Off-Target Effects of Antidepressants on Vascular Function and Structure
Anna Dimoula1, Dimitrios Fotellis1, Evmorfia Aivalioti1
1Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 80 Vas. Sofias Str., 11528 Athens, Greece.
Biomedicines
|January 21, 2022
Summary
Antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, may directly improve vascular health and reduce cardiovascular disease risk in depressed patients. Further research is needed to confirm these direct vascular benefits.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Depression is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Antidepressant treatment may offer a preventive strategy against cardiovascular events in depressed individuals.
- Antidepressants may exert off-target effects influencing vascular dysfunction and early atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence on antidepressant effects on hemodynamic and early atherosclerosis markers.
- To assess the impact of different antidepressant classes on vascular health.
- To explore potential direct vascular benefits of antidepressants beyond depression remission.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of preclinical and clinical studies.
- Analysis of evidence on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other antidepressant classes.
- Examination of effects on vascular inflammation, endothelial function, and arterial stiffness.
Main Results:
- SSRIs show evidence of benefiting vascular inflammation, endothelial function, and arterial stiffness.
- Preclinical studies suggest direct molecular mechanisms by which antidepressants modulate endothelial function.
- Limited research exists on non-SSRI antidepressant classes regarding vascular effects.
Conclusions:
- SSRIs may have direct beneficial effects on vascular integrity, independent of depression symptom improvement.
- Further research should investigate antidepressant effects on endothelial markers in treatment responders versus non-responders.
- Clarifying direct vascular actions could optimize antidepressant use for CVD prevention.
Keywords:
FMD (flow mediated dilation)PWV (pulse wave velocity)antidepressantsatherosclerosiscardiovascularhypertensionMore Related Videos
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