Laleh Rafiee - Applied Physiology Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Valiollah Hajhashemi - Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Isfahan Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Shaghayegh Haghjooy Javanmard - Applied Physiology Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Physiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Objective(s): Fluvoxamine is a well-known selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI); Despite its anti-inflammatory effect, little is known about the precise mechanisms involved. In our previous work, we found that IP administration of fluvoxamine produced a noticeable anti-inflammatory effect in carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of fluvoxamine on the expression of some inflammatory genes like intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM۱), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM۱), cyclooxygenases۲ (COX۲), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Materials and Methods: An in vitro model of LPS stimulated human endothelial cells and U۹۳۷ macrophages were used. Cells were pretreated with various concentrations of fluvoxamine, from ۱۰-۸ M to ۱۰-۶ M. For in vivo model, fluvoxamine was administered IP at doses of ۲۵ and ۵۰ mg/kg-۱, before injection of carrageenan. At the end of experiment, the expression of mentioned genes were measured by quantitative real time (RT)-PCR in cells and in paw edema in rat. Results: The expression of ICAM۱, VCAM۱, COX۲, and iNOS was significantly decreased by fluvoxamine in endothelial cells, macrophages, and in rat carrageenan-induced paw edema. Our finding also confirmed that IP injection of fluvoxamine inhibits carrageenan-induced inflammation in rat paw edema. Conclusion: The results of present study provide further evidence for the anti-inflammatory effect of fluvoxamine. This effect appears to be mediated by down regulation of inflammatory genes. Further studies are needed to evaluate the complex cellular and molecular mechanisms of immunomodulatory effect of fluvoxamine.

COX۲, Fluvoxamine, Inflammation, ICAM۱, INOS, VCAM۱