The effect of vortioxetine on faecal microbiota in high-fat diet-exposed mice—A link to weight protection

Objective

Weight gain is a common side effect of antidepressive treatment, causing distress among patients and caretakers as it can lead to treatment discontinuation and complications such as diabetes type II and cardiovascular disease. Vortioxetine is one of the newer antidepressants and the pharmacodynamics differ from the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It is marketed as being weight neutral; however, there is little evidence as to why. In recent years, there has been an increased focus on the faecal microbiota and its impact on body weight and mental and physical health. In the current work, we examine the effect of vortioxetine on weight gain and faecal microbiota composition.

Methods

Forty male C57BL/6NTac mice were primed for 8 weeks with a high-fat diet (Hfd) or control diet (Cd), followed by a 4-week period on the same diet and additional +/− vortioxetine 10 mg/kg/daily.

Results

Vortioxetine reduced Hfd-induced weight gain (Hfd + V: 8.2%, Hfd − V: 12.7%; p = 0.0374) but did not affect weight gain of the control group (Cd + V: 7.54%, Cd − V: 7.56%; p = 0.4944). Significant differences in faecal microbiota were observed in mice who received vortioxetine.

Conclusion

Vortioxetine caused significant changes to the faecal microbiota composition and appeared to limit Hfd-induced weight gain.