BLOCKADE OF MOTION-INDUCED AND CISPLATIN-INDUCED EMESIS BY A 5-HT2 RECEPTOR AGONIST IN SUNCUS-MURINUS

1 The effects of (+/-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOl), a 5-hydroxytryptamine 5-HT2A/5-HT2C receptor agonist, on motion- and cisplatin-induced emesis were studied in Suncus murinus. Subcutaneous injection of DOl, 30 min prior to the emetic stimuli, dose-dependently blocked the emesis induced by motion sickness and cisplatin (20 mg kg(-1), i.p.) with estimated ID50 values of 640 and 780 mu g kg(-1), respectively. 2 alpha-Methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (alpha-Me-5-HT), a peripheral 5-HT2A/5-HT2C receptor agonist, had no effect on motion- and cisplatin-induced emesis. 3 The antiemetic effects of DOl on motion- and cisplatin-induced emesis were attenuated by preadministration of ketanserin, a selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist. 4 The present results suggest an inhibitory role for central 5-HT2 receptors in the emetic reflex mechanism and that a 5-HT2 receptor agonist may be a useful tool to investigate the involvement of 5-HT receptors in the emetic reflex.