Clomipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, and selegiline, a monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor, modulate the activity of phagocytic cells after oral administration in mice.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to find out whether clomipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, and selegiline, a monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor, influence the activity of phagocytic cells after in-vivo administration in mice.

METHODS: Clomipramine and selegiline were administered to Balb/c mice orally at a dose of 1 mg/kg, 7 or 14 times. IL-1β and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured in supernatants of the peritoneal macrophage cultures stimulated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli. The phagocytic activity of the granulocytes and monocytes was determined using a commercial Phagotest 24 and 72 h after the last dose of the investigated drugs.

KEY FINDINGS: Seven doses of clomipramine or selegiline decreased IL-1β production, while a rise in its synthesis was observed after 14 doses of selegiline. Clomipramine administered 14 times increased NO production. Clomipramine and selegiline administered seven times reduced the percentage of phagocytosing granulocytes. The drugs administered 14 times increased the percentage of phagocytosing granulocytes and decreased the percentage of phagocytosing monocytes.

CONCLUSIONS: Both clomipramine and selegiline administered in vivo changed the phagocytic activity of blood cells and IL-1β and NO production by murine peritoneal macrophages. This effect depended on the drug, the number of doses and the type of phagocytic cells.