Semiquantitative analysis of immunoreactivities of tyrosine hydroxylase and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase in the locus coeruleus of desipramine-treated mice.
The influence of antidepressant drugs on catecholaminergic neuron groups of the mouse brain was studied immunohistochemically, using a microphotometric semiquantitative method. The immunoreactive level of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) in the locus coeruleus (LC) was significantly decreased after 2 weeks of antidepressant administration. Our results suggest that long-term exposure to an antidepressant drug, desipramine, significantly affects intracellular catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes. These results may suggest some significant roles of the catecholaminergic neuronal groups to the action of the tricyclic antidepressant drugs.
Komori
K
K
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan.
Kunimi
Y
Y
Yamaoka
K
K
Ito
T
T
Kasahara
Y
Y
Nagatsu
I
I
D000818:Animals; D001142:Aromatic-L-Amino-Acid Decarboxylases / Q000378:metabolism*; D003891:Desipramine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D008125:Locus Coeruleus / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase; D001142:Aromatic-L-Amino-Acid Decarboxylases; D003891:Desipramine