Description
Fluvoxamine is a selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that exhibits antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and antioxidative activities. Fluvoxamine inhibits the serotonin transporter (SERT) and also activates pre-synaptic 5-HT3 receptors; this increases Ca2+ levels and activates σ1 receptors, modulating intracellular Ca2+ levels and inducing glutamate release in vivo. In cellular models, fluvoxamine inhibits production of NO and TNF-α. Fluvoxamine displays cardioprotective benefit in animal models by preventing transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced myocardial hypertrophy and impaired left ventricle fractional shortening. In other animal models, this compound increases levels of glutathione and decreases levels of malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase. Fluvoxamine may also induce bone loss, as it inhibits osteoclast formation and resorption and prevents bone mineralization by osteoblasts. This compound also acts as a functional inhibitor of acid sphingomyelinase (FIASMA).