Neurochemical effects of the enantiomers of mirtazapine in normal rats

Abstract

The present study was designed to examine the neurochemical effects of (±)-mirtazapine (10 mg kg-1 i.p.) and its enantiomers in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received either (+)-mirtazapine, (-)-mirtazapine, (±)-mirtazapine or vehicle, by intraperitoneal injection for two weeks. Maximum change in temperature from baseline, following a single dose of the 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist 8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) (0.15 mg kg-1 s.c.), was used to assess the function of the 5-HT(1A) receptors. Chronic drug treatment potentiated this response, with (±)-mirtazapine>(-)-mirtazapine>(+)-mirtazapine. Receptor changes were also observed with a slight decrease in β1-adrenoceptor dens..