Study the effects of empagliflozin on model of chronic depression and interleukin-6 in the brain of male rats

Abstract

Background: Empagliflozin (EMP) is an oral anti-diabetic drug with pleiotropic effects such as anti-inflammatory properties. Objectives: To evaluate the antidepressant effect of EMP and describe the link between stress and interleukin-6 (IL-6) level in the brains of male rats. Materials and Methods: In this experiment, 50 rats were separated into five groups G1–G5. The sucrose preference test (SPT) was used to examine the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine and EMP. Rat interleukin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to measure the IL-6 level in rat brain tissue. SPT was performed on each rat on days 0, 10, and 25. Chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) was performed on each rat for 24 days. Results: By the end of day 10, all rats subjected to the CUS program had a substantial (P < 0.05) reduction in sucrose intake index compared to day 0. EMP significantly increases sucrose intake compared to the stressed group. In comparison to the CUS group, fluoxetine significantly increases sucrose intake (P < 0.05). In terms of IL-6, the mean IL-6 level in G2 was considerably greater than in G1. When compared to group 2, the mean IL-6 level was considerably lower in G3 and G5. Conclusions: EMP has antidepressant-like effects and can counteract the impact of stress-increased IL-6 levels in the brains of depressed rats.

Keywords

• chronic unpredictable stress
• depression
• empagliflozin
• interleukin-6
• sucrose preference test