The nociceptin/orphanin FQ-like opioid peptide in nervous periesophageal ganglia of land snail Helix aspersa.

The neuropeptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and its receptor are members of the endogenous opioid peptide family. In mammals N/OFQ modulates a variety of biological functions such as nociception, food intake, endocrine, control of neurotransmitter release, among others. In the molluscs Cepea nemoralis and Helix aspersa the administration of N/OFQ produces a thermopronociceptive effect.

Alterations on the morphology, nitric oxide synthesis and activity of platelets reproduced in rats as possible biomarkers for depression are reversed by fluoxetine.

Biochemical markers associated with the prognosis of depression in humans are being described in the literature, whereas experimental studies in animal models in search for antidepressant strategies are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate platelet morphology, platelet activity and nitric oxide (NO) synthesis as possible biomarkers of depressive-like behavior by using FST alone and in the presence of fluoxetine. Naïve rats were compared to those receiving vehicle or fluoxetine at 10mg/kg i.

Ultrastructural changes and immunolocalization of P-selectin in platelets from patients with major depression.

Depression is considered an important risk factor in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although the biological mechanism is unknown, it has been suggested that hyperactivity of platelets may have an important role in the onset and evolution of cardiovascular damage. The goals of this study were to evaluate by transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry the presence of ultra-structural variations in platelets from individuals with recent diagnosis of major depression disease (MDD, patients without previous anti-depressant treatment and from healthy control subjects.

Methodologic pitfalls in measurement of 5-hydroxytriptamine uptake transporters in human platelets by [3H]-paroxetine binding assay.

Background: Studies in platelet of 5-HT uptake transporters have been performed using binding assay methodology designed for ligand-receptor interactions; however, uptake transporters present requirements that may question the validity of these particular binding assays.

Methods: To explore methodologic aspects that may be crucial to the validity of these assays, we studied the binding of [3H]-paroxetine to platelet membranes of healthy subjects under different conditions of time, temperature, and protein concentrations.

Results: A correlation between protein concentration in incubation media and percentage of specific binding of [3H]-paroxetine was found: the lower the protein concentrations (10 and 20 microg/mL) in incubation media, the lower the percentage of specific [3H]-paroxetine binding.