Impact of Combined Forced Exercise with Escitalopram on Stress-Induced Depressive-Like Behavior in Male Rats

Abstract

Background & Objective: The efficacy of escitalopram, a pharmaceutical antidepressant, and exercise, a lifestyle intervention, in mitigating depressive symptoms has been established. This study investigated the impact of varying doses of escitalopram and the combination of forced exercise with escitalopram on stress-induced depressive-like behavior in male rats. Materials & Methods: Sixty-four male rats were allocated into eight groups: control (Co), sham (Sh), depression without treatment (Dep-WT), depression with exercise (Dep-Exe), depression with escitalopram at 10 mg/kg (Dep-Esc10), depression with escitalopram at 20 mg/kg (Dep-Esc20), depression with escitalopram at 10 mg/kg combined with exercise (Dep-Esc10-Exe), and depression with escitalopram at 20 mg/kg combined with exercise (Dep-Esc20-Exe). To induce depression, chronic restraint stress was administered for 6 hours per day over a period of 14 days. Following the stress induction period, rats were administered escitalopram (at doses of 10 or 20 mg/kg, i.p), subjected to treadmill running (20-21 m/min for 1 h/day), or subjected to a combination of both interventions. Depressive-like behaviour induced by stress and locomotor activity were assessed using the forced swimming test (FST) and the open field test (OFT), respectively. Results: In the FST, the immobility time significantly increased in the Dep-WT, Dep-Exe, and Dep-Esc10 groups, while it significantly decreased in the Dep-Esc20, Dep-Esc10-Exe, and Dep-Esc20-Exe groups compared to the Dep-WT group. In the OFT, the central time and total travelled distance significantly decreased in the Dep-WT group. Conversely, central time significantly increased in the Dep-Esc10-Exe and Dep-Esc20-Exe groups, and all treatment groups exhibited a significant increase in central time compared to the Dep-WT group. Conclusion: The findings suggest that combining exercise with escitalopram yields additive effects, representing a promising treatment protocol for anxiety, depression, and locomotor activity. © 2024, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services. All rights reserved.