Abstract
The effects of chronic administration of interferon (IFN; recombinant human IFN -αA/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.
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Abe, S., Hori, T., Suzuki, T. et al. Effects of Chronic Administration of Interferon α A/D on Serotonergic Receptors in Rat Brain. Neurochem Res 24, 359–363 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020929415443
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020929415443