Elsevier

Neuropharmacology

Volume 31, Issue 3, March 1992, Pages 221-227
Neuropharmacology

Tianeptine increases the extracellular concentrations of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens by a serotonin-independent mechanism

https://doi.org/10.1016/0028-3908(92)90171-KGet rights and content

Abstract

The effect of various doses of tianeptine on the extracellular concentrations of dopamine was studied in the striatum and nucleus accumbens of the rat. At 5 (but not 2.5) mg/kg intraperitoneally, tianeptine increased the extracellular dopamine only in the nucleus accumbens. At 10 mg/kg, the effect was also seen in the striatum but it was less marked and shorter-lasting. At 10 mg/kg(i.p.), tianeptine significantly raised the extracellular concentrations of dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in both regions. The effect of 10 mg/kg tianeptine on dopamine and its metabolites was not significantly changed in animals which had received this dose twice daily for 15 days. Intracerebroventricular administration of 150 μg/20 μl 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine, which markedly depleted serotonin in the brain, did not modify the effect of 10 mg/kg tianeptine on the extracellular concentrations of dopamine and HVA in the nucleus accumbens but reduced the effect on DOPAC. Various doses of tianeptine (1, 3 and 10 mg/kg i.p.) did not change the synthesis of serotonin and dopamine in the striatum and nucleus accumbens. The results show that tianeptine increased the extracellular concentrations of dopamine more in the nucleus accumbens than in striatum. The effect on the output of DA in the nucleus accumbens could be involved in the antidepressant activity of tianeptine.

References (28)

  • A.J. Lategan et al.

    Effects of locus coeruleus lesions on the release of endogenous dopamine in the rat nucleus accumbens and caudate nucleus as determined by intracerebral microdialysis

    Brain Res.

    (1990)
  • P.S. Whitton et al.

    The effect of the novel antidepressant tianeptine on the concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine in rat hippocampal dialysate in vivo

    Neuropharmacology

    (1991)
  • T.J. Brozoski et al.

    Cognitive deficits caused by regional depletion of dopamine in prefrontal cortex of rhesus monkey

    Science

    (1979)
  • L. Cervo et al.

    Repeated treatment with imipramine and amitriptyline reduced the immobility of rats in the forced swimming test by enhancing dopamine mechanisms in the nucleus accumbens

    J. Pharm. Pharmac.

    (1988)
  • Cited by (42)

    • Activation syndrome induced by the antidepressant tianeptine and suicidal ideation: Evidence from a large depressed outpatient sample

      2020, Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry
      Citation Excerpt :

      Indeed, contrary to tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs, tianeptine produces no serotonin recapture (Uzbay, 2008). Tianeptine's antidepressant and anxiolytic effects seem to derive from the modulation of dopamine transmission, a normalization of glutamatergic neurotransmission, and an opioid agonism that produces analgesic activity (Invernizzi et al., 1992). Tianeptine also seems to have memory-protective effect and anti-stress properties on the brain by facilitating neuroplasticity processes (Uzbay, 2008; Zoladz et al., 2008).

    • Effect of acute and chronic tianeptine on the action of classical antiepileptics in the mouse maximal electroshock model

      2013, Pharmacological Reports
      Citation Excerpt :

      Repeated administration of this antidepressant drug increased the functional responsiveness of dopamine D2/D3 receptors [18]. In addition, tianeptine (10 mg/kg, ip) increased extracellular concentration of dopamine in nucleus accumbens and striatum of rat brain [25]. Previous studies have indicated that combined anticonvulsantantidepressant effects may be related to elevated hippocampal dopamine or serotonin concentrations [43].

    • The antinociceptive effects of intravenous tianeptine in colorectal distension-induced visceral pain in rats: The role of 5-HT <inf>3</inf> receptors

      2012, European Journal of Pharmacology
      Citation Excerpt :

      Therefore, our results suggest that α1 and α2-adrenoceptor stimulation may not involved in the antinociceptive effect of tianeptine. On the other hand, tianeptine enhances the extracellular concentration of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens (Invernizzi et al., 1992) and repetitive administration of tianeptine modulates the D2 and D3 dopamine receptors (Dziedzicka-Wasylewska, et al., 2002). Recent studies also show that dopamine receptors also have some role in the antinociception (Li et al., 2012; Ortega-Legaspi et al., 2011).

    • Is it possible to be dependent to Tianeptine, an antidepressant? A case report

      2007, Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry
    • Tianeptine can be effective in men with depression and erectile dysfunction

      2006, Journal of Sexual Medicine
      Citation Excerpt :

      Also, tianepitne lacks anticholinergic effects that would potentially impair sexual arousal. Furthermore, although tianeptine is not a dopamine reuptake inhibitor [19], it has been shown to increase dopamine in rat frontal cortex and nucleus accumbens [20,21], a property that might enhance sexual function. Moreover, tianeptine has been reported to have acceptable effects on sexual desire [22] and one of the recommended antidepressants for depressed patients with sexual complications [23].

    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text