Nitric oxide synthase inhibitors have antidepressant-like properties in mice. 2. Chronic treatment results in downregulation of cortical beta-adrenoceptors
by
Karolewicz B, Bruce KH, Lee B, Paul IA
Department of Psychiatry,
University of Mississippi Medical Center,
Jackson 39216-4505, USA.
bkarolewicz@psychiatry.umsmed.edu
Eur J Pharmacol 1999 May 21; 372(3):215-20

ABSTRACT

Down-regulation of cortical beta-adrenoceptors is observed in rodents following chronic treatment with many clinically effective antidepressant therapies. [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding to cortical beta-adrenoceptors was examined in mice treated with the nitric oxide (NO) synthase antagonist N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA). Administration of L-NNA (0.1, 0.3 mg/kg) for 21 days produced a significant reduction (28%, 31%, respectively, P<0.05) in [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding to cortical membranes without affecting Kd. Dose 1 mg/kg of L-NNA given chronically also produced a 20% decrease in beta-adrenoceptor density, but this effect was not statistically significant. While chronic treatment with imipramine (15 and 30 mg/kg) produced respectively a 30% and 25% (P<0.05) reduction in the density of [3H]dihydroalpenolol, single injection of either imipramine (15 and 30 mg/kg) or L-NNA (0.1, 0.3, and 1 mg/kg) had no effect on [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that drugs which can affect the Ca2+ -calmodulin/nitric oxide synthase/guanylyl cyclase signaling pathway may represent a novel approach to the treatment of depression and are congruent with our previous observation, which has demonstrated the antidepressant-like properties of NO synthase inhibitors in the forced swim test.

SAMe
Arginase
Agmatine
Noradrenaline
Buprenorphine
Vagus stimulation
New antidepressants
Beta-adrenoreceptors
Substance P inhibitors
Nitric oxide in depression
Bupropion and nitric oxide
Dopamine, serotonin and sex
Nitric oxide synthase inhibitors
Selegiline, NO and Alzheimer's disease

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