Biomaterial Database

Vasopressin-like effects of psychotropic drugs in amphibian epithelia. 1978

A Grosso, and R C de Sousa

Amphibian epithelia have been used as models for studying the effects of psychotropic drugs on membrane transport. Several of these agents added to the internal or to the external media, at concentrations greater than 10(-3) M, had inhibitory, "ouabain-like" effects on Na transport. In contrast, stimulatory, "vasopressin-like" effects were seen at lower concentrations. The stimulation was additive to that of oxytocin if the drug was present in the external solution but nonadditive if in the internal solution. On water transport, harmala alkaloids had a vasopressinomimetic action in toad skin, while inhibition was seen with Li and amitriptyline. To account for these multiple effects, it is hypothesized that psychotropic drugs act on the following cell targets: the Na pump, the cyclic nucleotide system, microtubules, and membrane calcium sites at the outer barrier of the epithelium. Direct, biochemical evidence is needed to substantiate this hypothesis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011619	Psychotropic Drugs	A loosely defined grouping of drugs that have effects on psychological function. Here the psychotropic agents include the antidepressive agents, hallucinogens, and tranquilizing agents (including the antipsychotics and anti-anxiety agents).	Psychoactive Agent,Psychoactive Agents,Psychoactive Drug,Psychopharmaceutical,Psychopharmaceuticals,Psychotropic Drug,Psychoactive Drugs,Agent, Psychoactive,Agents, Psychoactive,Drug, Psychoactive,Drug, Psychotropic,Drugs, Psychoactive,Drugs, Psychotropic
D001743	Urinary Bladder	A musculomembranous sac along the URINARY TRACT. URINE flows from the KIDNEYS into the bladder via the ureters (URETER), and is held there until URINATION.	Bladder,Bladder Detrusor Muscle,Detrusor Urinae,Bladder Detrusor Muscles,Bladder, Urinary,Detrusor Muscle, Bladder,Detrusor Muscles, Bladder
D002023	Bufo bufo	A species of the true toads, Bufonidae, widely distributed in the United States and Europe.	Toad, Common,Common Toad,Common Toads,Toads, Common
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D004848	Epithelium	The layers of EPITHELIAL CELLS which cover the inner and outer surfaces of the cutaneous, mucus, and serous tissues and glands of the body.	Mesothelium,Epithelial Tissue,Mesothelial Tissue,Epithelial Tissues,Mesothelial Tissues,Tissue, Epithelial,Tissue, Mesothelial,Tissues, Epithelial,Tissues, Mesothelial
D006246	Harmaline	A beta-carboline alkaloid isolated from seeds of PEGANUM.	3H-Pyrido(3,4-b)indole, 4,9-dihydro-7-methoxy-1-methyl-,Dihydroharmine,Harmidine
D000639	Amitriptyline	Tricyclic antidepressant with anticholinergic and sedative properties. It appears to prevent the re-uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin at nerve terminals, thus potentiating the action of these neurotransmitters. Amitriptyline also appears to antagonize cholinergic and alpha-1 adrenergic responses to bioactive amines.	Amineurin,Amitrip,Amitriptylin Beta,Amitriptylin Desitin,Amitriptylin RPh,Amitriptylin-Neuraxpharm,Amitriptyline Hydrochloride,Amitrol,Anapsique,Apo-Amitriptyline,Damilen,Domical,Elavil,Endep,Laroxyl,Lentizol,Novoprotect,Saroten,Sarotex,Syneudon,Triptafen,Tryptanol,Tryptine,Tryptizol,Amitriptylin Neuraxpharm,Apo Amitriptyline,Desitin, Amitriptylin,RPh, Amitriptylin
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001001	Anura	An order of the class Amphibia, which includes several families of frogs and toads. They are characterized by well developed hind limbs adapted for jumping, fused head and trunk and webbed toes. The term "toad" is ambiguous and is properly applied only to the family Bufonidae.	Bombina,Frogs and Toads,Salientia,Toad, Fire-Bellied,Toads and Frogs,Anuras,Fire-Bellied Toad,Fire-Bellied Toads,Salientias,Toad, Fire Bellied,Toads, Fire-Bellied
D001693	Biological Transport, Active	The movement of materials across cell membranes and epithelial layers against an electrochemical gradient, requiring the expenditure of metabolic energy.	Active Transport,Uphill Transport,Active Biological Transport,Biologic Transport, Active,Transport, Active Biological,Active Biologic Transport,Transport, Active,Transport, Active Biologic,Transport, Uphill