RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Clonidine potentiates the effects of tranylcypromine, phenelzine and two analogues in the forced swimming test in mice
JF Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience
JO JPN
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP 178
OP 185
VO 27
IS 3
A1 Michel Bourin
A1 Martine Hascoët
A1 Marie Claude Colombel
A1 Ronald T. Coutts
A1 Glen B. Baker
YR 2002
UL http://jpn.ca/content/27/3/178.abstract
AB Objective: To compare tranylcypromine (TCP) and phenelzine (PLZ), two well-established inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (MAO), and 2 of their analogues, 4-fluorotranylcypromine (FTCP) and N2-acetylphenelzine (AcPLZ) respectively, with regard to effects in the forced swimming test, a behavioural test used to screen for potential antidepressant drugs.Methods: Mice were dropped individually into glass cylinders containing water. The duration of their immobility was scored during the last 4 minutes of the test.Results: Except for TCP at high doses, none of the drugs demonstrated activity when administered alone. All 4 drugs were active when given in combination with clonidine, an effect thought to be the result of mixed action at 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptors and the noradrenergic system. 5-HT1B receptors do not seem to be implicated, as lithium did not potentiate the effect of any of the drugs. Quinine activation of AcPLZ suggests that this analogue acts on 5-HT3 receptors.Conclusions: FTCP and AcPLZ demonstrated anti-immobility activity in the forced swimming test when used in association clonidine. These findings confirm previous neurochemical findings suggesting that these drugs have antidepressant properties.