EFFECTS OF CHLOMIPRAMINE AND FLUOXETINE ON SUBCUTANEOUS CARRAGEENAN-INDUCED INFLAMMATION IN THE RAT

We have previously shown that, after acute administration; antidepress ant drugs exert antiinflammatory actions in rats. In this study we eva luated the effects of 3 different doses of chlomipramine (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg i.p), and fluoxetine (5.0, 10, and 20 mg/kg i.p.) on subcutan eous carrageenin-induced inflammation. Both drugs dose-dependently red uced the inflammatory exudate, as well as the PGE(2)-like bio- and imm uno-activity in the exudate. Chlomipramine dose-dependently reduced su bstance P concentrations in the exudate, whereas fluoxetine was effect ive only at the highest dose. Our results confirm that antidepressant drugs are able to reduce the development of inflammation in the rat an d suggest that the inhibition of substance P production might play a r ole in mediating the anti-inflammatory effects of chlomipramine.