Adrenal corticosteroids bind to hippocampal glucocorticoid (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptors (MR), thereby affecting neurochemical transmission leading to altered mood, behaviour and neuroendocrine control. Serotoninergic (5-HT) and noradrenergic projections innervate the hippocampus, interacting with corticosteroid-sensitive cells. We have previously demonstrated that lesions of 5-HT neurons reduce hippocampal GR and MR mRNA levels and now examine whether acute or chronic treatment with antidepressant drugs, which potentiate endogenous monoamines by inhibiting their reuptake, affect hippocampal GR and MR mRNA expression in vivo. Rats were treated with amitriptyline (20 mg/kg · day–1), desipramine (10 mg/kg · day–1) or citalopram (20 mg/kg · day–1). After 2 or 14 days animals were killed, RNA extracted and GR and MR mRNA expression quantified by slot blot hybridization. Amitriptyline for 2 days led to a significant increase in MR (by 23 ± 6%, compared with saline-treated controls), but not GR, mRNA expression. After 14 days amitriptyline, expression of both MR (87 ± 27% rise) and GR mRNA (56 ± 18% rise) had increased significantly in hippocampus, but not in parietal cortex. Desipramine for 14 days also increased MR (60 ± 9%) and GR (42 ± 9%) mRNA expression, though 14 days of citalopram altered only MR mRNA expression (17 ± 5%). Thus, antidepressant drug administration elevates MR and GR mRNA expression in hippocampus, but not parietal cortex, in a time-dependent manner.

Keywords:
Glucocorticoid receptor, Mineralocorticoid receptor, cRNA probes, mRNA, Hippocampus, Corticosterone, Amitriptyline, Desipramine, Citalopram
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1992 S. Karger AG, Basel
1992
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.