Pentobarbital anaesthesia prevents the adrenaline-releasing effect of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin.

Administration of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT; 0.25 mg/kg i.v.), to conscious rats increased plasma adrenaline and glucose levels for 30 and 60 min, respectively. Both 8-OH-DPAT-induced changes in plasma adrenaline and glucose levels were totally abolished in pentobarbital-anaesthetized rats. The present data indicate that pentobarbital anaesthesia, a procedure that is commonly used in pharmacological studies, prevents the release of adrenaline evoked by 5-HT1A receptor activation.