Ken-ichi Katayama, Kiyoshi Asano, Keiichiro Haga and Takemi Fukuda
Research Laboratories, Yoshitomi Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., 955, Koiwai, Yoshitomi-cho, Chikujo-gun, Fukuoka 871, Japan
Abstract: 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.
Keywords: Azasetron, 5-HT3 receptor, Small intestine