Investigating the synergistic effects of amitriptyline and H. pylori eradication on depressive-like behaviors and inflammatory cytokines in mice

Recent research has highlighted the potential role of Helicobacter pylori in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the potential synergistic effects of an antidepressant drug and H. pylori eradication therapy in a mouse model. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups: control, H. pylori infection, antidepressant treatment, and combined treatment. H. pylori infection was induced by oral gavage with a clinically relevant strain, and the antidepressant drug was administered via intraperitoneal injections. Behavioral tests including the forced swim test, sucrose preference test, and open field test were conducted to assess depressive-like behaviors and locomotor activity. The study demonstrated that H. pylori infection induced depressive-like behaviors in mice, as evidenced by increased immobility time in the forced swim test and reduced sucrose preference. Antidepressant treatment alone partially ameliorated these behavioral changes. Strikingly, the combined treatment of the antidepressant drug and H. pylori eradication therapy led to a significantly greater reduction in depressive-like behaviors compared to either treatment alone. Furthermore, the combined treatment group exhibited increased locomotor activity in the open field test, suggesting a potential improvement in overall psychomotor functioning. ELISA assays revealed alterations in inflammatory cytokines in the H. pylori-infected mice, which were partially attenuated by the combined treatment. The study provides novel evidence for the potential synergistic effects of an antidepressant drug and H. pylori eradication therapy in alleviating depressive-like behaviors in a mouse model.