MIF-1 potentiates the action of tricyclic antidepressants in an animal model of depression

Abstract

In the present paper, the effect of simultaneous treatment of rats with low doses of MIF-1 and tricyclic antidepressants on rat behavior in the forced swim test was studied. It was found that MIF-1 stimulated in a dose-dependent manner "active" behavior of animals in this paradigm. The effect of MIF-1 appeared to be independent of changes in rats' locomotion in the open field test. The combined treatment of rats with MIF-1 (0.01 mg/kg IP) and amitriptyline (5 mg/kg IP) or desipramine (1.25 mg/kg) IP) significantly stimulated active behavior in the forced swim test above the level obtained with each of the drugs given separately. The present data suggest the potential clinical efficacy of a combined therapy of depressive patients with MIF-1 and small doses of tricyclic antidepressants.