The effect of fluoxetine and imipramine on the improvement of depressive-like behaviors and HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortex) activity – an animal model

Raghad Abdulsalam Khaleel,Zinah Essam Hameed,Saja Majeed Shareef,Khulood Majid Alsaraf,Maadh Fawzi Nassar

doi:10.15587/2519-4852.2021.243526

Raghad Abdulsalam Khaleel, Zinah Essam Hameed + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.15587/2519-4852.2021.243526

Copy DOI

Abstract

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders and numerous medications are used to reduce the psychotic symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of two commonly used antidepressant drugs, including Fluoxetine (Flx) and Imipramine (IMP) to improve depressive-like behaviors as well as the activity of hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal cortex (HPA). Methods: Initially, 40 adult male albino rats weighing 25±5g were selected for this experimental study. The animals were kept or housed in separate cages under standard temperature (25±1°C) and light-dark conditions (12 hours light/dark cycle). Rats were divided into four groups: each group containing 10 rats, control, immobility stress, Flx receiver, and IMP receiver. Polyethylene restrainer was used to induce immobility stress for 14 days. Finally, the parameters of IMT, ST, serum levels of corticosterone and glucose were evaluated in all four mentioned groups. Results: The results showed that the patient group's immobility time (IMT) increased compared to the control group, but the patient group's swimming time (ST) decreased compared to the control group. The effect of immobility stress on IMT, ST, corticosterone, and glucose factors in the patient group was increasing and decreasing, respectively, whereas the effect of Flx drug on these mentioned factors was decreasing, increasing and respectively, while the effect of IMP on all mentioned factors was decreasing and increasing, respectively. Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be concluded that the antidepressant Flx and IMP drugs have various effects on the HPA activity, and the application of immobility stress causes depressive-behavior. Moreover, Flx is more effective than IMP in the treatment of depressive behaviors

Highlights

Depression is a mental disorder that leads people to feel depressed and completely disinterested for the majority or all of the time [1]
The results showed that the application of immobility stress to the patient group significantly increased the immobility time compared to the control group
The results showed that the patient group's immobility time was significantly increased than the control groups (144.2 compared to 91.9 seconds)

Summary

Introduction

Depression is a mental disorder that leads people to feel depressed and completely disinterested for the majority or all of the time [1]. Stress and adversity in life are the most significant factors to intensify depression in humans. Unexpected stress factors induce changes in behavioral parameters such as physical, sensorial, and mental activity, eating disorders, and sexuality in animals, much as they do in humans [6]. Decreased serotonin or norepinephrine synaptic levels in different parts of the brain, such as the frontal cortex, and decreased production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus may contribute to stressinduced depression [7]. A decrease in serotonin or norepinephrine synaptic levels in various areas of the brain, such as the frontal cortex, as well as a decrease in brain-derived neurotrophic factor activity in the hippocampus, may lead to stress-induced depression [6, 7]. It was confirmed by previous studies that the decrease in serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain causes depression [8,9,10,11]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion