Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

  Background and Objectives: Serotonergic system has a role in procedure of morphine dependence and withdrawal signs incidence. On the other hand it has been shown that antidepressants may reduce the abuse susceptibility of opioids . So, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of citalopram as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) antidepressant on morphine withdrawal signs in male mice.

  Materials and Methods: In this experimental study forty male NMRI mice (20-30 g) were used. Morphine dependency was induced using a four- day schedule method with 50, 50, 75 and 50 mg/kg dosing respectively. In the fourth day 2 hours after single dose of morphine, naloxone was injected (5 mg/kg) and withdrawal signs were recorded with number of jumping and diarrhea, grooming, wet dog shake, teeth chattering, writing ,climbing based on the scores of 0 to 3 for 30min.Treatment group received different doses of citalopram(5, 10 and 20 mg/kg Intraperitoneally).

  Results: Different doses of citalopram dose-dependently and significantly decreased the morphine withdrawal signs (except diarrhea) in the experimental group. (p<0.05 and p<0.001)).

  Conclusion: The present study is in accordance with other reports indicated that 5-HT enhancing agents (e.g. SSRIs) may be promising treatments for morphine withdrawal signs.

  Key words: Citalopram, Morphine, Serotonergic system, Withdrawal syndrome, Mice

  Funding : This research was funded by Islamic Azad University, Tehran Pharmaceutical Branch

  Conflict of interest : None declared.

  Ethical approval: The Ethics Committee of Tehran University of Medical Science approved this study.

  How to cite this article : Abbasi Maleki S, Mosavi S.Z, Rahbari Farzoo M, Khayatnouri MH. Evaluation of the Effect of Citalopram on Morphine Withdrawal Signs in Male Mice . J Rafsanjan Univ Med Scie 2012 11(5): 427-36. [Farsi]