Abstract
Objective: Bisphosphonates are used for treating osteoporosis. Few studies have reported their effect on alterations in comorbid behaviour such as depression. Therefore, present study was performed to investigate the effects of bisphosphonate drugs on depression in adult male Wister rats and Swiss albino mice.Methods: The study was conducted on adult male Wister rats and Swiss albino mice, 36 of each type, equally divided into six groups. One group was classified as control group and the rest were treated as test groups. Initial photoperiod of 12 h was provided for acclimatization, prior to the start of the experiment. Drug administration was not performed in control group. Forced swimming test and tail suspension test were performed to investigate the antidepressant activity. Locomotor activity was performed to evaluate the action of drugs on the nervous system. Effects of the test drugs were compared with a standard drug—amitriptyline. Results were statistically evaluated by one-way analysis of variance followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test. P≤0.05 was considered significant.Results: In forced swimming test, duration of immobility was significantly reduced in the standard and test drugs when compared to control group; however, it was not significant in all the four test groups as compared to that of amitriptyline-administered group (p>0.05). In tail suspension test, significant decrease (p<0.01) in the duration of immobility was observed with administration of drugs when compared to control group. Results of test groups were not found to be significant as compared to amitriptyline-treated group (p>0.05). Mean values of amitriptyline-, alendronate-, risedronate-, ibandronate-and etidronate-treated groups failed to show significant difference (p>0.05) when compared to control group suggesting homogeneity among the groups.Conclusion: Bisphosphonates appeared to have an antidepressant activity. More extensive research is required to substantiate and elucidate the role of bisphosphonates in behavioural disorders such as depression.
Highlights
Depression, a mental disorder, is often associated with receding bone mineral density (BMD)
A relationship between depression and osteoporosis has become more evident over the years, as decreased BMD has been observed in depressed women and men
Compared to older women, aged men appear to be more susceptible to the effects of depression on BMD [4]
Summary
Depression, a mental disorder, is often associated with receding bone mineral density (BMD). It has been reported that antidepressants, in the aged population, are a cause of low bone strength and fractures [1, 2]. The antidepressants that target the serotonin system have been found to be detrimental for bone health and cause osteoporosis [3]. A relationship between depression and osteoporosis has become more evident over the years, as decreased BMD has been observed in depressed women and men. Compared to older women, aged men appear to be more susceptible to the effects of depression on BMD [4]. Recent long-term studies have shown an association between menopausal status with higher risk of depression and osteoporosis [6]
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