Summary
MDL 72.222 is a potent and selective antagonist of excitatory neuronal 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors which has been shown to provide symptomatic benefit in migraine. In the present study, the effects of MDL 72.222 on the flare response to intradermal injection of 5-HT (10−5, 4×10−5 and 1.6×10−4 mol/l) have been examined in six healthy male volunteers using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover design. The study consisted of two sessions separated by at least 5 days. Comparison of within and between day responses to 5-HT indicated good reproducibility. Significant attenuation of the flare response to 5-HT, 10−5 and 4×10−5 mol/l was observed following a slow (4 min) i.v. injection of MDL 72.222, 20 mg. No significant change was observed for the 1.6×10−4 mol/l dose. The investigator was able to guess with a high degree of accuracy the sequence of MDL 72.222 and placebo (100% correct) and the order of 5-HT dose administration (70% correct), providing further evidence of the reproducibility and sensitivity of the method. MDL 72.222 was well tolerated. Thus, a dose of MDL 72.222 previously shown to provide symptomatic relief in migraine attenuates the flare response to intradermal 5-HT in the human forearm. The observation strengthens the view that the beneficial effects of MDL 72.222 in migraine result from blockade of the sensory neuronal stimulant effects of 5-HT and implies a role for 5-HT in the pain production of the acute attack.
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Investigational Brochure — MDL 72.222, Merrell-Dow Research Institute, Strasbourg
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Orwin, J.M., Fozard, J.R. Blockade of the flare response to intradermal 5-hydroxytryptamine in man by MDL 72.222, a selective antagonist at neuronal 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 30, 209–212 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00614305
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00614305