Yun-Feng Li1, Zhi-Pu Luo. 1. Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100850, China. LYF619@yahoo.com.cn
Abstract
AIM: To study possible action mechanism of a tricyclic antidepressant, desipramine (DIM). METHODS: Cultured PC12 cells were exposed to corticosterone in the absence or presence of DIM for 5 d. Agarose gel electrophoresis, flow cytometry, and electron microscopy were used to detect the apoptosis of PC12 cells. RESULTS: Corticosterone 10 micromol/L treatment for 5 d elicited typical apoptotic biochemical and morphological changes including condensed chromatin shaped like crescent moon, nuclear fragmentation, and DNA degradation. The highest percentage of apoptotic cells accumulated to 28 % +/- 9 %. Agarose gel electrophoresis showed typical DNA ladders pattern. While in the presence of DIM 1 or 5 micromol/L, apoptosis percentage was markedly decreased with lightened DNA ladder and ultrastructure of the cells was improved. CONCLUSION: DIM could antagonize the apoptosis in PC12 cells induced by corticosterone, which may be one of the cellular mechanisms of its antidepressant effect.
AIM: To study possible action mechanism of a tricyclic antidepressant, desipramine (DIM). METHODS: Cultured PC12 cells were exposed to corticosterone in the absence or presence of DIM for 5 d. Agarose gel electrophoresis, flow cytometry, and electron microscopy were used to detect the apoptosis of PC12 cells. RESULTS:Corticosterone 10 micromol/L treatment for 5 d elicited typical apoptotic biochemical and morphological changes including condensed chromatin shaped like crescent moon, nuclear fragmentation, and DNA degradation. The highest percentage of apoptotic cells accumulated to 28 % +/- 9 %. Agarose gel electrophoresis showed typical DNA ladders pattern. While in the presence of DIM 1 or 5 micromol/L, apoptosis percentage was markedly decreased with lightened DNA ladder and ultrastructure of the cells was improved. CONCLUSION:DIM could antagonize the apoptosis in PC12 cells induced by corticosterone, which may be one of the cellular mechanisms of its antidepressant effect.
Authors: Irina G Stavrovskaya; Malini V Narayanan; Wenhua Zhang; Boris F Krasnikov; Jill Heemskerk; S Stanley Young; John P Blass; Abraham M Brown; M Flint Beal; Robert M Friedlander; Bruce S Kristal Journal: J Exp Med Date: 2004-07-19 Impact factor: 14.307