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Effects of tianeptine on stress-induced behavioural deficits and 5-HT dependent behaviour

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Abstract

The novel tricyclic antidepressant drug tianeptine had an antidepressant-like effect on a rat model of depression based on the deficit in open field activity observed on the day after 2 h restraint. Thus, when tianeptine (10 mg/kg IP) was given 2 h after the end of the restraint to either untreated rats or to animals previously given 10 mg/kg of the drug per day for 13 days, then the deficit was opposed. Tianeptine, given acutely but not chronically, moderately enhanced the 5-HT1C receptor-dependent hypolocomotor effect ofm-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) but did not alter other 5-HT1 receptor subtype-dependent behaviour. Acute but not chronic tianeptine also decreased 5-HT2 receptor-dependent body shakes induced by 5-hydroxytryptophan. Shakes induced by the 5-HT2 agonist 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2 aminopropane (DOI) were unaffected. The results are discussed in relation to the possible mechanism of antidepressant action of tianeptine.

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Whitton, P.S., Sarna, G.S., Datla, K.P. et al. Effects of tianeptine on stress-induced behavioural deficits and 5-HT dependent behaviour. Psychopharmacology 104, 81–85 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02244558

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02244558

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