LAUSR

Abstract Some antidepressants show a significantly lower efficacy in elderly patients, particularly in women. Previous studies have shown that antidepressants administered to young animals reduced depression‐like symptoms induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The aim of this study was to find out whether the antidepressant and anti‐inflammatory properties of fluoxetine (FLU) can be observed also in old female C57BL/6J mice. A depression‐like state was evoked by the administration of LPS (100 &mgr;g/kg for 4 consecutive days) which was followed by reduction of sucrose preference (anhedonia) and enhancement of immobility‐time in the forced swim test (FST). Animals, which received FLU (10 mg/kg, 11 days) exhibited a decreased LPS‐induced expression of some inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus and spleen but this effect was not accompanied by beneficial changes in animals’ behavior. Despite the lack of antidepressant‐properties of FLU in this model, our studies have proven significant profound anti‐inflammatory properties of chronic FLU treatment which may suggest its suitability for fending off inflammatory processes in the elderly. HighlightsFluoxetine did not reduce depressive behavior induced in senescent females by LPS injection.Fluoxetine attenuated LPS‐induced expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in the periphery and in the brain.Fluoxetine inhibited of proliferative activity of Con A‐stimulated splenocytes.