Neurobiología del trastorno depresivo mayor / Neurobiology of major depressive disorder / Neurobiologia do transtorno depressivo maior

La depresión es una de las patologías más abordadas actualmente, la presencia de síntomas característicos provoca gran precaución y requiere de alto cuidado personal, además, el padecimiento de esta enfermedad se enlaza directamente a los aspectos neurobiológicos que explica los procesos dentro del sistema nervioso central. Objetivo. El objetivo del presente estudio es describir las siguientes teorías de la neurología de la depresión mayor: teoría de la monoaminas, teoría neurotrófica y teoría inflamatoria junto con su relación con la depresión. Metodología. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de la literatura científica relacionados a la neurobiología de la depresión mayor, incluyendo estudios; experimentales, originales, metaanálisis y paginas oficiales. Se utilizó la base de datos PubMed, y Google scholar, cuyos documentos fueron publicados entre 2015 a 2022 en idioma español e inglés; se utilizaron los términos MESH y DeCs: "depresión" "inflamación" "neurobiología" "monoaminas biogénicas". Conclusión: Se concluye que, a pesar de los nuevos descubrimientos en cuanto a diferentes mecanismos de la neurobiología de la depresión, aún existen vacíos por descubrir que impiden desarrollar una teoría unificada de la etiología.

Depression is currently one of the most frequently addressed pathologies, the presence of characteristic symptoms causes great caution and requires high personal care, in addition, the suffering of this disease is directly linked to the neurobiological aspects that explain the processes within the central nervous system. Objective. The aim of the present study is to describe the following theories of the neurology of major depression: monoamine theory, neurotrophic theory and inflammatory theory together with their relation to depression. Methodology. A bibliographic review of the scientific literature related to the neurobiology of major depression was carried out, including experimental studies, original studies, meta-analysis and official pages. The PubMed database was used, and Google scholar, whose documents were published between 2015 to 2022 in Spanish and English language; the terms MESH and DeCs were used: "depression" "inflammation" "neurobiology" "biogenic monoamines". Conclusion: It is concluded that, despite new discoveries regarding different mechanisms of the neurobiology of depression, there are still undiscovered gaps that prevent the development of a unified theory of etiology.

A depressão é uma das patologias mais freqüentemente abordadas atualmente, a presença de sintomas característicos causa grande cautela e requer um alto cuidado pessoal, além disso, o sofrimento desta doença está diretamente ligado aos aspectos neurobiológicos que explicam os processos dentro do sistema nervoso central. Objetivo. O objetivo do presente estudo é descrever as seguintes teorias da neurologia da depressão grave: teoria monoamina, teoria neurotrófica e teoria inflamatória, juntamente com sua relação com a depressão. Metodologia. Foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica da literatura científica relacionada à neurobiologia da depressão grave, incluindo estudos experimentais, estudos originais, meta-análises e páginas oficiais. Utilizamos o banco de dados PubMed e Google scholar, cujos documentos foram publicados entre 2015 e 2022 em espanhol e inglês; usamos os termos MESH e DeCs: "depressão" "inflamação" "neurobiologia" "monoaminas biogênicas". Conclusão: Conclui-se que, apesar das novas descobertas sobre diferentes mecanismos da neurobiologia da depressão, ainda existem lacunas ainda não descobertas que impedem o desenvolvimento de uma teoria unificada da etiologia.

Effect of Mentone® on depression- and anxiety-like profiles and regional brain neurochemistry in the adolescent Wistar Kyoto rat, a putative model of endogenous depression

Objectives: Antidepressants, when prescribed to treat adolescent depression tend to induce adverse effects, including suicidal tendencies. This is because the adolescent brain circuitry is still maturing and is therefore extremely vulnerable. As such, the search is on for compounds for use in complementary/alternative medicine. Polyherbal formulations are widely used as therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of depression. Such formulations and plant extracts are being studied in adult rodent models using standard pharmacological parameters, but not much emphasis has been given to testing the same in adolescents and endogenous animal models of depression. Therefore, the present study was focused on testing out the effect of the polyherbal formulation Mentone® on depression- and anxiety-like profiles and brain neurochemistry in the adolescent Wistar Kyoto rat (WKY), a putative model of endogenous and treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Materials and Methods: Mentone®, a polyherbal formulation comprising of four different plant species: Centella asiatica (Brahmi), Evolvulus alsinoides (Shankapushpi), Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi), and Glycyrrhiza glabra (Yashtimadhu) was tested at two (18 and 36 mg/kg body weight) doses from the post-natal day (pnd) 25 to pnd 42 using standard neurobehavioral paradigms. Vehicular controls were intubated with saline and positive controls with 10 mg/kg body weight of conventional antidepressant, Fluoxetine. From pnd 35 onwards, animals were tested on a battery of tests, including sucrose preference, novel open field, elevated plus maze, and forced swim or Porsolt’s learned helplessness test. On pnd 42, animals were sacrificed and brain regional tissues such as the Prefrontal cortex (PFC), Striatum (Str), Nucleus Accumbens (NAc), and Hippocampus were microdissected out and subjected to reverse phase HPLC for the separation and quantification of monoamines: Norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and their metabolites, 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in reference to external standards. Results: Mentone® reversed anhedonia by increasing sucrose consumption in Mentone®-treated as compared to Fluoxetine-treated groups. However, there was no effect on anxiety-related parameters in the novel open field or elevated plus-maze. Mentone® exhibited significant anti-depressant-like effects as indicated by its ability to reduce swim stress-induced immobility in Porsolt’s behavioural despair test with a concomitant increase in climbing or struggling behaviour, signifying reversal of depressive-like symptomatology. HPLC-based separation and quantification of brain regional levels of monoamines and their metabolites revealed increased DA levels in NAc and Str in treated groups with decreased levels of metabolite DOPAC in Mentone®-treated groups indicating increased DA tone. Significantly reduced 5-HT metabolite 5-HIAA levels in both PFC and Str is indicative of increased 5-HT tone in both Mentone®- and Fluoxetine-treated groups. NE was variably affected. Conclusion: While no anxiolytic effects and differential neurochemical effects were observed in brain regional areas in relation to Mentone® and Fluoxetine treatment, anhedonia and forced swim test, which are gold-standard tests for assessing depressive-like profiles indicated an effect of Mentone® that was on par with Fluoxetine. Thus, studies on such Ayurvedic formulations would enable a teasing out or differentiation between anxiolytic-like and depressive-like symptomatology and could constitute a source that holds promise in the development of complementary/alternative therapies for the treatment of depression in general and TRD in particular.

Effect of postictal process in motor deficit and monoaminergic concentration in hippocampus, cerebellum, and cortex / Efecto del proceso postictal en el déficit motor y la concentración monoaminérgica en el hipocampo, el cerebelo y la corteza

Abstract Introduction Systemic administration of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) causes brain damage (BD), and triggers a series of morphological and neurochemical changes, which in turn bring about behavioral, cognitive, and motor deficits. Serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and noradrenaline (NA) levels are controlled by various brain structures and these levels are related to motor activity; however, the concentration of these neurotransmitters during the postictal process remains unknown. Objective We investigated the concentration of 5-HT, NA and DA in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and cortex on motor deficit during the postictal stage. Method Eighteen male Wistar rats (300 g) assigned to two groups: control (n = 9, saline solution) and experimental (n = 9, PTZ) were used. Myoclonic shakes were counted and motor behavior assessments were recorded during three hours post PTZ injection (90 mg/kg). The cortex, cerebellum, and hippocampus of each rat were dissected to determine the 5-HT, DA, and NA concentration by high performance liquid chromatography. Results PTZ induced a significant increase in total 5-HT and DA levels in the hippocampus and cortex; in the cerebellum there was a significant increase in the concentration of 5-HT and NA. The presence of myoclonic shakes as well as a marked motor deficit in the experimental group were significantly different in comparison to the control. Discussion and conclusion 5-HT modifies the concentration of other monoamines directly involved in motor aspects such as NA and DA in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and cortex during the postictal process.

Resumen Introducción La administración sistémica de pentilentetrazol (PTZ) causa daño cerebral y desencadena una serie de cambios morfológicos y neuroquímicos que a su vez provocan déficits conductuales, cognitivos y motores. Los niveles de serotonina (5-HT), dopamina (DA) y noradrenalina (NA) son modulados por varias estructuras cerebrales y sus concentraciones se relacionan con la actividad motora; sin embargo, se desconoce la concentración de estos neurotransmisores durante el proceso postictal. Objetivo Evaluar la manera en que la concentración de 5-HT, NA y DA en el hipocampo, el cerebelo y la corteza influye en el déficit motor durante la etapa postictal. Método Se utilizaron 18 ratas macho Wistar (300 g), divididas en dos grupos: control (n = 9, solución salina) y experimental (n = 9, PTZ). Se registraron las sacudidas mioclónicas y se evaluó el comportamiento motor durante tres horas después de la inyección de PTZ (90 mg/kg). Se extrajeron la corteza, el cerebelo y el hipocampo de cada rata para determinar la concentración de 5-HT, DA y NA mediante cromatografía líquida de alta resolución. Resultados La administración de PTZ indujo un aumento significativo en los niveles totales de 5-HT y DA en el hipocampo y la corteza; en el cerebelo hubo un aumento significativo en la concentración de 5-HT y NA. Se encontró una diferencia significativa entre el grupo experimental y control con respecto a las sacudidas mioclónicas; asimismo, los animales del grupo experimental mostraron un marcado déficit motor. Discusión y conclusión La 5-HT modula la concentración de otras monoaminas involucradas directamente en aspectos motores tal como NA y DA en el hipocampo, el cerebelo y la corteza durante el proceso postictal.

Physical exercise-induced fatigue: the role of serotonergic and dopaminergic systems

Brain serotonin and dopamine are neurotransmitters related to fatigue, a feeling that leads to reduced intensity or interruption of physical exercises, thereby regulating performance. The present review aims to present advances on the understanding of fatigue, which has recently been proposed as a defense mechanism instead of a "physiological failure" in the context of prolonged (aerobic) exercises. We also present recent advances on the association between serotonin, dopamine and fatigue. Experiments with rodents, which allow direct manipulation of brain serotonin and dopamine during exercise, clearly indicate that increased serotoninergic activity reduces performance, while increased dopaminergic activity is associated with increased performance. Nevertheless, experiments with humans, particularly those involving nutritional supplementation or pharmacological manipulations, have yielded conflicting results on the relationship between serotonin, dopamine and fatigue. The only clear and reproducible effect observed in humans is increased performance in hot environments after treatment with inhibitors of dopamine reuptake. Because the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems interact with each other, the serotonin-to-dopamine ratio seems to be more relevant for determining fatigue than analyzing or manipulating only one of the two transmitters. Finally, physical training protocols induce neuroplasticity, thus modulating the action of these neurotransmitters in order to improve physical performance.

Combination of resveratrol and fluoxetine in an acute model of depression in mice: Prevention of oxidative DNA fragmentation and monoamines degradation.

Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural polyphenol with diverse biological activities, including potent hepato-protective and antidepressant-like effects. Fluoxetine (FLX) is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs, however; it has recently been postulated to induce liver damage. The present study aimed to assess the benefits of combining half the conventional doses of RSV and FLX in an acute reserpine model of depression. Depression was induced in mice by a single i.p. reserpine injection. Oral administration of FLX (10 mg/kg), RSV (80 mg/kg) or their combination (FLX; 5 mg/kg and RSV; 40mg/kg) started one hour after reserpine injection and daily for the following two consecutive days. Behavioral tests were performed on the third day. Brain monoamines were assessed. Prevention of neurodegeneration and preservation potential of the DNA integrity were determined according to the brain nitric oxide and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine contents. Effect on oxidative stress in both brain and liver was evaluated. Results revealed that combining half the dose of FLX with RSV showed antidepressant activity that was comparable to the effect of using FLX alone and in conclusion; we recommend that further investigations should be conducted to assess the applicability of using combinations of RSV and FLX to treat depression.

Nicergoline improves the depressive behavior of vascular depression in rats by regulating monoamine neurotransmitter receptors expression in hippocampal CA1 region and serum apolipoprotein E4 level / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of nicergoline on expressions of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor (5-HT1AR), D2 dopamine receptor (D2DR),α2A adrenaline receptor (α2AAR) in the hippocampal CA1 region and the serum level of apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) in a rat model of vascular depression (VD) . Methods Forty-eight male Sprague-Daw ley rats w ere randomly al ocated into a normal control group, a model group, fluoxetine group, a low-dose nicergoline group, a medium-dose nicergoline group, and a nicergoline high-dose group ( n=8 in each group). A rat model of VD w as induced by the ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries combined w ith chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) plus single housing. The rats did not conduct CUMS or single housing in the normal control group, and the rats in the model group conducted CUMS and single housing. The rats in the fluoxetine group w ere given fluoxetine 1.3 mg/(kg· d) for gastric lavage for 3 w eeks at the beginning of CUMS and single housing. The rats in the low -, medium-and high-dose nicergoline groups w ere given nicergoline 0.9, 1.9 and 3.8 mg/(kg· d), respectively for gastric lavage for 3 w eeks at the beginning of CUMS and single housing. The normal control group and the model group w ere given equal volume of distil ed w ater for gastric lavage, once a day for 3 w eeks. Depression-like behavior w as evaluated using sucrose solution consumption and open-field test. Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of 5-HT1AR, D2DR, andα2AAR in the hippocampal CA1 region. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay w as used to detect serum ApoE4 level. Results Before CUMS, the scores of horizontal and vertical movement and sucrose solution consumption in the model group, the fluoxetine group and each nicergoline group w ere decreased significantly compared w ith the normal control group (al P<0.01);w hile at 21 days after CUMS, those in the fluoxetine group and the nicergoline medium-and high-dose groups w ere significantly higher than those in the model group (al P<0.05). There w ere no significant differences betw een the fluoxetine group and each nicergoline group. The expression levels of 5-HT1A R, D2DR, α2A AR, and the serum ApoE4 in the model group, the fluoxetine group, and each nicergoline group w ere significantly higher than those in the normal control group. Those of the fluoxetine group and the nicergoline medium -and high-dose groups were significantly lower than the model group (al P<0.01), while there were no significant differences betw een the fluoxetine group and each nicergoline group. Conclusions Nicergoline can improve the depression-like behavior in VD rats. Its mechanism may be associated w ith the dow nregulation of 5-HT1AR, D2DR, α2AAR expressions and serum ApoE4 level.

Effects of Zhuang Jing mixture on behavior of primary senile rat and monoamine neurotransmitters in it′s brain / 重庆医学

Objective To observe the effect of Zhuang Jing mixture (ZJM ) on behavior of primary senile rat and monoamine neurotransmitters in it′s brain ,and to study its mechanism of anti‐aging .Methods Fifty senile female rates which average weight was(300 ± 20)g were randomized divided into 5 groups :blank control group ,low‐,mid‐and high‐dose group of ZJM ,positive control group ,with 10 rats in each group .After medication for 8 weeks ,Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the spatial learning and memory ability of primary senile rats .High performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC‐FD) was used to detect the monoamine neurotransmitter content in rat′s cerebral cortex and hippocampus .Results Compared with blank control group ,high‐,middle‐dose group of ZJM and positive control group were improved the ability of learning and memory of pri‐mary senile rat ,as well as the cerebral cortex and hippocampus monoamine neurotransmitters levels .High‐dose group of ZJM had significant difference compared with positive control group in improving the ability of learning and memory(P<0 .05) ,and in im‐proving the cerebral cortex and hippocampus monoamine neurotransmitters(P<0 .05) .Conclusion ZJM could significantly improve the learning and memory abilities of primary senile rats ,and its mechanism may be related to adjust the monoamine neurotransmitter in brain .

Antidepressant-like effects of Brassica juncea L. leaves in diabetic rodents.

The objective of the study was to evaluate for antidepressant like activity of a methanolic extract of B. juncea leaves (BJ 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day, po), and Imipramine (15 mg/kg/day, po) in alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg, ip) induced diabetic and nondiabetic rodents, using behavioural despair, learned helplessness, and tail suspension tests for antidepressants and locomotor activity test for quantifying the behavioural effects of treatments. In addition, effects of BJ treatments on brain levels of norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine were also estimated. Enhanced depressive states, and motility were observed in diabetic animals. Antidepressant and motor function depressing effects of BJ were apparent in all behavioural tests in diabetic rats and mice only. Decreased contents of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in brain of diabetic rats were also dose dependently compensated by repeated daily BJ treatments. However, brain dopamine level of BJ treated normal rats was higher than that in control nondiabetic. The results suggest that BJ could be a nutritional alternative for combating exaggerated depression commonly associated with diabetes.

Effects of Kaixin Jieyu Decoction () on behavior, monoamine neurotransmitter levels, and serotonin receptor subtype expression in the brain of a rat depression model / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the mechanisms underlying the anti-depressant effects of Kaixin Jieyu Decoction (, KJD) by investigating the effects of KJD on behavior, monoamine neurotransmitter levels, and serotonin (5-HT) receptor subtype expression in the brain in a rat model of depression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The rat depression model was established using chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Forty-eight Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, depression model (CUMS), CUMS+KJD (7.7 g/kg(-1)·d(-1) of crude drug), and CUMS+fluoxetine (2.4 mg/kg(-1)·d(-1)) groups (n=12 in each group), and the treatments lasted for 21 days. We regularly evaluated body weight, sucrose consumption, and horizontal and vertical activity scores in open-field tests. The content of the monoamine neurotransmitters 5-HT, norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA) and the DA metabolite homovanillic acid in the cerebral cortex, and 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptor mRNA in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus, were determined respectively by high-performance liquid chromatography-coularray electrochemical detector and real-time polymerase chain reaction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, CUMS rats showed a variety of depression-like behavioral changes, including a significant reduction in body weight, sucrose consumption, and horizontal and vertical activity scores in open-field tests (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and a significant decrease in 5-HT and NE levels and 5-HT2A receptor mRNA expression. In contrast, they showed a significant increase in 5-HT1A receptor mRNA expression in the cerebral cortex. In the hippocampus, 5-HT1A receptor mRNA expression was lower whereas 5-HT2A receptor mRNA expression was higher than in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Treatment with KJD or fluoxetine partially attenuated these changes (P<0.05 or P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>KJD could normalize the levels of 5-HT and NE and adjust the balance of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptor expression in rat cerebrum, and this may be one of mechanisms of antidepressant effects of KJD.</p>

Studies on H1N1 vaccine-induced monoamines alternations and oxidative stress on brain of adult mice.

Over the past decade illness outbreaks have posed a serious threat to human life and well-being. The 2009 outbreak H1N1/A influenza virus also was expected to disproportionately affect healthy young persons under the age of 25 years. A small amount of the preservative thimerosal is routinely added to many vaccine preparations, including H1N1 vaccine. Thimerosal is an organic mercurial containing an ethylmercury moiety attached to the sulfur atom of thiosalicylate. Since the 1930s, thimerosal has been used as an antiseptic and a preservative in a wide variety of products, to investigate the monoamines alternation and oxidative stress induced after H1N1 vaccine injection, adult male Swiss mice were injected with thiomerosal, adjuvant, H1N1 antigen and H1N1 vaccine. Results obtain on the present study showed that thiomerosal, H1N1 antigen and H1N1 vaccine were caused significant decrease in norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) contents of hypothalamus, striatum and cerebral cortex. The alternation in NE and DA was associated with significant increase in oxidative markers namely lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide, oxidation induction was extent to cause significant decrease in glutathione level. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that H1N1 vaccine as a whole and/or its ingredient caused oxidative stress and monoamines alternations in brain of mice. The present observation could be due to the presence of thiomerosal.

Role of H2O2 and cell wall monoamine oxidases in germination of Vigna radiata seeds.

Plant cell wall expresses monoamine oxidases (MAOs) that catalyze oxidation of secreted amines and produce H2O2 in the process. The H2O2, so produced is used by cell wall peroxidases for lignification of cell wall or for plant defense. The natural substrates for these MAOs are elusive, but polyamines and certain catecholamines have been proposed as candidates. Reactive oxygen species are also known to act as signaling molecules controlling plant metabolism. Mungbean (Vigna radiata) has long served as the plant model of choice while studying molecular programs followed during germination and seed development. In this study, we tested the effect of externally added MAO substrates epinephrine and H2O2 on storage protein mobilization in germinating seeds of Vigna radiata. The seeds were imbibed in the presence of 50 M epinephrine and 10 M H2O2. These low concentrations of the two compounds were used to exclude direct effects on proteolysis and were arrived at after testing a range of the two and choosing the most effective concentration. These seeds showed 11% and 7% decrease in fresh weight respectively, indicating greater storage mobilization and a corresponding 19% and 46% increase in axis length as compared to untreated seeds. Soluble protein in seeds treated with epinephrine and H2O2 decreased significantly by 34% and 33% as compared to untreated seeds. Electrophoretic analysis of seed proteins revealed a startling and selective depletion of storage proteins in treated seeds. The results indicated a clear involvement of H2O2 in storage protein mobilization in the cotyledons. We propose that H2O2 generated within cell walls of seeds serves as a signaling molecule guiding germination events, including protein reserve mobilization.

Effects of amitriptyline on monoamines of brain tissue in rats with focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the effects of amitriptyline(Ami)on focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.Methods An animal model of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced by the middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) by reversibly inserting a nylon thread method.The rats were decapitated after ischemia for 1 hour and reperfusion for 2 hours.The infarct volumes were determined using a 2,3,5-tri-phenyl tetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining and assessed by image analysis system.The neurologic deficit status were evaluated on 0~5 grade scale.The levels of dopamine(DA),norepinephrine(NE),serotonin(5-HT) and its metabolic product~hydroxyindole acetic acid(5-HIAA) in cortex and striatum were measured by fluoro-spectrophotometry.Results Ami treatment exhibited a remarkable reduction in infarct volume and neurologic deficit scores.The monoamines content of cortex and striatum had a significant increase compared with ischemia-reperfusion group.Conclusion Amitriptyline has protective effect on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.The mechanism might be related to reducing the release of NE,DA and 5-HT during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion,attenuating or inhibiting of the neurotoxic effects of monoamine neurotransmitters.

The method of simultaneous measurement of hydroxyl free radical and monoamines neurotransmitters and their metabolites from the brain microdialysis of rats / 中国药理学通报

0.05).Conclution After at a time sampling the levels of hydroxyl free radical and monoamines neurotransmitters and their metabolites from brain micronilysis of freely moving rats during salicylate sodium-Ringer's solusion perfusion can be simultaneously measured by HPLC-ED.

The Effect of Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to(Chai-Hu-Jia-Long-Gu-Mu-Li-Tang) and Saiko-keishi kankyo-to(Chai-Hu-Gui-Zhi-Gan-Jiang-Tang) on the Monoamines and their Metabolism in Mouse Brains / 日本東洋医学雑誌

In Chinese medicine, Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei -to (SRT; Chai-hu-jia-long-gu-mu-li-tang) and Saiko-keishi-kankyo-to (SKT; Chai-hu-gui-zhi-gan-jiang-tang) are frequently used for patients with nervous constitutions who exhibit psychoneurotic symptoms. Specifically, SRT is used for patients of the excessive constitution type (Shi Zheng), and SKT is used for patients of the deficient constitution type (Xu Zheng).<br>In this study, in order to clarify the action of SRT and SKT on the central nervous system, the effects of these formulas on the monoamines and their metabolism in discrete brain regions in mice were examined.<br>1) Single-dose administration of SRT and SKT increased the levels of neurotransmitters and stimulated the metabolism in the dopaminergic nervous system of the corpus striatum (including the serotonergic nervous system for SRT).<br>2) Repeated administration of SRT stimulated the metabolism in the dopaminergic nervous system of the hypothalamus and hippocampus, and inhibited metabolism in the adrenergic nervous system. On the other hand, SKT stimulated dopamine metabolism in the hippocampus and inhibited the metabolism of serotonin.<br>From these results, it became apparent that single-dose administration of SRT and SKT caused the hyperfunction of the dopaminergic nervous system, and that repeated administration of the agents caused the hyperfunction of the dopaminergic nervous system and the dysfunction of the serotonergic nervous system. This suggests that the actions of SRT and SKT on the central nervous systems may exert an influence on the regulation of psychoneuroic symptoms by stimulating the doperminergic nervous system and inhibiting the serotonergic nervous system.

Effect of combination of extracts of ginseng and ginkgo biloba on neurotransmitters in whole brain of ?-amyloid peptide_(1-40)treated rat / 中国药理学通报

Aim To detect the effect of a combination of extracts of ginseng and ginkgo biloba(Naoweikang,NWK) on acetylcholine,monoamines and their metabolites in ?-amyloid peptide(A?)_(1-40) treated rats and the potential mechanisms.Methods A 1-month NWK(15.5,31 and 62 mg?kg~(-1),respectively) administration to rats was performed daily after bilateral injection of A?_(1-40)(4 g?L~(-1) for each side) into hippocampus.Acetylcholine(ACh) was determined with an improved HPLC-ECD method,which is combined with two immobilized enzyme reactors.Monoamines and their metabolites were also determined with HPLC-ECD.Result Compared with shams,ACh and serotonin(5-HT) in whole brains in models decreased significantly(P

Effects of combined hypoxia and NaCN intoxication on the contents of monoamine neurotransmitters in rat brain / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of sodium cyanide(NaCN) and /or acute hypobaric hypoxia on the contents of monoamine neurotransmitters in rats' brain.Methods 128 adult male SD rats were divided into normoxic group and acute hypoxia group with 64 animals for each group.An artificial hypobaric hypoxia chamber was used to simulate a 4 000m altitude situation.The acute hypoxic exposure models were established by exposing rats to the hypobaric chamber for 3 days.All the rats were then injected intra-peritoneally with NaCN in a dosage of 3.6mg/kg at sea level and at simulated high altitude at 0,0.5,2 and 6h time points.The rats were sacrificed and the brains were isolated.The brain tissues of hippocampus and striatum corpora were then dissected on ice.Proteins of the brain tissue were extracted by centrifugation.Contents of dopamine(DA),epinephrine(NE) and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) in the brain tissues were analyzed by HPLC.Results NaCN intoxication did not affect the contents of DA,NE and 5-HT at 0.5h,2h and 6h in the selected brain tissues of the normoxic group.Compared with non-intoxication group,however,NaCN intoxication for 2h or 6h significantly decreased the levels of NE and 5-HT in the hippocampus tissues and the contents of DA,NE and 5-HT in striatum corpora in acute hypobaric hypoxia group.The contents of DA,NE and 5-HT in striatum corpora and the contents of NE and 5-HT in acute hypoxia group were significantly decreased compared with that in normoxic group(P

Effects of Furazolidone on Reserpine-Induced Gastric Ulcers and on Brain Monoamine Contents in Rats / 第二军医大学学报

Effects of furazolidone(Fur), pargyline(Parg) and clonidine(Clo) on reserpine(Res)-induced gastric ulcers and on brain monoamine contents were studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats. It was found that: (1) Fur almost completely and both Parg and Clo significantly prevented the formation of Res-induced gastric ulcers; (2) Fur prevented the exhaustion of brain monoamines induced by Res and(3) Parg increased NA and 5-HT contents but Clo did not. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of Fur on brain MAO plays an important role in its anti-gastric ulcer mechanism.

BRAIN MONOAMINE CONTENTS AND ANTIULCEROGENIC EFFECTS OF FURAZOLIDONE IN RATS / 第二军医大学学报

Our previous work showed that, in the rats with reserpine-induced gastric ulcer, brain monoamines (NE, DA and 5-HT) were exhausted and furazolidone completely prevented such a gastric ulcer.The present study was carried out to observe brain monoamine contents and antiulcerogenic effects of furazolidone in other gastric ulcer modtls of rats.It was found that in the rats with gastric ulcer induced by restraint in water (21℃ for 18[h), brain NE content was significantly decreased.Furazolidone partially prevented this gastric ulcer and increased brain monoamines in these animals.In the rats with gastric ulcer induced by indomethacin or pyloric ligature, brain monoamines were unchanged and no effects of furazolidone were observed.These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of furazolidone on brain monoamine oxidase may be the mechanism of its antiulcerogenic action.