[Effects of heptapeptide selank on genetically-based and situation-provoked symptoms of depression in behavior in WAG/Rij and Wistar rats, and in BALB/c mice].
Sarkisova. K Iu KIu; Kozlovskiĭ. I I II; Kozlovskaia. M M MM
Key Findings
- High repeated doses (1‑2 mg/kg) improved depression‑like signs in genetically depressive WAG/Rij rats
- Low single doses (0.1‑0.3 mg/kg) reduced immobility in the forced‑swim test in BALB/c mice
- Selank did not alter general locomotion, anxiety, or behavior in normal control rats
Practical Outcomes
- Selank may have antidepressant‑like effects at low acute doses, but the evidence is limited to rodents. For self‑experimenters, any dosing would be speculative and should be approached with caution, as human dosing and safety data are not established.
Summary
In animal tests, the peptide selank showed signs of reducing depression‑like behavior. A single low dose helped mice swim longer before giving up, while repeated higher doses helped a rat strain that naturally shows depressive traits. It didn’t change overall activity or anxiety, and it didn’t affect normal rats.
Abstract
A synthetic derivative of the endogenous peptide tuftsin heptapeptide selank (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) possesses an anxiolytic and psychostimulant effect, and represents a working element of a new peptide drug having completed the third phase of the clinical testing as a selective anxiolytic. The neurobiochemical spectrum of selank action combines mechanisms which are characteristics of antidepressants and psychostimulants: activation of the brain monoaminergic systems, dopamine synthesis and turnover, and modulation of the tyrosine hydroxylase activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of selank in a new model of inherited (genetically-based) symptoms of depression in behavior of inbred WAG/Rij rats in comparison with its effect on situation-provoked symptoms of depression in behavior of BALB/c mice. Outbred Wistar rats constituted control group. Selank in high doses (1000-2000 microg/kg), after repeated injection counteracted symptoms of depression in behavior of WAG/Rij rats (increased immobilization in the forced swimming test and decreased sucrose intake or preference (anhedonia)). Selank in low doses (100 and 300 microg/kg) after single injection reduced the duration of immobility of BALB/c mice in the forced swimming test, but did not exert significant effect after repeated injection or after injection in high doses (600 and 900 microg/kg). Selank did not affect the level of general locomotor activity and anxiety in WAG/Rij rats, and did not exert substantial effect on the behavior of control Wistar rats. The results demonstrate the presence of antidepressant component in the spectrum of neuropsychotrophyc activity of selank and indicate the higher reliability of a new experimental model of depression (the WAG/Rij rats) as compared to the standard forced swimming test for the determination of antidepressant activity of a pharmacological drug.
Study Information
pubmed
2008