Effects of N-acetylcysteine on behavior and monoamine neurotransmitters in rats with chronic unpredictable stress / 天津医药

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on changes of the behavior and the monoamine neurotransmitters in prefrontal cortex (PFC), striatum (ST), amygdala (AM) and hippocampus (HIP) in rat model of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS), and to explore the possible mechanisms related to the NAC. Methods Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawle (SD) rats were divided into CUS group, fluoxetine group (FLX), NAC group and control group (n=8 for each group). Rats in CUS group, NAC group and FLX group were all fed alone and received CUS for 6 weeks to establish CUS model. Rats in NAC group and FLX group were given NAC and FLX by daily intragastric administration respectively during the last 3 weeks, while rats in CUS group and control group were given the same volume of solvent. Behavioral assessment including weight measurement, sucrose water consumption test, and opened field test were used for evaluation before and after CUS, and before and after intervention. The concentrations of the monoamine neurotransmitters (NE, DA, 5-HT) in PFC, ST, AM and HIP were measured with Coul array HPLC. Results (1) There were more increases in weight gain, sucrose consumption, and distance of horizontal moving and number of up-right, while the number of feces was less, after intervention in control group, NAC group and FLX group than those of CUS group (P<0.05). (2) Neurotransmitters including NE, DA and 5-HT were significantly decreased in PFC, ST, AM and HIP in CUS group compared with that of control group (P<0.05). The monoamine neurotransmitter (NE, DA and 5-HT) were significantly increased in the brain region (PFC, ST, AM and HIP) in NAC group and FLX group than those of CUS group (P < 0.05). Conclusion NAC and fluoxetine can effectively improve the depressive behavior of the CUS rats, increase the contents of monoamine neurotransmitters including NE, DA and 5-HT in PFC, AM, ST and HIP brain regions.