Sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, enhances the activity of two atypical antidepressant drugs, mianserin and tianeptine, in the forced swim test in mice.

Sildenafil, a selective phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, has recently been reported to abolish anti-immobility action of antidepressant drugs, i.e., bupropion, venlafaxine and S-citalopram, in the forced swim test in mice. The present study was designed to investigate the influence of sildenafil on the potential of two atypical antidepressants, namely mianserin and tianeptine. Swim sessions were conducted by placing mice in glass cylinders filled with water for 6 min and the duration of the behavioral immobility during the last 4 min of the test was evaluated. Locomotor activity was measured with photoresistor actimeters. To evaluate the potential pharmocokinetic interaction, total brain concentrations of the studied antidepressants were determined by HPLC method. Sildenafil at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg did not affect the activity of mianserin (20 mg/kg) in the forced swim test. Interestingly, at higher doses (5 and 10 mg/kg), sildenafil significantly enhanced the anti-immobility action of mianserin. Likewise, sildenafil (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) robustly augmented the antidepressant activity of tianeptine (30 mg/kg). Mianserin alone, as well as in a combination with sildenafil at the highest dose, caused a potent reduction in locomotor activity. However, the changes in motor activity did not interfere with the data obtained in the forced swim test. Sildenafil significantly increased the total brain tianeptine concentration. No alteration in mianserin level in the brain after sildenafil co-administration was observed. The present study suggests that sildenafil enhances the activity of mianserin and tianeptine in the forced swim test in mice. The changes in the antidepressant activity of mianserin evoked by sildenafil co-administration were related to pharmacodynamic interaction while the interaction between tianeptine and sildenafil was, at least in part, pharmacokinetic in nature.