Effects of Terazosin, Silodosin and Alfuzosin on Depression and Anxiety in Mice

Aims: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is common urological disease, is characterized by lower urinary tract syndrome, usually associated with sexual dysfunctions. The aim of present study is to investigate the effects of terazosin, silodosin and alfuzosin which are the main treatment options for BPH on depression and anxiety to understand whether these drugs may be effective in BPH caused mood disorders.

Study Design: All the drugs were given intraperitoneally (i.p.) in a volume of 0.1 ml per 10 g body weight of mice. Drugs were given 30 min before the experiment. We investigated the effects of terazosin, silodosin and alfuzosin on depression and anxiety, in mice.

Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Department of Pharmacology and Department of Urology, Sakarya University, Animal Research Center, between June 2019 and September 2020.

Methodology: Here, we examined the effects of terazosin (0.5, 1, 2 mg/kg), silodosin silodosin (1, 3, 10 mg/kg) and alfuzosin (3, 6 and 9 mg/kg) on depression and anxiety by using forced swimming test and elevated plus maze test, respectively, in mice (n:96). Additionally, the locomotor activity was evaluated by open field test.

Results: All doses of terazosin, alfuzosin and silodosin significantly increased immobility time, compared to saline group. Silodosin and alfuzosin prolonged the time spent in open arms but terazosin decreased the time spent in open arms compared to saline group. Terazosin, silodosin (1 and 3 mg/kg) and alfuzosin (3 and 6 mg/kg) did not have any effect on the number of entries into the open arms while silodosin (10 mg/kg) and alfuzosin (9 mg/kg) increased the number of entries into open arms.

Conclusion: We found that silodosin and alfuzosin had antidepressant and anxiolytic-like effects, while terazosin had depressant and anxiogenic effects. Patients with BPH who need antidepressant and anxiolytic treatment can be treated with a single drug instead of multiple medications.