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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 7, 2008; 14(45): 6993-6998
Published online Dec 7, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.6993
Effects of fluoxetine on mast cell morphology and protease-1 expression in gastric antrum in a rat model of depression
Zhen-Hua Chen, Ling Xiao, Ji-Hong Chen, He-Shen Luo, Gao-Hua Wang, Yong-Lan Huang, Xiao-Ping Wang
Zhen-Hua Chen, Ling Xiao, Gao-Hua Wang, Yong-Lan Huang, Xiao-Ping Wang, Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China
Ji-Hong Chen, He-Shen Luo, Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China
Author contributions: Chen ZH, Luo HS, Chen JH and Wang GH designed the research; Chen ZH, Xiao L, Chen JH and Wang XP performed the research; Wang XP and Huang YL contributed new reagents/analytic tools; Chen ZH, Luo HS and Huang YL analyzed data; and Chen ZH, Luo HS and Xiao L wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: He-Shen Luo, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China. luochen67@21cn.com
Telephone: +86-27-62982658 Fax: + 86-27-88072022
Received: May 8, 2008
Revised: October 31, 2008
Accepted: November 7, 2008
Published online: December 7, 2008
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the effects of fluoxetine on depression-induced changes of mast cell morphology and protease-1 (rMCP-1) expression in rats.

METHODS: A Sprague-Dawley rat model of chronic stress-induced depression was established. Fifty experimental rats were randomly divided into the following groups: normal control group, fluoxetine + normal control group, depressed model group, saline + depressed model group, and fluoxetine + depressed model group. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) immunofluorescence and RT-PCR techniques were used to investigate rMCP-1 expression in gastric antrum. Mast cell morphology was observed under transmission electron microscopy. ANOVA was used for statistical analysis among groups.

RESULTS: Morphologic observation indicated that depression induced mast cell proliferation, activation, and granule hyperplasia. Compared with the normal control group, the average immunofluorescence intensity of gastric antrum rMCP-1 significantly increased in depressed model group (37.4 ± 7.7 vs 24.5 ± 5.6, P < 0.01) or saline + depressed model group (39.9 ± 5.0 vs 24.5 ± 5.6, P < 0.01), while there was no significant difference between fluoxetine + normal control group (23.1 ± 3.4) or fluoxetine + depressed model group (26.1 ± 3.6) and normal control group. The average level of rMCP-1mRNA of gastric antrum significantly increased in depressed model group (0.759 ± 0.357 vs 0.476 ± 0.029, P < 0.01) or saline + depressed model group (0.781 ± 0.451 vs 0.476 ± 0.029, P < 0.01 ), while no significant difference was found between fluoxetine + normal control group (0.460 ± 0.027) or fluoxetine + depressed model group (0.488 ± 0.030) and normal control group. Fluoxetine showed partial inhibitive effects on mast cell ultrastructural alterations and de-regulated rMCP-1 expression in gastric antrum of the depressed rat model.

CONCLUSION: Chronic stress can induce mast cell proliferation, activation, and granule hyperplasia in gastric antrum. Fluoxetine counteracts such changes in the depressed rat model.

Keywords: Depression model, Gastric antrum, Mast cell protease-1, Mast cells, Morphology, Fluoxetine hydrochloride