Abstract:

Objective   To study the behavior of rats and hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) expression in their brain, and to analyze the impact of drug therapy on the depression in Parkinson′s disease. Methods   Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a blank group and an experimental group, each of 15. For another 90 rats, a Parkinson′s disease model was established for 55, and 45 were taken. For these, 3 groups were formed: a PD group, a Madopar group and an Artane group, each of 15. Behavior and sucrose consumption were monitored as means to evaluate the rats′ depression. Expression of 5-HT was examined by immunohistochemistry. Results   In body weight, rats in the PD group, Madopar group and Artane group were all lighter than both the blank and experimental groups (P<0.05). In sucrose consumption, the Madopar group and the Artane group were both lower than the PD group, and all these three groups were lower than the blank and experimental groups(P<0.05). Counts for neurons in the hippocampus and frontal lobe, as shown by 5-HT immunohistochemistry, in the Madopar group were lower than all other groups(P<0.05). Conclusion   Depression was observed in PD model rats, and Madopar and Artane can aggravate this symptom. Administration of Madopar lowered 5-HT expression in the hippocampus and frontal lobe of the brain, which may contribute to the development of depression.

Key words: Parkinson′s disease; Depression; Madopa; Artane; 5-Hydroxytryptamine