title: Antidepressant-like effects of diphenylhydantoin in mice: involvement of alpha-adrenoceptors.
abstract: Several studies have indicated that alpha-adrenergic systems are implicated in the anticonvulsant activity of diphenylhydantoin. We now report that in mice prazosin (0.125 mg/kg), a blocker of alpha 1-adrenoceptors, reverses the effects exerted by diphenylhydantoin (256 mg/kg) in tests which are predictive of antidepressant activity: reserpine-induced ptosis and immobility which are caused by inescapable, aversive situations. These date indicate that alpha-adrenoceptors are not only involved in the anticonvulsant action of diphenylhydantoin, but also in its antidepressant-like effects.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001763:Blepharoptosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D006380:Helplessness, Learned; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011224:Prazosin / Q000494:pharmacology; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000502:physiology*; D012110:Reserpine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D010672:Phenytoin; D012110:Reserpine; D011224:Prazosin