Tianeptine is an atypical tricyclic antidepressant that
facilitates serotonin (5-HT) reuptake. Tianeptine (10 mg/kg) or saline
was administered intraperitoneally to male rats daily for 4 days. Monoamine
levels were measured in micropunches of discrete brain nuclei that are
implicated in mood and cognition. In addition, the rates of 5-HT and
norepinephrine (NE) accumulation were determined by the pargyline
method. Few changes were noted in the 5-HT system. 5-HT levels were
increased by short-term tianeptine in the CA3 region of hippocampus, and
5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) was increased in the ventromedial nucleus
of hypothalamus, while 5-HT turnover was decreased in preoptic area (POA). In
addition, short-term tianeptine treatment increased NE levels in POA, parietal
sensory cortex (SCTX) and dorsal raphe (DR), and decreased NE in dentate gyrus.
NE turnover was also decreased in DR, SCTX and parietal motor cortex. These
data suggest that the short-term neural and behavioral actions of tianeptine
may be attributable, in part, to alterations of the norepinephrine system.