ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of ziprasidone on the behavior and the expression of pERK1/2 in posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) model rats.Methods 24 adult male SD rats weighing (200 ±20) g were randomly divided into four groups (n =6):control group,single prolonged stress and foot shock (SPS&S) group,ziprasidone group and ziprasidone + U0126 group.The fear response to environment,high alertness,and anxiety & depression behavior of rats were tested by the open field,elevated plus-maze,and the expression of pERK1/2 was measured by Western blot.ResultsIn open field test(OFT),the SPS&S group( (76.23 ± 54.76) cm for horizontal motion distance,(4.60 ± 1.14) for the number of entering central region) showed significant difference compared with control group ( (343.77 ± 74.22 ) cm,( 12.40 ± 3.36 ) ) or ziprasidone group ( ( 274.98± 83.56) cm,( 12.00 ± 2.92) ) (P ＜ 0.01 ),but showed no significant difference with ziprasidone + U0126 group ( ( 138.14 ± 41.98) cm,(5.00 ± 1.58) ) (P ＞ 0.05 ).The results of elevated plus maze (EPM) were in accordance with the results of OFT.The expression of pERK1/2 in SPS&S group and ziprasidone + U0126 group showed significant decrease when compared with control group or ziprasidone group (P ＜ 0.01 ).ConclusionZiprasidone can obviously improve fear response to environment,high alterness and anxiety & depression behavior of rats,and these effects of ziprasidone may be carried out by up-regulation the expression of pERK1/2.