Chronic fluoxetine treatment affects gene expression of catecholamine enzymes in the heart of depression model rats

Indian J Exp Biol. 2012 Nov;50(11):771-5.

Abstract

Depression is associated with increased risk of coronary heart diseases. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been proved to be very effective in normalizing symptoms of depression, but the data on possible influence of these drugs on cardiovascular function is controversial. Applying Taqman RT-PCR assay, the effect of chronic treatment with a SSRI antidepressant fluoxetine has been investigated on gene expression of catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes in all four heart chambers of rats with signs of depression. Depression was induced by exposing the animals to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Tyrosine-hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) mRNA levels were decreased both in right and left atria, while phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) mRNAs were increased in left atria and both ventricles of depression model rats. Fluoxetine elevated gene expression of TH and DBH in atria, but did not influence this process in the ventricles. Also, this antidepressant did not express a significant effect on the level of PNMT mRNA both in atria and ventricles. These results indicate that fluoxetine acted stimulating noradrenaline synthesis in the heart, which could lead to increased risk of heart disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Catecholamines / biosynthesis
  • Depression / drug therapy*
  • Depression / enzymology
  • Depression / genetics
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / genetics
  • Fluoxetine / adverse effects*
  • Fluoxetine / therapeutic use
  • Gene Expression / drug effects*
  • Heart Atria* / drug effects
  • Heart Atria* / enzymology
  • Heart Ventricles* / drug effects
  • Heart Ventricles* / enzymology
  • Male
  • Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase / genetics
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Stress, Psychological / drug therapy
  • Stress, Psychological / enzymology
  • Stress, Psychological / genetics
  • Time Factors
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / genetics

Substances

  • Catecholamines
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Fluoxetine
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase
  • Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase
  • Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase