Mitochondrial respiratory chain activity in an animal model of mania induced by ouabain.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a mental illness associated with higher rates of suicide. The present study aims to investigate the brain mitochondrial respiratory chain activity in an animal model of mania induced by ouabain.

METHODS:

Adult male Wistar rats received a single intracerebroventricular administration of ouabain (10-3 and 10-2 M) or vehicle. Locomotor activity was measured using the open field test. Mitochondrial respiratory chain activity was measured in the brain of rats 1 h and 7 days after ouabain administration.

RESULTS:

Our results showed that spontaneous locomotion was increased 1 h and 7 days after ouabain administration. Complexes I, III and IV activities were increased in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum immediately after the administration of ouabain, at the concentration of 10-3 and 10-2 M. Moreover, complex II activity was increased only in the prefrontal cortex at the concentration of 10-2 M. On the other hand, no significant alterations were observed in complex I activity 7 days after ouabain administration. However, an increase in complexes II, III and IV activities was observed only in the prefrontal cortex at the concentration of 10-2 M.

CONCLUSION:

Our findings suggest an increase in the activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain in this model of mania. A possible explanation is that these findings occur as a rebound effect trying to compensate for a decrease of ATP deprivation in BD. The present findings suggest that this model may present good face validity and a limitation in construct validity.

• Authors: Tiago P Freitas, Gislaine T Rezin, Daiane B Fraga, Morgana Moretti, Julia S Vieira, Lara M Gomes, Lislaine S Borges, Samira S Valvassori, João Quevedo, Emilio L Streck
• Journal: Acta neuropsychiatrica (Acta Neuropsychiatr) Vol. 23 Issue 3 Pg. 106-11 (Jun 2011) ISSN: 0924-2708 [Print] England
• PMID: 26952896 (Publication Type: Journal Article)