Effects of milnacipran and fluvoxamine on hyperemotional behaviors and the loss of tryptophan hydroxylase-positive cells in olfactory bulbectomized rats

Inaudible airborne ultrasound affects emotional states in the olfactory bulbectomized rat depression model

Recently, exposure to sounds with ultrasound (US) components has been shown to modulate brain activity. However, the effects of US on emotional states remain poorly understood. We previously demonstrated that the olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) rat depression model is suitable for examining the effects of audible sounds on emotionality. Here, we investigated the impact of US exposure on the emotional state of OBX rats. In naive rats, exposure to 100 kHz US for 1 h did not increase the number of c-Fos-positive cells in auditory-related cortical areas, and US, as a tone cue, did not elicit a conditioned fear response in the auditory fear conditioning test. These results indicate that the frequency of 100 kHz is hard to hear for rats. However, US improved hyperemotionality (HE) scores and decreased plasma corticosterone levels in OBX rats, suggesting ameliorative effects on depression-like symptoms and stress. In contrast to HE scores, US exposure did not influence anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus maze. In conclusion, we demonstrated that exposure to airborne US can alleviate depressive-like symptoms in the OBX rat depression model. This is the first study to show that exposure to airborne US alone produces changes in emotional states in an animal model.

The effect of SSRIs on unconditioned anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies

RATIONALE

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first choice of treatment for anxiety-like disorders. However, which aspects of anxiety are affected by SSRIs is not yet fully understood.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to systematically review the effect of six clinically effective SSRIs on four aspects of unconditioned anxiety: approach-avoidance behaviour (elevated plus maze), repetitive behaviour (marble burying), distress behaviour (ultrasonic vocalization), and activation of the autonomous nervous system (stress-induced hyperthermia).

METHODS

We identified publications by searching Medline and Embase databases and assessed the risk of bias. A random effects meta-analysis was performed and moderator effects were analysed with Bayesian penalized meta-regression.

RESULTS

Our search yielded 105 elevated plus maze, 63 marble burying, 11 ultrasonic vocalization, and 7 stress-induced hyperthermia articles. Meta-analysis suggested that SSRIs reduce anxiety-like behaviour in the elevated plus maze, marble burying and ultrasonic vocalization test and that effects are moderated by pre-existing stress conditions (elevated plus maze) and dose dependency (marble burying) but not by duration of treatment or type of SSRI. The reporting quality was low, publication bias was likely, and heterogeneity was high.

CONCLUSION

SSRIs seem to reduce a broad range of unconditioned anxiety-associated behaviours. These results should be interpreted with caution due to a high risk of bias, likely occurrence of publication bias, substantial heterogeneity and limited moderator data availability. Our review demonstrates the importance of including bias assessments when interpreting meta-analysis results. We further recommend improving the reporting quality, the conduct of animal research, and the publication of all results regardless of significance.

Chemogenetic Activation of Oxytocin Neurons Improves Pain in a Reserpine-induced Fibromyalgia Rat Model

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome characterized by chronic pain with depression as a frequent comorbidity. However, efficient management of the pain and depressive symptoms of FM is lacking. Given that endogenous oxytocin (OXT) contributes to the regulation of pain and depressive disorders, herein, we investigated the role of OXT in an experimental reserpine-induced FM model. In FM model, OXT-monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 (OXT-mRFP1) transgenic rats exhibited increased depressive behavior and sensitivity in a mechanical nociceptive test, suggesting reduced pain tolerance. Additionally, the development of the FM-like phenotype in OXT-mRFP1 FM model rats was accompanied by a significant reduction in OXT mRNA expression in the magnocellular neurons of the paraventricular nucleus. OXT-mRFP1 FM model rats also had significantly fewer tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH)- and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive (ir) neurons as well as reduced serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the dorsal raphe and locus coeruleus. To investigate the effects of stimulating the endogenous OXT pathway, rats expressing OXT-human muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (hM3Dq)-mCherry designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) were also assessed in the FM model. Treatment of these rats with clozapine-N-oxide (CNO), an hM3Dq-activating drug, significantly improved characteristic FM model-induced pathophysiological pain, but did not alter depressive-like behavior. The chemogenetically induced effects were reversed by pre-treatment with an OXT receptor antagonist, confirming the specificity of action via the OXT pathway. These results indicate that endogenous OXT may have analgesic effects in FM, and could be a potential target for effective pain management strategies for this disorder.

High-frequency ultrasound exposure improves depressive-like behavior in an olfactory bulbectomized rat model of depression

OBJECTIVES

According to previous studies, ultrasound exposure appears to be a noninvasive method for modulating brain activity related to cognition and consciousness; however, its effects on emotional states remain unclear. Therefore, an animal model is required in which the effects and effect mechanisms of ultrasound exposure can be investigated. Thus, we used olfactory bulbectomized rats as an animal model of depression and investigated their emotional state following ultrasound exposure.

METHODS

In male Wistar/ST olfactory bulbectomized rats, hyperemotionality was evaluated according to hyperemotionality scoring and the scores before and after 24-h ultrasound exposure were compared. Elevated plus maze (EPM) tests were also conducted after 24-h ultrasound exposure, and blood samples were collected in which plasma corticosterone concentrations were measured.

RESULTS

Following exposure to high-frequency (~50 kHz) ultrasound vocalizations (USVs) associated with the pleasant emotions of rats, the hyperemotionality scores of olfactory bulbectomized rats were significantly reduced. Additionally, the latency of the first entry into the open arm of the EPM was significantly decreased in USV-exposed olfactory bulbectomized rats, as were their plasma corticosterone levels. Furthermore, artificial ultrasound (50 kHz) at a similar frequency to that of USV also significantly decreased the hyperemotionality score of olfactory bulbectomized rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound exposure improved depressive-like behavior in olfactory bulbectomized rats and reduced their plasma corticosterone levels. Thus, we recommend the use of olfactory bulbectomized rats as an animal model for investigating the effects and effect mechanisms of ultrasound exposure.

mTOR Knockdown in the Infralimbic Cortex Evokes A Depressive-like State in Mouse

Fast and sustained antidepressant effects of ketamine identified the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway as the main modulator of its antidepressive effects. Thus, mTOR signaling has become integral for the preclinical evaluation of novel compounds to treat depression. However, causality between mTOR and depression has yet to be determined. To address this, we knocked down mTOR expression in mice using an acute intracerebral infusion of small interfering RNAs (siRNA) in the infralimbic (IL) or prelimbic (PrL) cortices of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and evaluated depressive- and anxious-like behaviors. mTOR knockdown in IL, but not PrL, cortex produced a robust depressive-like phenotype in mice, as assessed in the forced swimming test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST). This phenotype was associated with significant reductions of mTOR mRNA and protein levels 48 h post-infusion. In parallel, decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression was found bilaterally in both IL and PrL cortices along with a dysregulation of serotonin (5-HT) and glutamate (Glu) release in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). Overall, our results demonstrate causality between mTOR expression in the IL cortex and depressive-like behaviors, but not in anxiety.

Scabronine G Methyl Ester Improves Memory-Related Behavior and Enhances Hippocampal Cell Proliferation and Long-Term Potentiation via the BDNF-CREB Pathway in Olfactory Bulbectomized Mice

A previous study reported that scabronine G methyl ester (SG-ME) potentially enhances the in vitro secretion of neurotrophic factors such as nerve growth factor via the protein kinase C (PKC)-ζ pathway. However, it remains unknown whether SG-ME can improve cognitive dysfunctions in olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) mice. To address this question, we evaluated SG-ME-treated and untreated OBX mice in a passive avoidance test. We also investigated potential effects of SG-ME on several parameters: cell proliferation and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus by immunohistochemistry, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the hippocampus by Western blotting, p-CREB levels in the hippocampus by MapAnalyzer, and long-term potentiation (LTP) by electrophysiology. On the 14th day after surgery OBX mice showed altered passive avoidance and decreases in both cell proliferation and long-term potentiation in the hippocampus, while these changes were reversed by SG-ME (20 μg/mouse) 24 h after the treatment. The improvement in memory deficits was prevented when SG-ME was co-administeredwith either zeta inhibitory peptide (PKC-ζ inhibitor), anti-BDNF antibody, ANA-12 (TrkB antagonist), U0126 (MEK inhibitor), H-89 (PKA inhibitor), LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) or KN-93 (CaMKII inhibitor). We found that SG-ME enhanced brain-derived neurotrophic factor and p-CREB levels in the hippocampus while p-CREB was localized in neurons, but not in astrocytes nor microglial cells. These findings revealed the potential of SG-ME in improving memory impairments by enhancing cell proliferation and LTP via activation of the BDNF/CREB signaling pathway in neurons.

Research and development of κ opioid receptor agonists and δ opioid receptor agonists

Delta opioid delta receptor (DOP) agonists were expected to be analgesics and many researchers tried to develop the SNC80 derivatives. However, the derivatives were dropped at the stage of early clinical trials because of undesirable side effects and weak analgesia. On the other hand, DOP agonists have been proposed as attractive candidates for the novel psychotropic drugs. We recently succeeded in synthesizing a novel selective DOP agonist KNT-127. KNT-127 produced neither catalepsy nor convulsive effects. We have demonstrated that KNT-127 has potent anxiolytic-like effect in rat models of innate anxiety. This anxiolytic-like effect was independent from known adverse effect of benzodiazepine, such as memory impairment, motor coordination deficits, and ethanol interactions. We have also demonstrated that KNT-127 showed potent and rapid antidepressant-like effects in rat models of depression. This antidepressant-like effect was independent from known adverse effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as digestive symptoms. Therefore, we propose that DOP should be considered as an attractive target for the development of novel psychotropic drugs, without producing the adverse effects associated with benzodiazepine anxiolytics and SSRI antidepressants. Very recently, we developed another delta agonist NC-2800 with a different structure. NC-2800 is now in the preclinical stage using the CiCLE fund supported by AMED (Japanese Agency for Medical Research and Development).

Effects of repeated treatment with a delta opioid receptor agonist KNT-127 on hyperemotionality in olfactory-bulbectomized rats

We previously demonstrated that a single treatment of a non-peptidic delta opioid receptor agonist, KNT-127, has an antidepressant-like effect in rodents in the forced swim test. Here we evaluated the effect of repeated administration of the potential antidepressant KNT-127 in an olfactory-bulbectomized (OBX) rat model. Male Wistar rats (8-12 weeks old) underwent olfactory bulbectomy. From 14days after surgery each was weighed and administered either KNT-127 (3mgkg^-1/day), the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine (10mgkg^-1/day), or vehicle, daily for 14 days. Hyperemotionality was measured on days 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14. Repeated administration of KNT-127 significantly decreased total and individual hyperemotionality scores (attack, startle, struggle and fight) over the entire period. Conversely, fluoxetine did not show any significant effect on days 3, 5, 7, or 14 but significantly reduced the total score on day 10. The inhibitory effects of KNT-127 were greater than those of fluoxetine. The KNT-127 and control groups both gained weight, while the fluoxetine group lost weight. Our results suggest that KNT-127 is a potential lead compound for antidepressant therapy, with high efficacy, a relatively rapid onset of therapeutic effect, and without the possible adverse effects of weight loss caused by SSRIs.

Behavioral, neurochemical and molecular changes after acute deep brain stimulation of the infralimbic prefrontal cortex

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a treatment that has shown some efficacy in treatment-resistant depression. In particular, DBS of the subcallosal cingulate gyrus (Brodmann's area 25, Cg25) has been successfully applied to treat refractory depression. In the rat, we have demonstrated that DBS applied to infralimbic (IL) cortex elevates the levels of glutamate and monoamines in the prefrontal cortex, and requires the stimulation of cortical α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) glutamate receptors for its antidepressant-like effects. However, the molecular targets of IL DBS are not fully known. To gain insight into these pathways, we have investigated whether IL DBS is able to reverse the behavioral, biochemical and molecular changes exhibited by the olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) rat. Our results revealed that 1 h IL DBS diminished hyperlocomotion, hyperemotionality and anhedonia, and increased social interaction shown by the OBX rats. Further, IL DBS increased prefrontal efflux of glutamate and serotonin in both sham-operated and OBX rats. With regard to molecular targets, IL DBS increases the synthesis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the GluA1 AMPA receptor subunit, and stimulates the Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) as well as the AMPA receptor/c-AMP response element binding (CREB) pathways. Temsirolimus, a known in vivo mTOR blocker, suppressed the antidepressant-like effect of IL DBS in naïve rats in the forced swim test, thus demonstrating for the first time that mTOR signaling is required for the antidepressant-like effects of IL DBS, which is in line with the antidepressant response of other rapid-acting antidepressant drugs.

Cannabidiol induces rapid-acting antidepressant-like effects and enhances cortical 5-HT/glutamate neurotransmission: role of 5-HT1A receptors

Cannabidiol (CBD), the main non-psychotomimetic component of marihuana, exhibits anxiolytic-like properties in many behavioural tests, although its potential for treating major depression has been poorly explored. Moreover, the mechanism of action of CBD remains unclear. Herein, we have evaluated the effects of CBD following acute and chronic administration in the olfactory bulbectomy mouse model of depression (OBX), and investigated the underlying mechanism. For this purpose, we conducted behavioural (open field and sucrose preference tests) and neurochemical (microdialysis and autoradiography of 5-HT1A receptor functionality) studies following treatment with CBD. We also assayed the pharmacological antagonism of the effects of CBD to dissect out the mechanism of action. Our results demonstrate that CBD exerts fast and maintained antidepressant-like effects as evidenced by the reversal of the OBX-induced hyperactivity and anhedonia. In vivo microdialysis revealed that the administration of CBD significantly enhanced serotonin and glutamate levels in vmPFCx in a different manner depending on the emotional state and the duration of the treatment. The potentiating effect upon neurotransmitters levels occurring immediately after the first injection of CBD might underlie the fast antidepressant-like actions in OBX mice. Both antidepressant-like effect and enhanced cortical 5-HT/glutamate neurotransmission induced by CBD were prevented by 5-HT1A receptor blockade. Moreover, adaptive changes in pre- and post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptor functionality were also found after chronic CBD. In conclusion, our findings indicate that CBD could represent a novel fast antidepressant drug, via enhancing both serotonergic and glutamate cortical signalling through a 5-HT1A receptor-dependent mechanism.

Behavior and the cholinergic parameters in olfactory bulbectomized female rodents: Difference between rats and mice

Olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) in rodents induces a wide spectrum of functional disturbances, including behavioral, neurochemical, and neuromorphological alterations. We have examined the effects of OBX on behavior and the parameters of the cholinergic system in female rats and mice. In rats, OBX resulted in the appearance of some depressive-like behavioral marks, such as the decreased sucrose consumption, hyperactivity, impaired short-term memory and anxiety-like behavioral features, such as shortened presence in the center of the open field arena or open arms of the elevated plus-maze and an enhancement of avoidance behavior. These behavioral abnormalities could be associated with disturbances in hippocampal function, this suggestion being supported by the presence of cellular changes in this brain structure. No effect of OBX on the number of cholinergic neurons in the medial septum-diagonal band as well as on the acetylcholine content and acetylcholinesterase activity in the septum, hippocampus, and neocortex could be detected. In contrast, in mice, OBX impaired spontaneous alternation behavior and decreased the number of cholinergic neurons in the medial septum-diagonal band. These data demonstrate that rats and mice differently respond to OBX, in particular, OBX does not significantly affect the cholinergic system in rats.

Antidepressant/anxiolytic potential and adverse effect liabilities of melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 antagonists in animal models

Melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCH1 receptor) is known to be involved in the control of mood and stress, in addition to the regulation of feeding. Here, we report further evidence that the blockade of the MCH1 receptor exhibits antidepressant and anxiolytic-like effects in a variety of animal models using TASP0382650 and TASP0489838, newly synthesized MCH1 receptor antagonists, with different scaffolds. Both TASP0382650 and TASP0489838 exhibited high affinities for human MCH1 receptor with IC50 values of 7.13 and 3.80nM, respectively. Both compounds showed potent antagonist activities at the MCH1 receptor, as assessed using MCH-increased [(35)S]GTPγS binding to human MCH1 receptor and an MCH-induced [Ca(2+)]i assay in rat MCH1 receptor expressing cells. In contrast, neither TASP0382650 nor TASP0489838 showed an affinity for the MCH2 receptor, another MCH receptor subtype. The oral administration of TASP0382650 or TASP0489838 significantly reduced the immobility time during the forced swimming test in rats, and reduced hyperemotionality induced by an olfactory bulbectomy, both of which are indicative of an antidepressant-like potential. In the olfactory bulbectomy model, the antidepressant effect of TASP0382650 appeared following a single administration, suggesting a faster onset of action, compared with current medications. Moreover, both TASP0382650 and TASP0489838 exhibited anxiolytic effects in several animal models of anxiety. In contrast, both TASP0382650 and TASP0489838 did not affect spontaneous locomotor activity, motor function, spatial memory during the Morris water maze task, or the convulsion threshold to pentylenetetrazole. These findings provide additional evidence that the blockade of the MCH1 receptor exhibits antidepressant- and anxiolytic activities with no adverse effects in experimental animal models.

Effect of newly synthesized 1,2,4-triazino[5,6-b]indole-3-thione derivatives on olfactory bulbectomy induced depression in rats

OBJECTIVE

To study the derivatives of 1,2,4-triazino[5,6-b]indole-3-thione for antidepressant activity in olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) rats. Out of various derivatives tested for acute tail suspension test, the two derivatives showing prominent action were selected for bilateral olfactory bulbectomy model of chronic depression in rats.

METHODS

The sub acute effects of 14-day oral pretreatment of two derivatives labeled as 3a (70 mg/kg) and 3r (70 mg/kg), imipramine (20 mg/kg), fluoxetine (30 mg/kg) and moclobemide (15 mg/kg) were evaluated on bilateral bulbectomy induced rise in body weight, hyperphagia, hyperactivity, and on sexual dysfunction. The serum sodium concentration, body temperature, and heart rate were also recorded.

RESULTS

The derivatives 3a and 3r showed reversal of drop in body weight, reversed OBX induced hyperactivity, normalized body temperature, heart rate, and serum sodium concentration. In elevated maze test, moclobemide, 3a, 3r treatment significantly reduced time spent in open arm as compared to OBX rats. 3a and 3r also improved sexual behavior parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study shows promising antidepressant action and provides a proof of concept for the chronic treatment of 3a, 3r to treat depression.

17α-Estradiol: a candidate neuroserm and non-feminizing estrogen for postmenopausal neuronal complications

Extensive evidence suggests that decline in ovarian function with menopause is associated with neuronal dysfunction. Major cause of this is rise in oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines because of estrogen deficiency. 17β-Estradiol (E2, hormone with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity) has profound protective actions on multiple organ systems, but feminizing side effects of β-estradiol limits its clinical efficacy. 17α-Estradiol (E2α), a non feminizing congener, gives a ray of hope to the scientific community as an alternative strategy to treat menopause associated neuronal pathologies. We assessed the protective actions of 17α-estradiol (5, 10μg/kg) against cognitive deficits, depression and motor coordination after 4weeks of ovariectomy in rats and compared its efficacy with E2 at same doses. After the behavioral assay animals were sacrificed and their brains were harvested for biochemical studies. Uterine weights were also assessed. E2 and E2α (5, 10μg/kg) were equally protective against attenuating cognitive deficits, depressive symptoms and motor incoordination in OVX rats. Both demonstrated significant antioxidant activity and E2, but not E2α, increased serum estradiol levels and proliferated uterine weights, markers of feminizing action. It can thus be concluded that E2α offers safe alternative to E2 in protecting against menopausal neuropathologies.

Restoration of serotonin neuronal firing following long-term administration of bupropion but not paroxetine in olfactory bulbectomized rats

BACKGROUND

Olfactory bulbectomized rats generally manifest many of the neurochemical, physiological, and behavioral features of major depressive disorder in humans. Another interesting feature of this model is that it responds to chronic but not acute antidepressant treatments, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The purpose of the present study was first to characterize the firing activity of dorsal raphe serotonin neurons in olfactory bulbectomized rats and then examine the effects of 2 antidepressants, bupropion and paroxetine.

METHODS

Olfactory bulbectomy was performed by aspirating olfactory bulbs in anesthetized rats. Vehicle and drugs were delivered for 2 and 14 days via subcutaneously implanted minipumps. In vivo electrophysiological recordings were carried out in male anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats.

RESULTS

Following ablation of olfactory bulbs, the firing rate of serotonin neurons was decreased by 36%, leaving those of norepinephrine and dopamine neurons unchanged. In olfactory bulbectomized rats, bupropion (30 mg/kg/d) restored the firing rate of serotonin neurons to the control level following 2- and 14-day administration and also induced an increase in the tonic activation of serotonin(1A) receptors; paroxetine (10 mg/kg/d) did not result in a return to normal of the attenuated firing of serotonin neurons in olfactory bulbectomized rats. In the hippocampus, although at a higher dose of WAY 100635 than that required in bupropion-treated animals, paroxetine administration also resulted in an increase in the tonic activation of serotonin(1A) receptors.

CONCLUSIONS

The present results indicate that unlike paroxetine, bupropion administration normalized serotonin neuronal activity and increased tonic activation of the serotonin(1A) receptors in hippocampus.

Serotonin: a never-ending story

The neurotransmitter serotonin is an evolutionary ancient molecule that has remarkable modulatory effects in almost all central nervous system integrative functions, such as mood, anxiety, stress, aggression, feeding, cognition and sexual behavior. After giving a short outline of the serotonergic system (anatomy, receptors, transporter) the author's contributions over the last 40 years in the role of serotonin in depression, aggression, anxiety, stress and sexual behavior is outlined. Each area delineates the work performed on animal model development, drug discovery and development. Most of the research work described has started from an industrial perspective, aimed at developing animals models for psychiatric diseases and leading to putative new innovative psychotropic drugs, like in the cases of the SSRI fluvoxamine, the serenic eltoprazine and the anxiolytic flesinoxan. Later this research work mainly focused on developing translational animal models for psychiatric diseases and implicating them in the search for mechanisms involved in normal and diseased brains and finding new concepts for appropriate drugs.

Lysophosphatidic acid induces anxiety-like behavior via its receptors in mice

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a potent bioactive lipid mediator with diverse biological properties. We previously found altered expression of the LPA-related genes in rodents after treatment with sertraline, which is widely used to treat anxiety disorders and depression. However, little is known about the behavioral effects of LPA. In the present study, we investigated the behavioral effects of intracerebroventricular injection of LPA in adult mice. LPA did not significantly affect spontaneous locomotor activity, suggesting that LPA does not induce hyperactivity, ataxia, or sedation. We next investigated the emotional effects of LPA via the hole-board test. LPA significantly increased the number of head-dips in a dose- and time-related manner. A significant induction of head-dip counts occurred 15 and 30 min after LPA administration. To clarify the involvement of LPA receptors, we examined the effect of the non-selective LPA1-4 receptor antagonist, 1-bromo-3(S)-hydroxy-4-(palmitoyloxy)butyl-phosphonate (BrP-LPA) co-administered with LPA. BrP-LPA dose-dependently inhibited LPA-induced head-dip counts. We next investigated anxiety-like behavior via the elevated plus-maze test. LPA significantly reduced the percentage of time spent in the open arms and BrP-LPA dose-dependently inhibited this anxiety-like behavior. In conclusion, LPA induced anxiety-like behavior in mice via LPA receptors. Our results suggest that LPA signaling plays an important role in regulating anxiety in mice.

Antidepressant-like Effects of δ Opioid Receptor Agonists in Animal Models

Recently, δ opioid receptor agonists have been proposed to be attractive targets for the development of novel antidepressants. Several studies revealed that single treatment of δ opioid receptor agonists produce antidepressant-like effects in the forced swimming test, which is one of the most popular animal models for screening antidepressants. In addition, subchronic treatment with δ opioid receptor agonists has been shown to completely attenuate the hyperemotional responses found in olfactory bulbectomized rats. This animal model exhibits hyperemotional behavior that may mimic the anxiety, aggression, and irritability found in depressed patients, suggesting that δ opioid receptor agonists could be effective in the treatment of these symptoms in depression. On the other hand, prototype δ opioid receptor agonists produce convulsive effects, which limit their therapeutic potential and clinical development. In this review, we presented the current knowledge regarding the antidepressant-like effects of δ opioid receptor agonists, which include some recently developed drugs lacking convulsive effects.

Chronic fluvoxamine treatment changes 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor-mediated behavior in olfactory bulbectomized mice

AIMS

Olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) in rodents represents a valuable experimental model of depression. This study was designed to shed further light on the impact of putative serotonergic neuronal degeneration in OBX mice and to assess the effect of a widely used antidepressant on serotonergic related behavioral changes induced by OBX.

MAIN METHODS

Adult male ddY mice were subject to bilateral OBX or sham surgery. The serotonin (5-HT)(2A/2C) receptor agonist 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) enhanced a head-twitch response (HTR) in OBX mice. Effects of 5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2C) antagonists and fluvoxamine were observed in OBX mice following DOI administration.

KEY FINDINGS

The HTR elicited by the administration of DOI (0.5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg, i.p.) was increased about twofold in OBX mice when compared with controls on the 14th day after the surgery. The injection of ketanserin (0.025 mg/kg, i.p.), a 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonist, inhibited the enhancement of the DOI-induced HTR after OBX. Likewise, the administration of SB 242084 (1 mg/kg, s.c.), a 5-HT(2C) receptor antagonist, also inhibited the DOI-induced HTR in OBX mice. Chronic but not acute treatment with the antidepressant fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), suppressed the enhancement of DOI-induced HTR after OBX.

SIGNIFICANCE

These findings indicate that OBX, and the subsequent degeneration of neurons projecting from the olfactory bulb, caused a supersensitivity of 5-HT(2A/2C) receptors which may be involved in symptoms of depression.

Neurokinin-1 receptor deletion modulates behavioural and neurochemical alterations in an animal model of depression

The substance P/NK1 receptor system plays an important role in the regulation of stress and emotional responding and as such had been implicated in the pathophysiology of anxiety and depression. The present study investigated whether alterations in the substance P/NK1 receptor system in brain areas which regulate emotional responding accompany the depressive behavioural phenotype observed in the olfactory bulbectomised (OB) mouse. The effect of NK1 receptor deletion on behavioural responding and monoamine levels in discrete brain regions of the OB model, were also examined. Substance P levels in the frontal cortex and NK1 receptor expression in the amygdala and hippocampus were enhanced following olfactory bulbectomy. Although NK1 receptor knockout (NK1-/-) mice did not exhibit altered behavioural responding in the open field test, noradrenaline levels were enhanced in the frontal cortex, amygdala and hippocampus, as were serotonin levels in the frontal cortex. Locomotor activity and exploratory behaviour were enhanced in wild type OB mice, indicative of a depressive-like phenotype, an effect attenuated in NK1-/- mice. Bulbectomy induced a decrease in noradrenaline and 5-HIAA in the frontal cortex and an increase in serotonin in the amygdala, effects attenuated in OB NK1-/- mice. The present studies indicate that alterations in substance P/NK1 receptor system underlie, at least in part, the behavioural and monoaminergic changes in this animal model of depression.

Riluzole rapidly attenuates hyperemotional responses in olfactory bulbectomized rats, an animal model of depression

Growing evidence indicates that the glutamatergic neurotransmitter system is central to the neurobiology and treatment of depression. Riluzole, a drug currently used to slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), directly affects the glutamatergic system. In this study, we investigated the effects of riluzole in olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) rats, an animal model of depression. The olfactory bulbs in rats were removed by suction. The emotionality of rats was measured by scoring their responses to given stimuli, i.e., attack, startle, struggle, and fight responses. The OBX rats chronically treated with vehicle for 7 days at 14 days following surgery showed significant increases in emotionality responses. Single (1st day administration) and subchronic (7th day administration) riluzole treatment (1-10 mg/kg, po) significantly and dose-dependently reduced hyperemotional responses in OBX rats. Both single and subchronic riluzole treatment (10 mg/kg, po) had no significant effects on the emotional responses in sham operated rats. In addition, we demonstrated that single riluzole treatment (10 mg/kg, po) significantly decreased extracellular glutamate levels in medial prefrontal cortex of OBX rats by in vivo microdialysis. We provide the first experimental evidence that riluzole rapidly attenuated hyperemotional responses in OBX rats, an animal model of depression.

Olfactory bulbectomy induces rapid and stable changes in basal and stress-induced locomotor activity, heart rate and body temperature responses in the home cage

BACKGROUND

Olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) in rats causes several behavioral and neurochemical changes. However, the extent and onset of physiological and behavioral changes induced after bulbectomy have been little examined.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats received telemetric implants. Before and immediately after OBX surgery, basal and stress-induced heart rate, body temperature, and locomotor activity were measured in the home cage in sham (n=9) and OBX animals (n=11). Stress was induced using novel cage stress or witness stress.

RESULTS

Bulbectomized animals differed physiologically and behaviorally from shams. Nocturnally, OBX animals were significantly more active compared with shams, had a higher core body temperature and displayed a decreased heart rate variability. During the light period, OBX animals had a significantly lower basal heart rate and a reduced heart rate variability. These effects became apparent 2-3 days after OBX surgery, and were stable over time. After witness stress, OBX animals showed smaller autonomic (body temperature and heart rate) responses compared with shams, but showed no difference in locomotor responses. In contrast, novel cage stress led to increased locomotor responses in OBX rats compared with sham rats, while no differences were found in autonomic responses.

CONCLUSION

Removal of the olfactory bulbs results in rapid, stable and persistent changes in basal locomotor activity, body temperature, heart rate and heart rate variability. Although the sleep-wake cycle of these parameters is not altered, increases in circadian amplitude are apparent within 3 days after surgery. This indicates that physiological changes in the OBX rat are the immediate result of olfactory bulb removal. Further, stress responsivity in OBX rats depends on stressor intensity. Bulbectomized rats display smaller temperature and heart rate responses to less intense witness stress compared with sham rats. Increased locomotor responses to more intense novel cage stress are present in the home cage as well as the open field. The present study shows that olfactory bulbectomy has rapid and persistent influence on basal and stress-induced physiological parameters.