Myocardial structural alterations induced by amitriptyline and paroxetine in a rat model of menopause: a histomorphometric and immunohistochemical study

Int J Clin Exp Med, cilt.18, sa.9, ss.243-254, 2025 (ESCI)

Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of amitriptyline (AMI) and paroxetine (PRO) on the

histo-morphometrical structure of the heart in an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model. Methods: Twenty-four female,

adult Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided to four groups (n=6). While Group 1 was used as the control,

rats in Groups 2, 3 and 4 were exposed to bilateral ovariectomy 7 days before the drug treatment. AMI and PRO

were given to animals in groups 2, 3 and 4. Following drug administration for 28 days, the hearts of the rats were

removed and the heart volume, interstitial tissue and micro-vessels, as well as the number of cardiac myocytes were

evaluated by using the Cavalieri principle and physical dissection methods; histological structure was evaluated un-

der a light microscope and immunohistochemical staining for C-Fos and NF-kB antibodies were performed. Results:

PRO caused to increase in the volume of the heart and connective tissue. AMI led to increase in the volume of the

micro vessels. PRO and especially AMI ameliorate the decreased number of the cardiac myocytes due to OVX. The

histological architecture of myocardium was corrupted in AMI and especially PRO treated groups. Also, AMI and PRO

induced C-Fos and NF-kb immunoreactivity following OVX procedures in rats. Conclusion: Our study shows that AMI

and PRO induce myocardial abnormalities and damage cardiac myocytes. Therefore, clinicians should make treat-

ment decisions on a case-by-case basis, considering the detailed anamnesis of each patient with post-menopausal

depression.