Brain serotonin transporter binding, plasma arachidonic acid and depression severity: A positron emission tomography study of major depression

Astrocyte atrophy induced by L-PGDS/PGD2/Src signaling dysfunction in the central amygdala mediates postpartum depression

BACKGROUND

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious psychiatric disorder that has significantly adverse impacts on maternal health. Metabolic abnormalities in the brain are associated with numerous neurological disorders, yet the specific metabolic signaling pathways and brain regions involved in PPD remain unelucidated.

METHODS

We performed behavioral test in the virgin and postpartum mice. We used mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) and targeted metabolomics analyses to investigate the metabolic alternation in the brain of GABAAR Delta-subunit-deficient (Gabrd-/-) postpartum mice, a specific preclinical animal model of PPD. Next, we performed mechanism studies including qPCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence staining, electron microscopy and primary astrocyte culture. In the specific knockdown and rescue experiments, we injected the adeno-associated virus into the central amygdala (CeA) of female mice.

RESULTS

We identified that prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) downregulation in the CeA was the most outstanding alternation in PPD, and then validated that lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS)/PGD2 downregulation plays a causal role in depressive behaviors derived from PPD in both wild-type and Gabrd-/- mice. Furthermore, we verified that L-PGDS/PGD2 signaling dysfunction-induced astrocytes atrophy is mediated by Src phosphorylation both in vitro and in vivo.

LIMITATIONS

L-PGDS/PGD2 signaling dysfunction may be only responsible for the depressive behavior rather than maternal behaviors in the PPD, and it remains to be seen whether this mechanism is applicable to all depression types.

CONCLUSION

Our study identified abnormalities in the L-PGDS/PGD2 signaling in the CeA, which inhibited Src phosphorylation and induced astrocyte atrophy, ultimately resulting in the development of PPD in mice.

The effect of greater occipital nerve block on amplification of somatic symptoms and anxiety and depression levels in chronic migraine

OBJECTIVES

It is known that chronic migraine (CM) is often accompanied by anxiety, depression, and psychosomatic complaints. We designed this study with the assumption that greater occipital nerve (GON) block treatment could potentially improve not only pain symptoms but also psychosomatic complaints. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in the visual analog scale (VAS), somatosensory amplification scale (SSAS), beck depression ınventory (BDI), and beck anxiety ınventory (BAI) with GON block treatment in patients with CM.

METHODS

This study was conducted retrospectively on 164 patients with CM between December 2018 and January 2023. Patients underwent six sessions of GON block treatment at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7. VAS, SSAS, BAI, and BDI scores; number of attacks per month (NAM); attack pain duration (APD); and monthly use of analgesics (UA) were compared before the start and at week 8 of GON block treatment.

RESULTS

The mean age of the subjects was 38 ± 9 years. Statistical analysis revealed that VAS, SSAS, BAI, and BDI scores; NAM; APD; and monthly UA were statistically significantly lower following GON block treatment than before GON block treatment (p < 0.001 each).

CONCLUSION

GON block treatment was effective for pain and somatic complaints (amplification of physical symptoms), anxiety, and depressive symptoms accompanying CM in patients with CM.

Effect of Shenqi Jieyu formula on inflammatory response pathway in hippocampus of postpartum depression rats

Aim

To investigate whether SJF functions in similar manner as the key substance in the inflammatory process, soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitor, to inhibit the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway and nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB) signal path in the hippocampi of postpartum depression rats.

Methods

The rats were subcutaneous injected estradiol benzoate and progesterone to build PPD rat model. SJF, paroxetine hydrochloride and sEH inhibitor (AUDA) were used to treat PPD rats for 3 weeks. Then the morphological changes of hippocampi and various proteins were observed after that behavioral test were conducted in all 36 SD rats in six group: SJF, paroxetine, AUDA, PPD, sham and normal group.

Results

Weight, results of sucrose preference, upright times, total and center squares crossing decreased significantly (P < 0.01), whereas immobility time increased (P < 0.01). Results above were reversed in animals that in the SJF, paroxetine and AUDA groups. Hippocampal neurons in PPD rats partially degenerated with narrowed nuclei, increased autophagy and mitochondria bound to lysosomes were visible while the autophagy of hippocampal neurons in the paroxetine and AUDA group decreased, with a small amount of lysosomes. sEH, COX-2, 5-LOX, TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, NF-κB p65, and Cor increased in hippocampi of PPD rats while EETs and 5-HT decreased. Protein expressions of Ibal, GFAP, p-IκBα, p65, and p-p65(S536)increased in PPD animals. Those changes were reversed by SJF, paroxetine and AUDA. Gene expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, 5-LOX, COX-2 and p65 increased in PPD rats and the changes of expression in these genes were reversed by paroxetine and AUDA. SJF reversed the gene expression changes of COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-1β.

Conclusion

SJF may have an analogous effect as sEH inhibitor to relieve depressive symptoms by suppressing inflammatory signaling pathways in hippocampi of PPD rats, which involves AA metabolic pathway and NF-κB signal pathway.

Can essential fatty acids (EFAs) prevent and ameliorate post-COVID-19 long haul manifestations?

It is hypothesized that COVID-19, post-COVID and post-mRNA COVID-19 (and other related) vaccine manifestations including "long haul syndrome" are due to deficiency of essential fatty acids (EFAs) and dysregulation of their metabolism. This proposal is based on the observation that EFAs and their metabolites can modulate the swift immunostimulatory response of SARS-CoV-2 and similar enveloped viruses, suppress inappropriate cytokine release, possess cytoprotective action, modulate serotonin and bradykinin production and other neurotransmitters, inhibit NF-kB activation, regulate cGAS-STING pathway, modulate gut microbiota, inhibit platelet activation, regulate macrophage and leukocyte function, enhance wound healing and facilitate tissue regeneration and restore homeostasis. This implies that administration of EFAs could be of benefit in the prevention and management of COVID-19 and its associated complications.

The role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the neurobiology of major depressive disorder and suicide risk

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) are obtained from diet or derived from essential shorter-chain fatty acids, and are crucial for brain development and functioning. Fundamentally, LC-PUFAs' neurobiological effects derive from their physicochemical characteristics, including length and double bond configuration, which differentiate LC-PUFA species and give rise to functional differences between n(omega)-3 and n-6 LC-PUFAs. LC-PUFA imbalances are implicated in psychiatric disorders, including major depression and suicide risk. Dietary intake and genetic variants in enzymes involved in biosynthesis of LC-PUFAs from shorter chain fatty acids influence LC-PUFA status. Domains impacted by LC-PUFAs include 1) cell signaling, 2) inflammation, and 3) bioenergetics. 1) As major constituents of lipid bilayers, LC-PUFAs are determinants of cell membrane properties of viscosity and order, affecting lipid rafts, which play a role in regulation of membrane-bound proteins involved in cell-cell signaling, including monoaminergic receptors and transporters. 2) The n-3:n-6 LC-PUFA balance profoundly influences inflammation. Generally, metabolic products of n-6 LC-PUFAs (eicosanoids) are pro-inflammatory, while those of n-3 LC-PUFAs (docosanoids) participate in the resolution of inflammation. Additionally, n-3 LC-PUFAs suppress microglial activation and the ensuing proinflammatory cascade. 3) N-3 LC-PUFAs in the inner mitochondrial membrane affect oxidative stress, suppressing production of and scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), with neuroprotective benefits. Until now, this wealth of knowledge about LC-PUFA biomechanisms has not been adequately tapped to develop translational studies of LC-PUFA clinical effects in humans. Future studies integrating neurobiological mechanisms with clinical outcomes may suggest ways to identify depressed individuals most likely to respond to n-3 LC-PUFA supplementation, and mechanistic research may generate new treatment strategies.

Metabolome-associated psychological comorbidities improvement in irritable bowel syndrome patients receiving a probiotic

Our recent randomized, placebo-controlled study in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) patients with diarrhea or alternating bowel habits showed that the probiotic Bifidobacterium longum (BL) NCC3001 improves depression scores and decreases brain emotional reactivity. However, the involved metabolic pathways remain unclear. This analysis aimed to investigate the biochemical pathways underlying the beneficial effects of BL NCC3001 using metabolomic profiling. Patients received probiotic (1x 1010CFU, n=16) or placebo (n=19) daily for 6 weeks. Anxiety and depression were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Brain activity in response to negative emotional stimuli was assessed by functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Probiotic fecal abundance was quantified by qPCR. Quantitative measurement of specific panels of plasma host-microbial metabolites was performed by mass spectrometry-based metabolomics. Probiotic abundance in feces was associated with improvements in anxiety and depression scores, and a decrease in amygdala activation. The probiotic treatment increased the levels of butyric acid, tryptophan, N-acetyl tryptophan, glycine-conjugated bile acids, and free fatty acids. Butyric acid concentration correlated with lower anxiety and depression scores, and decreased amygdala activation. Furthermore, butyric acid concentration correlated with the probiotic abundance in feces. In patients with non-constipation IBS, improvements in psychological comorbidities and brain emotional reactivity were associated with an increased abundance of BL NCC3001 in feces and specific plasma metabolites, mainly butyric acid. These findings suggest the importance of a probiotic to thrive in the gut and highlight butyric acid as a potential biochemical marker linking microbial metabolism with beneficial effects on the gut-brain axis.

Shared genetic basis informs the roles of polyunsaturated fatty acids in brain disorders

The neural tissue is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), components that are indispensable for the proper functioning of neurons, such as neurotransmission. PUFA nutritional deficiency and imbalance have been linked to a variety of chronic brain disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety, and anorexia. However, the effects of PUFAs on brain disorders remain inconclusive, and the extent of their shared genetic determinants is largely unknown. Here, we used genome-wide association summary statistics to systematically examine the shared genetic basis between six phenotypes of circulating PUFAs (N = 114,999) and 20 brain disorders (N = 9,725-762,917), infer their potential causal relationships, identify colocalized regions, and pinpoint shared genetic variants. Genetic correlation and polygenic overlap analyses revealed a widespread shared genetic basis for 77 trait pairs between six PUFA phenotypes and 16 brain disorders. Two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis indicated potential causal relationships for 16 pairs of PUFAs and brain disorders, including alcohol consumption, bipolar disorder (BIP), and MDD. Colocalization analysis identified 40 shared loci (13 unique) among six PUFAs and ten brain disorders. Twenty-two unique variants were statistically inferred as candidate shared causal variants, including rs1260326 (GCKR), rs174564 (FADS2) and rs4818766 (ADARB1). These findings reveal a widespread shared genetic basis between PUFAs and brain disorders, pinpoint specific shared variants, and provide support for the potential effects of PUFAs on certain brain disorders, especially MDD, BIP, and alcohol consumption.

Emphasizing the Crosstalk Between Inflammatory and Neural Signaling in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic incapacitating condition with recurrent experience of trauma-related memories, negative mood, altered cognition, and hypervigilance. Agglomeration of preclinical and clinical evidence in recent years specified that alterations in neural networks favor certain characteristics of PTSD. Besides the disruption of hypothalamus-pituitary-axis (HPA) axis, intensified immune status with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and arachidonic metabolites of COX-2 such as PGE2 creates a putative scenario in worsening the neurobehavioral facet of PTSD. This review aims to link the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders (DSM-V) symptomology to major neural mechanisms that are supposed to underpin the transition from acute stress reactions to the development of PTSD. Also, to demonstrate how these intertwined processes can be applied to probable early intervention strategies followed by a description of the evidence supporting the proposed mechanisms. Hence in this review, several neural network mechanisms were postulated concerning the HPA axis, COX-2, PGE2, NLRP3, and sirtuins to unravel possible complex neuroinflammatory mechanisms that are obscured in PTSD condition.

Pathophysiological mechanisms of post-myocardial infarction depression: a narrative review

Myocardial infarction (MI) can have significant physical and mental consequences. Depression is a prevalent psychiatric condition after MI which can reduce the quality of life and increase the mortality rates of patients. However, the connection between MI and depression has remained under-appreciated. This review examines the potential connection between depression and MI by overviewing the possible pathophysiologic mechanisms including dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and autonomic nervous system, coagulation system dysfunction, inflammation, environmental factors, as well as, genetic factors. Furthermore, depression can be an adverse event of medications used for MI treatment including beta-blockers, statins, or anti-platelet agents. The need for early detection and management of depression in patients with MI is, therefore, crucial for improving their overall prognosis. Adherence to treatments and regular follow-up visits can ensure the best response to treatment.

The effects of greater occipital nerve blockage with lidocaine on sleep characteristics in chronic migraine patients

PURPOSE

The aim of our study was to determine the effects of greater occipital nerve block (GONB) with lidocaine on sleep characteristics in patients with chronic migraine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty female patients who underwent GONB with lidocaine were included in the study. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale (PSAS), Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep Scale (DBAS), Restless Legs Syndrome Severity Scale (RLSSS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and headache diary results before and after the treatment of the patients were compared.

RESULTS

We included 20 patients (all females) in our study. The mean age was 35.80 ± 8.82 years (range 24-50). After GON blockade, the number of days with pain (p < 0.001), duration of pain (p < 0.001), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score (p < 0.001) were significantly lower than before. After GONB, BDI (p = 0.007), BAI (p = 0.022), ISI (p = 0.009), and PSQI (p = 0.026) scores were significantly lower than before. After GONB, sleep quality was better than before (p = 0.035).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that GONB with lidocaine can improve sleep quality, insomnia, and symptoms of depression and anxiety while reducing migraine headache.

Is depression the missing link between inflammatory mediators and cancer?

Patients with cancer are at greater risk of developing depression in comparison to the general population and this is associated with serious adverse effects, such as poorer quality of life, worse prognosis and higher mortality. Although the relationship between depression and cancer is now well established, a common underlying pathophysiological mechanism between the two conditions is yet to be elucidated. Existing theories of depression, based on monoamine neurotransmitter system dysfunction, are insufficient as explanations of the disorder. Recent advances have implicated neuroinflammatory mechanisms in the etiology of depression and it has been demonstrated that inflammation at a peripheral level may be mirrored centrally in astrocytes and microglia serving to promote chronic levels of inflammation in the brain. Three major routes to depression in cancer in which proinflammatory mediators are implicated, seem likely. Activation of the kynurenine pathway involving cytokines, increases tryptophan catabolism, resulting in diminished levels of serotonin which is widely acknowledged as being the hallmark of depression. It also results in neurotoxic effects on brain regions thought to be involved in the evolution of major depression. Proinflammatory mediators also play a crucial role in impairing regulatory glucocorticoid mediated feedback of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is activated by stress and considered to be involved in both depression and cancer. The third route is via the glutamatergic pathway, whereby glutamate excitotoxicity may lead to depression associated with cancer. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying these dysregulated and other newly emerging pathways may provide a rationale for therapeutic targeting, serving to improve the care of cancer patients.

Adolescent kratom exposure affects cognitive behaviours and brain metabolite profiles in Sprague-Dawley rats

Adolescence is a critical developmental period during which exposure to psychoactive substances like kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) can cause long-lasting deleterious effects. Here, we evaluated the effects of mitragynine, the main alkaloid of kratom, and lyophilised kratom decoction (LKD) on cognitive behaviours and brain metabolite profiles in adolescent rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (Postnatal day, PND31) were given vehicle, morphine (5 mg/kg), mitragynine (3, 10, or 30 mg/kg), or LKD (equivalent dose of 30 mg/kg mitragynine) for 15 consecutive days. Later, a battery of behavioural testing was conducted, brain was extracted and metabolomic analysis was performed using LCMS-QTOF. The results showed that mitragynine did not affect the recognition memory in the novel object recognition task. In the social interaction task, morphine, mitragynine, and LKD caused a marked deficit in social behaviour, while in Morris water maze task, mitragynine and LKD only affected reference memory. Metabolomic analysis revealed distinct metabolite profiles of animals with different treatments. Several pathways that may be involved in the effects of kratom exposure include arachidonic acid, pantothenate and CoA, and tryptophan pathways, with several potential biomarkers identified. These findings suggest that adolescent kratom exposure can cause cognitive behavioural deficits that may be associated with changes in the brain metabolite profiles.

The antidepressant effects and serum metabonomics of bifid triple viable capsule in a rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress

Background

Probiotics have shown potential antidepressant effects. This study evaluated the effect and probable mechanisms of bifid triple viable capsules (BTVCs) on a rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS).

Materials and methods

Rats were randomly divided into Normal, CUMS model, fluoxetine hydrochloride (FLX), BTVCs, and FLX+BTVCs groups. Depressive-like behaviours, pathological changes in the hippocampus, changes in serum metabolites and potential biomarkers, and metabolic pathways were detected via behavioural tests, haematoxylin-eosin staining, nissl staining, non-targetted metabolomics, and ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA).

Results

The rats displayed depressive-like behaviours after CUMS exposure, but BTVCs ameliorated the depressive-like behaviours. In addition, the pathological results showed that the hippocampal tissue was damaged in rats after CUMS exposure and that the damage was effectively alleviated by treatment with BTVCs. A total of 20 potential biomarkers were identified. Treatment with BTVCs regulated D-phenylalanine, methoxyeugenol, (±)-myristoylcarnitine, 18:3 (6Z, 9Z, 12Z) /P-18:1 (11Z), propionyl-L-carnitine, and arachidonic acid (AA) concentrations, all compounds that are involved with biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, glycerophospholipid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism and AA metabolism. The IPA demonstrated that endothelin-1 signalling and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB) signalling in neurons may be involved in the development of depression.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that BTVCs can alleviate depressive-like behaviours, restore damage to the hippocampus in CUMS rats and regulate serum metabolism, which may be related to endothelin-1 signalling or CREB signalling in neurons.

Serotonin transporter binding in major depressive disorder: impact of serotonin system anatomy

Serotonin transporter (5-HTT) binding deficits are reported in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, most studies have not considered serotonin system anatomy when parcellating brain regions of interest (ROIs). We now investigate 5-HTT binding in MDD in two novel ways: (1) use of a 5-HTT tract-based analysis examining binding along serotonergic axons; and (2) using the Copenhagen University Hospital Neurobiology Research Unit (NRU) 5-HT Atlas, based on brain-wide binding patterns of multiple serotonin receptor types. [11C]DASB 5-HTT PET scans were obtained in 60 unmedicated participants with MDD in a current depressive episode and 31 healthy volunteers (HVs). Binding potential (BPP) was quantified with empirical Bayesian estimation in graphical analysis (EBEGA). Within the [11C]DASB tract, the MDD group showed significantly lower BPP compared with HVs (p = 0.02). This BPP diagnosis difference also significantly varied by tract location (p = 0.02), with the strongest MDD binding deficit most proximal to brainstem raphe nuclei. NRU 5-HT Atlas ROIs showed a BPP diagnosis difference that varied by region (p < 0.001). BPP was lower in MDD in 3/10 regions (p-values < 0.05). Neither [11C]DASB tract or NRU 5-HT Atlas BPP correlated with depression severity, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt history, or antidepressant medication exposure. Future studies are needed to determine the causes of this deficit in 5-HTT binding being more pronounced in proximal axon segments and in only a subset of ROIs for the pathogenesis of MDD. Such regional specificity may have implications for targeting antidepressant treatment, and may extend to other serotonin-related disorders.

Homogenised and pasteurised human milk: lipid profile and effect as a supplement in the enteral diet of Wistar rats

The retention of human milk (HM) fat in nasogastric probes of infusion pumps can be observed during the feed of infants unable to suck at the mother's breast. The lack of homogenisation of HM could contribute to the fat holding. Therefore, the present study evaluated (i) the influence of homogenisation on milk fat retaining in infant feeding probes and (ii) the in vivo effect of the homogenisation on lipid absorption by Wistar rats. The animals were fed with HM treated following two processing conditions, that is, pasteurised and homogenised-pasteurised. The animals were randomly subdivided into four experimental groups: water-fed (control), pasteurised milk, homogenised-pasteurised milk and pasteurised-skimmed milk. The results of food consumption, mass body gain, corporate metrics and plasma blood levels of total cholesterol did not show any difference (P < 0·05) among the three types of HM used in the experiments. The liver, intestine and intra-abdominal adipose tissue of the four groups of animals presented normal and healthy histology. The composition of fatty acids in the brain tissue of animals fed with homogenised HM increased when compared with the groups fed with non-homogenised HM. These values were 11·08 % higher for arachidonic acids, 6·59 % for DAH and 47·92 % for nervous acids. The ingestion of homogenised HM promoted higher absorption of milk nutrients. Therefore, the addition of the homogenisation stage in HM processing could be an alternative to reduce fat retention in probes and to improve the lipids' absorption in the body.

Naturally absorbed lithium may prevent suicide attempts and deliberate self-harm while eicosapentaenoic acid may prevent deliberate self-harm and arachidonic acid may be a risk factor for deliberate self-harm: The updated different findings in new analyses

BACKGROUND

Since our previous investigation on the effects of trace lithium, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid (AA) on deliberate self-harm and suicide attempts in 2018, to our knowledge, no replication study has been conducted on this topic.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We increased 37 new patients and totally 234 patients were re-analyzed to further investigate the association of suicide-related behaviors with levels of trace lithium, EPA, DHA, and AA in a different way to avoid multicollinearity.

RESULTS

Higher lithium levels were significantly associated with fewer suicide attempts and deliberate self-harm, higher EPA levels were significantly associated with fewer deliberate self-harm, and higher AA levels were significantly associated with more deliberate self-harm.

DISCUSSION

Although the sample size was only slightly larger than the previous study, the present results were clearly different from the previous ones due to the use of different statistical analyses to avoid multicollinearity.

CONCLUSION

The present findings suggest that naturally absorbed lithium may protect against suicide and deliberate self-harm, while naturally absorbed EPA may protect against deliberate self-harm. However, naturally absorbed AA may be a risk factor for deliberate self-harm.

DHA Supplementation of Obese Rats throughout Pregnancy and Lactation Modifies Milk Composition and Anxiety Behavior of Offspring

We investigated if supplementing obese mothers (MO) with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) improves milk long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) composition and offspring anxiety behavior. From weaning throughout pregnancy and lactation, female Wistar rats ate chow (C) or a high-fat diet (MO). One month before mating and through lactation, half the mothers received 400 mg DHA kg⁻¹ d⁻¹ orally (C+DHA or MO+DHA). Offspring ate C after weaning. Maternal weight, total body fat, milk hormones, and milk nutrient composition were determined. Pups’ milk nutrient intake was evaluated, and behavioral anxiety tests were conducted. MO exhibited increased weight and total fat, and higher milk corticosterone, leptin, linoleic, and arachidonic acid (AA) concentrations, and less DHA content. MO male and female offspring had higher ω-6/ ω-3 milk consumption ratios. In the elevated plus maze, female but not male MO offspring exhibited more anxiety. MO+DHA mothers exhibited lower weight, total fat, milk leptin, and AA concentrations, and enhanced milk DHA. MO+DHA offspring had a lower ω-6/ω-3 milk intake ratio and reduced anxiety vs. MO. DHA content was greater in C+DHA milk vs. C. Supplementing MO mothers with DHA improves milk composition, especially LCPUFA content and ω-6/ω-3 ratio reducing offspring anxiety in a sex-dependent manner.

Effects of aspirin on the long-term management of depression in older people: a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial

Late-life depression is common and often inadequately managed using existing therapies. Depression is also associated with increased markers of inflammation, suggesting a potential role for anti-inflammatory agents. ASPREE-D is a sub-study of ASPREE, a large multi-centre, population-based, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of aspirin vs placebo in older Australian and American adults (median follow-up: 4.7 years) of whom 1879 were depressed at baseline. Participants were given 100 mg daily dose of aspirin or placebo. Depressive symptoms were assessed annually using the validated, self-rated short version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. There was a significant increase in depressive scores (0.6; 95% CI 0.2 to 0.9; χ² (1) = 10.37; p = 0.001) and a decreased score in the mental health component of a quality of life scale (-0.7; 95% CI -1.4 to -0.1; χ² (1) = 4.74; p = 0.029) in the aspirin group compared to the placebo group. These effects were greater in the first year of follow-up and persisted throughout the study, albeit with small to very small effect sizes. This study failed to demonstrate any benefit of aspirin in the long-term course of depression in this community-dwelling sample of older adults over a 5-year period, and identified an adverse effect of aspirin in the course of depression in those with pre-existing depressive symptoms.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of lipid metabolomic signatures of Major Depressive Disorder

The aim of this meta-analysis was to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the evidence examining biomarker signatures in MDD patients including lipids, lipid regulatory proteins (LRP), and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) as compared to healthy individuals. We performed meta-analyses and meta-regression of the studies comparing lipid, LRP, and PUFA levels between MDD patients and healthy individuals by searching Embase, Ovid Medline, Scopus, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Cochrane databases. Search was performed in these databases up to September 2019 and 29 studies were included. Levels of lipid parameter triglyceride (TG) (SMD 0.55, 95% CI 0.30-0.80, p < 0.0001) were higher while total cholesterol (TC) (SMD = -0.46, 95%CI -0.93 to -0.001, p = 0.04) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) (SMD = -0.46, 95%CI -0.71 to -0.20, p = 0.02) were lower in MDD patients than controls. Subgroup analysis for age showed that the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were lower in ≥40-year age group (SMD = -0.38, 95%CI -0.70 to -0.06, p = 0.01) and levels of TC was lower in MDD patients in studies from Asian countries (SMD = -0.74, 95%CI -1.37 to -0.10, p = 0.02). TG levels were found to be high all subgroups in MDD patients than controls. A negative association between TC levels and use of lipid lowering medications and a positive association between smoking and LDL levels was found using meta-regression analysis. This study will be useful for physicians when considering the assessment of lipidand LRP profiles in MDD patients to reduce the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Determination of inflammation-related lipids in depressive rats by on-line supercritical fluid extraction-supercritical fluid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

An on-line supercritical fluid extraction coupled with supercritical fluid chromatography-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry method was developed to determine lipids related to inflammation in brain tissues of depressed rats. The analysis of 23 lipids from extraction to separation and detection only took 15 min and required 1 mg of brain tissue powder. The matrix effect of the on-line method for endogenous lipids was systematically investigated, and targeted lipids were quantified by matrix effect corrected calibration curves in this study. The on-line method was comprehensively optimized and evaluated. All calibration curves for lipids showed good linearity (correlation coefficient >0.99). The limits of detection and the limits of quantification were in the range of 0.0261-0.396 pg and 0.0791-1.20 pg. The recoveries and the matrix effect were in the range of 85.3-117.5% and 51.9-176.6%, respectively. The relative standard deviations of precision ranged from 2.7 to 14.2%, with accuracies higher than 87.2%. Compared with liquid-liquid extraction coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method, the on-line method obtained higher recovery and sensitivity with significantly reduced analytical time, manual operations, and sample amounts. Finally, this on-line method was applied to analyses of brain tissues of depressed rats. Six pro-inflammatory lipids increased in depressed rats, while six anti-inflammatory lipids decreased. Liquiritin and fluoxetine were presumed to promote a similar synthesis of anti-inflammatory lipids. Based on the results, this on-line method showed great promise in analyzing lipids in complex biological samples.

Proteomic and metabolomic characterization of amygdala in chronic social defeat stress rats

BACKGROUND

Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide. There is increasing evidence showing that depression is associated with the pathophysiology in amygdala; however, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood.

METHOD

We established a rat model of chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) and conducted a series of behavior tests to observe behavioral changes. Then liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based proteomics were employed to detect metabolomes and proteomes in the amygdala, respectively. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) and other bioinformatic analyses were used to analyze differentially expressed metabolites and proteins.

RESULTS

The significantly lower sucrose preference index in the sucrose preference test and longer immobile time in the forced swim test were observed in the CSDS rats compared with control rats. In the multi-omics analysis, thirty-seven significantly differentially expressed metabolites and 123 significant proteins were identified. Integrated analysis of differentially expressed metabolites and proteins by IPA revealed molecular changes mainly associated with synaptic plasticity, phospholipase c signaling, and glutamine degradation I. We compared the metabolites in the amygdala with those in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex from our previous studies and found two common metabolites: arachidonic acid and N-acetyl-l-aspartic acid among these three brain regions.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed the presence of depressive-like behaviors and molecular changes of amygdala in the CSDS rat model, which may provide further insights into the pathogenesis of depression, and help to identify potential targets for antidepressants.

The Association Between Antidepressant Effect of SSRIs and Astrocytes: Conceptual Overview and Meta-analysis of the Literature

Major depressive disorders (MDD) a worldwide psychiatric disease, is yet to be adequately controlled by therapies; while the mechanisms of action of antidepressants are yet to be fully characterised. In the last two decades, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated the role of astrocytes in the pathophysiology and therapy of MDD. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most widely used antidepressants. It is generally acknowledged that SSRIs increase serotonin levels in the central nervous system by inhibiting serotonin transporters, although the SSRIs action is not ideal. The SSRIs antidepressant effect develops with considerable delay; their efficacy is low and frequent relapses are common. Neither cellular nor molecular pharmacological mechanisms of SSRIs are fully characterised; in particular their action on astrocytes remain underappreciated. In this paper we overview potential therapeutic mechanisms of SSRIs associated with astroglia and report the results of meta-analysis of studies dedicated to MDD, SSRIs and astrocytes. In particular, we argue that fluoxetine, the representative SSRI, improves depressive-like behaviours in animals treated with chronic mild stress and reverses depression-associated decrease in astrocytic glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression. In addition, fluoxetine upregulates astrocytic mRNA expression of 5-hydroxytriptamin/serotonin_2B receptors (5-HT_2BR). In summary, we infer that SSRIs exert their anti-depressant effect by regulating several molecular and signalling pathways in astrocytes.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids as predictors of future suicide attempt

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and cholesterol are lipids implicated in suicide risk. We prospectively studied plasma glycerophospholipid PUFAs and cholesterol as putative predictors of suicide attempts. In a multicenter cohort study, we enrolled 123 patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) for suicidal ideation or suicide attempt. Clinical assessments were performed, with follow-up telephone evaluations 6, 12, 18, and 24 months later. Blood samples were obtained in the ED and assayed for PUFAs. Using survival analysis, suicide events were not predicted by eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, HR: -0.83, 95%CI: 0.39-1.76, p = 0.621) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, HR: -0.60, 95%CI: 0.19-1.86, p = 0.371). However, higher arachidonic acid (AA) was a trend for a protective factor (HR=0.30, 95%CI: 0.08-1.08, p = 0.065) in the entire trans-diagnostic sample. This protective effect was significant in all participants with a prior suicide attempt history (n = 85; HR=0.16, 95%CI: 0.04-0.67, p = 0.012), and in the subgroup of attempters with major depressive disorder (MDD; n = 55, HR=0.15, 95%CI:0.03-0.76, p = 0.002). Total LDL- and HDL-cholesterol did not predict subsequent suicide events. AA, but not DHA or EPA, positively correlated with baseline depression severity in MDD patients (r = 0.3, p = 0.006). Contrary to our hypothesis that low n-3 PUFA levels would create risk, we found that while higher AA was associated with greater depression severity at baseline, low AA unexpectedly predicted subsequent suicide attempts, the more so in higher-risk patients. Although surprising, this result agrees with a minority of reports concerning n-6 PUFAs and may represent complex interactions with sample characteristics.

Fish oil supplementation alleviates metabolic and anxiodepressive effects of diet-induced obesity and associated changes in brain lipid composition in mice

OBJECTIVE

Obesity significantly elevates the odds of developing mood disorders. Chronic consumption of a saturated high-fat diet (HFD) elicits anxiodepressive behavior in a manner linked to metabolic dysfunction and neuroinflammation in mice. Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) can improve both metabolic and mood impairments by relieving inflammation. Despite these findings, the effects of n-3 PUFA supplementation on energy homeostasis, anxiodepressive behavior, brain lipid composition, and gliosis in the diet-induced obese state are unclear.

METHODS

Male C57Bl/6J mice were fed a saturated high-fat diet (HFD) or chow for 20 weeks. During the last 5 weeks mice received daily gavage ("supplementation") of fish oil (FO) enriched with equal amounts of docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or control corn oil. Food intake and body weight were measured throughout while additional metabolic parameters and anxiety- and despair-like behavior (elevated-plus maze, light-dark box, and forced swim tasks) were evaluated during the final week of supplementation. Forebrain lipid composition and markers of microglia activation and astrogliosis were assessed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and real-time PCR, respectively.

RESULTS

Five weeks of FO supplementation corrected glucose intolerance and attenuated hyperphagia in HFD-induced obese mice without affecting adipose mass. FO supplementation also defended against the anxiogenic and depressive-like effects of HFD. Brain lipids, particularly anti-inflammatory PUFA, were diminished by HFD, whereas FO restored levels beyond control values. Gene expression markers of brain reactive gliosis were supressed by FO.

CONCLUSIONS

Supplementing a saturated HFD with FO rich in EPA and DHA corrects glucose intolerance, inhibits food intake, suppresses anxiodepressive behaviors, enhances anti-inflammatory brain lipids, and dampens indices of brain gliosis in obese mice. Together, these findings support increasing dietary n-3 PUFA for the treatment of metabolic and mood disturbances associated with excess fat intake and obesity.

The effect of greater occipital nerve blockade on the quality of life, disability and comorbid depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance in patients with chronic migraine

OBJECTIVE

The greater occipital nerve block (GONB) with local anesthetics is an effective treatment for chronic migraine (CM). In this study, it was aimed to demonstrate the change in quality of life, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance scores before and after treatment in CM patients who underwent GONB and the effectiveness of treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 84 patients diagnosed as CM according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders III beta version diagnostic criteria. The 24-Hour Migraine Quality of Life Questionnaire (MQoLQ), Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Headache Impact Test (HIT), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were applied on patients before GONB treatment and at posttreatment months 1 and 3.

RESULTS

MQoLQ scores, which measured the daily quality of life, were 38 [3-66] before GONB treatment, and 64 [38-88] in the first month and 72 [40-86] in the third month after treatment. In addition, this increase was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Furthermore, we found a statistically significant decrease in disability, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance scores after treatment (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In this study, we observed a prominent improvement in quality of life and disability rates of CM patients treated with GONB compared to pretreatment. We also demonstrated that the treatment was effective in comorbid depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance scores.