title: Non-selective opioid receptor antagonism of the antidepressant-like effect of venlafaxine in the forced swimming test in mice.
abstract: The opioid system has been implicated in mood disorders as well as in the mechanism of action of antidepressants. Since the opioid component in venlafaxine (VLX) is still a matter of discussion, we investigated the role of opioid receptors in the antidepressant-like effect of VLX in the forced swimming test in mice. The non-selective opiate antagonist naloxone at high dose (2 mg/kg, s.c.) antagonized the effect of VLX. In contrast, beta-funaltrexamine (40 mg/kg, s.c.), which preferentially blocks mu(1)/mu(2) opioid receptors, naloxonazine (35 mg/kg, s.c.), a selective mu(1) opioid antagonist, naltrindole (10 mg/kg, s.c.), a selective delta opioid antagonist, and Nor-binaltorphimine (10 mg/kg, s.c.), which selectively blocks kappa-opioid receptors, were all ineffective. Thus, although apparently mediated by the opioid system, the behavioural effect of VLX does not involve specific opioid receptors.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology and Neuroscience Research Group (PAI-510), Department of Neuroscience (Pharmacology and Psychiatry), Faculty of Medicine, University of Cádiz, Plaza Falla, 9, 11003 Cadiz, Spain.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Berrocoso
authors.forename: María Olga
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Rojas-Corrales
authors.forename: Juan Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Micó
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride