intracutaneously shortly before and 6 h after application of patch tests with nickel sulphate in nickel-allergic ...

P. M. LADURON, P. F. M. JANSSEN, W. GOMMEREN, AND J. E. LEYSEN. In Vitro and in Vivo Binding Characteristics of a New Long-Acting Histamine H1 Antagonist, Astemizole 294 J. E. LEYSEN, C. J. E. NIEMEGEERS, J. M. VAN NUETEN, AND P. M. LADURON. [3H] Ketanserin (R 41 468), a Selective 3H-Ligand for Serotonin2 Receptor Binding Sites: Binding Properties, Brain Distribution, and Functional Role 301 T....

4-Methylamphetamine (4-MA) has recently emerged as a designer drug of abuse in Europe and it is consumed always with amphetamine. There have been reported some deaths and non-fatal intoxications related to 4-MA. We investigated the changes in locomotor activity and body temperature after 4-MA administration to male Sprague-Dawley rats. Our experiments were carried out at a normal or high ambien...

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is reported to be a target of antidepressants, drugs of abuse and animal models of depression, suggesting a role for this form of structural plasticity in psychopathology. Serotonergic neurotransmission, which is implicated in several psychiatric diseases, has been reported to regulate adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Amongst the serotonergic receptors, the seroton...

BACKGROUND The restorative effect of hepatic stimulator substance (HSS) against hepatic regeneration arrest induced by 5-HT2 receptor blockade was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Male Wistar rats were subjected to 60-70% partial hepatectomy and to 5-HT2 receptor blockade at 16 h after partial hepatectomy by ketanserin administration (6 mg/kg bodyweight intraperitoneally; group I). HSS at ...

Insulin produces seizures in healthy and diabetic animals. Amongst suggested mechanisms, the role of neuromodulators and neurotransmitters is not clear. The present study explores the mechanisms involved in insulin-induced convulsions. Convulsions were induced in Swiss male albino mice with graded doses of insulin. Blood sugar levels were measured prior to and after the first convulsion. Drugs ...

1. The effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were studied in vitro on bladder and urethral muscle strips from the rabbit. 5-HT produced dose-dependent contraction in the detrusor and urethra. 2. The 5-HT-induced contraction could be dose-dependently inhibited by the 5-HT3 antagonists MDL 72222, ICS 205-930 and BRL 43694. No effect of ketanserin, methysergide or metitepine was observed on the co...

The function of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors, especially the 5-HT4 receptor, in the urinary bladder were examined in preparations isolated from the guinea pig by in vitro receptor autoradiography and determinations of mechanical activity and acetylcholine (ACh) release. Specific [125I]SB207710 binding sites were detected evenly throughout the urinary bladder. 5-HT (3 x 10(-8)-10(-4) M) ...

We investigated the role of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT)2 and 5-HT3 receptor subtypes in acute itch-associated scratching behavior as well as in an allergic pruritus model in rats. Intradermal 5-HT evoked hind limb scratching directed toward the injection site in naïve rats. Scratching behavior was significantly reduced by pretreatment with the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist ketanserin. Int...

BACKGROUND Artificial sweeteners are low-calorie substances used to sweeten a wide variety of foods. At present they are used increasingly not only by diabetics, but also by the general public as a mean of controlling the weight. This study was carried out to evaluate and compare antinociceptive activity of the artificial sweeteners, aspartame and sucrose and to study the mechanisms involved in...