Stress Induced Hormone and Neuromodulator Changes in Menopausal Depressive Rats

Follicle-stimulating hormone induces depression-like phenotype by affecting synaptic function

Depression is one of the most common affective disorders in people's life. Women are susceptibility to depression during puberty, peripartum and menopause transition, when they are suffering from sex hormone fluctuation. A lot of studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective effect of estrogen on depression in women, however, the effect of FSH on depression is unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of FSH on depression in mice. Our study demonstrated that FSH induced depression-like behaviors in mice in a dose-dependent manner. This induction was associated with elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in both serum and hippocampal tissues. Additionally, FSH treatment resulted in impaired synaptic plasticity and a reduction in the expression of key synaptic proteins. It is noteworthy that the depression-like behaviors, inflammatory cytokines expression and synaptic plasticity impairment induced by FSH could be alleviated by knocking down the expression of FSH receptor (FSHR) in the hippocampus of the mice. Therefore, our findings reveal that FSH may play an important role in the pathogenesis of depression and targeting FSH may be a potential therapeutic strategy for depression during hormone fluctuation in women.

Prolactin and spermatogenesis: new lights on the interplay between prolactin and sperm parameters

PURPOSE

To clarify the relationship between one the most gender-specific hormone, i.e. prolactin (PRL), and semen parameters in men.

METHODS

A retrospective, observational, cohort, real-world study was carried out, enrolling all men performing a semen analysis and PRL examination from 2010 to 2022. For each patient, the first semen analys was extracted, associated to PRL, total testosterone (TT), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Hyperprolactinaemia (>35 ng/mL) was excluded.

RESULTS

1211 subjects were included. PRL serum levels were lower in normozoospermia compared to azoospermia (p = 0.002) and altered semen parameters (p = 0.048) groups. TT serum levels were not different among groups (p = 0.122). Excluding azoospermic men, PRL serum levels were lower in normozoospermic patients, when compared to other groups of semen alterations. An inverse correlation was detected between PRL and sperm concentration. Considering normozospermic subjects, PRL was directly related to both non-progressive sperm motility (p = 0.014) and normal sperm morphology (p = 0.040). Subdiving the cohort in quartiles according to PRL distribution, the highest motilities were observed in the second PRL quartile (8.30-11.10 ng/mL) and asthenozoospermia was significantly predicted by FSH (p < 0.001) and second PRL quartile (p = 0.045).

CONCLUSION

The PRL-spermatogenesis connection seems to be mild, although low-normal PRL levels are associated with the best spermatogenetic profile. PRL serum levels could mirror the immunoregulatory status within the testis, suggesting that there is a sort of 'PRL optimal window' reflecting an efficent spermatogenesis. Alternatively, men with good semen parameters might have a higher central dopaminergic tone resulting in low PRL levels.

Neuroendocrine pathogenesis of perimenopausal depression

With the development of social economics and the increase of working pressure, more and more women are suffering from long-term serious stress and showing symptoms of perimenopausal depression (PMD). The incidence rate of PMD is increasing, and the physical and mental health are seriously affected. However, due to the lack of accurate knowledge of pathophysiology, its diagnosis and treatment cannot be accurately executed. By consulting the relevant literature in recent years, this paper elaborates the neuroendocrine mechanism of perimenopausal depression from the aspects of epigenetic changes, monoamine neurotransmitter and receptor hypothesis, glial cell-induced neuroinflammation, estrogen receptor, interaction between HPA axis and HPG axis, and micro-organism-brain gut axis. The purpose is to probe into new ways of treatment of PMD by providing new knowledge about the neuroendocrine mechanism and treatment of PMD.

Psychological assessment in infertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Infertility is a prevalent worldwide health issue and is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a global health problem. Considering the importance of the psychological dimensions of infertility, various measurement tools have been used to measure the variables involved in infertility, of which the most widely used are the following: the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL90), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form (STAI), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). Therefore, given the problems of infertile people in terms of psychological dimensions, the aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the psychological assessment score in infertility. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, we applied an online database with no time restriction. Data were gathered using a random-effect model to estimate the standard mean difference (SMD) for the evaluation of the strength of association analyses. Our data demonstrated a significant higher SCL90 score (CI_SCL90: 0.96, 0.34–1.57, heterogeneity: 94%, p_{heterogeneity} < 0.001), and a non-significant higher DASS score (CI_Anxiety: 0.82, -0.14 to 1.79; CI_Depression: 0.8, -0.28 to 1.87; and CI_Stress: 0.82, -0.24 to 1.88). It is essential to seek for strategies to help infertile patients overcome their infertility-related psychological problems.

Stress, hypoglycemia, and the autonomic nervous system

Stress can be classified as either psychosocial or physiologic. Physiologic stress refers to stresses due to acute illness, trauma, pain, hypoglycemia, and sleep deprivation-much less is known regarding its health consequences. This review focuses on hypoglycemia as a model to further investigate physiological stress. Experimental mild to moderate hypoglycemia is a paradigmatic physiological stress that evokes autonomic, neuroendocrine, and immune responses. Hypoglycemic stress is an ideal model to examine the interactions and consequences of physiological stress on the autonomic nervous system. Acute hypoglycemia has been demonstrated to increase inflammatory markers, prolong QTc, and impair cardiac-vagal baroreflex sensitivity. Some of these consequences may not reverse completely when euglycemia is restored. For example, there is attenuation of the cardiac-vagal baroreflex, attenuation of the vascular sympathetic baroreflex (muscle sympathetic nerve activity response to transient hypotension), and attenuation of the catecholamine response to lower body negative pressure that is present the next day after hypoglycemia has resolved.

A Famous Chinese Medicine Formula: Yinhuo Decoction Antagonizes the Damage of Corticosterone to PC12 Cells and Improves Depression by Regulating the SIRT1/PGC-1α Pathway

The study aimed to explore the antidepressant effect of Yinhuo Decoction and further to explore its underlying molecular mechanism acting on depressant. Here, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was used to the composition analysis. Postmenopausal depression (PMD) model and corticosterone (CORT)-induced cell model were constructed. Adrenal coefficient and hematoxylin and eosin staining were applied to assess changes in the adrenal glands. MTT staining, Hoechst 33342 staining, and JC-1 fluorescence staining were used to detect the PC12 activity and apoptosis. CORT and oxidative stress indicators were measured using commercial kits. Western blot and immunohistochemical were used to detect the protein expression of GCR. In addition, genes related to SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway were also tested. In PMD model mice, Yinhuo Decoction evidently increased adrenal coefficient and relieved adrenal lesions. Meanwhile, we observed that Yinhuo Decoction reduced the CORT and GCR levels. In CORT-treated PC12 cells, Yinhuo Decoction remarkably reduced cytotoxicity and apoptosis. Besides, Yinhuo Decoction attenuated the oxidative stress response. Mechanically, we confirmed that Yinhuo Decoction reduced CORT-induced PC12 damage by regulating SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway. Thus, we concluded that Yinhuo Decoction antagonized CORT-induced injury in PC12 cells and improved depression in PMD mice. This provided a new direction for the treatment of depression.

Putative Anti-Immobility Action of Acute Insulin Is Attributable to an Increase in Locomotor Activity in Healthy Wistar Rats

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Anti-immobility actions of insulin in diabetic rats that are subjected to the forced swim test (FST) have been reported. In this test, low doses of antidepressants exert actions after long-term treatment, without affecting locomotor activity in healthy rats. Few studies have compared acute and chronic actions of insulin with antidepressants in healthy rats.

METHODS

We hypothesized that if insulin exerts a true anti-immobility action, then its effects must be comparable to fluoxetine in both a 1-day treatment regimen and a 21-day treatment regimen in healthy, gonadally intact female Wistar rats.

RESULTS

The results showed that low levels of glycemia were produced by all treatments, including fluoxetine, and glycemia was lower in proestrus-estrus than in diestrus-metestrus. None of the treatments or regimens produced actions on indicators of anxiety in the elevated plus maze. Insulin in the 1-day regimen increased the number of crossings and rearings in the open field test and caused a low cumulative immobility time in the FST. These actions disappeared in the 21-day regimen. Compared with the other treatments, fluoxetine treatment alone or combined with insulin produced a longer latency to the first period of immobility and a shorter immobility time in the chronic regimen in the FST, without affecting locomotor activity, and more pronounced actions were observed in proestrus-estrus (i.e., a true anti-immobility effect).

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that insulin does not produce a true antidepressant action in healthy rats. The purported antidepressant effects that were observed were instead attributable to an increase in locomotor activity only in the 1-day regimen.

Metabolomics changes in brain-gut axis after unpredictable chronic mild stress

BACKGROUND

Major depressive disorder is a leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting up to 17 % of the general population. The neural mechanisms of depression, however, are yet to be uncovered. Recently, attention has been drawn to the effects of dysfunctional brain-gut axis on depression, and many substances have been suggested to be involved in the communication between the gut and brain, such as ghrelin.

METHODS

We herein systematically examined the changes of metabolomics after unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS)-induced depression-like behaviors in rats and compared the altered metabolites in the hippocampus and jejunum samples.

RESULTS

Our results show that many metabolites significantly changed with UCMS both in the hippocampus and jejunum, such as L-glutamine, L-tyrosine, hydroxylamine, and 3-phosphoglyceric acid. Further studies suggested that these changes are the reasons for anxiety-like behaviors and depression-like behaviors in UCMS rats and also are the reasons for hippocampal neural plasticity.

CONCLUSIONS

Coexistence of brain and gut metabolic changes in UCMS-induced depressive behavior in rats suggests a possible role of brain-gut axis in depression. This study provides insights into the neurobiology of depression.

Psychological aspects of infertility. A systematic review

Objective

Fertility may be defined as a capacity to conceive and produce offspring. Infertility is characterized by failure to establish a clinical pregnancy after 12 months of regular and unprotected sexual intercourse. Infertility concerns an estimated 8–12% of the global population, and is associated with factors including time of unwanted non-conception, age of female partner and number of diseases impacting fertility. Unexplained infertility is described as idiopathic. This study aimed to analyse and evaluate the influence of mental disorders, often considered as reasons for idiopathic infertility, on female and male fertility, including stress, depression, sleep and eating disorders, and addictions.

Methods

This systematic review comprised a search of MEDLINE, Cochrane and PubMed databases for relevant articles that were analysed by two independent reviewers.

Results

A total of 106 articles published between 1955–2019 were included. Mental disorders modify endocrine gland and immune system functioning at both the tissue and cellular level, and are negatively associated with female and male fertility.

Conclusion

Mental disorders may negatively impact female and male fertility. Further studies are required to explain the exact role and contribution of mental disorders to fertility.

Therapeutic effects of sertraline on improvement of Ovariectomy-induced decreased spontaneous activity in mice

We have already reported that ovariectomized (OVX) rats reduced the spontaneous activity during the dark period due to the decease of serotonin release in the amygdala. In this study, we examined the potential of sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, on the recovery of less spontaneous activity seen in mice with OVX-induced despair-like behaviors. Female 9-week old ICR mice were underwent either OVX or sham surgery. Sertraline (10 mg/kg/day, s.c.) or saline were started to administer to each group for 8 weeks (6 times/week) from the 8th week after OVX. Each spontaneous activity of mouse was evaluated during the dark period (19:00-07:00) using an infrared sensor. Moreover, mRNA expression levels of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) and X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) were measured in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex using by a real-time PCR method. We found out that the OVX-induced despair-like behaviors were improved by the continuous administration of sertraline. After treatment of OVX, our real-time PCR data showed that sertraline significantly suppressed the upregulation of XBP1 expression levels in both hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, although this suppression of the downregulation of TPH expression levels was seen in only hippocampus. These results suggest that sertraline improves the decrease in spontaneous activity induced by OVX assessed by the hippocampus suppressing decreased serotonin synthesis in the serotonergic neuron.

An Integrative Pharmacology-Based Pattern to Uncover the Pharmacological Mechanism of Ginsenoside H Dripping Pills in the Treatment of Depression

Objectives: To evaluate the pharmacodynamical effects and pharmacological mechanism of Ginsenoside H dripping pills (GH) in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model rats. Methods: First, the CUMS-induced rat model was established to assess the anti-depressant effects of GH (28, 56, and 112 mg/kg) by the changes of the behavioral indexes (sucrose preference, crossing score, rearing score) and biochemical indexes (serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine) in Hippocampus. Then, the components of GH were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-iron trap-time of flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC/IT-TOF MS). After network pharmacology analysis, the active ingredients of GH were further screened out based on OB and DL, and the PPI network of putative targets of active ingredients of GH and depression candidate targets was established based on STRING database. The PPI network was analyzed topologically to obtain key targets, so as to predict the potential pharmacological mechanism of GH acting on depression. Finally, some major target proteins involved in the predictive signaling pathway were validated experimentally. Results: The establishment of CUMS depression model was successful and GH has antidepressant effects, and the middle dose of GH (56 mg/kg) showed the best inhibitory effects on rats with depressant-like behavior induced by CUMS. Twenty-eight chemical components of GH were identified by UPLC/IT-TOF MS. Subsequently, 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2 was selected as active ingredient and the PPI network of the 43 putative targets of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2 containing in GH and the 230 depression candidate targets, was established based on STRING database, and 47 major targets were extracted. Further network pharmacological analysis indicated that the cAMP signaling pathway may be potential pharmacological mechanism regulated by GH acting on depression. Among the cAMP signaling pathway, the major target proteins, namely, cAMP, PKA, CREB, p-CREB, BDNF, were used to verify in the CUMS model rats. The results showed that GH could activate the cAMP-PKA-CREB-BDNF signaling pathway to exert antidepressant effects. Conclusions: An integrative pharmacology-based pattern was used to uncover that GH could increase the contents of DA, NE and 5-HT, activate cAMP-PKA-CREB-BDNF signaling pathway exert antidepressant effects.

Acupuncture as an Independent or Adjuvant Management to Standard Care for Perimenopausal Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Many women with perimenopausal depression (PMD) have sought alternative therapies such as acupuncture because of concerns about risks associated with antidepressant and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This systematic review aimed to clarify if acupuncture is effective for PMD compared with waitlist control or placebo/sham acupuncture, and if acupuncture alone or combined with standard care (antidepressant and/or HRT) is more effective in ameliorating PMD in comparison with standard care alone. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of PMD treatment via acupuncture vs. waitlist control or placebo/sham acupuncture, and RCTs of PMD treatment via acupuncture alone or combined with Western pharmacotherapy vs. Western pharmacotherapy were searched for from seven databases from inception to December 2020. Cochrane criteria were followed. Results: Twenty-five studies involving 2,213 women were analyzed. Meta-analyses indicated that acupuncture significantly reduced the global scores of Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) [standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.54, 95% CI (-0.91, -0.16), p < 0.01], compared with standard care. The therapeutic effect of acupuncture maintained at 2-, 4-, and 12-week follow-ups. Acupuncture combined with standard care was more effective than standard care alone in decreasing HAMD scores [SMD = -0.82, 95% CI (-1.07, -0.58), p < 0.01]. Too few RCTs were available to assess the clinical efficacy differences between acupuncture and placebo/sham acupuncture or HRT alone. Acupuncture also showed better effects in decreasing Kupperman index (KI) scores, whether compared with antidepressant alone [MD = -4.55, 95% CI (-8.46, -0.65), p = 0.02] or antidepressant combined with HRT [MD = -0.89, 95% CI (-1.34, -0.43), p < 0.01]. Conclusions: In comparison with standard care, acupuncture alone or combined with standard care was associated with significant improvements in PMD and reductions of other menopausal symptoms. This finding suggests that acupuncture may be a useful addition to treatment for PMD.

Reduced Plasma Dopamine-β-Hydroxylase Activity Is Associated With the Severity of Bipolar Disorder: A Pilot Study

Dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DβH) is an enzyme converting dopamine to norepinephrine, a key neurotransmitter in mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). Due to overlapping symptomology of unipolar and bipolar depression, the present study attempted to explorer if the plasma DβH activity could discriminate the depressive episodes of BD from MDD. The aim of this study was to compare the plasma DβH activity among MDD patients (n = 104), BD patients (n = 101), and healthy controls (n = 160). Clinical characteristics and cognitive function were assessed using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Our data showed a lower plasma DβH activity in patients with BD, not MDD, than that in controls. For the BD patients, the plasma DβH activities were negatively correlated with HAM-D scores and HAM-A scores. However, there was no significant correlation between plasma DβH activity and severity of depressive symptoms in MDD patients. No significant correlation between DβH activities and cognitive assessments neither in BD nor in MDD patients. The present study provides evidence that BD is associated with decreased circulating DβH activity.

Radix Scutellariae Ameliorates Stress-Induced Depressive-Like Behaviors via Protecting Neurons through the TGFβ3-Smad2/3-Nedd9 Signaling Pathway

Chronic stress can impair hippocampal neurogenesis, increase neuronal apoptosis, and cause depressive-like behaviors. Our previous studies found that Radix Scutellariae (RS) can rescue the stress-induced neuronal injury, but the mechanism is not clear. Here, we continued to investigate the underlying antidepressant mechanisms of the RS extract. A 7-week chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) procedure was used to establish a murine depression model. 0.75 g/kg or 1.5 g/kg RS was administered daily to the mice during the last 4 weeks. Depressive-like behaviors were evaluated by the sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swimming test (FST), open field test (OFT), and tail suspension test (TST). The neuroprotective effect of RS was evaluated with the expression of hippocampal neuron-related markers and apoptosis-associated proteins by Nissl staining, immunohistochemistry, and western blot. Transforming growth factor-β3 (TGFβ3) pathway-related proteins were detected by western blot. Results showed that RS could ameliorate depressive-like behaviors, increase the expression of the antiapoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), reduce the expression of the proapoptotic protein BCL-2-associated X (BAX), and increase the number of doublecortin- (DCX-), microtubule-associated protein 2- (MAP2-), and neuronal nucleus- (NeuN-) positive cells in the hippocampus. Moreover, RS could reverse the CUMS-induced decrease of TGFβ3 protein, promote the phosphorylation of SMAD2/3, and increase the expression of downstream NEDD9 protein. These results suggest that RS could exert antidepressant effects via protecting neurons. And the molecular mechanism might be related to the regulation of the TGFβ3-SMAD2/3-NEDD9 pathway.

Reduced plasma Fetuin-A is a promising biomarker of depression in the elderly

Depression affects 7% of the elderly population, and it often remains misdiagnosed or untreated. Peripheral biomarkers might aid clinicians by allowing more accurate and well-timed recognition of the disease. We sought to determine if plasma protein levels predict the severity of depressive symptomatology or distinguish patients from healthy individuals. The severity of depressive symptoms and global cognitive functioning were assessed by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in 152 elderly subjects, 76 of which with major depressive disorder (MDD). Plasma levels of 24 proteins were measured by multiplexing and analyzed as continuous predictors or dichotomized using the median value. The association between individual plasma proteins and MDD risk or depressive symptoms severity was investigated using multiple logistic and linear regressions including relevant covariates. Sensitivity analyses were performed excluding cognitively impaired individuals or non-acute patients with MDD. After adjusting for possible confounders and false discovery rate (FDR) correction, we found lower Fetuin-A levels in MDD patients vs. controls (p_FDR = 1.95 × 10^-6). This result was confirmed by the sensitivity and dichotomized analyses. Lower prolactin (PRL) levels predicted more severe depressive symptoms in acute MDD patients (p_FDR = 0.024). Fetuin-A is a promising biomarker of MDD in the elderly as this protein was negatively associated with the disorder in our sample, regardless of the global cognitive functioning. Lower PRL levels may be a peripheral signature of impaired neuroprotective processes and serotoninergic neurotransmission in more severely depressed patients.

Early Life Stress Induced DNA Methylation of Monoamine Oxidases Leads to Depressive-Like Behavior

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is coming to be the regarded as one of the leading causes for human disabilities. Due to its complicated pathological process, the etiology is still unclear and the treatment is still targeting at the monoamine neurotransmitters. Early life stress has been known as a major cause for MDD, but how early life stress affects adult monoaminergic activity is not clear either. Recently, DNA methylation is considered to be the key mechanism of epigenetics and might play a role in early life stress induced mental illness. DNA methylation is an enzymatic covalent modification of DNA, has been one of the main epigenetic mechanisms investigated. The metabolic enzyme for the monoamine neurotransmitters, monoamine oxidases A/B (MAO A/MAO B) are the prime candidates for the investigation into the role of DNA methylation in mental disorders. In this review, we will review recent advances about the structure and physiological function of monoamine oxidases (MAO), brief narrative other factors include stress induced changes, early life stress, perinatal depression (PD) relationship with other epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, microRNA (miRNA). This review will shed light on the epigenetic changes involved in MDD, which may provide potential targets for future therapeutics in depression pathogenesis.

The Mediating Effects of Coping Style on the Effects of Breath Count Mindfulness Training on Depressive Symptoms among International Students in China

Mindfulness training has gained popularity in the scientific field and has been proposed as an efficient way for emotional regulation. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is designed especially for depressive people in reducing risk of depression relapse and is recommended in national guidelines as a treatment choice for relapse prevention in recurrent depression. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of mindfulness training on depressive symptoms of international students and probe into the mediating role of mindfulness in stressful events and depression. In addition, we introduced a new kind of mindfulness training, the breathing exercise-based mindfulness training, which is based on the integration of Buddhism and Daoism. Self-report questionnaires assessing the coping style, abnormal depressive behavior, and stressful live events were completed in 260 international students in China (mean age = 21.4 years). The results showed that (1) many international students showed depression symptoms, (2) stressful life events play a completely mediating role in the initiation of depression and anxiety, and (3) mindfulness training for 8 weeks significantly reduced the depressive symptoms, and it was also related to a positive coping style. This study has certain theoretical significance in exploring the mechanism of the occurrence and development of depression among international students and provides useful tools for this special group of international students. In addition, the international students can also learn Chinese culture through the training. These findings indicate that mindfulness training and positive coping style are interrelated with treating depressive symptoms for international students.

FSHR ablation induces depression-like behaviors

Alteration in reproductive hormones profile is associated with the increasing risk of menopausal depression in women. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level is changed during the menopause transition, while the effect of FSH on menopausal depression has remained undefined. In this study we investigated whether or how FSH affected menopausal depression in postmenopausal (ovariectomized) FSHR knockout mice (Fshr^−/−). We found that Fshr^−/− mice displayed aggravated depression-like behaviors, accompanied by severe oxidative stress in the whole brain, resulted from significantly reduced glutamate cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLm) in glutathione synthesis and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in NADP/NADPH transition. Importantly, administration of ROS scavenger N-acetyl cysteine (NAC, 150 mg · kg⁻¹ · d⁻¹, i.p. for 12 weeks) attenuated the depression-like behaviors of Fshr^−/− mice. Consistent with these in vivo experiment results, we found that pretreatment with FSH (50, 100 ng/mL) dose-dependently increased protein levels of GCLm and G6PD, and decreased the ROS production in N2a mouse neuroblastoma cells. These findings demonstrate that FSH signaling is involved in pathogenesis of menopausal depression, and likely to maintain the redox-optimized ROS balance in neurons.

Screening Depressive Disorders With Tree-Drawing Test

Objective: Diagnosis of psychiatric disease is still a major issue. Two key reasons are- there are variations in the opinions of the medical doctors and the presentation of a disease among the patients. Here we introduce a kind of mental projective test, tree-drawing test, trying to extract and analyze objective indexes in tree-drawing test in patients with depression. Methods: The tree-drawing test was administered to 43 patients with major depressive disorders, 48 sub-threshold subjects, and 59 healthy subjects. Features of the drawing trees were analyzed using a kind of computer image recognition and data acquisition software. Quantitative indexes collected from pictures drawn by patients with major depression, patients with sub-threshold depression, and control subjects were compared using the ANOVA test. Results: Five quantitative features (canopy area, canopy height, canopy width, trunk width, and total area of trees) were found to be statistically significant among the groups, while seven other features (trunk area, trunk height, root width, root height, root area, ratio of crown to trunk height, and ratio of crown to trunk area) showed no statistical significance. Further analysis with LSD-t test revealed that six quantitative indexes were significantly related to the depression symptoms, and six others were not statistically significant. Eleven quantitative indexes were not statistically significant when the depressive symptoms were compared with the subthreshold depression group, and the only index with statistical significance was canopy width. Conclusion: Five quantitative indexes in the drawing tree are statistically significant in the depression patients were compared with those of the control subjects. Quantitative indexes of the tree-drawing test are of great value in assisting with the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders.

The Relationship between Insecure Attachment to Depression: Mediating Role of Sleep and Cognitive Reappraisal

Previously, we have shown that neuromodulators are important factors in stress-induced emotional disorders, such as depression, for example, serotonin is the major substance for depression. Many psychological studies have proved that depression is due to insecure attachment. In addition, sleep is a major symptom of depression. Furthermore, serotonin is the substrate for both sleep and depression. To explore the role of sleep in the relationships between insecure attachment and depression, we investigated 755 college students with Close Relationship Inventory, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Self-rated Depression Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The results showed that (1) insecure attachment positively predicted poor sleep quality; (2) sleep quality partially affected depression, possibly due the same stress neuromodulators such as norepinephrine and cortisol; and (3) cognitive reappraisal moderated the mediating path leading from attachment anxiety to poor sleep quality. These findings highlight the moderating role of cognitive reappraisal in the effects of attachment anxiety on sleep quality and finally on depression. In conclusion, sleep quality links attachment anxiety and emotional disorders.

NRF2 deficiency increases obesity susceptibility in a mouse menopausal model

The risk of metabolic abnormalities in menopausal women increases significantly due to the decline in estrogen level. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is an important oxidative stress sensor that plays regulatory role in energy metabolism. Therefore, an ovariectomized menopausal model in Nrf2-knockout (KO) mice was applied to evaluate the effect of Nrf2 deficiency on metabolism in menopausal females. The mice were divided into four groups according to their genotypes and treatments. Blood samples and bodyweights were obtained preoperatively and in the first to ninth postoperative weeks after overnight fasting. Serum levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (T-CHO), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and glucose (GLU) were measured at postoperative weeks 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. Neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) was analyzed in brain tissues after sacrifice at postoperative week 9. The results demonstrated that, compared with the corresponding wild-type (WT) mice, KO ovariectomized mice had a greater bodyweight gain (P<0.01). Serum analysis showed that the serum GLU, T-CHO, and TG were significantly lower (P<0.05) but LDL was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the KO control mice than that in WT control mice. However, different from the WT counterparts, an increase in blood GLU level (P<0.05), unchanged T-CHO, TG, and HDL levels, and a significant reduction in LDL (P<0.01) was found in the KO ovariectomized mice. In addition, the level of 5-HT was significantly reduced (P<0.05) in the KO mice after ovariectomy. In conclusion, the combination of Nrf2 deletion and a decline in estrogen level induced a significant increase in bodyweight, which may be associated with their altered glucose and LDL metabolism and decreased 5-HT levels. From a clinical perspective, women with antioxidant defense deficiency may have an increased risk of metabolic abnormalities after menopause.

Differences of physical vs. psychological stress: evidences from glucocorticoid receptor expression, hippocampal subfields injury, and behavioral abnormalities

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is the main effector of the activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is caused by different types of stress that can be divided into two major categories: physical stress and psychological stress. Given the marked presence of GR in the hippocampus, GR-mediated hippocampal injury might be the core event under stress. The aim of this study was to investigate GR expression, hippocampal injury, and behaviors in rats to explore the differences between these types of stressors. Adult male rats were stressed using a classical model (electrical foot shock and a yoked psychologically stressful situation) to induce physical or psychological stress. The GR expression, injury of hippocampal subfields and behavioral abnormalities were dynamic, as demonstrated using immunofluorescence, 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and open field exploration (OFE), respectively. In addition, housing in a normal environment for 6 weeks was used to verify the recovery ability of rats. First, GR-mediated hippocampal atrophy and behavioral abnormalities were found in the second week under physical stress, but those changes did not appear until the fourth week under psychological stress. Second, the effects of stress were more pronounced after physical stressors than after psychological stressors in the fourth week, but this trend had reversed by the sixth week, especially in the DG (Dentate Gyrus) subfield. Except for the rats that had experienced 6 weeks of psychological stress, all rats showed significant recovery after 6 weeks of housing in a normal environment. The effects of physical stress appeared early but were relatively moderate, whereas the effects of psychological stress appeared late but were more severe. In addition, GR-mediated serious injury in the DG might be the cause of the DG volume loss and behaviors that could not be reversed.

MicroRNA-99a is a Potential Target for Regulating Hypothalamic Synaptic Plasticity in the Peri/Postmenopausal Depression Model

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that there is a growing trend of menopausal women suffering from depression. However, the pathogenesis of menopausal depression still remains unclear. Hence, this paper aims to reveal the pathological mechanisms involved in postmenopausal depression by using a novel peri- to postmenopausal depression model induced by a two-step ovariectomy plus chronic mild stress (CMS). The results of metabolic chambers and serum hormone/cytokine determination revealed that peri/postmenopausal depressive mice exhibited endocrine and metabolic disorders. Electrophysiological recordings indicated that the hippocampal synaptic transmission was compromised. Compared to the sham group, the microRNA-99a (miR-99a) level decreased significantly in the hypothalamus, and its target FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP51) enormously increased; in contrast, the nuclear translocation of the progesterone receptor (PR) decreased in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in the peri/postmenopausal depression mouse model. Additionally, synaptic proteins, including postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) and synaptophysin (SYN), showed a similar decrease in the hypothalamus. Accordingly, the present work suggests that miR-99a may be involved in the regulation of hypothalamic synaptic plasticity and that it might be a potential therapeutic target for peri/postmenopausal depression.

Effects of Gegen Dingxuan Capsule on behavior, X-Ray Signs of the Cervical Spine, and Humoral Factor Levels in a Rat Model of Cervical Vertigo

Objective

To investigate the effects of Gegen Dingxuan capsule on behavior, X-ray signs of the cervical spine, and levels of norepinephrine (NE), nitric oxide (NO), endothelin (ET-1), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the plasma of a rat model of cervical vertigo and additionally to clarify the underlying mechanisms of action.

Method

A total of 40 male SPF Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to blank control, model, Sibelium, and Gegen Dingxuan capsule groups, with 10 rats in each group. A rat model of cervical vertigo was produced by physically damaging the cervical spine, thereby perturbing its stability. After cervical spine surgery, rats in the Sibelium and Gegen Dingxuan capsule groups were administered Sibelium and Gegen Dingxuan capsule, respectively. After 4 and 8 weeks of administration, balance beam test was used to assess behavior, lateral X-ray images of the cervical spine were taken and scored, and the plasma levels of NE, NO, ET-1, and CGRP were measured.

Results

After 4 and 8 weeks of drug administration, the balance beam test scores in the Gegen Dingxuan capsule group were significantly higher than those in the Sibelium group. The radiographic scores were significantly lower in the Gegen Dingxuan capsule group than those in the Sibelium group at 8 weeks. Plasma NE, NO, ET-1 levels, and ET-1/CGRP ratio were significantly decreased in the Gegen Dingxuan capsule group compared with the model group. No significant difference was found between the Sibelium and Gegen Dingxuan capsule groups. Plasma CGRP levels were significantly increased in the Gegen Dingxuan capsule group compared with the model group and were significantly decreased compared with the Sibelium group.

Conclusions

Gegen Dingxuan capsule improves behavior, radiographic scores, reduces plasma levels of NE, NO, ET-1, and the ET-1/CGRP ratio, and increases plasma CGRP levels. Gegen Dingxuan capsule may improve outcome in the rat model of cervical vertigo by ameliorating cervical facet joint disorder, relieving cervical muscle spasm and vasospasm, increasing blood supply, and regulating humoral factor levels.

Inhibition of GALR1 in PFC Alleviates Depressive-Like Behaviors in Postpartum Depression Rat Model by Upregulating CREB-BNDF and 5-HT Levels

Estrogen (E2) withdrawal is a core pathology mechanism for postpartum depression (PPD). Galanin (GAL), an estrogen-inducible neuropeptide has also been reported to be associated with depression. However, it still remains unclear which GAL receptors (GALRs) are involved in PPD pathologic process. In the present study, we discovered that the expression of GALR1, rather than GALR2/3, was upregulated with a region-specific pattern in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of E2 withdrawal induced PPD model rats. Meanwhile, c-fos was also upregulated only in PFC in the same animal model. Injection of GALR1-siRNA into the bilateral PFC ameliorated depressive-like behavior of PPD rats, suggesting that the upregulation of GALR1 in PFC is involved in PPD. Moreover, Western Blot and HPLC assays demonstrated that the downregulation of CREB-BDNF signaling and 5-HT levels in the PFC of PPD rats were reversed after GALR1-siRNA injection. These comprehensive results suggest that the knock down of GALR1 in PFC alleviates depressive-like behaviors and reverse downregulation of CREB-BDNF and 5-HT levels in PPD rat model. HIGHLIGHTS  Expression level of GALR1 mRNA was significantly increased in PFC of estrogen withdraw-induced PPD rats. Injecting GALR1-siRNA into PFC alleviated depressive-like behavior and reversed the decrease of 5-HT level and CREB/BDNF signaling in PFC of PPD rats.