Health Citizens – European Research Institute

Tag: Antidepressants

  • Investigating the synergistic effects of amitriptyline and H. pylori eradication on depressive-like behaviors and inflammatory cytokines in mice

    Investigating the synergistic effects of amitriptyline and H. pylori eradication on depressive-like behaviors and inflammatory cytokines in mice

    Recent research has highlighted the potential role of Helicobacter pylori in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. In this experimental study, researchers used mice to explore whether combining amitriptyline with H. pylori eradication therapy produced greater benefits than either treatment alone.

    Male mice were firstly allocated into four groups: healthy controls, H. pylori-infected mice, mice receiving antidepressant treatment only, and mice receiving both antidepressant and eradication therapy.

    The initial findings confirmed that H. pylori infection induced depression-like behaviors in mice. In addition, while the use of antidepressants alone slightly improved these depression-like behaviors, it was the combination of antidepressants and bacterial eradication therapy that induced a more significant improvement in these symptoms. The combined treatment also appears to have led to an improvement in the psychomotor function of the animals.

    Inflammatory cytokines (e.g., interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)) are usually released in response to Helicobacter colonization and tissue damage, leading to a chronic state of inflammation, but are also associated with depression-like behaviors in humans and animal models, behaviors that have been shown to be attenuated by the use of antidepressants. In this study, researchers found that not only was H. pylori infection associated with changes in inflammatory cytokine levels, but that these alterations were partially reversed when both therapies were used together.

    Overall, the findings suggest that targeting both infection and mood symptoms simultaneously may offer enhanced behavioral and anti-inflammatory benefits compared to isolated treatment approaches.

    Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114552

    Reference

    Miao Xu and Hua Fan, “Investigating the synergistic effects of amitriptyline and H. pylori eradication on depressive-like behaviors and inflammatory cytokines in mice”, Physiology & Behavior, Volume 281, 1 July 2024, 114552

  • Neuromodulating agents in functional dyspepsia: a comprehensive review

    Neuromodulating agents in functional dyspepsia: a comprehensive review

    Functional dyspepsia is a frequent chronic condition characterized by upper abdominal discomfort without an identifiable organic cause. Usual first-line treatments include proton pump inhibitors or Helicobacter pylori eradication, but many patients continue to have persistent symptoms. Because of this, neuromodulating agents are frequently used in clinical practice, although current European, American and Canadian guidelines primarily mention tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).

    This review analyzed randomized controlled trials in adults meeting Rome criteria or with normal endoscopy findings. Out of 386 studies screened, 14 met inclusion criteria.

    The findings indicate that TCAs, such as amitriptyline and imipramine, show the strongest evidence of benefit for symptom relief in functional dyspepsia. Other agents, including tetracyclic antidepressants, levosulpiride, and anxiolytics, may be helpful, but current data are insufficient to draw firm conclusions. By contrast, SSRIs and SNRIs do not appear effective for this condition.

    Learn more about this review here: https://doi.org/10.51821/86.1.10998

    Reference

    Bosman, L., Wauters, L., & Vanuytsel, T. (2023). Neuromodulating agents in functional dyspepsia: a comprehensive review. Acta gastro-enterologica Belgica, 86(1), 49–57

  • The Psychotic Impact of Helicobacter pylori Gastritis and Functional Dyspepsia on Depression: A Systematic Review

    The Psychotic Impact of Helicobacter pylori Gastritis and Functional Dyspepsia on Depression: A Systematic Review

    The clinical practice of adding antidepressant drugs to the therapy for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, in addition to the standard drug regimen, has been widely considered in recent years but its specific role in this treatment is still unclear.

    In this systematic review researchers tried to establish if there is an association between H. pylori gastritis and depression and to further analyze the therapeutic effect of antidepressants on symptomatic relief in gastritis. For that, they analyzed randomized clinical trials, cross-sectional and prospective studies, and review articles that examined H. pylori infection, depression, functional dyspepsia, and antidepressant treatment. They focused especially on patients whose digestive symptoms did not improve even after successful H. pylori eradication.

    Across the studies, a clear pattern emerged: patients with ongoing functional dyspepsia after H. pylori treatment often improved when they were given antidepressants, even when standard eradication therapy alone had not worked. However, the authors highlight that more research is needed before this approach becomes routine medical practice.

    Learn more about this review here: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.5956

    Reference

    Al Quraan A M, Beriwal N, Sangay P, et al. (October 21, 2019) The Psychotic Impact of Helicobacter pylori Gastritis and Functional Dyspepsia on Depression: A Systematic Review. Cureus 11(10)