F Q Zhang1, Z P Luo, Z H Gong. 1. Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100850, China.
Abstract
AIM: To assess the protective effect of desipramine (Des) and fluoxetine (Flu) on the neurons against the lesion induced by a selective serotonergic neurotoxin in vitro. METHODS: The 10-day cultured primary neurons of hippocampus and cortex of rat was exposed to 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) to determine the optimal lesion concentration and duration. Before exposing to 5,7-DHT, Des and Flu was added to the medium for 30 min to observe the protective effects. RESULTS: The optimal concentration and duration for 5,7-DHT was 600 micromol.L-1 and 4 h, respectively. Both Des and Flu showed a protective effect in the dose range of 0.8 micromol.L-1 to 10 micromol.L-1 and 0.04 micromol.L-1 to 0.6 micromol.L-1, respectively, when the neurons were injured by 5,7-DHT 600 micromol.L-1 for 4 h. Flu showed a higher efficacy than Des. Both exhibited a more powerful protective effect on the hippocampal neuron than on the cortical neuron. CONCLUSION: The antidepressant effect of Des and Flu was attributed to their protective effect on the injured serotonergic neuron of the hippocampus and the cortex.
AIM: To assess the protective effect of desipramine (Des) and fluoxetine (Flu) on the neurons against the lesion induced by a selective serotonergic neurotoxin in vitro. METHODS: The 10-day cultured primary neurons of hippocampus and cortex of rat was exposed to 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) to determine the optimal lesion concentration and duration. Before exposing to 5,7-DHT, Des and Flu was added to the medium for 30 min to observe the protective effects. RESULTS: The optimal concentration and duration for 5,7-DHT was 600 micromol.L-1 and 4 h, respectively. Both Des and Flu showed a protective effect in the dose range of 0.8 micromol.L-1 to 10 micromol.L-1 and 0.04 micromol.L-1 to 0.6 micromol.L-1, respectively, when the neurons were injured by 5,7-DHT 600 micromol.L-1 for 4 h. Flu showed a higher efficacy than Des. Both exhibited a more powerful protective effect on the hippocampal neuron than on the cortical neuron. CONCLUSION: The antidepressant effect of Des and Flu was attributed to their protective effect on the injured serotonergic neuron of the hippocampus and the cortex.