SUMMARY1. The macula densa mechanism of renin release was functionally isolated in uninephrectomized, anaesthetized dogs by producing renal denervation, /1-adrenoceptor blockade, and maximum renal vasodilation with an infusion of papaverine into the renal artery.2. A suprarenal aortic clamp was adjusted to reduce renal perfusion pressure by 50 % which resulted in a 90 % reduction in urinary sodium excretion and a two-to threefold increase in plasma renin activity within 10 min. 3. Indomethacin (8 mg/kg) or meclofenamic acid (10 mg/kg) inhibited the rise in plasma renin activity produced by the decrease in renal perfusion pressure in this model, although a comparable decrease in urinary sodium excretion was achieved.4. We conclude that the macula densa mechanism of renin release is blocked by inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis.

The effect of prolonged administration of the potent and specific 5-HT uptake inhibitor citalopram on behavioural measures of dopaminergic and serotonergic activity has been studied in rats. Administration of citalopram in the diet at a daily dose of 99 mumol/kg led to supersensitivity to d-amphetamine-induced hypermotility and stereotypy and to subsensitivity to apomorphine-induced hypomotility 2 h after withdrawal. Forepaw clonus induced by 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine was decreased 2 h and 24 h after withdrawal and the number of head shakes induced by 1-5-HTP and citalopram were decreased 24 h after withdrawal. The d-amphetamine potentiation was still seen after 24 h, whereas the response had returned to normal 3 and 7 days after withdrawal. The content of amphetamine in three different brain regions was about 50% higher compared with controls 24 h after withdrawal of prolonged citalopram administration. At this time citalopram had been eliminated, and citalopram itself could not affect amphetamine metabolism. Other experiments indicated a linear relation between d-amphetamine brain concentration and motility level. Thus, a 50% increase in citalopram-treated rats cannot alone account for 3-fold increase in d-amphetamine-induced motility. Potentiation of d-amphetamine-induced hypermotility was also found after citalopram in a daily dietary dose of 25 mumol/kg for 13 days and after oral bolus injection (49 mumol/kg twice daily for 14 days). Acute citalopram injection had no effect in any of these models. The results suggest increased responsiveness of dopaminergic mechanisms mediating hypermotility, and decreased sensitivity of dopamine receptors mediating sedation (proposed autoreceptors). Sensitivity of 5-HT receptors was also decreased. The mechanisms by which citalopram induces d-amphetamine supersensitivity as well as subsensitivity to apomorphine and 5-HT agonists are presently unknown, since no changes in dopaminergic and serotonergic receptor binding have been found after an identical dose regimen.

Decreasing concentrations of alanine aminotransferase were observed in nine patients receiving gamma-acetylenic-GABA, an inhibitor of GABA aminotransferase. In vitro studies showed that preincubation at 37 degrees C of serum with gamma-acetylenic-GABA and with urine from a patient receiving the drug led to inhibition of alanine aminotransferase. This inhibition of alanine aminotransferase by gamma-acetylenic-GABA was neutralized by 1-analine, the natural substrate for the enzyme. The mechanism of inhibition may be a competition between the drug and 1-alanine for the substrate binding site of the enzyme.