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Rahangdale S, Deshmukh P, Sammeta S, Aglawe M, Kale M, Umekar M, Kotagale N, Taksande B. Agmatine modulation of gut-brain axis alleviates dysbiosis-induced depression-like behavior in rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 981:176884. [PMID: 39134294 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 07/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Depression is a global health concern affecting nearly 280 million individuals. It not only imposes a significant burden on economies and healthcare systems but also manifests complex physiological connections and consequences. Agmatine, a putative neuromodulator derived primarily from beneficial gut microbes specially Lactobacillus, has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent for mental health. The microbiota-gut-brain axis is involved in the development of depression through the peripheral nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system and may be a key factor in the effect of agmatine. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the potential mechanism of agmatine in antibiotic-induced dysbiosis and depression-like behavior in rats, focusing on its modulation of the gut-brain axis. Depression-like behavior associated with dysbiosis was induced through a seven-day regimen of the broad-spectrum antibiotic, comprising ampicillin and metronidazole and validated through microbial, biochemical, and behavioral alterations. On day 8, antibiotic-treated rats exhibited loose fecal consistency, altered fecal microbiota, and depression-like behavior in forced swim test. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were elevated, while agmatine and monoamine levels decreased in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Antibiotic administration disrupted tight junction proteins in the ileum, affecting gut architecture. Oral administration of agmatine alone or combined with probiotics significantly reversed antibiotic-induced dysbiosis, restoring gut microbiota and mitigating depression-like behaviors. This intervention also restored neuro-inflammatory markers, increased agmatine and monoamine levels, and preserved gut integrity. The study highlights the regulatory role of endogenous agmatine in the gut-brain axis in broad-spectrum antibiotic induced dysbiosis and associated depression-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandip Rahangdale
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, New Kamptee, Nagpur, M.S., 441 002, India
| | - Pankaj Deshmukh
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, New Kamptee, Nagpur, M.S., 441 002, India
| | - Shivkumar Sammeta
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, New Kamptee, Nagpur, M.S., 441 002, India
| | - Manish Aglawe
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, New Kamptee, Nagpur, M.S., 441 002, India
| | - Mayur Kale
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, New Kamptee, Nagpur, M.S., 441 002, India
| | - Milind Umekar
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, New Kamptee, Nagpur, M.S., 441 002, India
| | - Nandkishor Kotagale
- Government College of Pharmacy, Kathora Naka, VMV Road, Amravati, M.S., 44604, India
| | - Brijesh Taksande
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, New Kamptee, Nagpur, M.S., 441 002, India.
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2
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Saha P, Panda S, Holkar A, Vashishth R, Rana SS, Arumugam M, Ashraf GM, Haque S, Ahmad F. Neuroprotection by agmatine: Possible involvement of the gut microbiome? Ageing Res Rev 2023; 91:102056. [PMID: 37673131 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Agmatine, an endogenous polyamine derived from L-arginine, elicits tremendous multimodal neuromodulant properties. Alterations in agmatinergic signalling are closely linked to the pathogeneses of several brain disorders. Importantly, exogenous agmatine has been shown to act as a potent neuroprotectant in varied pathologies, including brain ageing and associated comorbidities. The antioxidant, anxiolytic, analgesic, antidepressant and memory-enhancing activities of agmatine may derive from its ability to regulate several cellular pathways; including cell metabolism, survival and differentiation, nitric oxide signalling, protein translation, oxidative homeostasis and neurotransmitter signalling. This review briefly discusses mammalian metabolism of agmatine and then proceeds to summarize our current understanding of neuromodulation and neuroprotection mediated by agmatine. Further, the emerging exciting bidirectional links between agmatine and the resident gut microbiome and their implications for brain pathophysiology and ageing are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Saha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Subhrajita Panda
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Aayusha Holkar
- Department of Integrative Biology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Rahul Vashishth
- Department of Biosciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Sandeep Singh Rana
- Department of Biosciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Mohanapriya Arumugam
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Ghulam Md Ashraf
- University of Sharjah, College of Health Sciences, and Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia; Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon; Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Faraz Ahmad
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India.
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Mucke HA. Patent highlights February-March 2023. Pharm Pat Anal 2023; 12:205-212. [PMID: 37982661 DOI: 10.4155/ppa-2023-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
A snapshot of noteworthy recent developments in the patent literature of relevance to pharmaceutical and medical research and development.
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De Giorgi R, Rizzo Pesci N, Rosso G, Maina G, Cowen PJ, Harmer CJ. The pharmacological bases for repurposing statins in depression: a review of mechanistic studies. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:253. [PMID: 37438361 PMCID: PMC10338465 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02533-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Statins are commonly prescribed medications widely investigated for their potential actions on the brain and mental health. Pre-clinical and clinical evidence suggests that statins may play a role in the treatment of depressive disorders, but only the latter has been systematically assessed. Thus, the physiopathological mechanisms underlying statins' putative antidepressant or depressogenic effects have not been established. This review aims to gather available evidence from mechanistic studies to strengthen the pharmacological basis for repurposing statins in depression. We used a broad, well-validated search strategy over three major databases (Pubmed/MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO) to retrieve any mechanistic study investigating statins' effects on depression. The systematic search yielded 8068 records, which were narrowed down to 77 relevant papers. The selected studies (some dealing with more than one bodily system) described several neuropsychopharmacological (44 studies), endocrine-metabolic (17 studies), cardiovascular (6 studies) and immunological (15 studies) mechanisms potentially contributing to the effects of statins on mood. Numerous articles highlighted the beneficial effect of statins on depression, particularly through positive actions on serotonergic neurotransmission, neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, hypothalamic-pituitary axis regulation and modulation of inflammation. The role of other mechanisms, especially the association between statins, lipid metabolism and worsening of depressive symptoms, appears more controversial. Overall, most mechanistic evidence supports an antidepressant activity for statins, likely mediated by a variety of intertwined processes involving several bodily systems. Further research in this area can benefit from measuring relevant biomarkers to inform the selection of patients most likely to respond to statins' antidepressant effects while also improving our understanding of the physiopathological basis of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo De Giorgi
- University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxfordshire, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom.
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxfordshire, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom.
| | - Nicola Rizzo Pesci
- University of Turin, Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", Via Cherasco 15, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Gianluca Rosso
- University of Turin, Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", Via Cherasco 15, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maina
- University of Turin, Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", Via Cherasco 15, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Philip J Cowen
- University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxfordshire, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxfordshire, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine J Harmer
- University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxfordshire, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
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Yan S, Xu C, Yang M, Zhang H, Cheng Y, Xue Z, He Z, Wang T, Bai S, Wang G, Wu J, Tong Z, Cai X. The expression of agmatinase manipulates the affective state of rats subjected to chronic restraint stress. Neuropharmacology 2023; 229:109476. [PMID: 36849038 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Agmatine is an endogenous polyamine produced from l-arginine and degraded by agmatinase (AGMAT). Studies in humans and animals have shown that agmatine has neuroprotective, anxiolytic, and antidepressant-like actions. However, little is known about the role of AGMAT in the action of agmatine or in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of AGMAT in the pathophysiology of MDD. In this study, we observed that AGMAT expression increased in the ventral hippocampus rather than in the medial prefrontal cortex in the chronic restraint stress (CRS) animal model of depression. Furthermore, we found that AGMAT overexpression in the ventral hippocampus elicited depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors, whereas knockdown of AGMAT exhibited antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in CRS animals. Field and whole-cell recordings of hippocampal CA1 revealed that AGMAT blockage increased Schaffer collateral-CA1 excitatory synaptic transmission, which was expressed both pre- and post-synaptically and was probably due to the inhibition of AGMAT-expressing local interneurons. Therefore, our results suggest that dysregulation of AGMAT is involved in the pathophysiology of depression and is a potential target for designing more effective antidepressants with fewer adverse effects to offer a better therapy for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Yan
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Chang Xu
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, 620 West Chang'an Street, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Mengli Yang
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Huiqiang Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Ye Cheng
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Zeping Xue
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Zecong He
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Tiantian Wang
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Shangying Bai
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders Beijing Anding Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing 100088, China
| | - Jianping Wu
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Zhiqian Tong
- Oujiang Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Xiang Cai
- Oujiang Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China; Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
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6
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Doğan N, Yavuz SÇ, Sahin K, Orhan MD, Muhammed HK, Calis S, Küp FÖ, Avsar T, Akkoc S, Tapera M, Sahin O, Kilic T, Durdagi S, Saripinar E. Synthesis, Characterization, Biological Activity and Molecular Modeling Studies of Novel Aminoguanidine Derivatives. ChemistrySelect 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202202819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nuriye Doğan
- Department of Chemistry Erciyes University Kayseri Türkiye
| | - Sevtap Çağlar Yavuz
- Department of Medical Services and Technicians İliç Dursun Yıldırım Vocational School Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University 24700 Erzincan Türkiye
| | - Kader Sahin
- Computational Biology and Molecular Simulations Laboratory Department of Biophysics School of Medicine Bahcesehir University Istanbul Türkiye
- Department of Analytical Chemistry School of Pharmacy Bahcesehir University Istanbul Türkiye
| | - Muge Didem Orhan
- Department of Medical Biology School of Medicine Bahcesehir University Istanbul Türkiye
| | | | - Seyma Calis
- Department of Medical Biology School of Medicine Bahcesehir University Istanbul Türkiye
| | - Fatma Öztürk Küp
- Department of Biology Faculty of Science Erciyes University Kayseri Türkiye
| | - Timucin Avsar
- Department of Medical Biology School of Medicine Bahcesehir University Istanbul Türkiye
| | - Senem Akkoc
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty of Pharmacy Suleyman Demirel University Isparta Türkiye
| | - Michael Tapera
- Department of Chemistry Erciyes University Kayseri Türkiye
| | - Onur Sahin
- Scientific and Technological Research Application and Research Center Sinop University Sinop Türkiye
| | - Turker Kilic
- Deperment of Neurosurgery School of Medicine Bahcesehir University Istanbul Türkiye
| | - Serdar Durdagi
- Computational Biology and Molecular Simulations Laboratory Department of Biophysics School of Medicine Bahcesehir University Istanbul Türkiye
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry School of Pharmacy Bahcesehir University Istanbul Türkiye
| | - Emin Saripinar
- Department of Chemistry Erciyes University Kayseri Türkiye
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Şorodoc V, Rusu-Zota G, Nechita P, Moraru C, Manole OM. Effects of imidazoline agents in a rat conditioned place preference model of addiction. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2022; 395:365-376. [PMID: 34997272 PMCID: PMC8816376 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-021-02194-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Agmatine (AG), idazoxan (IDZ), and efaroxan (EFR) are imidazoline receptor ligands with beneficial effects in central nervous system disorders. The present study aimed to evaluate the interaction between AG, IDZ, and EFR with an opiate, tramadol (TR), in a conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. In the experiment, we used five groups with 8 adult male Wistar rats each. During the condition session, on days 2, 4, 6, and 8, the rats received the drugs (saline, or TR, or IDZ and TR, or EFR and TR, or AG and TR) and were placed in their least preferred compartment. On days 1, 3, 5, and 7, the rats received saline in the preferred compartment. In the preconditioning, the preferred compartment was determined. In the postconditioning, the preference for one of the compartments was reevaluated. TR increased the time spent in the non-preferred compartment. AG decreased time spent in the TR-paired compartment. EFR, more than IDZ, reduced the time spent in the TR-paired compartment, but without statistical significance. AG reversed the TR-induced CPP, while EFR and IDZ only decreased the time spent in the TR-paired compartment, without statistical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Şorodoc
- Department of Internal Medicine (Toxicology), University of Medicine and Pharmacy, "Grigore T. Popa", 700115, Iasi, Romania
| | - G Rusu-Zota
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Algesiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, "Grigore T. Popa", 700115, Iasi, Romania.
| | - P Nechita
- "Socola" Psychiatric Institute, 700282, Iasi, Romania
| | - C Moraru
- "Socola" Psychiatric Institute, 700282, Iasi, Romania
| | - O M Manole
- University of Medicine and Pharmacy, "Grigore T. Popa", 700115, Iasi, Romania
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Elias E, Zhang AY, Manners MT. Novel Pharmacological Approaches to the Treatment of Depression. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12020196. [PMID: 35207483 PMCID: PMC8879976 DOI: 10.3390/life12020196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders. Monoamine-based antidepressants were the first drugs developed to treat major depressive disorder. More recently, ketamine and other analogues were introduced as fast-acting antidepressants. Unfortunately, currently available therapeutics are inadequate; lack of efficacy, adverse effects, and risks leave patients with limited treatment options. Efforts are now focused on understanding the etiology of depression and identifying novel targets for pharmacological treatment. In this review, we discuss promising novel pharmacological targets for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Targeting receptors including N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, G-protein-coupled receptor 39, metabotropic glutamate receptors, galanin and opioid receptors has potential antidepressant effects. Compounds targeting biological processes: inflammation, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, and gut microbiota have also shown therapeutic potential. Additionally, natural products including plants, herbs, and fatty acids improved depressive symptoms and behaviors. In this review, a brief history of clinically available antidepressants will be provided, with a primary focus on novel pharmaceutical approaches with promising antidepressant effects in preclinical and clinical studies.
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De Giorgi R, Rizzo Pesci N, Quinton A, De Crescenzo F, Cowen PJ, Harmer CJ. Statins in Depression: An Evidence-Based Overview of Mechanisms and Clinical Studies. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:702617. [PMID: 34385939 PMCID: PMC8353114 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.702617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Depression is a leading cause of disability, burdened by high levels of non-response to conventional antidepressants. Novel therapeutic strategies targeting non-monoaminergic pathways are sorely needed. The widely available and safe statins have several putative mechanisms of action, especially anti-inflammatory, which make them ideal candidates for repurposing in the treatment of depression. A large number of articles has been published on this topic. The aim of this study is to assess this literature according to evidence-based medicine principles to inform clinical practise and research. Methods: We performed a systematic review of the electronic databases MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov, and an unstructured Google Scholar and manual search, until the 9th of April 2021, for all types of clinical studies assessing the effects of statins in depression. Results: Seventy-two studies were retrieved that investigated the effects of statins on the risk of developing depression or on depressive symptoms in both depressed and non-depressed populations. Fifteen studies specifically addressed the effects of statins on inflammatory-related symptoms of anhedonia, psychomotor retardation, anxiety, and sleep disturbances in depression. Most studies suggested a positive effect of statins on the occurrence and severity of depression, with fewer studies showing no effect, while a minority indicated some negative effects. Limitations: We provide a narrative report on all the included studies but did not perform any quantitative analysis, which limits the strength of our conclusions. Conclusions: Robust evidence indicates that statins are unlikely to lead to depressive symptoms in the general population. Promising data suggest a potential role for statins in the treatment of depression. Further clinical studies are needed, especially in specific subgroups of patients identified by pre-treatment assessments of inflammatory and lipid profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo De Giorgi
- Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Rizzo Pesci
- Department of Neurosciences “Rita Levi Montalcini,” San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Alice Quinton
- Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Franco De Crescenzo
- Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Philip J. Cowen
- Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine J. Harmer
- Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
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