Prolyl-leucyl-glycinamide, thyrotropin-releasing hormone and beta-endorphin-(10-16), like antidepressants, antagonize melatonin-induced behavioural changes in rats.
beta-Endorphin-(10-16), as well as a variety of antidepressants, has been reported to block the behavioural changes induced by injecting melatonin into the nucleus accumbens. In the present study the influence of subcutaneously administered prolyl-leucyl-glycinamide (PLG) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on the behavioural changes induced by melatonin administration in the nucleus accumbens were investigated and compared with that of beta-endorphin-(10-16). PLG and TRH were found to be as effective as beta-endorphin-(10-16) in counteracting the melatonin-induced behavioural changes. The data suggest that these peptides may serve as a starting point for the development of a new class of antidepressants.
Hatta
K
K
Rudolf Magnus Institute for Neurosciences, Medical Faculty, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Wolterink
G
G
Van Ree
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D009075:MSH Release-Inhibiting Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000187:drug effects; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D009075:MSH Release-Inhibiting Hormone; D008550:Melatonin