Acute but not sustained aromatase inhibition displays antidepressant properties. (August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kokras, Nikolaos; Pastromas, Nikolaos; Porto, Tatiany H.; Kafetzopoulos, Vasilios; Mavridis, Theodore; Dalla, Christina
• Is Part Of: International journal of neuropsychopharmacology. Volume 17:Number 8(2014)
• Page Start: 1307
• Page End: 1313
• Publication Date: 2014-08
• Subjects: Neuropsychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Neuropharmacology -- Periodicals; Psychopharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.78
• DOI: 10.1017/S1461145714000212
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1461-1457

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Aromatase inhibitors block the conversion of androgens to oestrogens and are used for the treatment of hormone-responsive breast cancer in menopause and recently also in premenopausal women. We investigate whether decreased oestrogen synthesis following aromatase inhibition leads to a depressive-like behavioural response in cycling female rats. Using the forced swim test (FST) we estimate the response of acute (three injections in 24 h) and sustained (7 d) letrozole and fluoxetine administration. Acute aromatase inhibition decreases immobility duration in the FST, indicating its antidepressant potential. Instead, sustained aromatase inhibition did not show such antidepressant potential. Testosterone elevation associates with the decreased depressive behaviour in the FST following acute letrozole treatment, but interestingly progesterone explains the increased swimming behaviour. Present findings may have potential implications for women treated with aromatase inhibitors, especially before menopause, as well as for the role of gonadal hormones in the expression of depressive symptoms and antidepressant response.</p> </abstract>