Trazodone counteracts the response of microglial cells to inflammatory stimuli

Abstract Microglia are resident brain cells that regulate neuronal development and innate immunity. Microglia activation participates in the cellular response to neuroinflammation, thus representing a possible target for pharmacological strategies aimed to counteract the onset and progression of brain disorders, including depression. Antidepressant drugs have been reported to reduce neuroinflammation by acting also on glial cells. Herein, the potential anti‐inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of trazodone (TRZ) on the microglial human microglial clone 3 (HMC3) cell line were investigated. HMC3 cells were activated by a double inflammatory stimulus (lipopolysaccharide [LPS] and tumour necrosis factor‐alpha [TNF‐α], 24 h each), and the induction of inflammation was demonstrated by (i) the increased expression levels of nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐kB) and ionized calcium‐binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA‐1), and (ii) the increased release of interleukin 6 (IL‐6) and transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β). TRZ effects were evaluated by treating HMC3 cells for 24 h before (pre‐treatment) and after (post‐treatment) the double inflammatory stimulus. Notably, TRZ treatments significantly decreased the expression of NF‐kB and IBA‐1 and the release of the cytokines IL‐6 and TGF‐β. Moreover, TRZ prevented and reduced the release of quinolinic acid (QUIN), a known neurotoxic kynurenine metabolite. Finally, cellular supernatants collected from microglial cells pre‐treated LPS‐TNF‐α with TRZ were able to improve neuronal‐like cell viability, demonstrating a potential neuroprotective effect. Overall, this study suggests the anti‐inflammatory effects of TRZ on human microglia and strives for its neuroprotective properties.