Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), it is used in the
treatment of depression; it has a toxic effect on the testis. Major depressive disorder
is a pathological disorder associated with increased levels of the inflammatory
cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1 beta
(IL-1β). Fluoxetine increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and decrease in antioxidant
enzyme activity SOD superoxide dismutase and catalase (SOD and CAT) and
reduced glutathione (GSH). The study aimed to investigate whether vitamin D can
reduce the oxidative damage caused by fluoxetine. Thirty -two adult male rats are
divided into four groups and are included in the analysis. Animals in Group I
(control group) were administered distilled water by gavage. Groups II: animals
were given a dose of 10 mg/kg of fluoxetine (fluoxetine treated group) orally by
gavage daily for 4 weeks. Group III (vitamin D group) animals received
intramuscular VD (1,000 IU/kg; 3 days/week for 4 weeks. Group IV (fluoxetine+
vitamin D): drugs were given in the same previous doses for 4weeks. Blood samples
were obtained 24 hours after the last dose of each drug. The biochemical results
showed that fluoxetine significantly increased oxidative stress in testicular tissue and
inflammatory markers in serum. The in-depth investigations supported that
administering the fluoxetine combined with vitamin D reduced the testicular damage
to a marked level and normalized all relevant markers. It was concluded that the
oxidative stress induced by fluoxetine administration in rats could be reduced by
vitamin D supplementation.