title: Idazoxan and 8-OH-DPAT modify the behavioral effects induced by either NA, or 5-HT, or dual NA/5-HT reuptake inhibition in the rat forced swimming test.
abstract: The rat forced swimming test (FST) predicts the efficacy of antidepressants, which decrease immobility duration in the test, and can distinguish selective serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) reuptake inhibitors, which, respectively, increase swimming and climbing behaviors. However, dual 5-HT and NA reuptake-inhibition produces climbing behavior solely, thereby suggesting with other data that the NA-system mediates inhibiting interactions on 5-HT-induced swimming in the FST. Since alpha(2)-adrenoreceptors and 5-HT(1A)-receptors have important regulatory functions and are involved in 5-HT/NA interactions, we examined whether the alpha(2)-receptor-antagonist idazoxan and the 5-HT(1A)-receptor-agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)-tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) would modify the behavioral pattern induced in the FST by either selective or non-selective antidepressant treatments. The rats were treated subacutely (3 injections IP over 48 h) with: (a) idazoxan (0.5-10 mg/kg) alone, and in combination with desipramine (10 mg/kg), or desipramine + fluoxetine (10/10 mg/kg), or the dual serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake-inhibitor milnacipran (20 mg/kg). (b) 8-OH-DPAT (0.25-1 mg/kg) alone, and in combination with either desipramine (10 mg/kg) or fluoxetine (10 mg/kg). The results indicated: (a) Idazoxan (0.5, 5, 10 mg/kg) produced no anti-immobility effects per se in the FST, antagonized the effects of the NA-reuptake-inhibitor desipramine, and allowed desipramine + fluoxetine, as well as milnacipran, to increase swimming behavior. (b) 8-OH-DPAT produced non-significant effects per se, potentiated desipramine-induced antidepressant-like effects on immobility and climbing, and both antagonized swimming and produced climbing behavior in combination with fluoxetine. Our data support clinical trials suggesting that alpha(2)-receptor-antagonists and 5-HT(1A)-receptor-agonists may be of interest in augmentation strategies for antidepressant treatments. The scoring of active behaviors in the FST appears to be an interesting tool for studying 5-HT/NA interactions induced by antidepressants, as well as for the testing of augmentation strategies.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Neuropsychobiologie des Désadaptations, CNRS-UMR 5541, Université Bordeaux2, [DNY], Bordeaux, France. Jean-Philippe.Reneric@labopsy.u-bordeaux2.fr
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rénéric
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bouvard
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stinus
mesh_terms: D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D003521:Cyclopropanes / Q000494:pharmacology; D003891:Desipramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000494:pharmacology; D019329:Idazoxan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D000078764:Milnacipran; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin; D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D003891:Desipramine; D005473:Fluoxetine; D019329:Idazoxan; D000078764:Milnacipran; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors