Effects of sertraline on experimental mouse models of psychosis

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of sertraline on neuroleptic-induced catalepsy, apomorphine-induced climbing behavior, and amphetamine or MK-801-induced locomotor activities in female Swiss albino mice weighing 30-35 g.

METHODS: This study was performed in the Department of Pharmacology, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey between April 2008 and January 2010. Catalepsy was induced by haloperidol (1 mg/kg intraperitoneally [ip]). Apomorphine (1.5 mg/kg subcutaneously [sc]) was used for studying climbing behavior, and d-amphetamine (30 mg/kg ip) or MK-801 (0.3 mg/kg ip) was used for testing locomotor activities. Eight animals were used in each group. Sertraline (10 mg/kg ip) was injected either acutely, or over 5 days of repeated treatment.

RESULTS: Sertraline inhibited catalepsy and climbing behavior when it was used for 5 days in repeated doses, while it augmented amphetamine-induced locomotor activity. It reduced MK-801-induced stereotypic movements, but did not significantly affect amphetamine-induced stereotypic movements when used in a single dose or repeated doses.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor may be a beneficial adjuvant drug during psychosis therapy.