title: A role for serotonin in the antidepressant activity of NG-Nitro-L-arginine, in the rat forced swimming test.
abstract: The present study determined regional serotonin (5-HT) synthesis and metabolism changes associated with the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA) and the influence of 5-HT receptor blockade in the antidepressant-like actions of L-NA in the forced swimming test (FST). Regional effects of L-NA (5,10 and 20mg/kg i.p.) on tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) activity, the rate limiting enzyme for 5-HT synthesis, were determined by measuring accumulation of the transient intermediate 5-hydoxytryptophan (5-HTP) following in vivo administration of the amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor, NSD 1015 (100mg/kg). L-NA (5-20mg/kg) dose dependently increased 5-HTP accumulation, particularly in the amygdaloid cortex, following exposure to the FST. L-NA also provoked an increase in regional brain 5-HIAA concentrations and in the 5-HIAA:5-HT metabolism ratio. Co-treatment with NSD-1015 failed to consistently modify the antidepressant-like effects of L-NA in the FST. Sub-active doses of L-NA (1mg/kg) and the 5-HT re-uptake inhibitor fluoxetine (2.5mg/kg) acted synergistically to increase swimming in the test. Co-treatment with the non-selective 5-HT receptor antagonist metergoline (1, 2 and 4mg/kg), attenuated the L-NA (20mg/kg)-induced reduction in immobility and increase in swimming behaviours. Metergoline alone however provoked an increase in immobility and reduction in swimming behaviours in the test. A similar response was obtained following co-treatment with the preferential 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonist ketanserin (5mg/kg) and the 5-HT(2C) receptor antagonist RO-430440 (5mg/kg). Co-treatment with the 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist WAY 100635 (0.3mg/kg) or the 5-HT(1B) receptor antagonist GR 127935 (4mg/kg) failed to influence the antidepressant-like activity of L-NA. Taken together these data provide further support for a role for 5-HT in the antidepressant-like properties of NOS inhibitors.
authors: Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.
authors: Valentina
authors: V
authors: Gigliucci
authors: Kathleen Niamh
authors: KN
authors: Buckley
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Nunan
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: O'Shea
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Harkin
mesh_terms: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006834:Hydrazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D046353:Immobility Response, Tonic / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008711:Metergoline / Q000494:pharmacology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D019335:Nitroarginine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012701:Serotonin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D013550:Swimming; D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D005473:Fluoxetine; D006834:Hydrazines; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D008711:Metergoline; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D019335:Nitroarginine; D012701:Serotonin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase; C004297:3-hydroxybenzylhydrazine