应激启动下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴信号转导机制的实验研究

目的以束缚应激大鼠作为应激研究模型,探讨应激后下丘脑内信号转导分子的变化。方法用Western印迹杂交法研究了应激大鼠下丘脑内c-fos的蛋白表达和p38MAPK的磷酸化情况。结果Western印迹杂交结果显示束缚应激后鼠下丘脑内磷酸化的p38MAPK明显增加,与对照组相比具有非常显著性差异(P<0.01),应激解除后1、3h磷酸化的p38MAPK仍然保持较高的水平(P<0.05),但是应激解除后3h较应激刚结束时下丘脑内磷酸化p38MAPK的水平明显回落(P<0.05);应激后下丘脑内c-fos蛋白表达同样明显增加,与对照组相比具有显著性差异(P<0.01)。应激解除后0、1、3h,c-fos蛋白的表达仍然保持较高的水平(P<0.05)。结论应激发生后,其下丘脑内p38MAPK磷酸化的时相、c-fos蛋白表达时相以及血浆内皮质酮浓度时相具有类似之处,p38MAPK磷酸化、c-fos蛋白很可能是HPA轴活动的上游分子信号。     

反式虾青素对慢性应激小鼠的抗抑郁作用及其炎症相关机制

目的 探讨反式虾青素对慢性应激小鼠的抗抑郁作用及其炎症相关机制.方法 50只雄性ICR小鼠,随机分为对照组、模型组和反式虾青素20、40和80 mg/kg给药组,每组10只.建立小鼠慢性应激模型,应激过程共计21 d,每天1次.造模期间给药组口服相应剂量的反式虾青素,对照组和模型组给予0.5％羧甲基纤维素钠,连续给药2...     

胡椒碱抗实验性癫痫作用及其作用机制分析

目的　研究胡椒碱的抗惊厥作用和作用机制。方法以不同的物理和化学方法引起小鼠和大鼠不同类型的惊厥 ,形成不同类型的实验性动物癫痫模型 ,预先ip不同剂量的胡椒碱 ,观察其有无抗惊厥作用。利用荧光分光光度计和氨基酸自动分析仪 ,分别测量小鼠脑内单胺类神经递质和氨基酸含量和大鼠脑片3H Glu释放实验分析其作用机制。结果　胡椒碱对多种实验性癫痫动物模型均有不同程度的对抗作用 ;对癫痫大发作动物模型MES、小发作动物模型Met和小鼠脑室注射 (icv)KA形成的颞叶性癫痫模型对抗作用较强 ,但对士的宁引起的强直性惊厥、3 巯基丙酸、荷包牡丹碱和兴奋性氨基酸引起的阵挛性惊厥均无明显的对抗作用。胡椒碱可明显增加小鼠脑内单胺类神经递质 5 HT的含量和明显降低Glu和Asp含量 ,并能降低 (Glu +Asp) /GABA的比值。 1× 10 -6 mol·L-1的胡椒碱对大鼠大脑皮层脑片预载的3H Glu的释放有明显的抑制作用。结论　胡椒碱有较强的抗惊厥作用。是一种广谱抗惊厥药。其机制可能与其增加动物脑内 5 HT和降低Glu及Asp的含量和阻断KA 受体有关     

绿萼梅总黄酮对慢性温和刺激所致抑郁大鼠神经内分泌和氧化应激的影响

目的 通过观察绿萼梅总黄酮（TFAM）对慢性温和刺激抑郁大鼠神经内分泌及氧化应激的影响,探讨其可能的抗抑郁机制。方法 将SD大鼠随机分为6组：生理盐水组、模型组、阳性对照组（氟西汀,20 mg/kg）、低剂量治疗组（TD-TFAM,80 mg/kg）、中剂量治疗组（TZ-TFAM,160 mg/kg）和高剂量治疗组（TG-TFAM,240 mg/kg）;除生理盐水组外,其余各组大鼠经历28 d慢性不可预见性温和应激（CUMS）造模成功后随机分组。通过大鼠体重增量变化、糖水偏好实验、旷场实验评估TFAM的抗抑郁作用;采用酶联免疫吸附法（Elisa）测定大鼠海马和前额叶皮层去甲肾上腺素（NA）、5-羟色胺（5-HT）、促肾上腺皮质激素（ACTH）和皮质酮（CORT）含量,评估TFAM对神经递质表达量的影响;通过检测大鼠血清和纹状体中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）的活性评估TFAM对氧化应激的影响。结果 TFAM能显著增加CUMS大鼠体重增值变量,提高糖水偏爱百分比,逆转旷场实验评分,提高大鼠海马和前额叶皮层NA、5-HT的含量,降低ACTH、CORT的含量,增强大鼠血清和纹状体中GSH-Px和SOD的活性。结论 TFAM抗抑郁作用可能与促进单胺递质分泌、调节下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺（HPA）轴功能和清除体内自由基有关。     

糖皮质激素受体及其调节药物在应激中的作用及机制

海马糖皮质激素受体(GR)参与下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺(HPA)轴功能的负反馈调节,是调控机体应激反应和海马可塑性不可或缺的因素.海马GR可以通过抑制HPA轴关键调节因子促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素(CRH)的转录与合成,实现对HPA轴的负反馈调节,从而促进应激后机体内稳态恢复.但GR长期过度激活将损害海马突触可塑性,影响学习...     

雷公藤提取物对戊巴比妥钠处理大鼠下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴的影响

目的研究雷公藤醋酸乙酯提取物（船）对戊巴比妥钠抑制大鼠下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴（HPAA）的刺激作用。方法给大鼠连续14d戊巴比妥钠（35mg·kg^-1,SC,bid）＋TWEE（50mg·k^-1,ig）,同时设置对照组和模型组,分别从形态学（腿染色、Feulgen染色、FOS、JUN、PCNA和ACTH免疫组织化学染色,电镜观察）和功能（血清皮质酮、血浆ACrH检测）两方面观察TWEE对戊巴比妥钠抑制大鼠下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴的影响。结果戊巴比妥钠抑制下丘脑后,TWEE对肾上腺、垂体仍有一定程度的刺激作用,但TWEE对戊巴比妥钠阻断的下丘脑以及血浆ACTH和血清皮质酮没有影响。结论TWEE刺激HPAA可能是通过下丘脑或下丘脑以上的神经组织,然后再影响垂体和肾上腺;而其直接刺激垂体及肾上腺的作用较弱。     

创伤后应激障碍的神经生物学研究进展

创伤后应激障碍(PTSD)是当机体遭受生命威胁或者强烈精神创伤后发生的精神疾病。近年来关于PTSD的机制研究主要包括HPA轴功能失调、神经递质水平异常、谷氨酸系统失衡以及其它相关蛋白表达异常。尽管目前关于PTSD的研究已经取得了较大成就,但其准确的神经生物学机制仍然有待于进一步的研究。     

东莨菪碱对吗啡依赖大鼠下丘脑—垂体—性轴和肾上腺轴的影响

应用放射免疫法测定血浆黄体生成素（ＬＨ）、促卵泡刺激素（ＦＳＨ）、睾酮、泌乳素（ＰＲＬ）、促肾上腺皮质激素（ＡＣＴＨ）、皮质醇含量。结果显示吗啡依赖大鼠血浆性轴激素ＬＨ和睾酮含量较正常对照组降低，而肾上腺轴激素ＡＣＴＨ含量降低，皮质醇含量升高。经纳洛酮激发戒断反应时，血浆睾酮，ＰＲＬ，ＡＣＴＨ含量升高，在纳洛酮激发前半小时注射东莨菪碱（０．５ｍｇ／ｋｇ），大鼠血浆皮质醇和睾酮含量降低。自然戒断组经东莨菪碱治疗６天后，血浆ＦＳＨ，ＰＲＬ，ＡＣＴＨ和皮质醇含量可恢复正常，而血浆睾酮含量明显升高。结果表明东莨菪碱急性或慢性处理对吗啡依赖大鼠血浆下丘脑┐垂体┐性轴和下丘脑┐垂体┐肾上腺轴的激素水平的紊乱有一定的治疗作用。     

反式白藜芦醇对β－淀粉样肽致痴呆大鼠的保护作用

目的：观察反式白藜芦醇（ TR）对β－淀粉样肽（Aβ25－35）致痴呆大鼠海马旁回的保护作用。方法先将SD大鼠分为3,20月龄2大组,然后再分为假手术组、模型组、低与高剂量实验组。用Aβ25－35制痴呆模型后,实验组灌胃给TR 10,40 mg? kg－1? d－1,假手术组、模型组均给予0．9％NaCl（1 mL／100 g）,连续10 d。用实时定量PCR法检测8组大鼠海马及皮质半胱氨酸蛋白酶－3（caspase－3）、DNA聚合酶γ的表达。结果模型组与假手术组的caspase－3、DNA聚合酶γ表达水平比较差异有统计学意义（ P＜0．01）,说明造模成功。 TR对caspase－3、DNA聚合酶γ表达水平的下调非常显著（ P＜0．01）。模型组3月龄较20月龄大鼠的caspase－3表达量明显增高（ P＜0．05）。实验组3月龄与20月龄大鼠caspase－3表达量差别有统计学意义（ P＜0．05）。结论 TR对损伤的大鼠海马周围皮层神经元有保护作用。     

In vitro and in vivo antitumor effect of 5-FU combined with piplartine and piperine

It has been reported that piplartine and piperine, alkaloid/amide compounds from Piper species, show antitumor activities. In the present paper, the effects of the combination of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with piplartine or piperine was determined using in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Hematological and biochemical analyses, as well as histopathological and morphological analyses of the tumor and the organs, including liver, spleen and kidney, were performed in order to evaluate the toxicological aspects associated with different treatments. The incubation of tumor cell lines with 5-FU in the presence of piplartine or piperine produced an increase in growth inhibition, as observed by lower IC50 values for 5-FU. These effects were also observed in vivo, where the combination with piplartine but not piperine with 5-FU led to a higher tumor growth inhibition. The results indicated that either piplartine- or 5-FU-treated animals showed a low inhibition rate when they were used individually at low doses of 28.67% and 47.71%, respectively, but when they were combined at the same dose, the inhibition rate increased significantly to 68.04%. The histopathological analysis showed that the livers and the kidneys of treated animals were only slightly and reversibly affected. Neither the enzymatic activity of transaminases nor the urea levels were significantly modified when compared with the control group. Hematological analysis showed leukopenia after 5-FU treatment, which was reversed by the combined use of piplartine and piperine. These findings indicate that piplartine may enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of chemotherapeutic drugs, and moreover, this combination could improve immunocompetence hampered by 5-FU.     

胡椒碱及其衍生物3,4-次甲二氧桂皮酰哌啶的抗抑郁作用

目的研究胡椒碱及其衍生物3,4次甲二氧桂皮酰哌啶的抗抑郁作用,并对其作用机理进行初步探讨。方法利用小鼠强制游泳实验、悬尾实验等考察胡椒碱和3,4次甲二氧桂皮酰哌啶的抗抑郁作用,并通过测定不同脑区内单胺类神经递质质量浓度以及全脑单胺氧化酶活性变化,探讨作用机制。结果胡椒碱和3,4次甲二氧桂皮酰哌啶(10、20 mg.kg-1)长期给药后,能明显缩短小鼠在行为学实验中的不动状态时间,并且该作用随剂量增大效应逐渐降低,高剂量(80 mg.kg-1)表现出明显的中枢神经抑制作用;能显著提高脑内5羟色胺水平,而对脑内肾上腺素递质水平未见明显影响;具有较弱的单胺氧化酶抑制作用。结论胡椒碱和3,4次甲二氧桂皮酰哌啶具有较好的抗抑郁作用,其作用是通过上调中枢神经系统5羟色胺或多巴胺水平实现的。     

The total flavonoids extracted from Xiaobuxin Tang reverse the hyperactivity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in chronically stressed rats

Objective To investigate the effect of XBXT-2 on the activity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis in chronic mild stress(CMS)model of rats.Methods Using ELISA to test the serum corticosterone,adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)and corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH)level in CMS rats;Using western blot to determine hippocampal glucocorticoids receptors(GR)expression in CMS rats.Results Co-administration of XBXT-2(25,50 mg·kg-1,p.o.,28 days,the effective doses for behavioral responses)significantly decreased the serum corticosterone and ACTH level in CMS rats,while the CRH level was not markedly affected by chronic stress or drugs.Moreover,XBXT-2 significantly increased the GR expression in the hippocampus of CMS rats.The same effects were observed in the positive control drug imipramine(10 mg·kg-1,p.o.).Conclusions The decrease of serum corticosterone and ACTH level,as well as the increase of hippocampal GR expression may be the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant action of XBXT-2,which may associate with HPA axis.     

人参次苷H滴丸对慢性温和不可预见性应激大鼠的抗抑郁作用

目的探讨人参次苷H滴丸对慢性温和不可预见性应激结合孤养方法建立抑郁模型大鼠的抗抑郁作用及其作用机制。方法 96只大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、氟西汀组和人参次苷H滴丸28、56、112 mg/kg组,每组16只。除对照组外各组分别孤养并接受5周慢性温和不可预见性应激刺激造模。同时氟西汀(10 mg/kg)组、人参次苷H滴丸28、56、112mg/kg组ig给药,对照组、模型组ig相应体积(10 mL/kg)纯水。对大鼠体质量变化、糖水消耗比、敞箱实验行为学评分进行比较,对血浆皮质酮(CORT)、皮层、海马区神经营养因子(BDNF)、5-羟色胺(5-HT)、多巴胺(DA)、去甲肾上腺素(NE)水平变化进行检测。尼氏染色后观察海马CA1、CA3区神经元数目和形态。结果与模型组比较,人参次苷H滴丸56、112 mg/kg组体质量显著升高(P0.05),人参次苷H滴丸28、56、112 mg/kg组糖水消耗比显著升高(P0.01);敞箱实验中人参次苷H滴丸56 mg/kg组大鼠水平运动得分显著提高(P0.05),56、112 mg/kg组垂直运动得分显著提高(P0.05、0.01);人参次苷H滴丸28、56、112 mg/kg组大鼠血浆CORT水平均有所降低,但差异并无统计学意义;人参次苷H滴丸56 mg/kg组皮层、海马BDNF水平显著升高(P0.05),人参次苷H滴丸56、112 mg/kg组大鼠皮层、海马5-HT水平显著升高(P0.05、0.01);人参次苷H滴丸28、56 mg/kg组大鼠皮层、海马DA水平显著升高(P0.05、0.01);人参次苷H滴丸28、56、112 mg/kg组大鼠皮层、海马NE水平升高十分显著(P0.01)。人参次苷H滴丸28、56、112 mg/kg组海马CA1、CA3区锥体细胞形态较为规则,排列较为松散,锥体细胞数量相对增多。结论人参次苷H滴丸具有抗抑郁作用,其作用机制可能是通过改善抑郁大鼠肾上腺轴功能亢进症状,提高模型大鼠皮层与海马5-HT、DA、NE水平,上调BDNF表达,以及抑制海马CA1、CA3区神经元锥体细胞的凋亡。     

益肾养心安神片对应激模型大鼠学习记忆的改善作用研究

目的 探究益肾养心安神片(YYA)通过对应激大鼠下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺(HPA)轴调控进而改善学习记忆能力的作用。方法 SPF级SD大鼠随机分别为对照组、模型组、艾司唑仑片(ES,阳性对照,0.6 mg·kg^-1)、安神补脑液(AS,阳性对照,2 mL·kg^-1)和YYA高、中、低剂量(7.2、3.6、1.8 g·kg^-1)组,采用咖啡因和环磷酰胺ip同时联合水环境法制作大鼠应激模型,造模成功后ig给药,每天1次,连续给药28 d。实验结束后采用Morris水迷宫分析学习记忆能力的变化;HE染色观察海马区病理形态学改变;实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)法和免疫组化法检测海马区血管活性肠肽(VIP)和神经生长因子(NGF)的表达;ELISA法检测脑组织超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力的变化、血清促肾上腺皮质激素(ACTH)、肾上腺皮质激素释放激素(CRH)和肾上腺皮质激素(ACH)以及脑组织中5-羟色胺(5-HT)含量。结果 与模型组比较,各给药组大鼠穿越平台和在目标象限探索的时间明显增加,其中ES组和YYA中、高剂量组尤为显著(P＜0.05);海马区神经元病变程度明显改善;海马区神经元细胞胞浆内NGF和VIP染色明显增强,NGF和VIP mRNA表达水平显著升高(P＜0.05、0.01);ES组、YYA中、高剂量组SOD水平显著升高(P＜0.01);各给药组血清中ACTH和CRH水平均显著降低(P＜0.05、0.01),AS组、YYA高剂量组ACH水平显著降低(P＜0.05);AS组、ES组、YYA高剂量组5-HT水平显著升高(P＜0.05、0.01)。结论 YYA可以通过抑制HPA通路,降低脑组织氧化应激水平,从而改善海马组织损伤,营养保护神经,进而增强应激大鼠的学习记忆能力。     

小补心汤总黄酮提取物对慢性应激模型大鼠的抗抑郁作用

目的古代文献记载小补心汤(XBXT,由代赭石、旋覆花、竹叶和淡豆豉4味中药组成)有缓解抑郁情绪的作用。应用大鼠慢性应激模型探讨XBXT总黄酮(XBXT-2)的抗抑郁作用及可能机制。方法连续28d给予大鼠一系列慢性不可预测性的刺激建立慢性应激模型,同时给予XBXT-2(25或50mg·kg-1·d-1,ig)或丙米嗪(10mg·kg-1·d-1,ig),采用蔗糖饮水实验、开场活动实验和新奇抑制摄食实验观察抗抑郁行为效应;采用酶联免疫吸附实验检测血清皮质酮含量,Western蛋白印迹法检测海马糖皮质激素受体(GR)α/β、脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)、磷酸化cAMP反应元件结合蛋白(p-CREB)、细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK1/2)及其磷酸化形式(p-ERK1/2)蛋白表达水平。结果XBXT-2或丙米嗪可逆转慢性应激大鼠蔗糖饮水偏嗜度降低、自发活动减少及新奇抑制摄食潜伏期延长,显著降低应激大鼠血清皮质酮含量,上调海马GRα/β,BDNF,p-CREB和p-ERK1/2蛋白表达。结论XBXT-2对慢性应激大鼠具有抗抑郁作用,其机制可能与抑制下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴的过度激活,上调海马BDNF相关的神经营养通路中蛋白表达有关。     

Screening of antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic potential of oil from Piper longum and piperine with their possible mechanism

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia and other symptoms like polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyphagia (increased hunger) which ultimately causes various other complications like retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy and microangiopathy.

Objectives: The antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic potential of oil from Piper longum (PLO) and piperine was investigated with their possible mechanism using α-glucosidase, aldose reductase (AR), and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity.

Methods: The biochemical parameters, viz. glucose level, insulin level, liver glycogen content, glycosylated hemoglobin, total plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and antioxidant parameters, were estimated for all treated groups in acute and chronic antihyperglycemic animal models.

Results: PLO (100 and 200 mg/kg), piperine (25 and 50 mg/kg), and glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg) in respective groups of diabetic animals administered for 28 days reduced the blood glucose level in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. There was significant increase in body weight, liver glycogen content, plasma insulin, and high-density lipoprotein and decrease in glycosylated hemoglobin, triglyceride, and total plasma cholesterol in PLO-administered groups as compared to control group. The IC₅₀ value of PLO for α-glucosidase, AR, and pancreatic lipase was found to be 150 ± 2.5, 120 ± 1.2, and 175 ± 1.2 μg/ml, respectively, which was found comparable with the standard drugs acarbose (90 ± 2.3 μg/ml), quercetin (80 ± 2.3 μg/ml), and orlistat (25 ± 0.5 μg/ml), respectively.

Conclusion: The investigation done reveals that PLO has significant antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activity.     

急性或慢性应激对高热量饲料喂养大鼠HPA轴的影响

目的 比较正常饲料或高热量饲料喂养大鼠,在有或无慢性应激长期刺激后,再给以一次急性应激前后下丘脑-垂体．肾上腺轴（HPA轴）功能的改变。方法雄性wistar大鼠分为正常饲料组（对照组）、高热量饲料（HCD）组、正常饲料慢性应激（CS）组及高热量饲料慢性应激（HCD＋CS）组。5周后,首先检测血脂并进行胰岛素敏感性试验;然后再给以一次急性应激,检测急性应激前后血液促’肾上腺皮质激素（ACTH）、皮质酮及血糖浓度的改变。结果与对照组比较,HCD及HCD＋CS组出现明显的血脂异常,但CS组无明显改变;三组均出现明显的胰岛素抵抗（IR）及HPA轴激活,但HCD＋CS组变化更明显。急性应激后,与对照组一样,三组HPA轴可进一步激活,但HCD组激活程度明显高于其它组。血糖变化与HPA轴激活相对应。结论长期高热量饲料喂养可明显提高因长期慢性应激或急性应激引起的HPA轴激活,尤其可使急性应激后的HPA轴激活程度大大提高。这种HPA轴的激活,与血糖升高、IR、血脂异常相对应。     

Antidepressant effects of the water extract from Taraxacum officinale leaves and roots in mice

Context: The leaves and roots of the Taraxacum officinale F. (Asteraceae) is widely used as traditional medicinal herb in Eastern Asian countries.

Objective: In the present study, the antidepressant-like effects of the water extract of T. officinale (WETO) leaves and roots were investigated in mice using forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST) and open field test (OFT).

Materials and methods: Effects of acute (1-day) and chronic treatments (14-days) with WETO (50, 100 and 200?mg/kg) on the behavioral changes in FST, TST and OFT, and the serum corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone concentration were assessed in mice.

Results: Chronic treatment (14-days) with WETO at the doses of 50, 100 and 200?mg/kg significantly decreased the immobility time in both FST (92.6, 85.1 and 77.4?s) and TST (84.8, 72.1 and 56.9?s). Acute treatment (1-day) with WETO at a dose of 200?mg/kg also markedly decreased the immobility time in both FST (81.7?s) and TST (73.2?s). However, all treatments did not affect the locomotor activity in the OFT. Moreover, FST induced a significant increase in serum CRF (5.8?ng/ml), ACTH (104.7?pg/ml) and corticosterone levels (37.3?ng/ml). Chronic treatment (14-days) with WETO decreased the serum CRF (200?mg/kg: 3.9?ng/ml) and corticosterone (50?mg/kg: 29.9?ng/ml; 100?mg/kg: 22.5?ng/ml; 200?mg/kg: 19.8?ng/ml) levels.

Discussion and conclusion: These results clearly demonstrated the antidepressant effects of WETO in animal models of behavioral despair and suggested the mechanism involved in the neuroendocrine system.     

Sumatriptan in clinical practice: effectiveness in migraine and the problem of psychiatric comorbidity

Migraine is a multifactorial and disabling syndrome often in comorbidity with psychiatric illnesses. Triptans are the first-line treatment in acute attacks and the most effective drugs in various types of migraine. Sumatriptan was the first medication of this group. Thanks to multiple types of formulations that greatly increase patient's compliance, sumatriptan is so far the most commonly used drug for moderate-to-severe acute migraine attacks. Although generally safe and well tolerated, sumatriptan has to be carefully administered in patients suffering from various types of medical conditions (such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and some psychiatric illnesses) and/or treated with various medications (such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). The administration of sumatriptan in some psychiatric condition in which serotonin plays an important role (i.e., major depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder) has been underestimated so far. In fact, at present, literature studies are few, with non-conclusive and often contrasting findings. Thus, sumatriptan should continue to be used with caution in patients diagnosed with psychiatric illness and/or treated with drugs where serotonin is crucially involved in, until further data demonstrating complete safety become available.