Eastern J Med. 2025; 30(3): 361-366 | DOI: 10.5505/ejm.2025.81073

Effects of escitalopram and bupropion on oxidative stress parameters and blood count findings in female rats

Okan Arihan¹, Ozlem Ergul Erkec², Abdulahad Dogan³, Abdullah Yildirim^4
1Okan Arihan. Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology
²Ozlem Ergul Erkec. Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology
³Abdulahad Dogan. Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Biochemistry
⁴Abdullah Yildirim. Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry

INTRODUCTION: In this study, the effects of two antidepressants with different mechanisms on rat blood oxidative stress parameters and blood count findings were studied. Escitalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake blocker (SSRI) derivative and bupropion has a mechanism of action on noradrenaline and dopamine and increases their synaptic amount by inhibiting their uptake.
METHODS: Adult, female, Wistar-albino rats were divided into 3 different groups with a total of 24 animals. Rats in escitalopram group were administered with 20 mg/kg/day escitalopram and rats in the bupropion group were administered with 20 mg/kg/day bupropion for 28 days via gastric gauge. The rats in the control group were given tap water via gastric gauge.
RESULTS: Hematocrit and hemoglobin parameters were significantly higher in Escitalopram and Bupropion than control group. No significant difference was observed in weight gain at the end of 28 days. In this experimental model, 28 days of 20 mg/kg escitalopram or bupropion use did not cause a significant increase in total oxidant status or a significant decrease in total antioxidant status.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress index which combines these two findings imply a possible oxidative stress in female rat blood due to Escitalopram treatment.

Keywords: Depression, antidepressant, SSRI, escitalopram, bupropion, noradrenaline.

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