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Guo N, Wang X, Xu M, Bai J, Yu H, Le Zhang. PI3K/AKT signaling pathway: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential in depression. Pharmacol Res 2024; 206:107300. [PMID: 38992850 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107300] [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: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Depression is a serious global mental disorder. Numerous studies have found that depression may be closely related to decreased neurogenesis, neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter imbalance, and synaptic plasticity dysfunction. The pathogenesis of depression is complex and involves multiple signal transduction pathways and molecular changes. The PI3K/AKT pathway is an essential signaling pathways in neurons, which is widely expressed in emotion-related regions of the brain. Therefore, the PI3K/AKT pathway may play a moderating role in mood disorders. However, the role and mechanism of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in depression have not been fully described. This review systematically summarized the role of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of depression and discussed its potential in the treatment of depression. This will help in the treatment of depression and the development of antidepressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningning Guo
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Radiation Therapy, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Muran Xu
- Clinical College, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Jie Bai
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China.
| | - Hao Yu
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, China.
| | - Le Zhang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China.
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Mao Q, Zhang H, Zhang Z, Lu Y, Pan J, Guo D, Huang L, Tian H, Ma K. Co-decoction of Lilii bulbus and Radix Rehmannia Recens and its key bioactive ingredient verbascoside inhibit neuroinflammation and intestinal permeability associated with chronic stress-induced depression via the gut microbiota-brain axis. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 129:155510. [PMID: 38696921 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gut microbiota plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of depression and are a therapeutic target via maintaining the homeostasis of the host through the gut microbiota-brain axis (GMBA). A co-decoction of Lilii bulbus and Radix Rehmannia Recens (LBRD), in which verbascoside is the key active ingredient, improves brain and gastrointestinal function in patients with depression. However, in depression treatment using verbascoside or LBRD, mechanisms underlying the bidirectional communication between the intestine and brain via the GMBA are still unclear. PURPOSE This study aimed to examine the role of verbascoside in alleviating depression via gut-brain bidirectional communication and to study the possible pathways involved in the GMBA. METHODS Key molecules and compounds involved in antidepressant action were identified using HPLC and transcriptomic analyses. The antidepressant effects of LBRD and verbascoside were observed in chronic stress induced depression model by behavioural test, neuronal morphology, and synaptic dendrite ultrastructure, and their neuroprotective function was measured in corticosterone (CORT)-stimulated nerve cell injury model. The causal link between the gut microbiota and the LBRD and verbascoside antidepressant efficacy was evaluate via gut microbiota composition analysis and faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). RESULTS LBRD and Verbascoside administration ameliorated depression-like behaviours and synaptic damage by reversing gut microbiota disturbance and inhibiting inflammatory responses as the result of impaired intestinal permeability or blood-brain barrier leakiness. Furthermore, verbascoside exerted neuroprotective effects against CORT-induced cytotoxicity in an in vitro depression model. FMT therapy indicated that verbascoside treatment attenuated gut inflammation and central nervous system inflammatory responses, as well as eliminated neurotransmitter and brain-gut peptide deficiencies in the prefrontal cortex by modulating the composition of gut microbiota. Lactobacillus, Parabacteroides, Bifidobacterium, and Ruminococcus might play key roles in the antidepressant effects of LBRD via the GMBA. CONCLUSION The current study elucidates the multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway therapeutic effects of LBRD on depression by remodeling GMBA homeostasis and further verifies the causality between gut microbiota and the antidepressant effects of verbascoside and LBRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiancheng Mao
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, PR China
| | - Hongxiu Zhang
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, PR China; Institute of Virology, Jinan Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan 250021, PR China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, PR China
| | - Yanting Lu
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, PR China
| | - Jin Pan
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, PR China
| | - Dongjing Guo
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, PR China
| | - Liuxuan Huang
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, PR China
| | - Haoquan Tian
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, PR China
| | - Ke Ma
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Classic TCM Formula, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, PR China.
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Elfakharany SA, Eskaros SS, Azhary NME, Abdelmonsif DA, Zeitoun TM, Ammar GAG, Hatem YA. Neuroprotective Role of Selenium Nanoparticles Against Behavioral, Neurobiochemical and Histological Alterations in Rats Subjected to Chronic Restraint Stress. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04196-3. [PMID: 38703343 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04196-3] [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: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Chronic stress induces changes in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) showed promising results in several neurological animal models. The implementation of SeNPs in chronic restraint stress (CRS) remains to be elucidated. This study was done to determine the possible protective effects of selenium nanoparticles on behavioral changes and brain oxidative stress markers in a rat model of CRS. 50 rats were divided into three groups; control group (n = 10), untreated CRS group (n = 10) and CRS-SeNPs treated group (n = 30). Restraint stress was performed 6 h./day for 21 days. Rats of CRS-SeNPs treated group received 1, 2.5 or 5 mg/kg SeNPs (10 rats each) by oral gavage for 21 days. Rats were subjected to behavioral assessments and then sacrificed for biochemical and histological analysis of the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Prefrontal cortical and hippocampal serotonin levels, oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and caspase-3 were assessed. Accordingly, different doses of SeNPs showed variable effectiveness in ameliorating disease parameters, with 2.5 mg/kg dose of SeNPs showing the best improving results in all studied parameters. The present study exhibited the neuroprotective role of SeNPs in rats subjected to CRS and proposed their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects as the possible mechanism for increased prefrontal cortical and hippocampal serotonin level, ameliorated anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors and improved prefrontal cortical and hippocampal histological architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Elfakharany
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, Al-Mouassat Medical Campus, El Hadara, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Samir S Eskaros
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, Al-Mouassat Medical Campus, El Hadara, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Nesrine M El Azhary
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, Al-Mouassat Medical Campus, El Hadara, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Doaa A Abdelmonsif
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, Al- Moussat Medical Campus, El Hadara, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Teshreen M Zeitoun
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, Al-Moussat Medical Campus, El Hadara, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Gamal A G Ammar
- Biotechnology Unit, Plant Production Department (PPD), Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute (ALCRI), City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), New Borg El‑Arab City, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Youssef A Hatem
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, Al-Mouassat Medical Campus, El Hadara, Alexandria, Egypt
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Li YX, Tan ZN, Li XH, Ma B, Adu Nti F, Lv XQ, Tian ZJ, Yan R, Man HY, Ma XM. Increased gene dosage of RFWD2 causes autistic-like behaviors and aberrant synaptic formation and function in mice. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02515-7. [PMID: 38503925 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02515-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interactions, communication deficits and repetitive behaviors. A study of autistic human subjects has identified RFWD2 as a susceptibility gene for autism, and autistic patients have 3 copies of the RFWD2 gene. The role of RFWD2 as an E3 ligase in neuronal functions, and its contribution to the pathophysiology of ASD, remain unknown. We generated RFWD2 knockin mice to model the human autistic condition of high gene dosage of RFWD2. We found that heterozygous knockin (Rfwd2+/-) male mice exhibited the core symptoms of autism. Rfwd2+/- male mice showed deficits in social interaction and communication, increased repetitive and anxiety-like behavior, and spatial memory deficits, whereas Rfwd2+/- female mice showed subtle deficits in social communication and spatial memory but were normal in anxiety-like, repetitive, and social behaviors. These autistic-like behaviors in males were accompanied by a reduction in dendritic spine density and abnormal synaptic function on layer II/III pyramidal neurons in the prelimbic area of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), as well as decreased expression of synaptic proteins. Impaired social behaviors in Rfwd2+/- male mice were rescued by the expression of ETV5, one of the major substrates of RFWD2, in the mPFC. These findings indicate an important role of RFWD2 in the pathogenesis of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Xia Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhi-Nei Tan
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xu-Hui Li
- Center for Neuron and Disease, Frontier Institutes of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Boyu Ma
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Frank Adu Nti
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiao-Qiang Lv
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhen-Jun Tian
- Institute of Sports Biology, College of Physical Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Riqiang Yan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Heng-Ye Man
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Xin-Ming Ma
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA.
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Reyes-Lizaola S, Luna-Zarate U, Tendilla-Beltrán H, Morales-Medina JC, Flores G. Structural and biochemical alterations in dendritic spines as key mechanisms for severe mental illnesses. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 129:110876. [PMID: 37863171 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110876] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Severe mental illnesses (SMI) collectively affect approximately 20% of the global population, as estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite having diverse etiologies, clinical symptoms, and pharmacotherapies, these diseases share a common pathophysiological characteristic: the misconnection of brain areas involved in reality perception, executive control, and cognition, including the corticolimbic system. Dendritic spines play a crucial role in excitatory neurotransmission within the central nervous system. These small structures exhibit remarkable plasticity, regulated by factors such as neurotransmitter tone, neurotrophic factors, and innate immunity-related molecules, and other mechanisms - all of which are associated with the pathophysiology of SMI. However, studying dendritic spine mechanisms in both healthy and pathological conditions in patients is fraught with technical limitations. This is where animal models related to these diseases become indispensable. They have played a pivotal role in elucidating the significance of dendritic spines in SMI. In this review, the information regarding the potential role of dendritic spines in SMI was summarized, drawing from clinical and animal model reports. Also, the implications of targeting dendritic spine-related molecules for SMI treatment were explored. Specifically, our focus is on major depressive disorder and the neurodevelopmental disorders schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. Abundant clinical and basic research has studied the functional and structural plasticity of dendritic spines in these diseases, along with potential pharmacological targets that modulate the dynamics of these structures. These targets may be associated with the clinical efficacy of the pharmacotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Reyes-Lizaola
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Licenciatura en Medicina, Universidad Popular del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP), Puebla, Mexico
| | - Ulises Luna-Zarate
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Licenciatura en Medicina, Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP), Puebla, Mexico
| | - Hiram Tendilla-Beltrán
- Laboratorio de Neuropsiquiatría, Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), Puebla, Mexico
| | - Julio César Morales-Medina
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, CINVESTAV-Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, Mexico
| | - Gonzalo Flores
- Laboratorio de Neuropsiquiatría, Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), Puebla, Mexico.
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Cui W, Chen C, Gong L, Wen J, Yang S, Zheng M, Gao B, You J, Lin X, Hao Y, Chen Z, Wu Z, Gao L, Tang J, Yuan Z, Sun X, Jing L, Wen G. PGAM5 knockout causes depressive-like behaviors in mice via ATP deficiency in the prefrontal cortex. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14377. [PMID: 37622283 PMCID: PMC10848067 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects about 17% population in the world. Although abnormal energy metabolism plays an important role in the pathophysiology of MDD, however, how deficiency of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) products affects emotional circuit and what regulates ATP synthesis are still need to be elaborated. AIMS Our study aimed to investigate how deficiency of PGAM5-mediated depressive behavior. RESULTS We firstly discovered that PGAM5 knockout (PGAM5-/- ) mice generated depressive-like behaviors. The phenotype was reinforced by the observation that chronic unexpected mild stress (CUMS)-induced depressive mice exhibited lowered expression of PGAM5 in prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus (HIP), and striatum. Next, we found, with the using of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), that the functional connectivity between PFC reward system and the PFC volume were reduced in PGAM5-/- mice. PGAM5 ablation resulted in the loss of dendritic spines and lowered density of PSD95 in PFC, but not in HIP. Finally, we found that PGAM5 ablation led to lowered ATP concentration in PFC, but not in HIP. Coimmunoprecipitation study showed that PGAM5 directly interacted with the ATP F1 F0 synthase without influencing the interaction between ATP F1 F0 synthase and Bcl-xl. We then conducted ATP administration to PGAM5-/- mice and found that ATP could rescue the behavioral and neuronal phenotypes of PGAM5-/- mice. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide convincing evidence that PGAM5 ablation generates depressive-like behaviors via restricting neuronal ATP production so as to impair the number of neuronal spines in PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Cui
- Department of Imaging Diagnostics, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Chunhui Chen
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouChina
| | - Liya Gong
- Department of Imaging Diagnostics, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Junyan Wen
- Department of Imaging Diagnostics, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Shanshan Yang
- Department of Imaging Diagnostics, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Min Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Baogui Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese MedicineSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Junxiong You
- School of Traditional Chinese MedicineSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xuecong Lin
- Department of Imaging Diagnostics, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yanyu Hao
- Department of Imaging Diagnostics, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Zhimin Chen
- Department of Imaging Diagnostics, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Ziqi Wu
- Department of Imaging Diagnostics, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Liaoming Gao
- Department of Imaging Diagnostics, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Jiayu Tang
- Department of Imaging Diagnostics, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Zhen Yuan
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain SciencesUniversity of MacauTaipaChina
| | - Xuegang Sun
- School of Traditional Chinese MedicineSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Linlin Jing
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Ge Wen
- Department of Imaging Diagnostics, Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
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Ribeiro-Davis A, Al Saeedy DY, Jahr FM, Hawkins E, McClay JL, Deshpande LS. Ketamine Produces Antidepressant Effects by Inhibiting Histone Deacetylases and Upregulating Hippocampal Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in a Diisopropyl Fluorophosphate-Based Rat Model of Gulf War Illness. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 388:647-654. [PMID: 37863487 PMCID: PMC10801753 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately one-third of Gulf War veterans suffer from Gulf War Illness (GWI), which encompasses mood disorders and depressive symptoms. Deployment-related exposure to organophosphate compounds has been associated with GWI development. Epigenetic modifications have been reported in GWI veterans. We previously showed that epigenetic histone dysregulations were associated with decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in a GWI rat model. GWI has no effective therapies. Ketamine (KET) has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for therapy-resistant depression. Interestingly, BDNF upregulation underlies KET's antidepressant effect in GWI-related depression. Here, we investigated whether KET's effect on histone mechanisms signals BDNF upregulations in GWI. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected once daily with diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP; 0.5 mg/kg, s.c., 5 days). At 6 months following DFP exposure, KET (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected, and brains were dissected 24 hours later. Western blotting was used for protein expression, and epigenetic studies used chromatin immunoprecipitation methods. Dil staining was conducted for assessing dendritic spines. Our results indicated that an antidepressant dose of KET inhibited the upregulation of histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes in DFP rats. Furthermore, KET restored acetylated histone occupancy at the Bdnf promoter IV and induced BDNF protein expression in DFP rats. Finally, KET treatment also increased the spine density and altered the spine diversity with increased T-type and decreased S-type spines in DFP rats. Given these findings, we propose that KET's actions involve the inhibition of HDAC expression, upregulation of BDNF, and dendritic modifications that together ameliorates the pathologic synaptic plasticity and exerts an antidepressant effect in DFP rats. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study offers evidence supporting the involvement of epigenetic histone pathways in the antidepressant effects of ketamine (KET) in a rat model of Gulf War Illness (GWI)-like depression. This effect is achieved through the modulation of histone acetylation at the Bdnf promoter, resulting in elevated brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression and subsequent dendritic remodeling in the hippocampus. These findings underscore the rationale for considering KET as a potential candidate for clinical trials aimed at managing GWI-related depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Ribeiro-Davis
- Departments of Neurology (A.R.-D., E.H., L.S.D.), Pharmacology and Toxicology (L.S.D.), School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia and Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcome Sciences (D.Y.A.S., F.M.J., J.L.M.), School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Dalia Y Al Saeedy
- Departments of Neurology (A.R.-D., E.H., L.S.D.), Pharmacology and Toxicology (L.S.D.), School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia and Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcome Sciences (D.Y.A.S., F.M.J., J.L.M.), School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Fay M Jahr
- Departments of Neurology (A.R.-D., E.H., L.S.D.), Pharmacology and Toxicology (L.S.D.), School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia and Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcome Sciences (D.Y.A.S., F.M.J., J.L.M.), School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Elisa Hawkins
- Departments of Neurology (A.R.-D., E.H., L.S.D.), Pharmacology and Toxicology (L.S.D.), School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia and Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcome Sciences (D.Y.A.S., F.M.J., J.L.M.), School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Joseph L McClay
- Departments of Neurology (A.R.-D., E.H., L.S.D.), Pharmacology and Toxicology (L.S.D.), School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia and Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcome Sciences (D.Y.A.S., F.M.J., J.L.M.), School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Laxmikant S Deshpande
- Departments of Neurology (A.R.-D., E.H., L.S.D.), Pharmacology and Toxicology (L.S.D.), School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia and Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcome Sciences (D.Y.A.S., F.M.J., J.L.M.), School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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Hwang DJ, Koo JH, Kim TK, Jang YC, Hyun AH, Yook JS, Yoon CS, Cho JY. Exercise as an antidepressant: exploring its therapeutic potential. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1259711. [PMID: 37772067 PMCID: PMC10523322 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1259711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the prevalence of depressive disorders worldwide, requiring alternative treatments beyond medication and psychotherapy. Exercise has positive effects on the brain; therefore, it has emerged as a promising therapeutic option for individuals with depression. Considerable research involving humans and animals offers compelling evidence to support the mental health benefits of physical activity or exercise mediated by the regulation of complex theoretical paradigms. However, challenges such as conducting long-term follow-up assessments and considering individual characteristics remain in human studies despite extensive efforts. While animal studies provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of exercise and its impact on outcomes related to depression and anxiety in rodents exposed to different stress paradigms, translating the findings to humans requires careful evaluation. More research is needed to establish precise exercise prescription guidelines and to better understand the complex relationship between exercise and depressive disorders. Therefore, this concise review explores the evidence supporting exercise intervention as an antidepressant treatment and its underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Joo Hwang
- Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, Korea National Sport University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Sport Science Institute, Korea National Sport University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hoon Koo
- Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, Korea National Sport University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Kyung Kim
- Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, Korea National Sport University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Sport Science Institute, Korea National Sport University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Chul Jang
- Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, Korea National Sport University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ah-Hyun Hyun
- Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, Korea National Sport University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jang-Soo Yook
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Sun Yoon
- Department of Physical Education, Korea National Sport University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Yong Cho
- Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, Korea National Sport University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Zhang MJ, Song ML, Zhang Y, Yang XM, Lin HS, Chen WC, Zhong XD, He CY, Li T, Liu Y, Chen WG, Sun HT, Ao HQ, He SQ. SNS alleviates depression-like behaviors in CUMS mice by regluating dendritic spines via NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 312:116360. [PMID: 37028613 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Depression is one of the most common mood disturbances worldwide. The Si-ni-san formula (SNS) is a famous classic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) widely used to treat depression for thousands of years in clinics. However, the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of SNS in improving depression-like behaviors following chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) remains unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to investigate whether SNS alleviates depression-like behaviors in CUMS mice by regulating dendritic spines via NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy in vitro and in vivo. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS In vivo, mice were exposed to CUMS for 42 days, and SNS (4.9, 9.8, 19.6 g/kg/d), fluoxetine (10 mg/kg/d), 3-methyladenine (3-MA) (30 mg/kg/d), rapamycin(1 mg/kg/d), and deferoxamine (DFO) (200 mg/kg/d) were conducted once daily during the last 3 weeks of the CUMS procedure. In vitro, a depressive model was established by culture of SH-SY5Y cells with corticosterone, followed by treatment with different concentrations of freeze-dried SNS (0.001, 0.01, 0.1 mg/mL) and rapamycin (10 nM), NCOA4-overexpression, Si-NCOA4. After the behavioral test (open-field test (OFT), sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST), dendritic spines, GluR2 protein expression, iron concentration, and ferritinophagy-related protein levels (P62, FTH, NCOA4, LC3-II/LC3-I) were tested in vitro and in vivo using immunohistochemistry, golgi staining, immunofluorescence, and Western blot assays. Finally, HEK-293T cells were transfected by si-NCOA4 or GluR2-and NCOA4-overexpression plasmid and treated with corticosterone(100 μM), freeze-dried SNS(0.01 mg/mL), rapamycin(25 nM), and 3-MA(5 mM). The binding amount of GluR2, NCOA4, and LC3 was assessed by the co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP) assay. RESULTS 3-MA, SNS, and DFO promoted depressive-like behaviors in CUMS mice during OFT, SPT, FST and TST, improved the amount of the total, thin, mushroom spine density and enhanced GluR2 protein expression in the hippocampus. Meanwhile, treatment with SNS decreased iron concentrations and inhibited NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy activation in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, 3-MA and SNS could prevent the binding of GluR2, NCOA4 and LC3 in corticosterone-treated HEK-293T, and rapamycin reversed this phenomenon after treatment with SNS. CONCLUSION SNS alleviates depression-like behaviors in CUMS mice by regulating dendritic spines via NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Jia Zhang
- School Basic Medicine Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University(1), Zhejiang, 310053, PR China; Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China.
| | - Mao-Lin Song
- First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, PR China.
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Psychology, School of Economics and Management, Guang Zhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, PR China.
| | - Xue-Mei Yang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China.
| | - Hui-Shan Lin
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China.
| | - Wei-Cong Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China.
| | - Xiao-Dan Zhong
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China.
| | - Chun-Yu He
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China.
| | - Tong Li
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China.
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China.
| | - Wei-Guang Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China.
| | - Hai-Tao Sun
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China.
| | - Hai-Qing Ao
- Department of Psychology, School of Economics and Management, Guang Zhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, PR China.
| | - Song-Qi He
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China.
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Meng P, Zhang X, Liu TT, Liu J, Luo Y, Xie MX, Yang H, Fang R, Guo DW, Zhong ZY, Wang YH, Ge JW. A whole transcriptome profiling analysis for antidepressant mechanism of Xiaoyaosan mediated synapse loss via BDNF/trkB/PI3K signal axis in CUMS rats. BMC Complement Med Ther 2023; 23:198. [PMID: 37322430 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-04000-0] [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: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is a neuropsychiatric disease resulting from deteriorations of molecular networks and synaptic injury induced by stress. Traditional Chinese formula Xiaoyaosan (XYS) exert antidepressant effect, which was demonstrated by a great many of clinical and basic investigation. However, the exact mechanism of XYS has not yet been fully elucidated. METHODS In this study, chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rats were used as a model of depression. Behavioral test and HE staining were used to detect the anti-depressant effects of XYS. Furthermore, whole transcriptome sequencing was employed to establish the microRNA (miRNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), circular RNA (circRNA), and mRNA profiles. The biological functions and potential mechanisms of XYS for depression were gathered from the GO and KEGG pathway. Then, constructed the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks to illustrate the regulatory relationship between non-coding RNA (ncRNA) and mRNA. Additionally, longest dendrite length, total length of dendrites, number of intersections, and density of dendritic spines were detected by Golgi staining. MAP2, PSD-95, SYN were detected by immunofluorescence respectively. BDNF, TrkB, p-TrkB, PI3K, Akt, p-Akt were measured by Western Blotting. RESULTS The results showed that XYS could increase the locomotor activity and sugar preference, decreased swimming immobility time as well as attenuate hippocampal pathological damage. A total of 753 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs), 28 circRNAs (DEcircRNAs), 101 miRNAs (DEmiRNAs), and 477 mRNAs (DEmRNAs) were identified after the treatment of XYS in whole transcriptome sequencing analysis. Enrichment results revealed that XYS could regulate multiple aspects of depression through different synapse or synaptic associated signal, such as neurotrophin signaling and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Then, vivo experiments indicated that XYS could promote length, density, intersections of synapses and also increase the expression of MAP2 in hippocampal CA1, CA3 regions. Meanwhile, XYS could increase the expression of PSD-95, SYN in the CA1, CA3 regions of hippocampal by regulating the BDNF/trkB/PI3K signal axis. CONCLUSION The possible mechanism on synapse of XYS in depression was successfully predicted. BDNF/trkB/PI3K signal axis were the potential mechanism of XYS on synapse loss for its antidepressant. Collectively, our results provided novel information about the molecular basis of XYS in treating depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Meng
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, 300 Xueshi Road, Hanpu Science and Education Park, Yuelu District, Hunan, Changsha, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Tong-Tong Liu
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, 300 Xueshi Road, Hanpu Science and Education Park, Yuelu District, Hunan, Changsha, China
| | - Jian Liu
- First Affiliated Hospital, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yan Luo
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, 300 Xueshi Road, Hanpu Science and Education Park, Yuelu District, Hunan, Changsha, China
| | - Ming-Xia Xie
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, 300 Xueshi Road, Hanpu Science and Education Park, Yuelu District, Hunan, Changsha, China
| | - Hui Yang
- First Affiliated Hospital, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Rui Fang
- Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Yuelu District, 58 Lushan Road, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Dong-Wei Guo
- The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zi-Yan Zhong
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, 300 Xueshi Road, Hanpu Science and Education Park, Yuelu District, Hunan, Changsha, China
| | - Yu-Hong Wang
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, 300 Xueshi Road, Hanpu Science and Education Park, Yuelu District, Hunan, Changsha, China.
| | - Jin-Wen Ge
- Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Yuelu District, 58 Lushan Road, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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11
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Luo Z, Chen J, Dai Y, So KF, Zhang L. Treadmill exercise modulates the medial prefrontal-amygdala neural circuit to improve the resilience against chronic restraint stress. Commun Biol 2023; 6:624. [PMID: 37296310 PMCID: PMC10256706 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05003-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Aerobic exercise effectively ameliorates mental disorders including anxiety and depression. Current findings mainly attribute its neural mechanism to the improvement of adult neurogenesis, while leaving the possible circuitry mechanism unclear. In the current study, we identify the overexcitation of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to basolateral amygdala (BLA) pathway under chronic restraint stress (CRS), and 14-day treadmill exercise selectively reverses such abnormalities. Using chemogenetic approaches, we find that the mPFC-BLA circuit is necessary for preventing anxiety-like behaviors in CRS mice. These results collectively suggest a neural circuitry mechanism by which exercise training improves the resilience against environmental stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihua Luo
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junlin Chen
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yelin Dai
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou, China.
- Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Institute, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, China.
- Center for Exercise and Brain Science, School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
| | - Li Zhang
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
- Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou, China.
- Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Institute, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, China.
- Center for Exercise and Brain Science, School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
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12
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Wang C, Li H, Chen C, Yao X, Yang C, Yu Z, Ren J, Ming Y, Huang Y, Rong Y, Ma Y, Liu L. High-Fat Diet Consumption Induces Neurobehavioral Abnormalities and Neuronal Morphological Alterations Accompanied by Excessive Microglial Activation in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex in Adolescent Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119394. [PMID: 37298345 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The association between a high-fat diet (HFD) consumption and emotional/cognitive disorders is widely documented. One distinctive feature of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a kernel emotion- and cognition-related brain region, is its protracted adolescent maturation, which makes it highly vulnerable to the detrimental effects of environmental factors during adolescence. Disruption of the PFC structure and function is linked to emotional/cognitive disorders, especially those that emerge in late adolescence. A HFD consumption is common among adolescents, yet its potential effects on PFC-related neurobehavior in late adolescence and any related underlying mechanisms are yet to be established. In the present study, adolescent (postnatal days 28-56) male C57BL/6J mice were fed a control diet (CD) or a HFD and underwent behavioral tests in addition to Golgi staining and immunofluorescence targeting of the medial PFC (mPFC). The HFD-fed adolescent mice exhibited anxiety- and depression-like behavior and abnormal mPFC pyramidal neuronal morphology accompanied by alterations in microglial morphology indicative of a heightened state of activation and increased microglial PSD95+ inclusions signifying excessive phagocytosis of the synaptic material in the mPFC. These findings offer novel insights into the neurobehavioral effects due to adolescent HFD consumption and suggest a contributing role in microglial dysfunction and prefrontal neuroplasticity deficits for HFD-associated mood disorders in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conghui Wang
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Hong Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xiuting Yao
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Chenxi Yang
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhehao Yu
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jiayi Ren
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yue Ming
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yi Rong
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yu Ma
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lijie Liu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
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13
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Zhu Y, Qu Y, Zhang J, Hou J, Fang J, Shen J, Xu C, Huang M, Qiao H, An S. Phencynonate hydrochloride exerts antidepressant effects by regulating the dendritic spine density and altering glutamate receptor expression. Behav Pharmacol 2021; 32:660-672. [PMID: 34751176 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Phencynonate hydrochloride (PCH) is a drug that crosses the blood-brain barrier. Cellular experiments confirmed that PCH protects against glutamate toxicity and causes only weak central inhibition and limited side effects. As shown in our previous studies, PCH alleviates depression-like behaviours induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Here we administered PCH at three different doses (4, 8 and 16 mg/kg) to male rats for two continuous days after CUMS and conducted behavioural tests to assess the dose-dependent antidepressant effects of PCH and its effects on the neuroplasticity in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Meanwhile, we measured the spine density and expression of related proteins to illustrate the mechanism of PCH. PCH treatment (8 mg/kg) significantly alleviated depression-like behaviours induced by CUMS. All doses of PCH treatment reversed the spine loss in prelimbic and CA3 regions induced by CUMS. Kalirin-7 expression was decreased in the hippocampus and mPFC of the CUMS group. The expression of the NR1 and NR2B subunits in the hippocampus, and NR2B in mPFC are increased by CUMS. PCH treatment (8 and 16 mg/kg) reversed all of these changes of Kalirin-7 in PFC and hippocampus, as well as NR1 and NR2B expression in the hippocampus. PCH is expected to be developed as a new type of rapid antidepressant. Its antidepressant effect may be closely related to the modulation of dendritic spine density in the prelimbic and CA3 regions and the regulation of Kalilin-7 and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor levels in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingqi Zhu
- Institute of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi
| | - Yishan Qu
- Institute of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi
| | - Jing Zhang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi
| | - Jun Hou
- Institute of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi
| | - Jie Fang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi
| | - Jingxuan Shen
- Institute of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi
| | - Chang Xu
- Institute of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi
| | - Minyi Huang
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Hunan University of Humanities, Science and Technology, Loudi, Hunan, China
| | - Hui Qiao
- Institute of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi
| | - Shucheng An
- Institute of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi
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14
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Transthyretin as a Biomarker to Predict and Monitor Major Depressive Disorder Identified by Whole-Genome Transcriptomic Analysis in Mouse Models. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9091124. [PMID: 34572310 PMCID: PMC8469805 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Accumulations of stressful life events result in the onset of major depressive disorder (MDD). Comprehensive genomic analysis is required to elucidate pathophysiological changes and identify applicable biomarkers. Methods: Transcriptomic analysis was performed on different brain parts of a chronic mild stress (CMS)-induced MDD mouse model followed by systemic analysis. QPCR and ELISA were utilized for validation in mice and patients. Results: The highest numbers of genes with significant changes induced by CMS were 505 in the amygdala followed by 272 in the hippocampus (twofold changes; FDR, p < 0.05). Enrichment analysis indicated that the core-enriched genes in CMS-treated mice were positively enriched for IFN-γ response genes in the amygdala, and hedgehog signaling in the hippocampus. Transthyretin (TTR) was severely reduced in CMS-treated mice. In patients with diagnosed MDD, serum concentrations of TTR were reduced by 48.7% compared to controls (p = 0.0102). Paired samples from patients with MDD demonstrated a further 66.3% increase in TTR at remission compared to the acute phase (p = 0.0339). Conclusions: This study provides comprehensive information on molecular networks related to MDD as a basis for further investigation and identifies TTR for MDD monitoring and management. A clinical trial with bigger patient cohort should be conducted to validate this translational study.
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15
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Subba R, Sandhir R, Singh SP, Mallick BN, Mondal AC. Pathophysiology linking depression and type 2 diabetes: Psychotherapy, physical exercise, and fecal microbiome transplantation as damage control. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 53:2870-2900. [PMID: 33529409 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Diabetes increases the likelihood of developing depression and vice versa. Research on this bidirectional association has somewhat managed to delineate the interplay among implicated physiological processes. Still, further exploration is required in this context. This review addresses the comorbidity by investigating suspected common pathophysiological mechanisms. One such factor is psychological stress which disturbs the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis causing hormonal imbalance. This includes elevated cortisol levels, a common biomarker of both depression and diabetes. Disrupted insulin signaling drives the hampered neurotransmission of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Also, adipokine hormones such as adiponectin, leptin, and resistin and the orexigenic hormone, ghrelin, are involved in both depression and T2DM. This disarray further interferes with physiological processes encompassing sleep, the gut-brain axis, metabolism, and mood stability. Behavioral coping mechanisms, such as unhealthy eating, mediate disturbed glucose homeostasis, and neuroinflammation. This is intricately linked to oxidative stress, redox imbalance, and mitochondrial dysfunction. However, interventions such as psychotherapy, physical exercise, fecal microbiota transplantation, and insulin-sensitizing agents can help to manage the distressing condition. The possibility of glucagon-like peptide 1 possessing a therapeutic role has also been discussed. Nonetheless, there stands an urgent need for unraveling new correlating targets and biological markers for efficient treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhea Subba
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Rajat Sandhir
- Dept. of Biochemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Punjab, India
| | - Surya Pratap Singh
- Dept. of Biochemistry, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Yang M, Luo CH, Zhu YQ, Liu YC, An YJ, Iqbal J, Wang ZZ, Ma XM. 7, 8-Dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin reverses depression model-induced depression-like behaviors and alteration of dendritic spines in the mood circuits. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 119:104767. [PMID: 32563935 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental disorder characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness, slow thought, impaired focus and loss of interest but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Dendritic spines play an important role in the formation and maintenance of emotional circuits in the brain. Abnormalities in this process can lead to psychiatric diseases. 7,8-Dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (Dhmc), a precursor in the synthesis of derivatives of 4-methyl coumarin, plays an important role in protecting the nervous system from developing diseases and its most distinctive feature is safety. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Dhmc alleviates chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression-like behaviors and reverses CUMS-induced alterations in dendritic spines of principal neurons in brain areas of the emotional circuits including the hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc) and basolateral amygdala (BLA) in male rats. Our results showed that CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors were accompanied by a decrease in spine density in pyramidal neurons of both the hippocampal CA3 area and the mPFC, and an increase in spine density in both the neurons of BLA and the medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the NAc, as well as a decrease in the levels of the AMPA receptor subunit GluA1 and Kalirin-7 in the hippocampus compared with the control group. Intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of Dhmc to the CUMS-exposed rats ameliorated CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors and reversed CUMS-mediated alterations in spine density and the levels of both GluA1 and Kalirin-7. Our results show an important role of Dhmc in reversing CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors and CUMS-mediated alterations in spine density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Yang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710062, China; Yangling Vocational & Technical College, Yangling, 71210, China
| | - Chang-Hao Luo
- Yangling Vocational & Technical College, Yangling, 71210, China
| | - Ying-Qi Zhu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710062, China
| | - Yuan-Chu Liu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710062, China
| | - Ye-Juan An
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710062, China
| | - Javed Iqbal
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710062, China
| | - Zhe-Zhi Wang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710062, China.
| | - Xin-Ming Ma
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710062, China; Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, United States.
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Khan AR, Geiger L, Wiborg O, Czéh B. Stress-Induced Morphological, Cellular and Molecular Changes in the Brain-Lessons Learned from the Chronic Mild Stress Model of Depression. Cells 2020; 9:cells9041026. [PMID: 32326205 PMCID: PMC7226496 DOI: 10.3390/cells9041026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a severe illness imposing an increasing social and economic burden worldwide. Numerous rodent models have been developed to investigate the pathophysiology of MDD. One of the best characterized and most widely used models is the chronic mild stress (CMS) model which was developed more than 30 years ago by Paul Willner. More than 2000 published studies used this model, mainly to assess novel compounds with potential antidepressant efficacy. Most of these studies examined the behavioral consequences of stress and concomitant drug intervention. Much fewer studies focused on the CMS-induced neurobiological changes. However, the stress-induced cellular and molecular changes are important as they may serve as potential translational biomarkers and increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of MDD. Here, we summarize current knowledge on the structural and molecular alterations in the brain that have been described using the CMS model. We discuss the latest neuroimaging and postmortem histopathological data as well as molecular changes including recent findings on microRNA levels. Different chronic stress paradigms occasionally deliver dissimilar findings, but the available experimental data provide convincing evidence that the CMS model has a high translational value. Future studies examining the neurobiological changes in the CMS model in combination with clinically effective antidepressant drug intervention will likely deliver further valuable information on the pathophysiology of MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Raza Khan
- Centre of Biomedical Research, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute (SGPGI) Campus, Lucknow-226017, U.P, India;
| | - Lili Geiger
- Neurobiology of Stress Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary;
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ove Wiborg
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark;
| | - Boldizsár Czéh
- Neurobiology of Stress Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary;
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Correspondence:
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Luo J, Tang C, Chen X, Ren Z, Qu H, Chen R, Tong Z. Impacts of Aerobic Exercise on Depression-Like Behaviors in Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Mice and Related Factors in the AMPK/PGC-1α Pathway. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17062042. [PMID: 32204452 PMCID: PMC7142893 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17062042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This study was to study the impact of aerobic exercises on the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in mice, and to discuss the possible mechanism from the skeletal muscle AMPK/PGC-1α energy metabolism signaling pathway. The healthy male mice were randomly divided into Control Group (CG), Model Group (MG), and Model Exercise Group (ME).Twelve stress methods were adopted for four weeks (28 days) to establish the depression model. ME was subject to aerobic training plan after the model was established. The weight of the mice was recorded weekly. After the experimental intervention, the three groups of mice were subjected to behavioral assessment tests. Western blotting, RT-PCR, and ELISA were performed to test AMPK, p-AMPK, PGC-1α, and ATP in skeletal muscle. There were no significant difference in body weight between the three groups. CUMS leaded to significant decline in behavioral scores. and the p-AMPK and PGC-1α decreased significantly. But boosted ATP content. Aerobic exercise enhanced the expressions of p-AMPK and PGC-1α, increased the ratio of p-AMPK/AMPK, boosted ATP content. And improved behavioral scores significantly. Chronic stress-induced depression-like behavior was improved significantly by Aerobic exercise. The mechanism of aerobic exercise for improving depressive symptoms in mice with chronic stress depression may be related to influence AMPK/PGC-1α pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Luo
- Key Laboratory of Kinesiology Evaluation and Recovery of General Administration of Sport of China, Sports Science institute of Hunan, Changsha 410012, China;
- Department of Physical Education, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410012, China; (C.T.); (R.C.); (Z.T.)
| | - Changfa Tang
- Department of Physical Education, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410012, China; (C.T.); (R.C.); (Z.T.)
| | - Xiaobin Chen
- Department of Sports and Health, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou 510500, China;
| | - Zhanbing Ren
- Department of Physical Education, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-0755-2653-4772
| | - Honglin Qu
- Department of Physical Education, Yichun College, Yichun 336000, China;
| | - Rong Chen
- Department of Physical Education, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410012, China; (C.T.); (R.C.); (Z.T.)
| | - Zhen Tong
- Department of Physical Education, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410012, China; (C.T.); (R.C.); (Z.T.)
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