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Zhang Y, Zhang H, Zheng X, Hou Y, Chang X, Zhang L, Wang Y, Chen S. Identification of differentially expressed genes in the medial prefrontal cortex of rats subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress and treated with electroacupuncture. Genomics 2024; 116:110901. [PMID: 39047876 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2024.110901] [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: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is a chronic mental health condition that seriously impacts afflicted individuals. Although electroacupuncture has proven to be an effective therapy for depression, its underlying biological mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture on depression-like behavior and to identify potential target genes related to those effects. To achieve this, we subjected rats to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and used sucrose preference, forced swimming, and open-field tests to determine their depression-like behavior in the absence or after receipt of electroacupuncture treatment. RNA sequencing technology was then used to reveal the differentially expressed genes associated with depression and electroacupuncture treatment effects in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Repeated electroacupuncture treatments at the Baihui (GV20) and Taichong (LR3) acupoints significantly alleviated depression-like behavioral defects in the animals. Genomic RNA sequencing revealed several significant changes in the mPFC transcriptome of rats that received treatment. Through differential gene expression analysis, we found that electroacupuncture reversed the CUMS-induced downregulation of 46 genes and upregulation of 13 genes. Among the differentially expressed genes, Casr, Bdkrb2, Gnb3, and Ccl1 were found to be associated with depression and electroacupuncture treatment effects. In conclusion, we verified that electroacupuncture treatment has an effective antidepressant effect, and the underlying mechanism involves multiple systems and targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujiao Zhang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong 250355, China
| | - Haiyan Zhang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong 250355, China
| | - Xinjie Zheng
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong 250355, China
| | - Yi Hou
- College of Acupuncture and Massage, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoli Chang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong 250355, China
| | - Lili Zhang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong 250355, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong 250355, China.
| | - Shaozong Chen
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong 250355, China.
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Chang J, Yang H, Shan X, Zhao L, Li Y, Zhang Z, Abankwah JK, Zhang M, Bian Y, Guo Y. Bergamot essential oil improves CUMS-induced depression-like behaviour in rats by protecting the plasticity of hippocampal neurons. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18178. [PMID: 38553964 PMCID: PMC10980931 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Bergamot essential oil (BEO) is an extract of the bergamot fruit with significant neuroprotective effect. This study was to investigate the effects and the underlying mechanism of BEO in mitigating depression. GC-MS were used to identify its constituents. Antidepressive properties of BEO were evaluated by sucrose preference test (SPT), force swimming test (FST) and open field test (OFT). Nissl staining was used to determine the number of Nissl bodies in hippocampus (HIPP) of rats. Changes in HIPP dendritic length and dendritic spine density were detected by Golgi-Cox staining. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95) and synaptophysin (SYP) in the HIPP of rats. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the HIPP, serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of rats. Inhaled BEO significantly improved depressive behaviour in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rats. BEO increased Nissl bodies, dendritic length and spine density, PSD-95 and SYP protein in the HIPP. Additionally, BEO upregulated serum 5-HT, serum and CSF IGF-1, while downregulating serum IL-1β. Collectively, inhaled BEO mitigates depression by protecting the plasticity of hippocampal neurons, hence, providing novel insights into treatment of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Chang
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese MedicineTianjinChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and MoxibustionTianjinChina
- School of Integrative MedicineTianjin University of Traditional Chinese MedicineTianjinChina
| | - Huimin Yang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese MedicineTianjinChina
| | - Xiaoqian Shan
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese MedicineTianjinChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and MoxibustionTianjinChina
| | - Lan Zhao
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese MedicineTianjinChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and MoxibustionTianjinChina
| | - Yujiao Li
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese MedicineTianjinChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and MoxibustionTianjinChina
| | - Zhao Zhang
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese MedicineTianjinChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and MoxibustionTianjinChina
| | | | - Mingxing Zhang
- School of Integrative MedicineTianjin University of Traditional Chinese MedicineTianjinChina
| | - Yuhong Bian
- School of Integrative MedicineTianjin University of Traditional Chinese MedicineTianjinChina
| | - Yi Guo
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and MoxibustionTianjinChina
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture ScienceTianjin University of Traditional Chinese MedicineTianjinChina
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Wu R, Xiong Y, Gu Y, Cao LY, Zhang SY, Song ZX, Fan P, Lin L. Traditional Pediatric Massage Enhanced Hippocampal GR, BDNF and IGF-1 Expressions and Exerted an Anti-depressant Effect in an Adolescent Rat Model of CUMS-induced Depression. Neuroscience 2024; 542:47-58. [PMID: 38364964 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.01.025] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the anti-depressant effect of traditional pediatric massage (TPM) in adolescent rats and its possible mechanism. The adolescent depression model in rats was established by using chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). All rats were randomly divided into five groups (seven per group), including the groups of control (CON), CUMS, CUMS with TPM, CUMS with back stroking massage (BSM) and CUMS with fluoxetine (FLX). The tests of sucrose preference, Morris water maze and elevated plus maze were used to evaluate depression-related behaviors. Plasma corticosterone (CORT) level was measured by ELISA. The gene and protein expressions of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were measured by RT-qPCR and IHC respectively. The results showed that CUMS induced depression-related behaviors in the adolescent rats, along with decreased weight gain and reduced hippocampal expressions of GR, IGF-1 and BDNF. TPM could effectively prevent depression-related behaviors in CUMS-exposed adolescent rats, manifested as increasing weight gain, sucrose consumption, ratio of open-arm entry, times of crossing the specific quadrant and shortening escape latency. TPM also decreased CORT level in plasma, together with enhancing expressions of GR, IGF-1 and BDNF in the hippocampus. These results may support the clinical application of TPM to prevent and treat adolescent depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Wu
- College of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Xiong
- College of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yun Gu
- College of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Li-Yue Cao
- College of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shu-Ying Zhang
- College of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi-Xiu Song
- College of Health and Rehabilitation, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Pu Fan
- College of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Lin
- College of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Wang D, Wang J, Yu Z, Yao R, Zhang J, Zhao X. Quercetin Alleviates Perimenopausal Depression Induced by Ovariectomy Combined with Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Through Regulating Serum Elements and Inhibiting Ferroptosis in Prefrontal Cortex of Rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024:10.1007/s12011-024-04106-7. [PMID: 38388751 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04106-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of quercetin on the alterations of serum elements in perimenopausal depression rat model induced by ovariectomy combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress (OVX-CUMS) and possible mechanisms. According to the results of the sucrose preference test, the rats were randomly assigned to four groups: sham, OVX-CUMS, OVX-CUMS + 17β-estradiol (17β-estradiol: 0.27 mg/kg.bw), and OVX-CUMS + Quercetin (Quercetin: 50 mg/kg.bw). At the end of experiment, serum and prefrontal cortex of rats were collected. The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis showed that levels of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), selenium (Se), cobalt (Co) and zinc (Zn) decreased, and levels of iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) increased in serum and prefrontal cortex of OVX-CUMS rats compared with sham group (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, the levels of the above elements in prefrontal cortex had correlation with behavioral characteristics in OVX-CUMS rats (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). The abnormal elements in serum may cross blood-brain-barrier into the brain and induce oxidative stress, leading to ferroptosis. Furtherly, the expressions of ferroptosis-related protein including GPX4 and SLC7A11 were decreased in prefrontal cortex of OVX-CUMS rats (p < 0.01), which confirmed the above results. Quercetin treatment restored the above abnormal indicators (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) induced by OVX-CUMS in rats. Our study suggested that quercetin regulated variation of elements in serum and prefrontal cortex, further inhibiting ferroptosis in prefrontal cortex through alleviating oxidative stress in OVX-CUMS rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Ziran Yu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Ranqi Yao
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jingnan Zhang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Xiujuan Zhao
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, 194 Xuefu Road, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, China.
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Tong T, Hao C, Shen J, Liu S, Yan S, Aslam MS, Chen Y, Chen W, Li J, Li Y, Zeng J, Li M, You Z, Gulizhaerkezi T, Wei S, Zhu A, Meng X. Electroacupuncture ameliorates chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression-like behavior and cognitive impairment through suppressing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in rats. Brain Res Bull 2024; 206:110838. [PMID: 38123022 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110838] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is associated with lowered mood, anxiety, anhedonia, cognitive impairments, and even suicidal tendencies in severe cases. Yet few studies have directed acupuncture's mechanism toward enhancing axonal repair correlated with synaptic plasticity and anti-inflammatory effects related to oxidative stress in the hippocampus. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group (CON), chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) group, CUMS + electroacupuncture group (EA), and CUMS + fluoxetine group (FLX) (n = 10/group). Rats were given a 28-day treatment at the Shangxing (GV23) and Fengfu (GV16) acupoints with electroacupuncture or fluoxetine (2.1 mg/kg). RESULTS Rats exposed to CUMS induced depression-like behaviors and spatial learning-memory impairment, changed the ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA-1), Vglut1, myelin basic protein (MBP), and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) level of hippocampal, increased the Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), atypical squamous cell (ASC), Caspase level and hippocampal reactive oxygen species (ROS), and prompted the activation of Epha4-mediated signaling and an inflammatory response. Conversely, electroacupuncture administration reduced these changes and prevented depression-like behaviors and cognitive impairment. Electroacupuncture also promoted hippocampal expression of Sirtuin1(SIRT1), Nuclear factor erythroid 2-like (Nrf2), Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1); reduced the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-18 (IL-18), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α); and prevented neural damage, particularly the synaptic myelin sheath, and neuroinflammation by regulating Eph receptor A4 (EphA4) in the hippocampal. CONCLUSION These results indicate that electroacupuncture prevents depression-like behaviors with cognitive impairment and synaptic and neuronal damage, probably by reducing EphA4, which mediates ROS hyperfunction and the inflammatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Tong
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China; Second Clinical College, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi, PR China.
| | - Chongyao Hao
- Second Clinical College, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi, PR China.
| | - Junliang Shen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China.
| | - Siyu Liu
- Longyan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Xiamen University, Longyan, Fujian, PR China.
| | - Simin Yan
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China.
| | | | - Yiping Chen
- Second Clinical College, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi, PR China.
| | - Wenjie Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China.
| | - Jianguo Li
- Second Clinical College, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi, PR China.
| | - Yuhan Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, PR China.
| | - Jingyu Zeng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China.
| | - Meng Li
- Second Clinical College, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi, PR China.
| | - Zhuoran You
- Second Clinical College, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi, PR China.
| | - Tuergong Gulizhaerkezi
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China.
| | - Simiao Wei
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China.
| | - Anning Zhu
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xianjun Meng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China.
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Chen H, Wu C, Lv Q, Li M, Ren L. Targeting Mitochondrial Homeostasis: The Role of Acupuncture in Depression Treatment. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2023; 19:1741-1753. [PMID: 37546517 PMCID: PMC10404048 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s421540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Depression is a common mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, and a range of physical and cognitive symptoms. It affects people of all ages and can significantly impact their daily functioning and quality of life. Mitochondrial homeostasis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of depression. Mitochondrial homeostasis includes mitophagy, mitochondrial oxidative stress, mitoptosis, mitochondrial biogenesis, and mitochondrial dynamics. The regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis is the key link in the prevention and treatment of depression. Methods In this article, we focus on the core link of depression-mitochondrial homeostasis and summarize the research progress of acupuncture targeting mitochondrial homeostasis in the treatment of depression in recent years, so as to provide ideas and experimental basis for the research and formulation of more appropriate depression treatment strategies. Results Acupuncture has been found to regulate mitochondrial homeostasis (by modulating mitochondrial autophagy, reducing mitochondrial oxidative stress, inhibiting mitochondrial fission, inducing mitochondrial biogenesis, and maintaining mitochondrial dynamics), alleviate depression-like behavior, and regulate signal pathways and key proteins. Conclusion Here, we highlight the role of acupuncture in the treatment of depression. A comprehensive exploration of the impact of acupuncture on mitochondrial homeostasis could potentially present a novel mechanism for treating depression and offer fresh perspectives for the treatment of patients with clinical depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyang Chen
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, 110847, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chenlin Wu
- Graduate School, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, 110847, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qin Lv
- Graduate School, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, 110847, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingjie Li
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, 110847, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lu Ren
- Graduate School, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, 110847, People’s Republic of China
- Mental Disorders Research Laboratory, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, 110847, People’s Republic of China
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