ABSTRACT
Background: stress changes the behaviors due to variation in the central neurotransmitters, especially serotonin. Since, imipramine including effective drugs on brain serotonergic system, this study was aimed to evaluation the role of serotonergic system in behavior response to stress and depression
Methods: This study was conducted on 30 male rats in Institute. Animals were randomly divided into five groups: controls, under immobilization stress, the Imipramine-treated [30mg/kg] group, the Cyproheptadine-treated [4mg/kg] group and the Imipramine+Cyproheptadine-treated group. Immobilization stress was induced in rats by limiting. At the end of treatment, the tail suspension test was used to assess the depression-like behavior, lipid peroxidation and catalase activity in the treated groups were studied
Results: Immobilization stresses were significantly increased immobility time and lipid peroxidation, reduced catalase activity compared to the control groups. Administration of imipramine or cyproheptadine alone was more effective in reducing the immobility time compared to the coadministration of these drugs. Administrations of imipramine or cyproheptadine were non-significantly reduced lipid peroxidation. While administrations of imipramine were significantly increased catalase activity compared to the cyproheptadine groups. Administrations of imipramine or cyproheptadine drugs alone were more effective in reducing oxidative stress factors
Conclusion: Immobilization stress caused like-depression behavior with the induction oxidative damage, but administration of imipramine or cyproheptadine to improve stress-induced like-depression behavior. According to these drugs, including drugs that affect the serotonergic system, thought to be, these drugs is exert their effects through the serotonergic receptors