Document Type

Paper- Restricted to Campus Access

Publication Date

4-29-2026

Faculty Mentor

Stephen Kolwicz

Abstract

Approximately 20% of college students in the U.S. are prescribed antidepressant medications. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are one of the most prescribed antidepressant medications, with fluoxetine (i.e., Prozac) being one of the most well-known. Previous literature has established some interesting yet inconclusive findings with SSRI use on exercise performance and skeletal muscle including enhanced fatigue and decreased muscle weight as well as altered substrate and mitochondrial metabolism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of oral administration of fluoxetine on physical activity in mice. Mice were evaluated on a weekly basis that included measurement of water intake, body mass, and wheel activity. At the end of 6 weeks, tissues were harvested and weighed, and blood was collected. Adipose tissue mass remained significantly higher in female (~60%), but not male, WHL+FLX mice. In summary, our data show that FLX impacts the physical activity of mice, specifically in females. FLX promotes adiposity in sedentary male and female mice that is attenuated with wheel running only in male mice. Overall, these data highlight important sex differences in physical activity and adiposity with SSRI treatment.

Comments

This research was also presented at the American Physiology Summit on April 23-26, 2026.

Presented as part of the Ursinus College Celebration of Student Achievement (CoSA) held April 29, 2026.

The downloadable file is a PowerPoint poster.

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