Investigation of serum and brain superoxide dismutase levels depending on atomoxetine used in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder treatment: A combination of in vivo and molecular docking studies

This study aims to determine whether atomoxetine (ATX), used as an alternative to methylphenidate, affects superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity besides glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, apart from determining possible effects of ATX on SOD activity through molecular docking studies. 24 male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups, each containing 6 members. After a 6-week application of ATX, blood samples and brain tissues were obtained from the rats for biochemical analyses. Besides, molecular docking studies were conducted using PyRx and Discovery Studio 3.0 programs. No significant difference occurred in GSH and MDA levels after ATX application. A high-dose application of ATX caused a statistically significant change only in the serum-SOD activity compared to that of Control Group. Molecular docking studies revealed that ATX settled in the biggest space rather than the catalytic regions of Cu2Zn2-SOD. Our biochemical and molecular docking data showed that ATX, an alternative drug to stimulant methylphenidate, showed no significant changes in the antioxidant defence system at either low or therapeutic doses after long-term use. Therefore, we suggest ATX could be used as a substitute for methylphenidate in the long-term treatment of ADHD.