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Depressive and cardiovascular disease comorbidity in a rat model of social stress: a putative role for corticotropin-releasing factor

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Abstract

Rationale

Depression is associated with medical comorbidities, particularly cardiovascular disease. However, mechanisms linking depression and cardiovascular disease remain unclear.

Objectives

This study investigated whether the rat resident–intruder model of social stress would elicit behavioral dysfunctions and autonomic changes characteristic of psychiatric/cardiovascular comorbidity. Furthermore, the efficacy of the corticotropin-releasing factor-1 (CRF1) receptor antagonist, NBI-30775 (NBI), or the tricyclic antidepressant, desipramine (DMI), to prevent social stress-induced behavioral, neuroendocrine, and cardiovascular changes were evaluated.

Methods

Adult male rats were exposed to resident–intruder stress (seven consecutive days) and systemically administered NBI (10 mg/kg/7 days), DMI (10 mg/kg/14 days), or vehicle. The efficacy of NBI and DMI to alter the behavioral and neuroendocrine responses to social stress was assessed. Furthermore, their effects on stress-induced forced swim behavior (FST), bladder and adrenal weight, and heart rate variability (HRV) were examined.

Results

NBI, but not DMI, increased time spent in an upright, defensive posture and the latency to submit to the resident. Additionally, only NBI reduced social stress-induced adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone release. Social stress increased FST immobility, caused bladder and adrenal hypertrophy, and decreased HRV. Both NBI and DMI blocked stress-induced increases in immobility during the FST. However, only NBI inhibited social stress-induced adrenal and bladder hypertrophy and decreases in heart rate variability.

Conclusions

Rat resident–intruder stress paradigm models aspects of psychiatric/medical comorbidity. Furthermore, the CRF system may contribute to both the behavioral response during social stress and its behavioral and autonomic consequences, offering insight into potential therapy to treat these comorbid conditions.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Data Sciences International and Primetech Corporation for their generous donation of the iPRECIO infusion pumps used in this study. The authors also thank Catherine S. Lee and Sandra Luz for their technical assistance. All experiments complied with the current laws of animal research in the USA. The authors have nothing to disclose.

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Correspondence to Susan K. Wood.

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These studies were supported by the following grants: MH06751 to SB, ARO-58077LS DPR, MH40008, MH58250, and AHA0825572D.

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Wood, S.K., McFadden, K.V., Grigoriadis, D. et al. Depressive and cardiovascular disease comorbidity in a rat model of social stress: a putative role for corticotropin-releasing factor. Psychopharmacology 222, 325–336 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-012-2648-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-012-2648-6

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