title: Effect of repeated restraint stress and clomipramine on Na+/K+-ATPase activity and behavior in rats.
abstract: Activation of the limbic-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (LHPA) and the release of glucocorticoids are fundamental for the adaptive response and immediate survival of an organism in reaction to acute stimuli. However, high levels of glucocorticoids in the brain may produce neuronal injury and a decrease of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity, with effects on neurotransmitter signaling, neural activity, as well as the whole animal behavior. Clomipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant that inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine by indirect actions on the dopaminergic system and LHPA axis. Its chronic use increases the body's ability to cope with stress; however, high doses can potentiate its side effects on memory, learning, and sensory motor function. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of repeated restraint stress and clomipramine treatment on Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity and on the behavior of male rats. Changes in the behavioral response were evaluated by measuring the memory, learning, anxiety, and exploratory responses. Our results showed that exposure to repeated restraint stress reduced levels of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase in brain structures and changed short and long-term memory, learning, and exploratory response when compared to the control group. Exposure to clomipramine treatment increased anxiety levels and reduced Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity in the cerebral cortex as well as short term memory, learning, and exploratory response. In conclusion, the present results provide additional evidence concerning how repeated restraint stress and clomipramine chronically administered at higher dose levels affect the neural activity and behavior of male rats.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Campus UFSM, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rodrigo de Souza
authors.initials: Rde S
authors.lastname: Balk
authors.forename: Michele Hinerasky da
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Jessika Cristina
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Bridi
authors.forename: Nelson Rodrigues
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Rafael de Lima
authors.initials: Rde L
authors.lastname: Portella
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dobrachinski
authors.forename: Guilherme Pires
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Amaral
authors.forename: Rômulo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barcelos
authors.forename: Glaecir Roseni Mundstock
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: João Batista Teixeira da
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: Nilda Berenice Vargas
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: Felix Alexandre Antunes
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Soares
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D002997:Clomipramine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000523:psychology*; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D002997:Clomipramine