Journal of Capital Medical University ›› 2013, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (2): 239-244.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-7795.2013.02.015

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Therapeutic effect of citalopram on depressive model rats and the relative mechanism

YAO Yao1, YANG Jian2, PEI Yu2, WANG Yong1, MA Xin2, WANG Xiaomin1, Wang Xuan1   

  1. 1. Departments of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disorders of the Ministry of Education, Beijing 100069, China;
    2. Departments of Psychiatry, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100088, China
  • Received:2012-10-18 Online:2013-04-21 Published:2013-04-17
  • Supported by:

    This study was supported by National Basic Research Program of China(2011CB504100), the Beijing Postdoctoral Research Foundation(2011ZZ-10).

Abstract:

Objective To explore the protective effect of citalopram on depressive model rats and the relative mechanism through continuous intraperitoneal injection of citalopram. Methods Establishing chronic unpredictable stress rat model. It consisted of a variety of stressors applied randomly every day for 4 weeks, The type of stressor included restraint, forced swim, food or water deprivation, tail pinch and so on. Successful model rats were subjected to continuous intraperitoneal injection with different doses of citalopram for 3 weeks, followed by behavioral tests. Sacrificing the rats immediately after the last behavioral test, the content of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in the hippocampus and serum was detected by ELISA and Western Blotting. Results After chronic unpredictable stress for 4 weeks, the model rats displayed lower weight gain, decreased sucrose preference, and reduced locomotor activity. Intraperitoneal injection with 10 mg·kg-1·d-1 citalopram for 3 weeks could significantly increase the sucrose preference and the movement distance of model rats. Intraperitoneal injection with 10 mg·kg-1·d-1 citalopram for 3 weeks could significantly increased the content of BDNF in the serum and the hippocampus of model rats. Conclusion Rats subjected to chronic unpredictable stress for 4 weeks displayed apparent depressive symptoms. Intraperitoneal injection with 10 mg·kg-1·d-1 citalopram for 3 weeks could improve the depressive behavior of model rats, the underlying mechanism may relate to increased BDNF content in the hippocampus.

Key words: citalopram, depression, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, chronic unpredictable stress

CLC Number: