Influence of paroxetine (SSRI), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor 641784 and their association upon brain haemoglobin (HbO2); an in vivo NIRS analysis

The implication of brain oxygenation within brain functions is well known and oxygen is essential to maintaining normal brain functions. Recent studies showed that anaemia is related to an increased risk of depression either in healthy population and in pathological states. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) supplies a non-invasive, non-ionizing way to measure haemoglobin levels and oxygen saturation in the living tissue and is confirmed as valuable tool to monitor influence(s) of acute drug treatment on metabolic activity of the brain. SSRI/COX-2 inhibitor is a recent dual pharmacology approach to treating major depression. In the present work NIRS has been applied to monitor the influence of COX2 inhibitor 641784 (COX2i) or SSRI paroxetine or this COX2i-SSRI association upon HbO2 levels measured in the brain of anaesthetised rodents.