Antidepressant-like effect of venlafaxine is abolished in μ-opioid receptor-knockout mice.
Although the opioid system is known to modulate depression-like behaviors, its role in the effects of antidepressants is not yet clear. We investigated the role of μ-opioid receptors (MOPs) in the effects of venlafaxine, a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, in the forced swim test using MOP-knockout (KO) mice. Venlafaxine reduced immobility time in wild-type mice (C57BL/6J), but not in MOP-KO mice, although no significant effects were observed on locomotor activity. These results suggest that MOPs play an important role in the antidepressant-like effects of venlafaxine.
Ide
Soichiro
S
Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Japan.
Fujiwara
Shunsuke
S
Fujiwara
Masayuki
M
Sora
Ichiro
I
Ikeda
Kazutaka
K
Minami
Masabumi
M
Uhl
George R
GR
Ishihara
Kumatoshi
K
D000818:Animals; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride