LUCIANO K. JORNADA, SAMIRA S. VALVASSORI, WILSON R. RESENDE, MORGANA MORETTI, CAMILA L. FERREIRA
Laboratory of Neurosciences and National Science and Technology Institute for Translational Medicine and Center of Excellence in Applied Neurosciences of Santa Catarina (NENASC), Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Health Sciences Unit, University of Southern Santa Catarina, SC, Brazil.
GABRIEL R. FRIES, FLAVIO KAPCZINSKI
Bipolar Disorders Program, Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry and National Science and Technology Institute for Translational Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
JOÃO QUEVEDO
Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Research Center, São José Hospital, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to investigate the effects of ouabain intracerebroventricular injection on BDNF levels in the amygdala and hippocampus of Wistar rats. METHODS: Animals received a single intracerebroventricular injection of ouabain (10-3 and 10-2 M) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid and immediately, 1h, 24h, or seven days after injection, BDNF levels were measured in the rat's amygdala and hippocampus by sandwich-ELISA (n = 8 animals per group). RESULTS: When evaluated immediately, 3h, or 24h after injection, ouabain in doses of 10-2 and 10-3 M does not alter BDNF levels in the amygdala and hippocampus. However, when evaluated seven days after injection, ouabain in 10-2 and 10-3 M, showed a significant reduction in BDNF levels in both brain regions evaluated. DISCUSSION: In conclusion, we propose that the ouabain decreased BDNF levels in the hippocampus and amygdala when assessed seven days after administration, supporting the Na/K ATPase hypothesis for bipolar illness.
Keywords:BDNF, mania, Na/K ATPase, ouabain.