Desipramine and fluoxetine antagonized 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine-induced lesion on rat hippocampal and cortical neurons

AIM: To assess the protective effect of desipramine (Des) and fluoxetine (F lu) on the neurons against the lesion induced by a selective serotonergic n eurotoxin in vitro. METHODS: The 10-day cultured primary neurons of hippoca mpus and cortex of rat was exposed to 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) to determine the optimal lesion concentration and duration. Before exposing to 5,7-DHT, Des and Flu was added to the medium for 30 min to observe the pro tective effects. RESULTS: The optimal concentration and duration for 5,7-DH T was 600 mu mol.L-1 and 4 h, respectively. Both Des and Flu showed a prote ctive effect in the dose range of 0.8 mu.mol.L-1 to 10 mu mol.L-1 and 0.04 mu mol.L-1 to 0.6 mu mol.L-1, respectively, when the neurons were injured b y 5,7-DHT 600 mu mol.L-1 for 4 h. Flu showed a higher efficacy than Des. Bo th exhibited a more powerful protective effect on the hippocampal neuron th an on the cortical neuron. CONCLUSION: The antidepressant effect of Des and Flu was attributed to their protective effect on the injured serotonergic neuron of the hippocampus and the cortex.