HIGH AFFINITY BINDING OF AZASETRON HYDROCHLORIDE TO 5-HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE3 RECEPTORS IN THE SMALL INTESTINE OF RATS

The binding affinity of azasetron hydrochloride (azasetron)for the 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3)receptor in a tissue preparation of rat small intestine was investigated by using [3H]granisetron as a radioligand. Scatchard analysis of specific [3H]granisetron binding revealed a single population of saturable binding sites in the tissue preparation. At this site, azasetron was concentration-dependently competitive with [3H]granisetron, and it inhibited the specific [3H]granisetron binding with a Ki value of 0.33 nM. Azasetron has a high affinity for 5-HT3 receptor in the gastrointestinal organ, the very site of its antiemetic action against chemotherapy-induced emesis.