Inositol reduces depressive-like behaviors in two different animal models of depression.
BACKGROUND
Myo-inositol is an isomer of glucose that is a precursor in the phosphatidylinositol (PIP) cycle, a source of two second messengers: diacylglycerol (DAG) and inositol triphosphate (IP3). Clinical studies have reported that inositol is effective in relieving symptoms of depression.


OBJECTIVE
The present study examined the effects of inositol on two animal models of depression: the Porsolt forced swim test, a behaviorally based model; and the reserpine-induced immobility model, a pharmacologically based model.


RESULTS
Chronic inositol injections (daily for 14 days) of 1.2 g/kg (but not at lower doses) reduced immobility time and increased struggle time in the Porsolt test compared with control animals. The same dose and treatment schedule also reduced complete immobility time but did not affect ambulatory activity in the reserpine test compared with controls. Chronic oral treatment with inositol (10% in food for 14 days) had effects similar to IP inositol in the Porsolt test.


CONCLUSIONS
The effect of inositol in animal models of depression supports its possible importance as a new treatment for the disorder, and permits research on its mechanisms of action.
Beer Sheva Mental Health Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.
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Einat
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Karbovski
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Korik
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Tsalah
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Belmaker
D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D007103:Immobilization; D007294:Inositol / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D007294:Inositol