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.
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan.
K
K
Komori
Y
Y
Kunimi
K
K
Yamaoka
T
T
Ito
Y
Y
Kasahara
I
I
Nagatsu
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