BACKGROUND: Nemifitide is a novel peptide analog of melanocyte-inhibiting factor (MIF) that has been reported to relieve depressive symptoms in a very short period. OBJECTIVES: The Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) rat, a genetic animal model of depression with innate exaggerated immobility in the forced swim test, was used to obtain more detailed information about the antidepressant-like effects of nemifitide. METHODS: The FSL rats were treated chronically with various doses of nemifitide or reference antidepressants desipramine and fluoxetine for 5 or 14 days and the forced swim test was conducted 22-24 h after the last treatment. RESULTS: Nemifitide significantly increased swimming in the FSL rats at both low (0.025-0.3 mg/kg) and high (3.0-15.0 mg/kg) doses but not at intermediate (0.4-2.4 mg/kg) doses. Nemifitide (0.3 mg/kg) and desipramine (5.0 mg/ kg) significantly increased swimming in the FSL rats after just 5 days of treatment, but fluoxetine (5.0 mg/kg) did not. Nemifitide (0.3 mg/kg) and fluoxetine (5.0 mg/kg) had long-lasting effects, but desipramine (5.0 mg/kg) did not. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the value of developing nemifitide and its analogs as potential antidepressants.
BACKGROUND:Nemifitide is a novel peptide analog of melanocyte-inhibiting factor (MIF) that has been reported to relieve depressive symptoms in a very short period. OBJECTIVES: The Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) rat, a genetic animal model of depression with innate exaggerated immobility in the forced swim test, was used to obtain more detailed information about the antidepressant-like effects of nemifitide. METHODS: The FSL rats were treated chronically with various doses of nemifitide or reference antidepressants desipramine and fluoxetine for 5 or 14 days and the forced swim test was conducted 22-24 h after the last treatment. RESULTS:Nemifitide significantly increased swimming in the FSL rats at both low (0.025-0.3 mg/kg) and high (3.0-15.0 mg/kg) doses but not at intermediate (0.4-2.4 mg/kg) doses. Nemifitide (0.3 mg/kg) and desipramine (5.0 mg/ kg) significantly increased swimming in the FSL rats after just 5 days of treatment, but fluoxetine (5.0 mg/kg) did not. Nemifitide (0.3 mg/kg) and fluoxetine (5.0 mg/kg) had long-lasting effects, but desipramine (5.0 mg/kg) did not. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the value of developing nemifitide and its analogs as potential antidepressants.
Authors: John P Feighner; Gabriela Nicolau; Henry Abajian; Nadia Cardillo Marricco; John Morrison; Lev Sverdlov; Joseph Hlavka; George Tonelli; Carlo Di Spirito; George Faria Journal: Biopharm Drug Dispos Date: 2002-01 Impact factor: 1.627
Authors: P J Shiromani; D Overstreet; D Levy; C A Goodrich; S S Campbell; J C Gillin Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 1988-05 Impact factor: 7.853