Duloxetine alleviates high light-induced anxiety-related behaviors in wistar rats

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of subchronic duloxetine treatment on high light-induced anxiety-related behaviors in Wistar rats.

Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (n = 30) were randomly assigned to three groups of rats (10 rats/group): control group, 30 mg/kg duloxetine group, and 60 mg/kg duloxetine group. Intraperitoneal injection of duloxetine was given once a day for ten days. The anxiolytic effect of duloxetine in the rats was assessed using light/dark box (LDB) anxiety test.

Results: Anxiety-related behaviors were significantly reduced in duloxetine-treated rats, when compared with control group. The reductions were not dose-dependent (light zone time and latency time were significantly increased, while dark zone time decreased significantly, p < 0.05). The number of rearings significantly increased in 30 mg/kg duloxetine group, relative to control and 60 mg/kg duloxetine groups (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the number of light-todark entrances among the groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: These results show that subchronic treatment with duloxetine alleviates anxiety-related behaviors in Wistar rats.