The folic acid combined with 17-β estradiol produces antidepressant-like actions in ovariectomized rats forced to swim.
Folic acid or 17-β estradiol produces antidepressant effects, either alone or combined with several antidepressants. However, the antidepressant-like actions of folic acid combined with 17-β estradiol in the forced swimming test (FST) have not been tested before. Thus, in the present study, ovariectomized female rats received folic acid (5.0 nmol/i.c.v., P<0.05; 10.0 nmol/ i.c.v., P<0.05; or 50mg/kg, P<0.05, p.o.; 75.0; mg/kg, P<0.05, p.o.), or fluoxetine (20.0mg/kg, P<0.05; 25.0mg/kg, P<0.05) or 17-β estradiol (10.0 μg/rat, P<0.05; 20.0 μg/rat, P<0.05) and they displayed reduced immobility by increasing swimming behavior when they were tested in the FST. Combination of subthreshold doses of folic acid (2.5 nmol/i.c.v.; or 25.0mg/kg, p.o.) with subthreshold doses of 17-β estradiol (5.0 μg/rat, P<0.05) or with subthreshold doses of fluoxetine (15.0mg/kg, P<0.05) produced antidepressant-like actions. Ketanserin was used to evaluate the participation of the drugs used in the serotonergic pathway; ketanserin cancelled the antidepressant-like actions of the several combinations used. In conclusion, folic acid alone or combined with estradiol or fluoxetine in the FST reduced immobility in the FST. These antidepressant-like actions probably were due to modifications of the serotonergic system since swimming behavior was increased and these effects were cancelled by ketanserin.
Molina-Hernández
Miguel
M
Laboratorio de Psicobiología y Etología, Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Jalapa, Veracruz, México. mimolis@hotmail.com
Téllez-Alcántara
N Patricia
NP
Olivera-López
Jorge I
JI
Jaramillo
M Teresa
MT
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004958:Estradiol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular / Q000379:methods; D010052:Ovariectomy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013550:Swimming / Q000523:psychology*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D005473:Fluoxetine; D004958:Estradiol; D005492:Folic Acid