Effects of fluoxetine hydrochloride on mast cell protease-1 expression in gastric antrum of depression model rats

Objective: To investigate the effect of fluoxetine hydrochloride on mast cell protease-1 (MCP-1) expression in depression model rats. Methods; The chronic stressed depression rat models were established by chronic unpredictable mild stress. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) immunofluorecence and RT-PCR techniques were used to investigate MCP-1 expression in gastric antrum. Results: Fluoxetine was observed to play part inhibition effects on mast cells ultrastructure alterations. Compared to the normal control group, the average immunofluorescence intensity of gastric antrum MCP-1 significantly increased in chronic stress-induce depressed model group (37.4 ± 7.7) or saline+depressed model group (39.9 ± 5.0) (P<0.01), while there was no significant difference between fluoxetine + normal control group (23.1 ± 3.4) or fluoxetine + depressed model group (26.1 ± 3.6) and normal control group (24.8 ± 5.6). The average level of rMCP-1 mRNA in gastric antrum significantly increased in chronic stress-induce depressed model group (0.759 ± 0.357) or saline + depressed model group (0.781 ± 0.451) (P< 0.01), while there was no significant difference between fluoxetine + normal control group (0.460 ± 0.027) or fluoxetine + depressed model group (0.488 ± 0.030) and normal control group (0.476 ± 0.029). Conclusion: Fluoxetine hydrochloride had negative immunoregulatory effects and might play a protective role on gastric antrumin in depression model rats.