[The influence of fluoxetine on interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β production by dendritic cells in multiple sclerosis in vitro].

The Aim Of The Study: Was to evaluate the effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine on the production of cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) by dendritic cells in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Material And Methods: 5 patients with relapsing-remitting MS and five healthy subjects were examined. Levels of IL-6 and IL-1β were measured by ELISA in culture supernatants obtained from lipopolysaccharide stimulated dendritic cells. To assess the effect of fluoxetine on cytokine production, dendritic cells were stimulated in the presence of fluoxetine and antagonists of 5-HT-, 5-HT-, 5-HT-receptors or agonist of 5-HT-receptors.

Results: Cytokine production by dendritic cells was comparable in both groups. Fluoxetine suppressed IL-6 and IL-1β production in both groups. Blockade of 5-HT-receptors with specific antagonist RS 127445 reduced the inhibitory effect of fluoxetine on IL-1β production in both groups and IL-6 production in healthy subjects. In contrast, activation of 5-HT-receptors by specific agonist BW 723C86 increased the inhibitory effect of fluoxetine on IL-6 production by dendritic cells in both groups, but did not affect on IL-1β production.

Conclusion: These data suggest an anti-inflammatory effect of fluoxetine in MS by modulating pro-inflammatory cytokines production by dendritic cells. This effect could be mediate by activation of 5-HT-receptors.