Studies of the effect of cerebroprotective substances on the course of stress-induced behavioral depression

Abstract

Introduction. Atrophic disturbances of neurons of the limbic structures of the brain, which lead to insufficient regulation of emotions and mood, cause depression. Substances with cerebroprotective activity have the ability to inhibit further development and even reverse atrophic damage to neurons.

Materials and methods. Using electrophysiological techniques, the cerebroprotective activity of piracetam, diacamf – (±)-cis-3-(2-benzimidazolyl)-1,2,2-trimethylcyclopentanone-carboxylic acid hydrochloride and the compound R-86, or 3,2’-spiro-pyrrolo-2-oxindole, was investigated in rat hippocampal slices. In behavioral experiments, there was studied the influence of the above substances, which had been administered for 20 days, on the most important manifestations of behavioral depression in rats caused by a five-day swim stress, such as the time of immobilization in the forced swim test and the indicator of preference for consuming sucrose solution. In addition, the influence of piracetam and diacamf was studied on the effects of the classic antidepressant imipramine.

Results and discussion. It was found that piracetam, diacamf and the compound R-86 in in vitro studies reduced the damage to the pyramidal hippocampal neurons caused by anoxia and aglycemia, the excitotoxic activity of N-methyl-D-aspartate and oxidative stress when hydrogen peroxide was applied to the slices. Cerebroprotective activity of the test substances, when they are systemically administered for 20 days, is linked with their antidepressant-like effect, which was manifested in a decrease in the immobilization time in the swim test and an increase in the sucrose solution consumption indicator. Co-administration of piracetam in rats potentiated antidepressant activity of imipramine, and diacamf showed additive synergism with the antidepressant.

Conclusion. Substances with cerebroprotective activity in their chronic administration may show an antidepressant-like effect. Those that potentiate the action of classical anidepressants can be used in conjunction with antidepressants during episodes of exacerbation of the disease. Less active cerebroprotective drugs can be recommended during remission for its prolongation.