Effect of nifedipine, imipramine and sertraline on the antidepressant-like actions of furosemide in forced swim (FST) and tail suspension (TST) tests models of depression in mice

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of nifedipine, imipramine and sertraline on the acute and long-term antidepressant-like responses of furosemide in the forced swim (FST) and tail suspension (TST) tests in mice. Groups of mice of six in each group were treated for 30 days with Tween 80, furosemide (10 mg/kg) + nifedipine (5 mg/kg), furosemide (10 mg/kg) + imipramine (10 mg/kg) and furosemide (10 mg/kg) + sertraline (5 mg/kg), respectively. Experiments were done on day 1, 15 and 31 in the FST and TST. In the FST and TST, results showed that in the test groups, sertraline, imipramine and nifedipine enhanced the reduction of immobility of furosemide significantly when 15-days values were compared with acute values (F(3, 20) = 14.21, P < 0.05, < 0.01) and when 30-days values were compared with 15-days values (F(3, 20) = 24.26, P < 0.05, < 0.01). Duncan multiple range (DMR) post-hoc test showed that the furosemide + sertraline combination gave the most significant response. In conclusion, results show that the antidepressant-like action of furosemide is enhanced in the FST and TST models of depression in mice by co-administration of imipramine, sertraline and nifedipine.