Increased levels of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) may play a role in depression. Mild depressive-like symptoms can be induced in humans through activation of the innate immune system with endotoxin. Whether preventive treatment with antidepressants can reduce endotoxin-induced symptoms has never been tested. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study, we administered intravenous low-dose endotoxin (0.8. ng/kg) or placebo to 11 healthy subjects who had received oral pre-treatment with citalopram (10. mg twice a day) or placebo for 5. days. The Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, and a visual analog scale were used to measure depressive and anxiety symptoms and social anhedonia. Serum levels of TNF and IL-6 were measured with immunoassays. Compared to placebo, endotoxin administration increased serum levels of TNF and IL-6, and caused mild depressive-like symptoms, in particular lassitude and social anhedonia. While citalopram pre-treatment had no effect on the innate immune response to endotoxin, it reduced the endotoxin-induced MADRS total score by 50%, with a moderate effect size (Cohen's d= 0.5). Most of the MADRS total score was due to the lassitude item, and citalopram pre-treatment specifically reduced endotoxin-induced lassitude with a large effect size (Cohen's d= 0.9). These results suggest that subchronic pre-treatment with the serotonin-reuptake inhibitor citalopram blunts mood symptoms induced by acute immune system activation with endotoxin without inhibiting the peripheral immune response. © 2010 Elsevier Inc.
CITATION STYLE
J., H., N., D., N., O., B., P., & Z., B. (2011). Citalopram reduces endotoxin-induced fatigue. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. J. Hannestad, Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, CMHC-Ribicoff, 34 Park Street, New Haven, CT 06519, United States. E-mail: jonas.hannestad@yale.edu: Academic Press Inc. (6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando FL 32887-4900, United States). Retrieved from http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&PAGE=reference&D=emed10&NEWS=N&AN=2011036026
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