Immunoregulatory Effects of Paroxetine in Healthy Volunteers: An In Vitro Investigation

authors:

avatar Alireza Karimollah 1 , * , avatar Anahid Hemmatpur 2 , avatar Maryam Asadi 3 , avatar Mohammad Hossein Hadinedoushan 4

Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Shohaday-e-Gomnam Blvd., Alem Sq., Yazd, Iran
Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Shohaday-e-Gomnam Blvd., Alem Sq., Yazd, Iran
Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Science and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Zand St., Shiraz, Iran
Reproductive Immunology Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Buali Ave., Safaeyeh, Yazd, Iran

how to cite: Karimollah A, Hemmatpur A, Asadi M, Hadinedoushan M H. Immunoregulatory Effects of Paroxetine in Healthy Volunteers: An In Vitro Investigation. J Rep Pharm Sci. 2021;10(1):e147101. https://doi.org/10.4103/jrptps.JRPTPS_66_20.

Abstract

Background: Paroxetine has been a commonly prescribed antidepressant for treatment of major depression and various anxiety disorders for almost 30 years due to its fewer side effects and toxicity compared with its counterparts. Despite several investigations performed, the paroxetine immunoregulatory effect in healthy subjects is still controversial. In this study, the paroxetine effect on the cell proliferation along with IL-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) secretion in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of physically and mentally healthy subjects is investigated. 
Materials and Methods: Blood was drawn from 20 healthy subjects and PBMCs were isolated. Cells were treated with paroxetine and/or phytohemagglutinin (PHA) for 72 h. IL-4 and IFN-γ concentrations were assessed in the supernatant using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The BrdU cell proliferation assay was also performed to evaluate the paroxetine effect on PBMCs in the absence or presence of PHA. 
Results: Paroxetine (25 μM) significantly inhibited the production of IL-4 and IFN-γ in PHA-stimulated human PBMC cultures. Surprisingly, paroxetine suppressed cell proliferation in the unstimulated culture in a dose-independent manner. Paroxetine also attenuated cell proliferation in the PHA-stimulated culture, especially at 25 μM concentration. 
Conclusion: The obtained results suggest that paroxetine can be a potent therapeutic option in inflammatory diseases by balancing immune responses.