Role of the 5-HT1A receptors in the effect of Galanin(1-15) on Fluoxetine-mediated action in the forced swimming test

Galanin N-terminal fragment (1-15) [GAL(1-15)] modulates the antidepressant effects induced by the 5-HT1A receptor (5-HT1AR) agonist in the forced swimming test (FST) and the binding characteristics and mRNA levels of 5-HT1AR in the dorsal hippocampus and dorsal raphe (DR). Recently, we observed that GAL(1-15) enhanced the antidepressant-like effects induced by Fluoxetine (FLX) in the FST. In this work, we have studied whether the effects of GAL(1–15) on FLX action were mediated via 5-HT1AR, analyzing the effect of the 5-HT1AR antagonist WAY100635 in this effect and if the binding characteristics and mRNA levels of 5-HT1AR in the DR and dorsal hippocampus are modified by GAL(1-15)+FLX. Groups of rats (n=6-8) received three injections of sc FLX(10mg/kg) and 15 minutes before the FST a single icv injection of GAL(1-15) (1nmol) and 5HT1AR antagonist WAY100635(6nmol) icv alone or in combination. We also analyzed the effects of GAL(1-15)+FLX in the binding characteristics of the 5-HT1AR agonist [H3]-8-OH-DPAT and 5-HT1A mRNA levels in the DR, CA1 and Dentate Gyrus (DG). WAY100635 significantly blocked the reduction in immobility time (p<0.05), and the increase in swimming time (p<0.01) induced by GAL(1-15)+FLX in the FST. GAL(1-15)+FLX produced a significant increase in the 5HT1AR mRNA levels in CA1 (p<0.05) and DG (p<0.05). This effect was not observed in the DR. Moreover, GAL(1-15)+FLX produced a significant decrease in the Kd value (p<0.01) and in the Bmax value (p