Behavioral deficits in rats following acute administration of glimepiride: Relationship with brain serotonin and dopamine.

A considerable body of literature suggests that depression and diabetes mellitus are co-morbid. The present study was designed to test any possible behavioral deficits and/or neurochemical changes in the brain as induced by the anti-diabetic drugs. Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups: (i) saline (ii) glimepiride (2.5mg/kg)- (iii) glimepiride (5.0mg/kg)- and (iv) glimepiride (10 mg/kg) injected animals. Behavioral activities in Skinner's box, open field and elevated plus maze were monitored 20, 35 and 45 minutes post injection respectively. Animals were decapitated 60 minutes post injection to collect brain samples. Samples were kept at -70°C until neurochemical analysis by HPLC-EC. Results from the present study show decreased time spent in the open arm of the elevated plus maze (p<0.05) at all the three doses. A decrease in the HVA (Homovanillic acid) levels at all three doses (p<0.01) was also observed along with decreased 5-HT (5-Hydroxytryptamine) (p<0.05 at 5.0 and 10mg/kg) and 5-HIAA (5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid) (p<0.05 at all three doses) levels. Since a decrease in 5-HT metabolism can induce depression-like effects, the present study therefore suggests that the occurrence of depression in diabetic patients is due to the use of glimipride. Effects of long-term administration of smaller doses of glimipride are to be explored further to monitor tolerance in glimipride-induced deficits of serotonin. The finding may help to explore the cause of depression in diabetics for improving pharmacotherapy in diabetes.