AIM To explore possible action mechanism of
antidepressants. METHODS Using flow cytometry, the
cell proliferation was detected. The proliferation of
hippocampal progenitor cells and level of
brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were measured by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Treatment with N methyl D aspartate (NMDA) 600 μmol·L -1 for 3 d significantly decreased the percentage of S phase in PC12 cells, while in the presence of classical antidepressants, desipramine (DIM) or fluoxetine (FLU) 1, 5 μmol·L -1 , the percentage of S phase increased. Furthermore, the proliferation of hippocampal progenitor cells, as well as the BDNF level in dentate gyrus (subgranular zone) significantly decreased in chronically stressed mice for 24 d, while chronic administration with DIM or FLU 10 mg·kg -1 (ip) normalized it. Meanwhile, the BDNF level in dentate gyrus also elevated after DIM or FLU treatments. CONCLUSION Up regulation of the hippocampal
neurogenesis is the common action mechanism for antidepressants, which may be closely related to the elevation of BDNF level at the same time.