Chronic Sarpogrelate Treatment Reveals 5-HT7 Receptor in the Serotonergic Inhibition of the Rat Vagal Bradycardia

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2017 Jan;69(1):13-22. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0000000000000433.

Abstract

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) modulates the cardiac parasympathetic neurotransmission, inhibiting the bradyarrhythmia by 5-HT2 receptor activation. We aimed to determine whether the chronic selective 5-HT2 blockade (sarpogrelate) could modify the serotonergic modulation on vagal cardiac outflow in pithed rat. Bradycardic responses in rats treated with sarpogrelate (30 mg·kg·d; orally) were obtained by electrical stimulation of the vagal fibers (3, 6, and 9 Hz) or intravenous (IV) injections of acetylcholine (1, 5, and 10 μg/kg). 5-HT7 receptor expression was quantified by Western blot in vagus nerve and right atrium. The IV administration of 5-HT (10-200 μg/kg) dose dependently decreased the vagally induced bradycardia, and agonists 5-CT (5-HT1/7), 8-OH-DPAT (5-HT1A), or AS-19 (5-HT7) (50 μg/kg each) mimicked the 5-HT-induced inhibitory effect. Neither agonists CGS-12066B (5-HT1B), L-694,247 (5-HT1D), nor 1-phenylbiguanide (5-HT3) modified the electrically-induced bradycardic responses. Moreover, SB-258719 (5-HT7 antagonist) abolished the 5-HT-, 5-CT-, 8-OH-DPAT-, and AS-19-induced bradycardia inhibition; 5-HT or AS-19 did not modify the bradycardia induced by IV acetylcholine; and 5-HT7 receptor was expressed in both the vagus nerve and the right atrium. Our outcomes suggest that blocking chronically 5-HT2 receptors modifies the serotonergic influence on cardiac vagal neurotransmission exhibiting 5-HT as an exclusively inhibitory agent via prejunctional 5-HT7 receptor.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bradycardia / etiology
  • Bradycardia / physiopathology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, Serotonin / physiology*
  • Serotonin Antagonists / administration & dosage*
  • Succinates / administration & dosage*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vagus Nerve / drug effects
  • Vagus Nerve / physiology*
  • Vagus Nerve Stimulation / adverse effects

Substances

  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Serotonin Antagonists
  • Succinates
  • serotonin 7 receptor
  • sarpogrelate