Antidepressant-like effects of felbamate on locomotor behaviour and leukocyte phagocytosis in rats
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2003 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | European Neuropsychopharmacology |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Pharmacology and pharmaceutical chemistry |
| Keywords | antiepileptic; felbamate; animal model of depression; bulbectomy |
| Description | To examine potential antidepressant effects of felbamate rats with bilateral lesion of the olfactory bulb (OB rats) were used in the present study. This animal model resembles behavioural, endocrine and immune changes found in human depression. Repeated felbamate treatment (240 mg/kg, orally, for 10 days) effects on locomotor behaviour (ambulation) in an open field test, and on leukocyte phagocytosis were studied in both sham-operated and bulbectomized rats. Felbamate elicited a significant decrease of the previously hyperactive ambulation of the OB rats after 10 days of medication (240 mg/kg/day, orally), while no marked changes were observed in sham-operated animals. On the day 10 of the felbamate treatment, there was no significant difference in locomotor activity of the OB and the sham-operated rats. Significantly suppressed leukocyte phagocytic activity recorded in OB rats was disinhibited in those treated repeatedly with felbamate while the drug did not alter phagocytosis of leukocytes in sham-operated group. Results of both these experiments indicate hypothesized antidepressant activity of felbamate. |
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