No description available.

Mirtazapine is an atypical antidepressant employed clinically for the treatment of major depression. As a multipotent antagonist it acts at α2a-adrenergic receptors (α2a -ARs). serotonin type-2A receptors (5-HT2a-Rs) and histamine type-I receptors (H1-Rs). Its actions at the α2a-AR have been proposed to play a role in its putative earlier onset of action. However, it is not known whether mirtazapine is a neutral antagonist or inverse agonist at α2a- ARs. The current study aimed to determine the mode of α2a-AR antagonism by mirtazapine, as well as to investigate in vitro the modulatory effects of mirtazapine pre-treatments on β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR), muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) and α2a-AR functions. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells expressing the porcine α2a-AR at high numbers (α2a-H), a constitutively active mutant α2a-AR (α2a--CAM), or mock-transfected control cells (neo) were radio-labelled with [3H]-adenine and concentration-effect curves of mirtazapine, yohimbine, mianserin or idazoxan were constructed, measuring [3H]-cAMP accumulation. In addition human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and CHO-K1 cells expressing the porcine α2a- AR at low numbers (am-L) were used to investigate the effect of mirtazapine pre-treatments on mAChRs and β-ARS or α2a-ARs respectively. After radio-labelling with myo-[2-3H]-inositol or [2-%]-adenine, radio-label uptake was measured and receptor function was investigated by constructing concentration-effect curves, measuring [3H]-IPx or [3H]-cAMP accumulation respectively. The results from the current study show that mirtazapine binds to the α2a-AR with an affinity value in the lower micromolar range (K1≈ 0.32 µM; pK1 = 6.50 ± 0.07). Mirtazapine is not a partial agonist at α2a-ARs as it does not affect [3H]-cAMP accumulation in α2a-H cells. Preliminary results suggest that mirtazapine displays partial inverse agonism in α2a-CAM cells, while mianserin displays neutral antagonism. Mirtazapine pre-treatment in SH-SY5Y cells does not alter muscarinic receptor function (different from fluoxetine and imipramine), but reduces I-isoproterenol-induced increase in [3H]-cAMP accumulation in SH-SY5Y cells (typically associated with chronic antidepressant activity). Although inconclusive, the data also suggests that mirtazapine may reduce α2a-AR function. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharmacology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Mirtazapine is an atypical antidepressant employed clinically for the treatment of major depression. As a multipotent antagonist it acts at α2a-adrenergic receptors (α2a -ARs). serotonin type-2A receptors (5-HT2a-Rs) and histamine type-I receptors (H1-Rs). Its actions at the α2a-AR have been proposed to play a role in its putative earlier onset of action. However, it is not known whether mirtazapine is a neutral antagonist or inverse agonist at α2a- ARs. The current study aimed to determine the mode of α2a-AR antagonism by mirtazapine, as well as to investigate in vitro the modulatory effects of mirtazapine pre-treatments on β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR), muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) and α2a-AR functions. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells expressing the porcine α2a-AR at high numbers (α2a-H), a constitutively active mutant α2a-AR (α2a--CAM), or mock-transfected control cells (neo) were radio-labelled with [3H]-adenine and concentration-effect curves of mirtazapine, yohimbine, mianserin or idazoxan were constructed, measuring [3H]-cAMP accumulation. In addition human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and CHO-K1 cells expressing the porcine α2a- AR at low numbers (am-L) were used to investigate the effect of mirtazapine pre-treatments on mAChRs and β-ARS or α2a-ARs respectively. After radio-labelling with myo-[2-3H]-inositol or [2-%]-adenine, radio-label uptake was measured and receptor function was investigated by constructing concentration-effect curves, measuring [3H]-IPx or [3H]-cAMP accumulation respectively. The results from the current study show that mirtazapine binds to the α2a-AR with an affinity value in the lower micromolar range (K1≈ 0.32 µM; pK1 = 6.50 ± 0.07). Mirtazapine is not a partial agonist at α2a-ARs as it does not affect [3H]-cAMP accumulation in α2a-H cells. Preliminary results suggest that mirtazapine displays partial inverse agonism in α2a-CAM cells, while mianserin displays neutral antagonism. Mirtazapine pre-treatment in SH-SY5Y cells does not alter muscarinic receptor function (different from fluoxetine and imipramine), but reduces I-isoproterenol-induced increase in [3H]-cAMP accumulation in SH-SY5Y cells (typically associated with chronic antidepressant activity). Although inconclusive, the data also suggests that mirtazapine may reduce α2a-AR function. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharmacology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

La dépression majeure constitue aujourd’hui une maladie dévastatrice qui affecte jusqu’a 20% de la population mondiale et qui est classifiée comme une des causes principales des années de vie en handicap. Depuis les années ’50 et avec la serendipité des composés antidépresseurs, la physiopathologie et le traitement actuel de la dépression sont dominés par l’hypothèse monoaminergique. Malgré leur utilisation répandue encore aujourd’hui, les antidépresseurs qui ciblent le système monoaminergique sont inefficaces chez une proportion significative des patients et présentent un délai du début d’action prolongé. Dans l’optique d’approfondir l’action antidépressive, nombreuses études récentes ont démontré différents mécanismes à travers les quels ces composés restaurent la plasticité neuronale et la neurotransmission, qui sont trouvées perturbées dans les troubles de l’humeur et dans des modèles animaux de la dépression. La transmission glutamatergique, notamment le récepteur AMPA (AMPA R), et des cascades intracellulaires de signalisation ont été impliqués dans la physiopathologie de la dépression et l’action antidépressive. Au cours de cette étude, des potentiateurs AMPA R (modulateurs positives allostériques) ont montré des effets antidépresseurs dans un modèle chronique de dépression et des résultats préliminaires suggèrent un délai du début d’action précoce de ces composés. La voie de signalisation d’ERK/MAPK a été aussi étudiée, comme un intégrateur des modifications de la plasticité synaptique qui constitue le lien entre les signaux extracellulaires et la régulation de l’expression génique. On a utilisé une nouvelle classe d’inhibiteurs de la voie de signalisation d’ERK. La construction de ces molécules est basée sur la propriété particulière d’ERK à s’attacher à ses cibles à travers des domaines de liaison spécifiques. Une batterie de tests comportementaux, aigus et chroniques, ont apporté une somme de données convaincants sur l’action antidépressive de l’inhibition sélective du complexe de signalisation ERK/Elk1. L’ensemble des résultats de cette étude apportent de nouveaux éléments sur la physiopathologie de la dépression et révèlent des pistes thérapeutiques prometteuses. / Major depression is a devastating disease that affects up to 20% of world population and is classified today as a leading cause of disability-adjusted life years. Since late 50s with the serendipitous discovery of the first antidepressant agents, pathophysiology and therapeutics of depression are governed by the monoaminergic hypothesis. Monoaminergic-based treatment, although still in use today, was proven inefficient to treat a significant proportion of cases and presents a delayed onset of action. Recent research has unveiled an array of new mechanisms through which antidepressant medication helps restore neuronal plasticity and neurotransmission that is disrupted in mood disorders and in animal models of depression. Glutamatergic transmission, in particular AMPA receptor, and signal transduction cascades have been implicated both in antidepressant action and the pathophysiology of depression, as here and now regulators that mediate persistent changes. In this study, AMPA receptors positive modulators demonstrated antidepressant-like effects in a chronic model of depression and preliminary data suggest a faster onset of action than conventional antidepressants. The ERK/MAPK signaling pathway was also studied as a major integrator of synaptic plasticity modifications that links extracellular signals to gene expression regulation via its downstream molecular partners. We used a new class of inhibitors of the ERK pathway, whose design was based on the particular property of ERK to bind to its downstream targets via specific docking domains. A considerable amount of data provided evidence for an antidepressant action of selective inhibition of the ERK/Elk1 signaling complex in multiple animal models of depression. Overall, the findings of this work reveal novel, promising targets for the treatment of depression.

Le projet de cette thèse s'est attaché à caractériser le rôle de l'IL-1 beta et les récepteurs P2X7 dans la dépression. Les résultats suggèrent que chez les souris stressés et les perturbation comportementaux, l'activation microgliales et endocriniennes sont reversées par l'antagoniste des P2X7Rs. Ces résultats mettent en évidence que l'antagoniste des récepteurs P2X7 a des effets comportementaux et neuroendocriniens. / Research work of this thesis was aimed to characterize role of IL-1 beta and P2X7 receptors in depressive illness. Results suggest that i stressed mice the behavioral and neurobiochemical changes are reversed by use of P2X7R antagonist. It is an evidence of antidepressant of these compounds.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Serotonergic and opioid systems have been implicated in major depression and in the action mechanism of antidepressants. The organoselenium compound m-trifluoromethyldiphenyl diselenide (m CF3 PhSe)2 shows antioxidant and anxiolytic activities and is a selective inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A activity. The present study was designed to investigate the antidepressant-like effect of (m CF3 PhSe)2 in female mice, employing the forced swimming test. The involvement of the serotonergic and opioid systems in the antidepressant-like effect of (m CF3 PhSe)2 was appraised. (m CF3 PhSe)2 at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg (p.o.) exhibited antidepressant-like action in the forced swimming test. The effect of (m CF3 PhSe)2 (50 mg/kg p.o.) was prevented by pretreatment of mice with WAY100635 (0.1mg/kg, s.c. a selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist), ritanserin (4 mg/kg, i.p., a nonselective 5HT2A/2C receptor antagonist), ondansetron (1 mg/kg, i.p., a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist) and naloxone (1 mg/kg, i.p., a non-selective antagonist of opioid receptors). The administration of (m CF3 PhSe)2 and the interaction of antagonists with (m CF3 PhSe)2 did not cause any change in the locomotor activity assessed in the open-field test. These results suggest that (m CF3 PhSe)2 produced an antidepressant-like effect in the mouse forced swimming test and this effect seems most likely to be mediated through an interaction with serotonergic and opioid systems. / Os sistemas serotoninérgico e opióide estão envolvidos na patogênese da depressão assim como no mecanismo de ação dos principais antidepressivos atualmente comercializados. Dados da literatura demonstram que o composto orgânico de selênio disseleneto de m-trifluormetil-fenila (m CF3 PhSe)2 apresenta atividade antioxidante e ansiolítica e é um inibidor seletivo da atividade da enzima monoamino oxidase A (MAO A). O presente estudo teve por objetivo investigar a ação do tipo antidepressiva do (m CF3 PhSe)2 em camundongos fêmeas, empregando o teste do nado forçado. O envolvimento dos sistemas serotoninérgico e opióide nessa ação também foi avaliado. O composto (m CF3 PhSe)2 nas doses de 50 e 100 mg/kg (p.o.) apresentou ação do tipo antidepressiva. Esta ação do (m CF3 PhSe)2 (50 mg/kg p.o.) foi bloqueada pelo pré-tratamento dos camundongos com WAY100635 (0.1 mg/kg, s.c., um antagonista seletivo do receptor 5-HT1A), ritanserina (4 mg/kg, i.p., um antagonista não-seletivo dos receptores 5-HT2A/2C), ondansetrona (1 mg/kg, i.p., um antagonista seletivo do receptor 5-HT3) e naloxona (1 mg/kg, i.p., um antagonista não-seletivo dos receptores opióides). A administração de (m CF3 PhSe)2 e a interação dos antagonistas com (m CF3 PhSe)2 não prejudicou a atividade locomotora dos animais, observado no teste do campo aberto. Esses resultados sugerem que o (m CF3 PhSe)2 produz ação do tipo antidepressiva em camundongos no teste do nado forçado e essa ação é possivelmente mediada através de uma interação com os sistemas serotoninérgico e opióide.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Atualmente hà um aumento no interesse em desenvolver novos agentes terapÃuticos a partir de molÃculas biologicamente ativas presentes em fontes naturais, e os organismos marinhos tem-se destacado. Dentro deste contexto, as algas marinhas vermelhas tÃm recebido muita atenÃÃo por apresentar propriedades biolÃgicas e farmacolÃgicas ativas, como: antibacteriana, antioxidante, antiviral, antitumoral, antitrombÃtica, prÃ-trombÃtica, antinociceptiva, antinflamatÃria, anticoagulante e anticancerÃgena. Pesquisas recentes mostram que muitos bioativos obtidos de origem marinha apresentam grande potencial para aplicaÃÃes neurofarmacolÃgicas. Assim o objetivo desta dissertaÃÃo foi avaliar os efeitos dos polissacarÃdeos sulfatados totais (PST) obtidos da alga marinha vermelha Gracilaria cornea no Sistema Nervoso Central, em modelos clÃssicos de animais (labirinto em cruz elevada (LCE), campo aberto, Placa perfurada, rota rod, nado forÃado e suspensÃo de cauda) para screening de drogas com atividades relacionadas com as desordens neurocomportamentais, como ansiedade e depressÃo. Para a realizaÃÃo dos experimentos foram utilizados camundongos Swiss, machos, pesando de 25-32g, provenientes do biotÃrio da Universidade Federal do CearÃ. Os animais foram tratados agudamente com PST nas doses de 0,1, 1 ou 10 mg/kg, via intraperitoneal. Trinta minutos apÃs o tratamento, os animais foram submetidos aos testes comportamentais de locomoÃÃo (campo aberto e rota rod), ansiedade (LCE e placa perfurada) e depressÃo (nado forÃado e suspensÃo de cauda). Os resultados mostraram que PST, na dose de 10 mg/kg, apresentou efeito ansiolÃtico nos modelos de LCE e placa perfurada, pois aumentou todos os parÃmetros analisados no LCE, assim como o nÃmero de mergulhos nos orifÃcios da placa perfurada. Este efeito està provavelmente relacionado com o sistema gabaÃrgico, pois o flumazenil, antagonistas dos receptores GABAA/ BenzodiazepÃnicos, reverteu o efeito ansiolÃtico dos PST no LCE. No teste de campo aberto a dose de 10 mg/kg aumentou o nÃmero de quadrantes e o nÃmero de rearing, tento uma aÃÃo exitatÃria, jà no teste de rota rod nÃo houve alteraÃÃo, mostrando que a atividade motora dos animais nÃo foi prejudicada. Na avaliaÃÃo da atividade depressiva, os PST nÃo alteraram o tempo de imobilidade nos testes de nado forÃado e de suspensÃo de cauda, embora a dose de 10mg/kg apresentou uma diminuiÃÃo no parÃmetro analisado, porÃm nÃo significativo. ConclusÃo: os polissacarÃdeos sulfatados totais extraÃdos da Gracilaria cornea, na dose de 10 mg/Kg, sugerem uma aÃÃo ansiolÃtica no Sistema Nervoso Central, possivelmente relacionado com o sistema gabaÃrgico, desprovida de aÃÃo antidepressivo. / Currently there is an increased interest in developing new therapeutic agents from biologically active molecules present in natural sources from marine organisms has been posted. Within this context, red marine algae have received much attention for presenting active biological and pharmacological properties such as antibacterial, antioxidant, antiviral, antitumor, antithrombotic, pro-thrombotic, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and anticoagulant. Recent surveys show that many bioactive obtained from marine sources have great potential for neuropharmacological applications. Thus the aim of this thesis was to evaluate the effects of sulfated polysaccharides total (PST) obtained from the red seaweed Gracilaria cornea in the Central Nervous System in classic animal models elevated plus maze (EPM), open field, hole board, rota rod, forced swim and tail suspension for the screening of drugs with activities related to neurobehavioral disorders such as anxiety and depression. For the experiments Swiss male mice were used, weighing 25-32g, from the vivarium of the Federal University of CearÃ. The animals were treated acutely with PST at doses of 0.1, 1 or 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally. Thirty minutes after treatment, the animals were subjected to behavioral tests of locomotion (open field and rota rod), anxiety (LCE and hole board) and depression (forced swim and tail suspension). The results showed that PST, at a dose of 10 mg/kg, showed anxiolytic effects in models of EPM and hole board, it increased all parameters analyzed in the EPM, as well as the number of dives in the holes of the perforated plate. This effect is probably related to the GABAergic system because flumazenil, antagonists of GABA/Benzodiazepine receptor, reversed the anxiolytic effects of PST in the EPM. In the open field test dose of 10 mg/kg increased the number of quadrants and the number of rearing, try one exitatÃria action already in the route test rod did not change, showing that the motor activity of the animals was not affected. In the assessment of depressive activity, the PST did not alter the immobility time in the forced swim and tail suspension tests, although the dose of 10mg/kg showed a decrease in the parameter analyzed nonsignificant. Conclusion: total sulfated extracted from Gracilaria cornea, at a dose of 10 mg/kg, polysaccharides suggest an anxiolytic action in the central nervous system, possibly associated with the GABAergic system, devoid of antidepressant action.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Carvacrol (5-Isopropil-2-metilfenol) Ã um monoterpeno fenÃlico presente nos Ãleos essenciais de diversas plantas. Ã o principal constituinte dos Ãleos essenciais de orÃgano e thyme. Este trabalho apresenta as aÃÃes comportamentais do carvacrol em modelos animais de ansiedade, depressÃo, sedaÃÃo e convulsÃo, tais como labirinto em cruz elevado (LCE), campo aberto, rota rod, tempo de sono induzido por pentobarbital, convulsÃo induzida por pentilenotetrazol, nado forÃado e suspensÃo da cauda. Carvacrol (CVC) foi administrado oralmente, em camundongos machos, em doses Ãnicas de 12,5; 25 e 50 mg/kg. Os resultados mostraram que o CVC, nas trÃs doses estudadas, nÃo alterou a atividade motora no teste do rota rod nem o nÃmero de cruzamentos no teste do campo aberto. Entretanto, CVC diminuiu o nÃmero de grooming no teste do campo aberto. No LCE, CVC nas doses estudadas aumentou todos os parÃmetros observados, sugerindo um possÃvel efeito ansiolÃtico. O flumazenil, um antagonista dos receptores GABAA/BenzodiazepÃnico, foi capaz de reverter esse efeito. CVC nÃo alterou a latÃncia de sono e a duraÃÃo do sono no teste do tempo de sono induzido por pentobarbital. CVC tambÃm apresenta um efeito antidepressivo, pois o tratamento agudo desta substÃncia diminuiu o tempo de imobilidade nos testes do nado forÃado e da suspensÃo da cauda, sem apresentar mudanÃas da ambulaÃÃo no teste do campo aberto. Este efeito do CVC (25 mg/kg) nÃo foi revertido pelo prÃ-tratamento dos animais com p-clorofenilalanina (PCPA, um inibidor da sÃntese de serotonina), prasozina (um antagonista dos receptores α1-adrenÃrgicos) e ioimbina (um antagonista dos receptores α2-adrenÃrgicos). Em contrapartida, o prÃ-tratamento dos animais com SCH23390 (um antagonista dos receptors D1-dopaminÃrgicos) ou sulpirida (um antagonista dos receptors D2-dopaminÃrgicos) reverteu completamente o efeito antidepressivo do CVC (25 mg/kg) no teste do nado forÃado. No teste da convulsÃo induzida por pentilenotetrazol, CVC nÃo foi capaz de proteger os animais das convulsÃes ou diminuir a latÃncia de morte. Os dados obtidos sugerem que o CVC apresenta efeitos ansiolÃticos, provavelmente relacionados com o sistema GABAÃrgico e efeitos antidepressivos, que parecem depender da sua interaÃÃo com o sistema dopaminÃrgico, mas nÃo com os sistemas serotonÃrgico e noradrenÃrgico. / Carvacrol (5-Isopropyl-2-methylphenol) is a monoterpenic phenol present in the essencial oil of many plants. It is the major component of the essential oil fraction of oregano and thyme. This work presents the behavioral effects of carvacrol in animal models of anxiety, depression, sedation and convulsion, such as, elevated plus maze (EPM), open field, rota rod, barbiturate-induced sleeping time, pentilenetetrazole-induced seizures, forced swimming and tail suspension tests. Carvacrol (CVC) was administered orally, to male mice, at single doses of 12.5; 25 and 50 mg/kg. The results showed that CVC had no effect on the spontaneous motor activity in the rota rod test nor in the number of squares crossed in the open field test. However, CVC decreased the number of groomings in the open field test. In the plus maze test, CVC increased all the observed parameters in the EPM test, suggesting a possible anxiolytic effect. Flumazenil, an antagonist of GABAA/Benzodiazepinic receptors, was able to reverse these effects of CVC. Therefore, CVC did not alter the sleep latency and sleeping time in the barbiturate-induced sleeping time test. CVC also presented an antidepressant activity since that the acute treatment of this substance decreased the immobility time in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests without accompanying changes in ambulation in the open-field test. The anti-immobility effect of CVC (25 mg/kg) was not prevented by pre-treatment of mice with p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA, an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis), prazosin (an α1-adrenoceptor antagonist) and yohimbine (α2-adrenoceptor antagonist). On the other hand, the pre-treatment of mice with SCH23390 (a dopamine D1 receptor antagonist) or sulpiride (a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist) completely blocked the antidepressant-like effect of CVC (25 mg/kg) in the forced swimming test. In the pentilenetetrazole induced seizures test CVC was not able to protect the animals from seizures nor increase the death time. The data suggest that CVC presents anxiolytic effects, probably related with GABAergic system and antidepressant effects that seems to be dependent on its interaction with the dopaminergic system, but not with the serotonergic and noradrenergic systems.

Recentemente suspeitas de que mecanismos epigenéticos poderiam estar relacionados à fisiopatologia da depressão foram levantadas. Estudos recentes indicam que as alterações na transcrição gênica, induzidas por estresse ou por drogas antidepressivas, parecem envolver mecanismos epigenéticos. Nesse sentido, resultados preliminares de nosso grupo de pesquisa indicaram pioneiramente inibição global da metilação de DNA através da administração sistêmica do agente inibidor da DNA metiltransferase (DNMTs), 5-aza-2-deoxicitidina (5-azaD), induz efeito tipo-antidepressivo, dose-dependente, no modelo animal do nado forçado em ratos(Sales et al., 2011). O córtex pré-frontal medial ventral (CPFMv) é uma estrutura límbica intimamente relacionada com a neurobiologia da depressão. Evidências recentes indicam que o efeito tipo-antidepressivo aparece associado a aumento dos níveis da neurotrofina BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) e de seu receptor TrkB no CPFMv, sendo a sinalização intracelular mediada pela ativação da proteína m-TOR. Contudo, não há evidências de que esses mecanismos moleculares estariam envolvidos nos efeitos induzidos pelos inibidores da metilação do DNA. Sabe-se, no entanto, que tanto o BDNF quanto TrkB têm sua expressão regulada por metilação do DNA. Diante disso, o objetivo presente trabalho será investigar a participação da via BDNF-TrkB-mTOR do CPFMv no efeito antidepressivo induzido por inibidores da metilação de DNA. Para tanto, ratos tratados com inibidores da metilação de DNA (5-azaD ou RG-108), em dois momentos diferentes (imediatamente após o PT e 23horas após o PT) foram submetidos ao teste do nado forçado (FST). Outro grupo de animais recebeu uma injeção intra-CPMv de k252a ou Rapamicina, 40 minutos antes do teste e uma injeção de BDNF intra-CPFMv, 30 minutos antes do teste. Em outro experimento, grupos independentes de animais submetidos ao nado forçado foram tratados sistemicamente com RG-108 e receberam injeção intra-CPFMv de K252a (antagonista de Trk) ou de rapamicina (inibidor da m-Tor), a fim de investigar se o efeito dessas drogas depende da via BDNF-TrkB-mTOR no CPFMv. Um grupo independente foi tratado com RG108 e CPFM desses animais foi dissecado para posterior análise da expressão de BDNF, TrkB e m-TOR, bem como da metilação de DNA. O tratamento com RG108 e 5azaD sistêmico reduziu o tempo de imobilidade dos animais submetidos ao nado forçado nos dois tempo de administração. A administração intra-CPFMv de BDNF promoveu efeito antidepressivo no FST, e esse efeito foi bloqueado pela administração de k252a ou Rapamicina no CPFMv. No mesmo sentido, o efeito antidepressivo do RG108 sistêmico foi bloqueado pela administração intra-CPFMv de k252a ou Rapamicina. Entretanto, a medida dos níveis de metilação global no CPFMv não apresentou alteração como tratamento com RG108, e também não mostrou alteração nos níveis de BDNF presente no CPF. O tratamento com RG108 não alterou a expressão, bem como a ativação de TRkB e mTOR. Concluímos que os inibidores da metilação do DNA apresentam agudamente efeito tipo antidepressivo rápido, que necessita da funcionalidade integral da via BDNF-TRkB-mTOR. Entretanto, esse efeito parece não alterar a síntese e expressão das proteínas envolvidas nessa via no que diz respeito ao CPFmv. / Recent studies indicate that changes in gene transcription induced by stress or antidepressant drugs appear to involve epigenetic mechanisms. Accordingly, results of our research group pioneered indicated global inhibition of DNA methylation through systemic administration of an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase (DNMTs), 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine (5-AzaD), induces antidepressant-like effect dose-dependent in the animal model of forced swimming in rats (Sales et al., 2011). The ventral medial prefrontal (vmPFC) cortex is a limbic structure closely related to the neurobiology of depression. Recent evidence indicates that the antidepressant-like effect appears associated with increased levels BDNF (Brain derived neurotrophic factor) and its receptor TrkB in vmPFC, and intracellular signaling mediated by activation of protein mTOR. However, there is no evidence that these molecular mechanisms are involved in the effects induced by inhibitors of DNA methylation. It is known, however, both as BDNF and TrkB expression is regulated by DNA methylation. Thus, the goal of this work is to investigate the role of BDNF-TRkB pathway mTOR-vmPFC in the antidepressant effect induced by inhibitors of DNA methylation. To this end, rats treated with inhibitors of DNA methylation (5-Azad or RG-108), at two different times (immediately after 23hours after the PT and PT) were subjected to the forced swim test (FST). Another group received an intra-vmPFC injection of K252a or Rapamycin 40 minutes before the test, and an injection intra-vmPFC of BDNF 30 minutes before the test. In another experiment, separate groups undergoing the forced swim were treated systemically with RG-108 and received intra-vmPFC of K252a (Trk antagonist) or injection of rapamycin (m-Tor inhibitors) in order to investigate the effect these drugs depends on BDNF-TrkB-mTOR pathway in vmPFC. A separate group was treated with RG108 and mPFC these animals were dissected for analysis of the expression of BDNF and TrkB m-TOR, as well as DNA methylation. The systemic treatment whit 5azaD and RG108 reduced the immobility time of rats subjected to FST administration in both time. The intra-vmPFC BDNF administration promoted antidepressant effect in the FST, and this effect was blocked by the administration of K252a or Rapamycin in vmPFC. Similarly, the antidepressant effect of systemic RG108 was blocked by intra-vmPFC of K252a or Rapamycin administration. However, the measurement of the levels of global methylation in CPFMv did not change as treatment with RG108, and also showed no change in the levels of BDNF present in the CPF. Treatment with RG108 did not alter the expression and activation of TrkB and mTOR. We conclude that inhibitors of DNA methylation present acutely antidepressant-like effect, it needs the full functionality of the BDNF-TrkB-mTOR pathway. However, this effect seems not to alter the synthesis and expression of proteins involved in this pathway at vmPFC.

Selon l'OMS, les troubles dépressifs majeurs (TDM) seront la 2ème cause d'incapacité dans le monde en 2020 et deviendront la 1ère en 2030. Les antidépresseurs classiques ont des effets thérapeutiques retardés et de nombreux patients sont résistants. La kétamine, antagoniste du récepteur N-methyl-D-aspartate (R-NMDA) du L-glutamate, possède un effet antidépresseur rapide chez les patients résistants à un traitement classique. Le mécanisme de cette activité étonnante n'est pas bien compris. En couplant la microdialyse intracérébrale à un test comportemental prédictif d'une activité antidépressive dans un modèle de souris BALB/cJ de phénotype anxieux, nous montrons que cette activité de la kétamine dépend de la balance excitation-inhibition entre les systèmes glutamate/R-NMDA et R-AMPA, GABA/R-GABAA, sérotonine du circuit cortex préfrontal/noyau du raphé. Nos résultats suggèrent également que ce serait la combinaison [kétamine-(2R,6R)-hydroxynorkétamine, son principal métabolite cérébral] qui porterait l'effet antidépresseur. Mes travaux de thèse contribuent à une meilleure compréhension de l'effet rapide antidépresseur de la kétamine. / According to the WHO, major depressive disorder (MDD) will be the second leading cause of disability in the world in 2020 and will become the first in 2030. Conventional antidepressant drugs have delayed therapeutic effects and many patients are resistant. Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA-R) receptor antagonist of L-glutamate, exerts a rapid antidepressant effect in patients who are resistant to standard therapy. The mechanism of this amazing activity is not well understood. By coupling intracerebral microdialysis to a predictive behavioral test of antidepressant activity in a BALB/cJ mouse model with an anxious phenotype, we show that this ketamine activity is dependent on the excitation-inhibition balance between glutamate/NMDA-R and AMPA-R, GABA/GABAA-R, serotonin systems in the prefrontal cortex/raphe nucleus circuit. Our results also suggest that it would be the combination [ketamine-(2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine, its main brain metabolite] that would carry the antidepressant effect. My thesis work pave the way for the development of new fast-acting antidepressant drugs.