Effect of fluoxetine hydrochloride on the histological structure of the cerebellar cortex of albino rat offspring of treated mothers

Abstract

Background: Fluoxetine hydrochloride is one of the most commonly used antidepressants in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. Objectives: Demonstrating the effect of fluoxetine hydrochloride on the histological structure of the cerebellar cortex of albino rat offspring of treated mothers by 20 and 40 mgs throughout the first 2 weeks after delivery, and 40mg throughout the last week of pregnancy and the first 2 weeks after delivery. Materials and Methods: Sixty pregnant rats and 180 of their offspring were used in this work. They were divided equally into two main groups; A-control group (Group C) and B-treated group (Group T). The pregnant rats and their offspring of the control group were divided equally into C1, C2 and C3. Immediately after delivery, each delivered rat of C1 and C2 was given0.18 ml and 0.36 ml of distilled water respectively for two weeks. Each pregnant rat of C3 was given 0.36 ml of distilled water throughout the last week of pregnancy and for 2 weeks after delivery. The pregnant rats and their offspring of the treated group were divided equally into T1, T2 and T3. Immediately after delivery each delivered rat of T1 and T2 was given 0.18 ml (Containing 0.36 mg of fluoxetine hydrochloride) and 0.36 ml (Containing 0.72 mg of fluoxetine hydrochloride) of distilled water respectively for 2 weeks. Each pregnant rat of T3 was given 0.36 ml of distilled water (Contained 0.72 mg of fluoxetine hydrochloride) throughout the last week of pregnancy and for 2 weeks after delivery. The treatments were given once/day orally. The specimens were collected at two ages, i.e. 1-week and 2-weeks old. The cerebella of all studied offspring were used for light microscopic examination. In addition, the cerebella of 2-weeks old offspring of all groups were used for electron microscopic examination and morphometric study. Results: Light and electron microscopic examination and morphometric studies demonstrated that fluoxetine hydrochloride induced various signs of delayed development of the cerebellar cortex. It also induced degeneration and necrosis of the cerebellar cells and nerve fibers in the form of cytoplasmic vacuoles, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, swollen mitochondria with destructed cristae, degenerated mitochondria and nuclear changes in the form of karyolysis, pyknosis and karyorrhexis. Also, there was decrease in the number of Purkinje cells. Conclusion: Fluoxetine hydrochloride induced various deleterious changes in the histological structure of the cerebellar cortex of albino rat offspring of treated mothers. These changes were directly proportional with increasing the dose and duration of its administration.