Effect of meloxicam on CUMS-induced depressive-like behavior in rats and its preliminary mechanism / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Aim To explore the effect of meloxicam on the CUMS-induced depressive-like behaviors in rats and its preliminary mechanism. Methods The rats were exposed to CUMS procedure for 6 weeks to estab-lish the model of depression. Meloxicam(1,3 mg· kg-1 ) and sertraline(5 mg·kg-1 ) were administered to rats from 22d of the stress procedure(once a day,for 21 days,p. o. ) . Depressive-like behaviors were evalu-ated by the open-field test and force swimming test. The levels of PGE2 and TNF-αin cortex were measured by ELISA. Moreover, the concentrations of NE, DA, DOPAC and 5-HIAA were also measured by HPLC, and the protein expression of 5-HT1 AR in cortex was analyzed by the immunohistochemistry. Results Com-pared with the rats of normal control group,the vertical and horizontal movement scores of rats in the open-field test were decreased and the immobility time in the forced swimming test was increased in model group. The levels of PGE2 and TNF-α were both increased signifi-cantly,whereas the concentrations of NE, DA, DOPAC and 5-HIAA were decreased and the expression of 5-HT1AR was reduced in cortex. Compared with the rats of model group, meloxicam significantly improved the depressive behaviors of rats in experimental groups and reversed the content of PGE2 ,TNF-α,NE,DA,DOPAC and 5-HIAA, as well as the expression of 5-HT1AR. Conclusion Meloxicam has a significant protective effect on CUMS-induced depressive-like behaviors, and the protective mechanism might be related to atten-uating inflammation response and reconstructing the balance of the monoamine neurotransmitter system in rat cortex.