The effect of selective inhibitors of noradrenaline and serotonin uptake on reserpine- and apomorphine induced hypothermia in mice.

The antidepressant action of combined treatment with selective inhibitors of noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5HT) uptake was investigated using the reserpine and apomorphine hypothermia tests. Desipramine and maprotiline, NA uptake inhibitors, but not fluoxetine and citalopram, selective 5HT uptake inhibitors, antagonized the hypothermias. A combination of NA and 5HT uptake inhibitors antagonized reserpine hypothermia less effectively than the inhibitor of NA uptake alone. The apomorphine hypothermia was antagonized similarly by a NA uptake inhibitor given alone and in combination with a 5HT uptake inhibitor. The results indicate that for antidepressant (antireserpine and antiapomorphine) effect the essential role is played by a noradrenergic mechanism, while the serotonergic mechanism may even produce opposite effect.