Effect of Sertraline and Vortioxetine on Stress-Induced Brain Injury in Rats: Biochemical and Histopathological Evaluations

Abstract

Objectives Our aim was to evaluate the comparative effects of sertraline and vortioxetine against stress-induced brain injury in rats. Methods The rats were assigned to a nonstress group (NSG), stress-treated control (StC), sertraline + stress (SSt), and vortioxetine + stress (VSt) groups. Sertraline and vortioxetine (10 mg/kg) were given orally by gavage to the SSt and VSt groups. One hour later, all animals (except NSG) underwent forced immobilization to establish a stress model (2 hours). The drugs were given once a day for 30 days. The animals were killed with ketamine 150 mg/kg, and tissues were removed from the cerebral cortex. One-way analysis of variance and Fisher post hoc least significant difference were conducted for the analysis. Results The malondialdehyde (nmol/mL) level was 2.58 ± 0.48 in the NSG, 8.09 ± 0.57 in the StC, 3.84 ± 0.53 in the SSt, and 2.84 ± 0.20 in the VSt group (P < 0.0002). The total glutathione (mmol/g) was 7.15 ± 0.59 in the NSG, 2.41 ± 0.43 in the StC, 4.58 ± 0.26 in the SSt, and 5.98 ± 0.13 in the VSt (P < 0.0002). The total oxidant status (mmol H2O2Eq/L) level was 3.56 ± 0.20 in the NSG, 9.99 ± 0.74 in the StC, 4.97 ± 0.39 in the SSt, and 3.81 ± 0.31 in the VSt (P < 0.0002). The total antioxidant status (mmolTroloxEq/L) level was 8.65 ± 0.37 in the NSG, 3.04 ± 0.22 in the StC, 6.29 ± 0.34 in the SSt, and 7.61 ± 0.40 in the VSt (P < 0.0002). Sertraline reduced pericellular edema in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes and decreased perivascular edema, dilatation, and congestion of blood vessels, whereas these were not seen with vortioxetine. Conclusions Compared with sertraline, vortioxetine is a neuroprotective antidepressant with higher antioxidant activity and can more effectively prevent stress-induced brain tissue injury.