[The feasible applications of hypoxic preconditioning for prevention of post-stress depressive episodes].

: The protective effect of hypoxic preconditioning on the development of depressive states in rat experimental models has been studied. Three-trial preconditioning by repetitive hypobaric hypoxia (360 mm Hg, 2h) prevented triggering of behavioral depression, pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity and impairment of negative feedback in dexamethasone test in rats following inescapable aversive stress in the model of endogenous depression. Anxyolytic and antidepressant-like effect of the hypoxic preconditioning was not less than that of tetracyclic antidepressant ludiomil. The findings reveal that the preconditioning by intermittent hypobaric hypoxia increases tolerance to psychoemotional stress, possesses potent anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects and might be applied for prevention of depressive episodes.