Desipramine antagonized corticosterone-induced apoptosis in cultured PC12 cells.
OBJECTIVE
To study possible action mechanism of a tricyclic antidepressant, desipramine (DIM).


METHODS
Cultured PC12 cells were exposed to corticosterone in the absence or presence of DIM for 5 d. Agarose gel electrophoresis, flow cytometry, and electron microscopy were used to detect the apoptosis of PC12 cells.


RESULTS
Corticosterone 10 micromol/L treatment for 5 d elicited typical apoptotic biochemical and morphological changes including condensed chromatin shaped like crescent moon, nuclear fragmentation, and DNA degradation. The highest percentage of apoptotic cells accumulated to 28 % +/- 9 %. Agarose gel electrophoresis showed typical DNA ladders pattern. While in the presence of DIM 1 or 5 micromol/L, apoptosis percentage was markedly decreased with lightened DNA ladder and ultrastructure of the cells was improved.


CONCLUSIONS
DIM could antagonize the apoptosis in PC12 cells induced by corticosterone, which may be one of the cellular mechanisms of its antidepressant effect.
Li
Yun-Feng
YF
Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100850, China. LYF619@yahoo.com.cn
Luo
Zhi-Pu
ZP
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D003891:Desipramine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D016716:PC12 Cells / Q000166:cytology; D051381:Rats
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D003891:Desipramine; D003345:Corticosterone