Complex effect of caffeine and dioxidine on behavioral responses in mice in Porsolt test

Relevance. In light of the popularization of the use of caffeine-containing products, the question of the combined use of caffeine with substances exhibiting a toxic effect remains open. The doses of caffeine, which have a pronounced antidepressant effect, are also insufficiently studied. The aim of the study was to study the effect of repeated administration of caffeine and dioxidine on the behavioral responses of mice in the Porsolt test. Materials and methods. The experiment was carried out on 36 outbred male mice, divided into 6 groups. Experimental groups for 15 days of the study received caffeine at a dose of 40 mg/kg (first) or 100 mg/kg (second), dioxidine at a dose of 200 mg/kg (third), together with caffeine 40 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg, and dioxidine (fourth and fifth groups, respectively). The animals of the control group were injected with saline. To study the behavior, the Porsolt test was carried out, evaluating the following indicators on the 1st, 8th and 15th days of the experiment: the total time of immobilization, active swimming, climb, the number of grooming and shaking off acts. Results . The administration of caffeine at a dose of 40 mg/kg caused an increase in the time of active swimming and a decrease in the duration of immobilization on the 8th and 15th days. When caffeine was used at a dose of 100 mg/kg, an increase in the time of active swimming was noted with a single exposure, with an experiment duration of 8-15 days, an increase in the duration of immobilization was observed. Dioxidine caused a significant decrease in the time of active swimming and an increase in the duration of immobilization during all days of the experiment. The combined use of caffeine (40 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) and dioxidine on the 1st day led to a decrease in immobilization and the time of active swimming. In both groups, 100 % animal mortality was observed by the 15th day. Conclusion. The results of the study indicate the presence of an antidepressant effect in caffeine at a dose of 40 mg/kg on the 8th and 15th days of the experiment and the absence of this effect in caffeine at a dose of 100 mg/kg with a duration of administration of 8-15 days. The use of dioxidine led to the absence of antidepressant activity and the presence of the opposite effect. The combined administration of caffeine (40 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) and dioxidine led to 100 % mortality in the experimental groups by the 15th day of the experiment