Análise comportamental e ponderal da associação de ácido alfa-lipóico e mirtazapina em ratos

Abstract

Depression is a disabling mood disorder that affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide. Mirtazapine (MIRT) is an antidepressant with proven safety and efficacy in the long-term treatment of depression. However, sedation and weight gain, side effects constantly reported in its use, impair adherence to treatment. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a substance with antioxidant properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the behavioral (perforated plate, rotarod, chimney and traction tests) and ponderal effects of the association of ALA and MIRT in Wistar rats. The animals were randomly divided into the following experimental groups: control, MIRT (3 mg/kg), ALA (200 mg/kg) and MIRT+ALA (MIRT 3 mg/kg and ALA 200 mg/kg). The experimental protocol started with the first recording of body weight and drug administration for 7 days. On the 7th day, the body weight was once again recorded and the rats were subjected to behavioral tests. Regarding the perforated plate test, MIRT reduced the number of crossed fields, head dives and rearing events, in relation to the control group, with ALA being unable to reverse these effects. In the rotarod test, MIRT reduced the latency period of the first fall and time on the bar and increased the number of falls, these effects being reversed by ALA. In the chimney test, MIRT increased the exit time, in relation to the control group, and ALA reversed this alteration. In the traction test, MIRT reduced the mean latency period of falls and this effect was also reversed by ALA. The administration of MIRT also resulted in an increase in the body weight of the animals and ALA reversed the effect. Thus, the association of ALA with MIRT proved to be an option for reversing MIRT-induced sedation, as observed in the behavioral tests, as well as the increase in body weight. Such findings suggest that ALA, as an addition to MIRT, may contribute to increased adherence to treatment by patients.