ohsu.edu

These experiments examined the influence of fluoxetine on ethanol-induced conditioned place preference, ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion, and ethanol discrimination. In the place conditioning experiment, male Swiss-Webster mice received 4 pairings of a distinctive floor cue with 2 g/kg ethanol, 10 mg/kg fluoxetine + ethanol, or fluoxetine alone. A different floor was paired with saline. During conditioning ethanol produced locomotor stimulation. Fluoxetine + ethanol resulted in greater levels of locomotor activity during conditioning trials 2-4. Fluoxetine alone also caused increases in activity. Floor preference testing revealed conditioned place preference in groups receiving ethanol. Fluoxetine did not change the magnitude of ethanol-induced conditioned place preference nor produced place conditioning alone. In the taste conditioning procedure, mice received 1-h access to 0.2 M NaCl solution followed by injections of 0, 5 or 10 mg/kg fluoxetine and 0 or 2.5 g/kg ethanol. Ethanol produced reductions in NaCl intake. Fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) enhanced the development of ethanol-conditioned taste aversion but did not cause taste aversion alone. In the ethanol discrimination experiment, mice were trained to respond for 10% sucrose on an FR20 schedule following injections of either 1 g/kg ethanol or saline. Following acquisition, 10 mg/kg fluoxetine pretreatment enhanced ethanol-appropriate responding at a dose of ethanol (0.5 g/kg) below the training dose. These results indicate enhancement of serotonergic activity influences ethanol aversion and discrimination but not ethanol reward.

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9353173&dopt=Abstract fluoxetine




Eur J Pharmacol. 1996 Dec 12;317(1):83-90.
Increased noradrenaline efflux induced by local infusion of fluoxetine in the rat frontal cortex.

Hughes ZA, Stanford SC.

Department of Pharmacology, University College London, UK.

In microdialysis experiments in vivo, local infusion of either the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, fluoxetine, or the selective noradrenaline uptake inhibitor, desipramine, increased noradrenaline efflux in rat frontal cortex. Synaptosomal uptake of [3H]noradrenaline was used to test whether inhibition of uptake could contribute to this effect of fluoxetine. Low concentrations of fluoxetine were less effective than desipramine at inhibiting [3H]noradrenaline uptake; both compounds were more potent than the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, citalopram. To investigate whether this inhibition of uptake involved an action on noradrenergic neurones, experiments compared the effects of a noradrenergic lesion, induced by the neurotoxin N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (DSP-4), on the inhibition of uptake by fluoxetine, desipramine and citalopram. The lesion reduced [3H]noradrenaline uptake in the presence of fluoxetine and citalopram but increased it in the presence of desipramine. The results suggest both that inhibition of noradrenaline uptake could contribute to the actions of fluoxetine and that a non-noradrenergic mechanisms is a target for this action.

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8982723&dopt=Abstract fluoxetine




Synapse. 1997 Dec;27(4):303-12.
Fluoxetine-induced desensitization of somatodendritic 5-HT1A autoreceptors is independent of glucocorticoid(s).

Le Poul E, Laaris N, Hamon M, Lanfumey L.

NeuroPsychoPharmacologie, INSERM U.288, CHU Pitie-Salpetriere, Paris, France.

Previous in vitro studies showed that glucocorticoid receptor activation (notably by corticosterone) could induce a functional desensitization of somatodendritic 5-HT1A autoreceptors in the dorsal raphe nucleus [Laaris et al. (1995) Neuropharmacology 34:1201-1210], similar to that due to in vivo subchronic treatment with a 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, such as fluoxetine, in rats. In the present study, we investigated whether a link might exist between these effects, i.e., whether glucocorticoid receptor activation could be responsible for the fluoxetine-induced desensitization of 5-HT1A autoreceptors. In vitro recording in the dorsal raphe nucleus of brain-stem slices showed that subchronic treatment with fluoxetine (5 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.), daily for 3-7 days) significantly reduced the potency of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist ipsapirone to inhibit the firing rate of serotoninergic neurons. Parallel experiments in adrenalectomized and sham-operated rats indicated that subchronic fluoxetine treatment produced a similar shift to the right of the ipsapirone inhibition curve in both groups of animals. Furthermore, the subchronic blockade of glucocorticoid receptors by RU 38486 (25 mg/kg subcutaneously (s.c.), daily) in intact rats treated with fluoxetine (5 mg/kg i.p., daily for 3 days) did not affect the ability of the latter treatment to reduce the potency of ipsapirone to inhibit the firing of serotoninergic neurons. These data suggest that glucocorticoid receptors (and their possible activation by corticosterone) are not involved in the functional desensitization of somatodendritic 5-HT1A autoreceptors, which occurs during long-term treatment with a serotonin reuptake inhibitor such as fluoxetine.

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9372553&dopt=Abstract fluoxetine [P




Eur J Pharmacol. 1997 Oct 1;336(1):1-6.
Enhancement of the anticonvulsant effect of fluoxetine following blockade of 5-HT1A receptors.

Browning RA, Wood AV, Merrill MA, Dailey JW, Jobe PC.

Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, USA.

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine, have been shown to exert anticonvulsant effects in several animal models of epilepsy. In view of recent studies showing that 5-HT1A receptor antagonists (somatodendritic autoreceptor antagonists) enhance the increase in extracellular 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) produced by serotonin reuptake inhibitors, it was of interest to determine if these antagonists also enhance the anticonvulsant effect of fluoxetine in Genetically Epilepsy-Prone Rats (GEPRs). The 5-HT1A receptor antagonists (-)-pindolol and LY 206130 (1-[1-H-indol-4-yloxy]-3-[cyclohexylamino]-2-propanol maleate) were examined in the present study and both enhanced the anticonvulsant action of fluoxetine in severe seizure GEPRs (GEPR-9s). The latter effect of LY 206130 was found to be dose- and 5-HT-dependent. These findings provide further evidence that the increase in extracellular serotonin observed after administering fluoxetine in combination with a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist is physiologically important and that the anticonvulsant effect of fluoxetine in the GEPR is mediated through an increase in extracellular 5-HT.

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9384247&dopt=Abstract fluoxetine




Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1997 Nov;44(5):495-8.
Inhibition of CYP2C9 by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in vitro: studies of phenytoin p-hydroxylation.

Schmider J, Greenblatt DJ, von Moltke LL, Karsov D, Shader RI.

Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA.

AIMS: Inhibition of cytochrome P450 (CYP) activity by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) has frequently been reported with regard to pathways mediated by CYP2D6, CYP3A4/5, and CYP1A2. Little data exist on the capability of SSRIs to inhibit CYP2C9. METHODS: We investigated the effect of SSRIs on p-hydroxylation of phenytoin (PPH), an established index reaction reflecting CYP2C9 activity, in an in vitro assay using liver tissue from six different human donors. RESULTS: In control incubations (without inhibitor), 5-(p-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin (HPPH) formation rates were: Vmax 0.023 nmol min(-1) mg(-1); Km 14.3 microM. Average inhibition constants (Ki) differed significantly among the SSRIs, with fluvoxamine having the lowest Ki (6 microM) followed by R-fluoxetine (13 microM), norfluoxetine (17 microM), RS-fluoxetine (19 microM), sertraline (33 microM), paroxetine (35 microM), S-fluoxetine (62 microM), and desmethylsertraline (66 microM). Thus, assuming comparable molar concentrations at the site of inhibition, fluvoxamine can be expected to have the highest probability of interfering with the metabolism of CYP2C9 substrates. S-fluoxetine is on average a 5 fold weaker CYP2C9 inhibitor than either R-fluoxetine or the racemic mixture. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are consistent with published case reports describing SSRI-related increments in plasma phenytoin levels. Because phenytoin has a narrow therapeutic index, plasma levels should be closely monitored when SSRIs are coadministered.

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9384467&dopt=Abstract fluoxetine

uchicago.edu

Inhibition of monoamine oxidase B was investigated both in vitro and in vivo in rats by using the radioligand, N-(6-[18F]fluorohexyl)-N-methylpropargylamine ([18F]FHMP). Binding affinities of five compounds, deprenyl, clorgyline, fluoxetine, norfluoxetine and citalopram were studied. Fluoxetine and norfluoxetine showed affinities of 17 and 13 microM for monoamine oxidase B, respectively. Acute doses of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine (20 mg/kg) also significantly inhibited (10 to 15%) the binding of the radioligand in vivo while citalopram showed lower affinity (140 microM) for monoamine oxidase B and little effect in vivo. The in vivo effects of the various drugs were directly comparable to their in vitro affinities for binding to monoamine oxidase B in the correlation plot of percent control in vivo binding of [18F]FHMP and binding affinity, -logIC50 (R2 = 0.989). These results provide evidence for a potential role of monoamine oxidase B inhibition in the therapeutic effects of Prozac.

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9389388&dopt=Abstract fluoxetine




Br J Pharmacol. 1997 Dec;122(7):1417-24.
Effect of fluoxetine on a neuronal, voltage-dependent potassium channel (Kv1.1).

Tytgat J, Maertens C, Daenens P.

Laboratory of Toxicology, University of Leuven, Belgium.

1. Fluoxetine (Prozac) is widely used as an antidepressant drug and is assumed to be a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Claims that its beneficial psychotropic effects extend beyond those in treatment of depression have drawn clinical and popular attention to this compound, raising the question of whether there is anything exceptional about the supposed selective actions. 2. We have used the voltage clamp technique to study the effect of fluoxetine on a neuronal, voltage-dependent potassium (K+) channel (RCK1; Kv1.1), expressed in p6nopus laevis oocytes. This channel subunit is abundantly expressed in the central nervous system and K+ channels containing this subunit are involved in the repolarization process of many types of neurones. 3. Blockade of the K+ currents by fluoxetine was found to be use- and dose-dependent. Wash-out of this compound could not be achieved. Fluoxetine did not affect the ion selectivity of this K+ channel, as the reversal potential was unaltered. 4. Slowing of both activation and deactivation kinetics of the channel by fluoxetine was observed, including tail current crossover upon repolarization. 5. Hodgkin-Huxley type of models and more generalized Markov chain models were used to fit the kinetics of the data. Based upon a Markov kinetic scheme, our data can be interpreted to mean that blockade of fluoxetine consists of two components: a voltage-independent occurring in the last closed, but available state of the channel, and a voltage-dependent occurring in the open state. 6. This study describes the first biophysical working model for the mechanism of action of fluoxetine on a neuronal, voltage-dependent K+ channel, RCK1. Although this channel is not very potently blocked by fluoxetine when expressed in oocytes, this study




Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1997 Dec;62(6):643-51.
Assessment of the potential for a pharmacokinetic interaction between fluoxetine and terfenadine.

Bergstrom RF, Goldberg MJ, Cerimele BJ, Hatcher BL.

Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Research Laboratories, Wishard Memorial Hospital, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether fluoxetine and its metabolite, norfluoxetine, are inhibitors of the metabolism of CYP3A substrates. BACKGROUND: Because inhibition of the first-pass metabolism of terfenadine may be associated with fatal arrhythmia, we assessed the possibility that fluoxetine inhibits this metabolism as a model for CYP3A drug interactions. METHODS: Male subjects (n = 12) were given two single doses of 60 mg terfenadine alone (treatment 1) and again after the eighth dose in a 9-day regimen of 60 mg fluoxetine once a day (treatment 2). Blood samples, collected up to 48 hours after each terfenadine dose, were assayed for terfenadine and terfenadine acid metabolite. The assay limits of quantification were 0.1 ng/ml and 5.0 ng/ml, respectively. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic data for terfenadine and terfenadine acid metabolite were compared between treatments. RESULTS: Mean value +/- SD plasma concentrations of fluoxetine (165 +/- 45 ng/ml) and norfluoxetine (83 +/- 23 ng/ml) achieved after the eighth dose did not cause a significant change in terfenadine acid metabolite pharmacokinetics. All terfenadine concentrations were less than 5 ng/ml and they were approximately 30% lower after fluoxetine pretreatment compared with terfenadine alone. The area under the concentration-time curve for terfenadine was lower after fluoxetine administration, a statistically significant difference, but the peak concentration of terfenadine was not significantly different. Because most antihistaminic activity after terfenadine administration is attributed to its acid metabolite, the small decrease in terfenadine concentration is not clinically significant. No subject discontinued the drugs because of an adve




Drug Metab Dispos. 1998 Jan;26(1):20-4.
Pharmacokinetics and antidepressant activity of fluoxetine in transgenic mice with elevated serum alpha-1-acid glycoprotein levels.

Holladay JW, Dewey MJ, Yoo SD.

College of Pharmacy, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059, USA.

Fluoxetine, a novel selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor utilized in the treatment of depression, is avidly bound to serum albumin and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG). AAG is an acute phase protein, and its serum levels are elevated in a variety of pathophysiological conditions including inflammation, depression, cancer, and acquired autoimmune deficiency syndrome. Further, the pharmacokinetic disposition and pharmacological activity of several highly bound drugs have been reported to be significantly altered as a result of elevated serum AAG. We investigated the effects of elevated serum AAG levels on the pharmacokinetic disposition, antidepressant activity, and steady state profile of fluoxetine and its demethylated metabolite, norfluoxetine. This was approached utilizing a novel strain of transgenic mice that expressed genetically elevated serum AAG levels severalfold over those of control mice. Serum and brain drug concentrations were determined by HPLC after fluoxetine administration. In transgenic mice, the volume of distribution and the terminal elimination half-life of fluoxetine were significantly reduced. Further, significant reductions in brain-to-serum fluoxetine concentration ratios and antidepressant activity were observed in transgenic mice, despite having higher serum drug levels than control mice. This trend in the serum continued at steady state, and brain fluoxetine levels were significantly lower in transgenic mice. The results of this study provide valuable insights regarding the consequences of elevated serum AAG levels, often seen in several disease states, on the pharmacokinetic disposition of fluoxetine.

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9443847&dopt=Abstract fluoxetine