Tolerance to the cataleptic effect of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists in pigeons: cross-tolerance between PCP-like compounds and competitive NMDA antagonists.

Pigeons given daily injections of either phencyclidine (PCP) or CGS 19755, two types of NMDA receptor antagonists, developed tolerance to the drugs' cataleptic effects. PCP tolerance initially shifted the dose-effect curve 5-fold to the right, and with a higher chronic dose produced a complete downward shift. CGS 19755 tolerance shifted its curve 10-fold to the right. Cross-tolerance occurred between PCP and other PCP-like compounds as well as to CGS 19755, and from CGS 19755 to another competitive NMDA antagonist and to PCP-like compounds. Sensitivity to etomidate or pentobarbital remained unchanged, showing selectivity. The symmetric cross-tolerance suggests both drug classes produce catalepsy through a similar mechanism of inhibiting neurotransmission at NMDA excitatory synapses.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The effects of chronic administration of phencyclidine (PCP) or CGS 19755 (cis-4-phosphonomethyl-2-piperidine-carboxylic acid) on the cataleptic effects of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists were studied in pigeons. PCP, a channel blocker of the NMDA receptor complex, or CGS 19755, a competitive NMDA antagonist, was administered i.m. to separate groups of pigeons each day. Tolerance developed to the cataleptic effects in both PCP- and CGS 19755-treated pigeons. PCP tolerance was characterized initially by 5-fold rightward shift and, with an increased chronic PCP dose, a complete downward shift of the PCP dose-effect curve. CGS 19755 tolerance was indicated by a 10-fold rightward shift of its dose-cataleptic effect curve. Cross-tolerance was obtained from PCP to other PCP-like compounds including dizocilpine (MK 801), ketamine, dextrorphan, 1-(2-thienyl)-cyclohexyl-piperidine and [(+)-SKF 10047] [(+)-N-allyl-normetazocine] as well as to the competitive NMDA antagonist, CGS 19755. Cross-tolerance also developed from CGS 19755 to another competitive NMDA antagonist, CGP 40116 [D-(E)-2-amino-4-methyl-5-phosphono-3-pentenoic acid] as well as to PCP-like compounds. The pharmacological selectivity of tolerance was evident because there was equal sensitivity to etomidate or pentobarbital in tolerant and nontolerant pigeons. The symmetric cross-tolerance between PCP-like compounds and competitive NMDA antagonists suggests the cataleptic effects of the two classes of NMDA antagonists are probably mediated via a similar mechanism of inhibition of neurotransmission at the NMDA excitatory synapse.