Korean J Psychopharmacol.  2009 Jul;20(4):194-204.

The Effects of Antidepressants on the Energy Metabolism in LETO Rat

• Jeon HT
• Joe KH
• Ahn YK
• Kim HT
• Kee BS

Abstract

Objectives
: A diverse range of adverse effects has been linked to the application of antidepressants for the treatment of depressive disorder. Recently, evidence has been emerging of the adverse metabolic effects of antidepressants. This study investigated the effects of antidepressants on plasma glucose and other factors in the fat and muscle tissue relating to metabolism.
METHODS
: Long-Evans-Tokushima-Ostuka (LETO) rats were used to evaluate the effects of different antidepressants. Amitriptyline, fluoxetine, and mirtazapine were administered to each of three subgroups for 4 weeks, between 11 and 15 weeks old, while a fourth subgroup was administered no antidepressant during the same period. Changes of weight and daily intake were monitored. Tissues and blood were collected at 15 weeks.
RESULTS
: The fluoxetine subgroup showed lower weight gain and lower food efficacy ratio than did the other subgroups. Blood glucose and other circulating factors showed no significant differences among groups, except for the leptin levels of the fluoxetine subgroup. However, the amitriptyline and mirtazapine subgroups showed similar patterns in the response of mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma cofactor-1 and uncoupling protein-1, 2, 3.
CONCLUSION
: These results could indicate possible differences in metabolic response based on the kind of antidepressant used.

Keyword

Antidepressants; Energy metabolism; LETO rats; Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma cofactor-1; Uncoupling protein-1, 2, 3

MeSH Terms

Amitriptyline
Animals
Antidepressive Agents
Blood Glucose
Depressive Disorder
Energy Metabolism
Fluoxetine
Glucose
Leptin
Mianserin
Muscles
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors
Plasma
Rats
RNA, Messenger
Weight Gain
Amitriptyline
Antidepressive Agents
Blood Glucose
Fluoxetine
Glucose
Leptin
Mianserin
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors
RNA, Messenger