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Prozac Increases Bone Mass in Lab Animals

By: Psych Central News Editor

on Monday, Oct, 16, 2006

Reviewed by: M. Grohol, Psy.D.

on Monday, Oct, 16, 2006

http://psychcentral.com/news/2006/10/16/prozac-increases-bone-mass-

in-lab-animals/

According to scientists at the Forsyth Institute, the well known

drug fluoxetine or Prozac, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI),

increases bone mass under normal conditions. Research on laboratory

animals discovered fluoxetine stimulated new bone formation under

normal physiological conditions or inflammatory conditions, but did

not prevent bone loss associated with estrogen deficiency (following

an ovariectomy).

While previous research had shown a correlation between serotonin

transporters — serotonin is the chemical substance involved in

transmitting signals between neurons and which plays a role in

anxiety and mood disorders– and bone destructive cells

(osteoclasts), the relationship between serotonin and bone

metabolism was unknown.

The findings are salient as bone destruction is characteristic of

several chronic inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis

and gum disease. The knowledge that serotonin levels affect

osteoporosis and new bone formation introduces a new approach on how

to prevent and even improve bone mass.

Summary of Study

Trabecular bone, one of two main types of bone, is spongy, and makes

up the bulk of the interior of most bones, including the vertebrae.

After a six-week treatment with fluoxetine, laboratory mice showed

increased trabecular bone volume and total volume in femurs and

vertebrae as determined by micro-computed tomography.

Fluoxetine-treated animals were not protected from bone loss after

ovariectomy, suggesting that its anabolic effect requires the

presence of estrogen.

The effect on bone loss was also investigated following a bacterial-

mediated inflammatory challenge.

Injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of the membrane

of certain strains of bacteria, resulted in an increased number of

osteoclasts and net bone loss. However, LPS given with fluoxetine

caused new bone formation and a net gain in bone mass.

This research, which will be published in the next issue of the

Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, currently available online, was

led by Battaglino, PhD, Assistant Member of the Staff in the

Department of Cytokine Biology at The Forsyth Institute.

" As this class of medication is widely prescribed and used across

all age groups, the consequences of the relationship between these

drugs and bone metabolism may be very relevant to public health.

This work will help us learn more about the underlying causes of

osteoporosis and gain a new understanding of bone formation at a

molecular level, " said Dr. Battaglino.

" Furthermore, this research provides exciting clues on how to

prevent destructive bone loss and even improve bone mass in certain

medical/dental conditions. "