Effects of chronic administration of interferon alpha A/D on serotonergic receptors in rat brain

Neurochem Res. 1999 Mar;24(3):359-63. doi: 10.1023/a:1020929415443.

Abstract

The effects of chronic administration of interferon (IFN; recombinant human IFN-alphaA/D) on serotonergic binding sites in rat brain were investigated. IFN was injected daily for 2 weeks at a dose of 100000 I.U./kg, (i.p.) in male Wistar rats. IFN did not alter either [3H]ketanserin binding to 5-HT2A receptors or [3H]paroxetine binding to 5-HT transporters. Scatchard analysis of [3H]8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetraline (8-OH-DPAT) binding to 5-HT1A receptors demonstrated the presence of high- and low-affinity binding sites in both treatment and control groups. IFN significantly increased both Kd and Bmax measures of [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding at low-affinity binding sites, but not at the high-affinity sites. These results suggest that IFN affects the low-affinity 5-HT1A receptors sites and may be involved in the development of IFN-induced psychiatric disturbances.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cerebral Cortex / metabolism
  • Hippocampus / metabolism
  • Interferon Type I / administration & dosage*
  • Interferon Type I / pharmacology
  • Ketanserin / metabolism
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Transport Proteins*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins*
  • Paroxetine / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A
  • Receptors, Serotonin / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT1
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Serotonin Antagonists / metabolism
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Tritium

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Interferon Type I
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT1
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Serotonin Antagonists
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Slc6a4 protein, rat
  • Tritium
  • Paroxetine
  • 8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin
  • Ketanserin