Histological Study on the Effect of Fluvoxamine Maleate on the Femur of Adult Male Albino Rat

Introduction: Nowadays, many people are suffering from depressive state and the antidepressive drugs are frequently used. Fluvoxamine maleate is one of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) which are the commonest used group of antidepressants. Many cases of bone fracture are reported in the SSRIs used than other antidepressive drugs. Aim of the Work: Studying the effects of fluvoxamine maleate; as one of the commonly used SSRIs, on the femur of adult male albino rat using light and electron microscope. Materials and Methods: Fourteen adult male albino rats divided equally into control and experimental group were used. Each rat in the experimental group was daily injected subcutaneously with 2 mg/kg fluvoxamine maleate. After 28 days the femur was dissected and the bone specimens were prepared for light and electron microscopic study. Results: Microscopic sections revealed thinning out of the outer compact bone with erosion cavities leading to fracture in some specimens. The periosteum were thickened specially the fibrous layer. The inner cancellous bone trabeculae were also thinned out, destroyed and separated by wide bone marrow spaces. Both osteoblasts and osteocytes showed marked degenerative changes and were surrounded by few irregular collagenous matrix while the osteoclasts were increased and appeared more active. Conclusion: The bone fracture after use of fluvoxamine maleate might be considered as a result of increased osteoclastic activity and degenerative changes in both osteoblasts and osteocytes.