Evaluation of the Effect of Antidepressant Drug, Fluvoxamine, on Cyclooxygenase-2 Protein Expression in Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated Macrophages

Abstract

Background: Fluvoxamine, a well-known selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, is used for the management of mental disorders and various types of chronic pain. In our previous study, we found the inhibitory effect of fluvoxamine on inflammatory mediator's expression. In the line of the indicated study, we sought to evaluate the effect of fluvoxamine on the expression of some inflammatory mediators such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Materials and Methods: An in vitro model system of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human U937 macrophages was used. The expression of COX-2 protein was measured by flow cytometry. Results: The expression of COX-2 significantly decreased by fluvoxamine in U937 macrophages. Conclusion: The results of the present study provide further evidence for the anti-inflammatory effect of fluvoxamine. This effect appears to be mediated by the downregulation of inflammatory genes. Further studies are needed to evaluate the complex cellular and molecular mechanisms of fluvoxamine.