Fluoxetine Promotes Remission in Acute Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Rats
2012; Karger Publishers; Volume: 19; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1159/000334095
ISSN1423-0216
AutoresXi-qiu Yuan, Guang Qiu, Xiaojia Liu, Shan Liu, Yongming Wu, Xinyu Wang, Tianming Lu,
Tópico(s)Peripheral Neuropathies and Disorders
Resumo<i>Objective:</i> This study was carried out to clarify the effects of the antidepressant fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, for its potential use in autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis in a rat model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). <i>Methods:</i> The rat EAE model was induced by subcutaneous injection of guinea pig spinal cord homogenate. Rats received fluoxetine via daily intragastric administration, starting 2 weeks prior to immune induction (fluoxetine pretreatment). Clinical scores and pathological changes in EAE rats were analyzed. Changes in serum cytokine levels were assessed by ELISA. <i>Results:</i> Fluoxetine pretreatment significantly promoted remission in EAE. Histologically, fluoxetine-induced neuroprotection was accompanied by reductions in inflammatory foci and in the degree of demyelination in the spinal cord of EAE rats. The increase in serum IFN-γ in the EAE model was also suppressed by fluoxetine administration. <i>Conclusions:</i> These findings suggest that the prophylactic use of fluoxetine can relieve symptoms during remission in the acute EAE model, and these neuroprotective effects are associated with its anti-inflammatory effects.
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