Effect of bupropion on hippocampal neurotransmitters and on peripheral hormonal concentrations in the rat

• Published in: Journal of applied physiology (1985) 2003-08, Vol.95 (2), p.652-656
• Main Authors: Piacentini, M. F, Clinckers, R, Meeusen, R, Sarre, S, Ebinger, G, Michotte, Y
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Brain; Bupropion - pharmacology; Dopamine - metabolism; Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors - pharmacology; Drugs; Extracellular Space - metabolism; Hippocampus - drug effects; Hippocampus - metabolism; Hormones; Male; Medical sciences; Microdialysis; Nervous system; Neuropharmacology; Neurotransmitter Agents - metabolism; Neurotransmitters; Norepinephrine - metabolism; Osmolar Concentration; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Prolactin - blood; Psychoanaleptics: cns stimulant, antidepressant agent, nootropic agent, mood stabilizer..., (alzheimer disease); Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopharmacology; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Rodents; Serotonin - metabolism
• ISSN: 8750-7587; 1522-1601
• DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01058.2002

Departments of 1 Human Physiology and Sportsmedicine and 3 Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Drug Analysis, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; and 2 University Institute of Sport Sciences, 00194 Rome, Italy Submitted 18 November 2002 ; accepted in final form 8 April 2003 The purpose of the present study was to administer an acute dose of the dual dopamine norepinephrine reuptake blocker bupropion in freely moving rats and to monitor the extracellular neurotransmitter concentrations in the hippocampus via in vivo microdialysis and the peripheral hormonal concentrations via catheterization. A microdialysis probe was inserted in the hippocampus, and samples for serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine were collected every 20 min before and after the injection of 17 mg/kg of bupropion, for a total sampling time of 180 min. A catheter was placed in the vena femoralis of the second group of rats, and blood samples were collected before and after bupropion injection for quantification of growth hormone, prolactin, corticosterone, adrenocorticotropin hormone, and -endorphins. All neurotransmitter levels (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) significantly increased after bupropion injection. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in prolactin concentrations, whereas the other hormones showed no statistically significant variation. It can, therefore, be concluded that, although bupropion has dual reuptake proprieties, the observed effects both at the central and at the peripheral level seem to be ruled by the dopaminergic system. dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor; hippocampus; hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; microdialysis; neurotransmitters. Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: R. Meeusen, Dept. of Human Physiology and Sportsmedicine, Free Univ. Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium (E-mail: rmeeusen{at}vub.ac.be ).