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Ding K, Wang F, Wang K, Feng X, Yang M, Han B, Li G, Li S. Environmental stress during adolescence promotes depression-like behavior and endocrine abnormalities in rats. Behav Brain Res 2024; 457:114710. [PMID: 37832605 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114710] [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: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the ability of environmental stress (ES) during adolescence on depression-like behaviors and endocrinology in rats. METHODS Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats before or during puberty were divided into three groups: control group (CON), low-frequency ES group (LF), and high-frequency ES group (HF). ES included water/food deprivation and reversal of day and night. After 4 weeks of ES, the behavioral tests were performed. Plasma concentrations of hormones and peptides were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS ES induced a significant decrease in sucrose preference value in female adolescent rats but not males. In prepubertal rats, the reductions in sucrose preference upon ES were observed without a sex-specific effect. Compared with the CON group, female adolescent rats showed a significant increase, while male adolescent rats showed a significant decrease in plasma corticosterone (CORT) after ES. Also, ES significantly increased plasma leptin in female and male adolescent rats. Moreover, ES significantly increased plasma cholecystokinin (CCK), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and testosterone (TS) levels in adolescent female rats but not in males. No significant differences were found in plasma progesterone and E2 among adolescent rats. The prepubertal male rats showed significant plasma E2 and TS increase after ES, while there were no significant differences between groups in plasma CORT, leptin, CCK, NPY, and progesterone. CONCLUSIONS ES may cause depression-like behaviors in adolescent female rats. Our findings supplement the scientific basis for formulating strategies to treat and prevent adolescent depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaimo Ding
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; Zhenjiang Mental Health Center, Jiangsu 212000, China
| | - Fei Wang
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; The First Clinical Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Ke Wang
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xuezhu Feng
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Min Yang
- Army Medical Center of PLA, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, No.10 Changjiang Branch Road, Daping, Yuzhong, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Bai Han
- The First Clinical Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Guohai Li
- Zhenjiang Mental Health Center, Jiangsu 212000, China.
| | - Suxia Li
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
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Gao Y, Nie K, Wang H, Dong H, Tang Y. Research progress on antidepressant effects and mechanisms of berberine. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1331440. [PMID: 38318145 PMCID: PMC10839030 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1331440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Depression, a global health problem with growing prevalence, brings serious impacts on the daily life of patients. However, the antidepressants currently used in clinical are not perfectly effective, which greatly reduces the compliance of patients. Berberine is a natural quaternary alkaloid which has been shown to have a variety of pharmacological effects, such as hypoglycemic, lipid-regulation, anti-cancer, antibacterial, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant. This review summarizes the evidence of pharmacological applications of berberine in treating depression and elucidates the mechanisms of berberine regulating neurotransmitter levels, promoting the regeneration of hippocampal neurons, improving hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction, anti-oxidative stress, and suppressing inflammatory status in order to provide a reference for further research and clinical application of berberine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Gao
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Kexin Nie
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hongzhan Wang
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hui Dong
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yueheng Tang
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Wang R, Kogler L, Derntl B. Sex differences in cortisol levels in depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Neuroendocrinol 2024; 72:101118. [PMID: 38176541 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Higher prevalence of depression in females might be associated with sex-specific cortisol levels. Evidence exists that cortisol levels differ between healthy females and males, however a sex-specific association in depression has not been systematically assessed. Thus, the current study quantifies the existing literature on different cortisol parameters, i.e., basal cortisol, hair cortisol, cortisol awakening response (CAR), and cortisol stress reactivity comparing depressed females and males as well as sex-specific comparisons with healthy controls. Following an extensive literature research, fifty original articles were included. Depressed females had significantly higher hair cortisol, higher CAR, and lower cortisol stress reactivity compared to depressed males. In comparison with sex-matched controls, female patients had significantly higher evening basal cortisol, higher CAR and lower cortisol stress reactivity, and male patients had significantly higher general, morning and evening basal cortisol. Overall, sex as a fundamental driver of cortisol levels in depression needs to be taken into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wang
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Women's Mental Health & Brain Function, Tübingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), Medical Faculty, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Lydia Kogler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Women's Mental Health & Brain Function, Tübingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), Medical Faculty, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Birgit Derntl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Women's Mental Health & Brain Function, Tübingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), Medical Faculty, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; LEAD Graduate School and Research Network, University of Tübingen, Germany
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Yang H, Narayan S, Schmidt MV. From Ligands to Behavioral Outcomes: Understanding the Role of Mineralocorticoid Receptors in Brain Function. Stress 2023; 26:2204366. [PMID: 37067948 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2023.2204366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress is a normal response to situational pressures or demands. Exposure to stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and leads to the release of corticosteroids, which act in the brain via two distinct receptors: mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR). Persistent HPA axis overactivation or dysregulation can disrupt an individual's homeostasis, thereby contributing to an increased risk for mental illness. On the other hand, successful coping with stressful events involves adaptive and cognitive processes in the brain that render individuals more resilient to similar stressors in the future. Here we review the role of the MR in these processes, starting with an overview of the physiological structure, ligand binding, and expression of MR, and further summarizing its role in the brain, its relevance to psychiatric disorders, and related rodent studies. Given the central role of MR in cognitive and emotional functioning, and its importance as a target for promoting resilience, future research should investigate how MR modulation can be used to alleviate disturbances in emotion and behavior, as well as cognitive impairment, in patients with stress-related psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanqing Yang
- Research Group Neurobiology of Stress Resilience, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Sowmya Narayan
- Research Group Neurobiology of Stress Resilience, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
- Department Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Mathias V Schmidt
- Research Group Neurobiology of Stress Resilience, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
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Lin X, Huang L, Huang H, Ke Z, Chen Y. Disturbed relationship between glucocorticoid receptor and 5-HT1AR/5-HT2AR in ADHD rats: A correlation study. Front Neurosci 2023; 16:1064369. [PMID: 36699537 PMCID: PMC9869156 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1064369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This work is to investigate the alterations of the central 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) system in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and the correlation with the behaviors of SHR, and to explore the effects of glucocorticoid intervention on the central 5-HT system and SHR behaviors. Materials and methods Three weeks old SHR were chosen as the attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) model and treated with glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonist or inhibitor, whereas Wista Kyoto rats (WKY) were chosen as the normal control group. Open-field test and Làt maze test were used to evaluate the spontaneous activities and non-selective attention. The levels of 5-HT in the extracellular fluid specimens of the prefrontal cortex of rats were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The expressions of GR, 5-HT1A receptor (5-HT1AR), and 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2AR) in the prefrontal cortex were analyzed through immunohistochemistry. Results Our study demonstrated that the 5-HT level was lower in the prefrontal cortex of SHR compared to that of WKY. The Open-field test and Làt maze test showed that GR agonist (dexamethasone, DEX) intervention ameliorated attention deficit and hyperactive behavior, whereas GR inhibitor (RU486) aggravated the disorders. With DEX, the expression levels of 5-HT and 5-HT2AR in the prefrontal cortex of SHR were significantly higher than those in the control group, whereas the expression level of 5-HT1AR was lower. However, the expression levels of 5-HT and 5-HT2AR were significantly decreased after the intervention with RU486, while the expression level of 5-HT1AR increased. Results showed that glucocorticoid was negatively correlated with 5-HT1AR and positively correlated with 5-HT2AR. Conclusion In the prefrontal cortex of ADHD rats, the down-regulation of 5-HT and 5-HT2AR expressions and the up-regulation of 5-HT1AR, compared with WYK rats, suggested a dysfunctional central 5-HT system in ADHD rats. The GR agonist can upregulate the expression of 5-HT and 5-HT2AR and downregulate the expression of 5-HT1AR in the prefrontal cortex of SHR as well as reduce the hyperactivity and attention deficit behavior in SHR, while the opposite was true for the GR inhibitor. It is suggested that the dysfunction of the 5-HT system in ADHD rats is closely related to glucocorticoid receptor activity.
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Haleem DJ. Nutritional importance of tryptophan for improving treatment in depression and diabetes. Nutr Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuac042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The importance of nutrients in our diet is becoming increasingly recognized. From the viewpoint of protein synthesis and other physiologic and metabolic functions, all amino acids are important, but some of these amino acids are not synthesized endogenously. This subset, called essential amino acids, comprise dietarily indispensable nutrients. Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, is the sole precursor of neuronal as well as peripheral serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine). Its systemic or oral administration increases serotonin synthesis because tryptophan hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme of 5-hydroxytryptamine biosynthesis, is physiologically unsaturated with its substrate. Central serotonin is implicated in a number of psychiatric illnesses, including depression, and in responses to stress. Acting peripherally, serotonin affects vasoconstriction, intestinal motility, control of T cell–mediated immunity, and liver and pancreatic functions. Depression and diabetes are 2 highly prevalent diseases that often coexist. There is evidence that occurrence of depression is 2–3 times higher in people with diabetes mellitus. A comorbid condition of diabetes and depression worsens the treatment and increases risk for death. Stress, known for its causal role in depression, can also enhance risk for diabetes. Stress-induced decreases in the circulating levels of tryptophan can impair brain and pancreatic serotonin-dependent functions to precipitate these diseases. The importance of tryptophan supplementation for improving therapeutic intervention in depression and diabetes is the focus of this article. A deficiency of this essential amino acid may enhance risk for depression as well as diabetes, and can also weaken treatment efficacy of medicinal compounds for treating these diseases. Guidelines for optimal levels of circulating tryptophan can help if supplements of this amino acid can improve treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darakhshan Jabeen Haleem
- University of Karachi Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine & Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Science, and the Department of Biochemistry, Neurochemistry and Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, , Karachi, Pakistan
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Contextual and individual factors associated with depressive symptoms in Latin American residents from eleven cities: Multilevel analysis. Prev Med 2022; 161:107156. [PMID: 35810937 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2022.107156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Depression is one of the most prevalent mental illnesses in the world. Its associated factors have been scarcely studied in the Latin American population. Our aim was to determine the contextual and individual factors associated with depressive symptoms (DS) in residents of 11 Latin American cities according to the 2019 CAF Survey (ECAF, acronym in Spanish). A multilevel analysis was performed to identify individual and contextual factors associated with DS. DS were measured by the short version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10). Of the 10,206 participants, 42.0% had DS in the week prior to the survey. Regarding the individual factors studied, women (OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.65-1.99), smokers (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.16-1.45), obese, junk food eaters more than twice a week, single people, and a greater number of people in the household were associated with greater probabilities of having DS. On the other hand, a secondary (OR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.67-0.88) or superior educational level (OR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.50-0.68) were associated as protective factors. Regarding contextual factors, higher contamination levels (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01-1.13) were associated with DS. Our study reports associations between individual and environmental factors and DS in residents of Latin America. These findings will allow the adoption of the necessary measures for decision-making and research to face this growing problem in developing countries.
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Saeed R, Mahmood K, Ali SB, Haleem DJ. Behavioral, Hormonal, and Serotonergic Responses to Different Restricted Feeding Schedules in Rats. Int J Tryptophan Res 2022; 15:11786469221104729. [PMID: 35757086 PMCID: PMC9218908 DOI: 10.1177/11786469221104729] [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: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
To determine the effect of long-term restricted feeding schedules on behavior, serotonergic responses, and neuro-endocrine functions, metabolism of serotonin (5-HT) in the striatum, expression of serotonin-1A (5-HT1A) auto-receptor in the raphe nuclei and circulating levels of leptin and corticosterone were determined in female Wistar rats kept on excessive food restriction schedule. Due to a role of dietary deficiency of tryptophan (Trp) in influencing serotonergic neurotransmission, circulating levels of Trp were also determined. Estimations were done in 2 different restricted feeding models: time-restricted feeding (TRF) and diet restricted (DR). TRF animals were given access to food ad libitum only for 2 hours/day. The DR animals were given a small calculated amount of food each day. We found that chronic food restriction for 5 weeks cause a significant decrease in the body weight and produced hyperactivity in both, TRF and DR animals. Levels of Trp were declined in circulation and in the striatum. Similarly, the levels of 5-HT and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were decreased in the striatum. Also, the expression of 5-HT1A auto-receptor was declined in the raphe nuclei. These changes in 5-HT metabolism and 5-HT1A auto-receptor expression were more profound in DR animals as compare to TRF animals. Similarly, hypoleptinemia and increased corticosterone found in both models was higher in DR animals. Effect of dietary deficiency of Trp in the modulation of striatal 5-HT metabolism and its consequences on circulating leptin and corticosterone are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raheel Saeed
- Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine & Drug Research (PCMD), International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Khalid Mahmood
- Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine & Drug Research (PCMD), International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Sadia Basharat Ali
- Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine & Drug Research (PCMD), International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Darakhshan Jabeen Haleem
- Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine & Drug Research (PCMD), International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, Pakistan
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Saeed R, Mahmood K, Ali SB, Haleem DJ. Prevention of diet restriction induced hyperactivity but not body-weight reduction in rats co-treated with tryptophan: relationship with striatal serotonin and dopamine metabolism and serotonin-1A auto-receptor expression. Nutr Neurosci 2021; 25:1764-1773. [PMID: 33722185 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2021.1901046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is an eating and behavioral disorder characterized with anxiety/depression, hyperactivity, behavioral impulsivity and psychosis. Most of the associated symptoms are related to the deficiency of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine: 5-HT) stores. A deficiency of 5-HT can modulate dopamine neurotransmission in the striatum to elicit hyperactivity and psychosis in AN patients. Also, the release and availability of 5-HT are modulated by serotonin-1A (5-HT1A) auto-receptor. The present study investigates the role of striatal metabolism of 5-HT and dopamine in precipitating hyperactivity in the rat model of diet restriction (DR) induced AN. The role of tryptophan (Trp) in influencing the 5-HT metabolism and the mRNA expression of 5-HT1A auto-receptor is also investigated. We find that long-term DR for 38 days reduces body-weight in rats and produces hyperactivity, similar to AN. This hyperactivity is characterized by declined striatal metabolism of both, dopamine and 5-HT. The mRNA expression of 5-HT1A auto-receptor in the raphe nuclei is also decreased. Trp co-treatment improves these deficiencies in monoamine metabolism and alleviates hyperactivity. Interestingly, DR-induced changes in body-weights are not effected by Trp co-treatment. The study suggests that the striatal metabolism of 5-HT and dopamine and mRNA expression of 5-HT1A auto-receptor has an important role in the pathogenesis of AN. The finding suggests that co-use of Trp can prevent precipitation of AN by normalizing 5-HT metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raheel Saeed
- Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine & Drug Research (PCMD), International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Khalid Mahmood
- Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine & Drug Research (PCMD), International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Sadia Basharat Ali
- Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine & Drug Research (PCMD), International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Darakhshan Jabeen Haleem
- Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine & Drug Research (PCMD), International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
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Haleem DJ. Glucocorticoids in the Physiological and Transcriptional Regulation of 5-HT1A Receptor and the Pathogenesis of Depression. Neuroscientist 2020; 28:59-68. [PMID: 33243080 DOI: 10.1177/1073858420975711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
There is growing increase in the global prevalence of depression, but treatment outcome of this highly disabling disease is not satisfactory. Many patients are not benefitted by the currently prescribed antidepressants-together with this partial remission is very common. Improving treatment strategies and developing better therapeutic agents for treating depression is therefore highly needed. Stress-related epigenetic changes play a critical role in the pathogenesis as well as treatment of depression. Stressful events activate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to increase circulating levels of glucocorticoids (GCs), and a greater sensitivity to this fright and flight response increases risk of depression. A role of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) in responses to stress and in the pathogenesis and treatment of depression is well established. Substantial evidence supports a critical role of 5-HT1A receptors in these effects of 5-HT. The present article targets stress-induced higher and sustained increases of GCs and mediated influences on the physiological as well transcriptional regulation of 5-HT1A receptors to evaluate their causal role in the pathogenesis of depression. It is suggested that synthetic compounds with antagonist activity for GC receptors and agonist activity for 5-HT1A receptors may prove better therapeutic agents for treating depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darakhshan Jabeen Haleem
- Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine & Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Science, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
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