Effect of antidepressant on astrocyte in the rat hippocampus of depression model

Objective: To study the mechanism of antidepressant in the astrocyte in the rat hippocampus of depression model.Mehtods: The depression model of rat was produced by separation and chronic unpredicted mild stress.The behavior was measured by open-field and fliud consumption test.The number of astrocyte in hippocampus was assessed by GFAP immunohistochemisty after intragastric administration with fluoxetine,tianeptine and normal sodium for 30 days.Results: The number of astrocyte in hippocampus was decreased in stress group compared with normal group.After administration for 30 days,the number of astrocyte in hippocampus was increased in fluoxetine group and tianeptine group as compared with normal sodium group.Conclusions: Chronic antidepressant treatment significantly increases the astrocyte in the rat hippocampus of depression model.Astrocytes may be correlated with the pathophysiology of depression.