BW 723C86 hydrochloride

BW 723C86 hydrochloride is a selective agonist of 5-HT2B receptor [1].

The 5-HT2B receptor is a G protein-coupled receptor for endogenous neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) and plays an important role in shape changes in platelets, contraction of blood vessels and neuronal sensitization to tactile stimuli.

BW 723C86 hydrochloride is a selective 5-HT2B receptor agonist. BW723C86 reversibly increased both the amplitude and frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in cardiac vagal neurons (CVNs), which were blocked by P2 receptor antagonist PPADS. And BW723C86 facilitated excitatory purinergic neurotransmission to CVNs via P2X receptor [2].

In a rat social interaction test, BW 723C86 (3 or 10 mg/kg) increased total interaction and induced an anxiolytic-like action, which was mediated by 5-HT2B receptor [1]. In a rat Vogel conflict test, BW 723C86 (10 or 30 mg/kg) increased the number of punishments, which were mediated by 5-HT2B receptor and were consistent with its anxiolytic-like properties [3]. In a neuropathic pain rat model, BW723C86 significantly inhibited mechanical allodynia and cold allodynia in a dose-dependent way [4].

References:
[1].  Kennett GA, Bright F, Trail B, et al. Effects of the 5-HT2B receptor agonist, BW 723C86, on three rat models of anxiety. Br J Pharmacol, 1996, 117(7): 1443-1448.
[2].  Dergacheva O, Wang X, Kamendi H, et al. 5HT2 receptor activation facilitates P2X receptor mediated excitatory neurotransmission to cardiac vagal neurons in the nucleus ambiguus. Neuropharmacology, 2008, 54(7): 1095-1102.
[3].  Kennett GA, Trail B, Bright F. Anxiolytic-like actions of BW 723C86 in the rat Vogel conflict test are 5-HT2B receptor mediated. Neuropharmacology, 1998, 37(12): 1603-1610.
[4].  Urtikova N, Berson N, Van Steenwinckel J, et al. Antinociceptive effect of peripheral serotonin 5-HT2B receptor activation on neuropathic pain. Pain, 2012, 153(6): 1320-1331.

Expression and function of serotonin 2A and 2B receptors in the mammalian respiratory network.[Pubmed:21789169]

PLoS One. 2011;6(7):e21395.

Neurons of the respiratory network in the lower brainstem express a variety of serotonin receptors (5-HTRs) that act primarily through adenylyl cyclase. However, there is one receptor family including 5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2B), and 5-HT(2C) receptors that are directed towards protein kinase C (PKC). In contrast to 5-HT(2A)Rs, expression and function of 5-HT(2B)Rs within the respiratory network are still unclear. 5-HT(2B)R utilizes a Gq-mediated signaling cascade involving calcium and leading to activation of phospholipase C and IP3/DAG pathways. Based on previous studies, this signal pathway appears to mediate excitatory actions on respiration. In the present study, we analyzed receptor expression in pontine and medullary regions of the respiratory network both at the transcriptional and translational level using quantitative RT-PCR and self-made as well as commercially available antibodies, respectively. In addition we measured effects of selective agonists and antagonists for 5-HT(2A)Rs and 5-HT(2B)Rs given intra-arterially on phrenic nerve discharges in juvenile rats using the perfused brainstem preparation. The drugs caused significant changes in discharge activity. Co-administration of both agonists revealed a dominance of the 5-HT(2B)R. Given the nature of the signaling pathways, we investigated whether intracellular calcium may explain effects observed in the respiratory network. Taken together, the results of this study suggest a significant role of both receptors in respiratory network modulation.

Anxiolytic-like actions of BW 723C86 in the rat Vogel conflict test are 5-HT2B receptor mediated.[Pubmed:9886683]

Neuropharmacology. 1998 Dec;37(12):1603-10.

The 5-HT2B receptor agonist, BW 723C86 (10, 30(mg/kg i.p. 30 min pre-test), increased the number of punishments accepted in a rat Vogel drinking conflict paradigm over 3 min, as did the benzodiazepine anxiolytics, chlordiazepoxide (2.5-10 mg/kg p.o. 1 h pre-test) and alprazolam (0.2-5 mg/kg p.o. 1 h pre-test), but not the 5-HT2C/2B receptor agonist, m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP, 0.3-3 mg/kg i.p) or the 5-HT1A receptor agonist, buspirone (5-20 mg/kg p.o. 1 h pre-test). The effect of BW 723C86 was unlikely to be secondary to enhanced thirst, as BW 723C86 did not increase the time that rats with free access to water spent drinking, nor did it reduce sensitivity to shock in the apparatus. The anti-punishment effect of BW 723C86 was opposed by prior treatment with the 5-HT2/2B receptor antagonist, SB-206553 (10 and 20 mg/kg p.o. 1 h pre-test), and the selective 5-HT2B receptor antagonist, SB-215505 (1 and 3 mg/kg p.o. 1 h pre-test), but not by the selective 5-HT2C receptor antagonist, SB-242084 (5 mg/kg p.o.), or the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, WAY 100635 (0.1 or 0.3 mg/kg s.c. 30 min pre-test). Thus, the anti-punishment action of BW 723C86 is likely to be 5-HT2B receptor mediated. This is consistent with previous reports that BW 723C86 exhibited anxiolytic-like properties in both the social interaction and Geller-Seifter conflict tests.

Activation of 5-HT2B receptors in the medial amygdala causes anxiolysis in the social interaction test in the rat.[Pubmed:9225285]

Neuropharmacology. 1997 Apr-May;36(4-5):601-8.

In a recent study, we reported the presence of neurones expressing 5-HT2B receptor protein in the medial amygdaloid nucleus of the adult rat brain. In the present study, bilateral micro-injection of the 5-HT2B receptor agonist 1-[5-(2-thienylmethoxy)-1H-3-indolyl]propan-2-amine hydrochloride (BW 723C86, 0.09 and 0.93 nmol, 5 min pretest) into the medial amygdaloid nuclei increased the total interaction time of a pair of male rats in the social interaction test, to a comparable extent to chlordiazepoxide (5 mg/kg p.o., 1 hr pretest) without altering locomotor activity; indicative of anxiolytic activity. The increase in social interaction was prevented by pretreatment with the 5-HT2C/2B receptor antagonist N-(1-methyl-5-indoyl)-N'-(3-pyridyl) urea hydrochloride (SB 200646A, at 2 but not 1 mg/kg p.o., 1 hr pretest), which did not alter behaviour when given alone. Intra-amygdala BW 723C86 (0.09, 0.31 and 0.93 nmol, 5 min pretest) did not significantly alter the number of punished responses made when the same rats were examined seven days later in a Vogel punished drinking test, although chlordiazepoxide (5 mg/kg p.o., 1 hr pretest) produced the expected anxiolytic profile. The results are consistent with the proposal that activation of 5-HT2B receptors in the medial amygdala induces anxiolysis in the social interaction model but has little effect on behaviour in a punished conflict model of anxiety. These data suggest that serotonergic neurotransmission in this nucleus may selectively affect specific kinds of anxiety generated by different animal models.

BW 723C86, a 5-HT2B receptor agonist, causes hyperphagia and reduced grooming in rats.[Pubmed:9144661]

Neuropharmacology. 1997 Feb;36(2):233-9.

The 5-HT2B receptor agonist, BW 723C86 (10 and 20 mg/kg s.c.), increased the time spent in feeding behaviour of freely-fed rats in observation cages over 15 min. BW 723C86 (20 and 50 mg/kg s.c. 30 min pre-test) also modestly increased food consumption of freely-fed rats over 1 and 2 hr, but not 4 hr, in their home cages. This action was at least partly mediated centrally, as it was reproduced by i.c.v. infusion of 1 and 10 micrograms in freely-fed rats. The effect is also likely to be 5-HT2B receptor-mediated, as no hyperphagic response to BW 723C86 (20 mg/kg s.c. 30 min pre-test) was observed in freely-fed rats pretreated with the 5-HT2C/2B receptor antagonist SB 206553 (1, 3, 20 or 40 mg/kg p.o. 1 hr pre-test) while the selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, WAY 100635 (0.1 or 0.3 mg/kg s.c. 30 min pre-test), had no effect. Systemic (1, 10 and 20 mg/kg s.c. 30 min pre-test) but not i.c.v. (1-30 micrograms) BW 723C86 also reduced the frequency of grooming bouts of rats in observation cages. BW 723C86 given either s.c. (1-20 mg/kg 30 min pre-test) or i.c.v. (1-30 micrograms) did not cause hypolocomotion, penile erection, oral dyskinesias or hyperthermia, behaviours associated with administration of the 5-HT2C/2B receptor agonist m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP), and are thus likely to involve-5-HT2C receptor activation.