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Li B, Yan Y, Zhang T, Xu H, Wu X, Yao G, Li X, Yan C, Wu LL. Quercetin reshapes gut microbiota homeostasis and modulates brain metabolic profile to regulate depression-like behaviors induced by CUMS in rats. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1362464. [PMID: 38595919 PMCID: PMC11002179 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1362464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Quercetin, an abundant flavonoid compound in plants, is considered a novel antidepressant; however, its mechanisms of action are poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of quercetin on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression-like behaviors in rats and explore the underlying mechanisms by combining untargeted metabolomics and 16S rRNA sequencing analysis of brain tissue metabolites and gut microbiota. Gut microbiota analysis revealed that at the phylum level, quercetin reduced Firmicutes and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio and enhanced Cyanobacteria. At the genus level, quercetin downregulated 6 and upregulated 14 bacterial species. Metabolomics analysis revealed that quercetin regulated multiple metabolic pathways, including glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, sphingolipid metabolism, the pentose phosphate pathway, and coenzyme A biosynthesis. This modulation leads to improvements in depression-like phenotypes, anxiety-like phenotypes, and cognitive function, highlighting the therapeutic potential of quercetin in treating depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Can Yan
- Integrative Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li-Li Wu
- Integrative Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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Liu K, Qu Y, Li B, Zeng N, Yao G, Wu X, Xu H, Yan C, Wu L. GRP94 in cerebrospinal fluid may contribute to a potential biomarker of depression: Based on proteomics. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 169:328-340. [PMID: 38081093 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.11.028] [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: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
The present study was designed to investigate potential biomarkers of depression and targets of antidepressants from the perspective of hippocampal endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) based on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteomics. Firstly, a six-week depression model was established and treated with fluoxetine (FLX). We found antidepressant-FLX could ameliorate depression-like behaviors and cognition in depressed rats caused by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). FLX significantly increased neuronal numbers in dentate gyrus (DG) and CA3 regions of hippocampus. CSF proteome data revealed thirty-seven differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) co-regulated by CUMS and FLX, including GRP94 and EIF2α. Results of Gene Oncology (GO) annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment for DEPs mainly included PERK-mediated unfolded protein response, endoplasmic reticulum, and translational initiation. The expression levels of GRP94, p-PERK, p-EIF2α, CHOP and Caspase-12 were increased in hippocampus of CUMS rats, and FLX worked the opposite way. FLX had strong affinity and binding activity with GRP94 protein, and four key proteins on the PERK pathway (PERK, EIF2α, p-EIF2α, CHOP). We proposed that FLX may exert antidepressant effects and neuroprotective action by alleviating excessive activation of the hippocampal PERK pathway and reducing neuronal deficits in depressed rats. PERK, EIF2α, p-EIF2α, and CHOP may be potential targets for antidepressant-FLX. GRP94 in CSF may be a potential biomarker of depression and the therapeutic effects of antidepressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaige Liu
- Integrative Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yue Qu
- Integrative Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Bozhi Li
- Integrative Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Ningxi Zeng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The People's Hospital of Longhua District, Shenzhen, 518109, China
| | - Gaolei Yao
- Integrative Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xiaofeng Wu
- Integrative Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Hanfang Xu
- Integrative Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Can Yan
- Integrative Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Lili Wu
- Integrative Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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