Amitriptyline and Sertraline in Diabetic Neuropathy: a Comparative View

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To investigate the effect of amitriptyline (Ami) and sertraline (Sert) in diabetes neuropathy. Methods: Diabetes was induced in 3 groups of rats (n=6) with streptozotocin (STZ; 55mg/kg; i.p.). Two of the groups of diabetic rats received amitriptyline (15 mg/kg; p.o) and sertraline (30 mg/kg; p.o.) while another 2 groups (n=6) received the same drug treatment without prior administration of STZ. A normal group (n=6) of rats and STZ-induced group (n=6) of diabetic rats served as controls.The blood glucose; glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb); pain sensitivity and neuromuscular strength in all the rats were determined. Results: Ami (15mg/kg; p.o.) produced severe hyperglycemia (p 0.01) whereas Sert (30mg/kg; p.o.) produced significant hypoglycaemia in the diabetic rats. Ami significantly increased the GHblevel while Sert had no significant effect. Both Ami and Sert raised the grip strength that was significantly reduced by STZ. When administered for 3 weeks; Ami and Sert increased the STZ induced reduction of the grip strength in the diabetic rats (p 0.01). STZ (55mg/kg; i.p) increased the pain sensitivity. Pain sensitivity was significantly reduced by Ami (15 mg/kg; p.o; administered for 3 weeks) in the diabetic rats but marginally reduced in the normal group. However 3-week administration of Sert (30 mg/kg; p.o.) significantly reduced the pain sensitivity in both the diabetic and normal rats (p 0.01) when compared with STZ treated group. Conclusion: Sertraline could offer a good choice in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy particularly in patients with depression being treated with amitriptyline