AAS ›› 2015, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (2): 170-174.doi: 10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2015.02.005

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Comparisons of 5-hydroxytryptamine expression at different levels of dorsal raphe nucleus in rats with pain-depression dyad

WU Yuan-yuan JIANG Yong-liang SHAO Xiao-mei ZHAO Xiao-yun HE Xiao-fen FANG Jian-qiao*   

  1. Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
  • Received:2014-11-13 Revised:2015-01-13 Online:2015-04-06 Published:2015-04-06
  • Contact: FANG Jian-qiao E-mail:fangjianqiao7532@163.com
  • Supported by:

    National Natural Science Fund

Abstract:

Objective To observe the distribution of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) of the rat with pain-depression dyad. Methods Twenty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group and model group (n=10). The model group had pain-depression dyad induced by subcutaneously injecting reserpine daily for three consecutive days. The behavior was tested by mechanical pain thresholds and the depressive emotion was examined by open-field test and elevated-zero-maze test. The expressions of 5-HT in DRN (bregma-6.8,-7.3,-7.8mm) were detected with immunofluorescence test. Results Compared with the normal group, rats in the model group showed a declined pain threshold of the left hind leg and depressive-like behavior. The 5-HT labeled cells at different levels of DRN (bregma-6.8,-7.3,-7.8mm) of normal rats were 106.00±10.21, 96.67±24.50 and 195.67±2.33, while the model group rats were 61.67±14.53, 72.33±34.35 and 53.67±26.77. In comparison with the normal group, the expressions of 5-HT in DRN (bregma-7.8mm) decreased significantly in the model group (P<0.05), but no changes were observed at the levels of bregma-6.8 and-7.3mm (P>0.05). Conclusions The pain-depression dyad induced by reserpine injection can cause the declination of 5-HT expressions in DRN. The declination may be related with the expressions of 5-HT in DRN (bregma-7.8mm), but not with the levels of bregma-6.8 and-7.3mm.

Key words: Pain-depressiondyad, 5-Hydroxytryptamine, Dorsal raphe nucleus, Reserpine, Imm-unofluorescence, Open fied test, Elevated zero maze test, Rat