Serotonin reuptake inhibitors reverse the impairments in behaviour, neurotransmitter and immune functions in the olfactory bulbectomized rat

Investigated the effects of chronic treatment with serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) reuptake inhibitors, fluvoxamine (FL) and sertraline (SE) for 20 days on the behavior, neurotransmitter concentrations, and immune functions in the olfactory bulbectomized rat model of depression. Ss were adult male rats. Following FL and SE administration, the hyperactive behavior of Ss in the open field was significantly attenuated. In the elevated plus-maze, an increase in the number of entries into the open arms and a decrease in the time spent on the closed arms were largely reversed after FL and SE treatment. These treatments reversed the decrease in the brain concentrations of noradrenaline and the increase in 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentration. FL and SE treatments also significantly reversed the suppression of lymphocyte proliferation. Only the chronic administration of FL significantly improved depressed neutrophil phagocytosis.