Positive effects of captopril in the behavioral despair swim test.

Captopril, an angiotensin II converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, was evaluated for potential antidepressive activity on the forced swim-induced behavioral despair (immobility) test in mice. Captopril (10.0 and 30.0, mg/kg ip) significantly reduced immobility and mimicked the effects of the antidepressants imipramine (30.0 mg/kg, ip) and mianserin (3.0, 10.0, and 30.0 mg/kg, ip). Captopril increased the motor activity of mice at these same dosages. Naloxone (2.0 mg/kg, ip) blocked the effects of captopril (30.0 mg/kg, ip) in the swim test. These data suggest that captopril has potential antidepressive activity. However, the conclusion is guarded, as the positive effects may be related to motor stimulation. The blockade of the captopril effects by naloxone suggests that brain opioid peptides play a role in this behavioral effect of captopril.