Vortioxetine's Therapeutic Potential: Cardiac Responses to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress in a Rat Model.

Background: Stress arises in response to threats or challenges, affecting both physical and mental health. While its harmful effects on the heart are widely recognized, cellular-level investigations remain limited. Antidepressants, including vortioxetine (VOR), are known to impact the cardiovascular system. VOR, used to treat major depressive disorder, is considered a promising option for patients with heart disease due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may reduce cardiac damage.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effects of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) on rat hearts and evaluate VOR's potential protective effects against stress-induced cardiac damage.

Methods: Twenty-eight male Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups. The CUMS group experienced random daily stress for 6 weeks, while the CUMS+VOR group received VOR treatment alongside stress. VOR and control groups were not exposed to stress. Heart samples were examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically.

Results: The CUMS group showed increased hyperemia, hemorrhage, edema, vacuolar degeneration, and mononuclear cell infiltrations, with reduced troponin and IL-10 and increased caspase-3 and NF-κB expressions compared to the control group (p≤0.001). VOR treatment improved these findings, normalizing histopathological and immunohistochemical results.

Conclusions: CUMS caused significant cardiac damage in rats, while VOR treatment showed protective effects by alleviating these pathological changes.