Fluoxetine increases the content of neurotrophic protein S100 beta in the rat hippocampus

Recent studies indicate that a protracted daily administration of the antid epressant fluoxetine to adult rats increases cell proliferation/neurogenesi s in the hippocampus. It has been hypothesized that this action of fluoxeti ne might be mediated by neurotrophic factors. We hypothesized that glial S1 00 beta could be such a factor, and using quantitative Western immunoblotti ng. we investigated the effect of a 21-day treatment of rats with fluoxetin e (5 mg/kg). and found that fluoxetine increases the content of hippocampal S 100 beta. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.