卵巢激素撤除诱发雌性小鼠抑郁样状态(英文)

目的:建立卵巢激素撤除诱发雌性小鼠抑郁样状态模型,并且探讨其可能的神经化学机制。方法:将小鼠分为假手术组,卵巢摘除组,己烯雌酚治疗组和氟西汀治疗组。动物行卵巢摘除术后开始给药,术后两周进行强迫游泳试验及悬尾试验以考察其抑郁样状态,并利用高效液相结合电化学检测测定下丘脑及海马中去甲肾上腺素(NE)、多巴胺(DA)以及五羟色胺(5-HT)的含量。结果:在强迫游泳试验及悬尾试验中,卵巢摘除小鼠较假手术组小鼠不动时间显著延长。神经递质测定显示,卵巢摘除小鼠下丘脑中NE与DA的含量显著降低,海马中NE与5-HT的含量显著降低。给予己烯雌酚或氟西汀治疗对抗了卵巢摘除所诱导的抑郁样状态,并且缓解了神经递质水平的下降。结论:双侧卵巢摘除诱发的小鼠抑郁样状态可以模拟妇女更年期抑郁的某些症状。本研究对于探讨卵巢激素撤除诱发抑郁状态的神经生化机制可能具有重要的意义。     

金钗石斛提取物对慢性不可预见应激模型小鼠的抗抑郁作用

为了探讨金钗石斛提取物对慢性不可预见应激模型小鼠的抗抑郁作用,将BALB/c小鼠分为6组,即正常组、模型组、阳性药组(帕罗西汀),金钗石斛低(50 mg/kg)、中(100 mg/kg)、高(200 mg/kg)剂量组,灌胃给药两周后,除正常组外,其他组给予慢性不可预见性应激造模35天。造模结束后,通过糖水偏爱、新奇抑制摄食、强迫游泳实验和悬尾实验检测其行为学改变,采用LC-MS/MS测定各组小鼠应激后海马及皮层单胺类神经递质包括多巴胺(dopamine,DA)和5-羟色胺(5-hydroxytryptamine,5-HT)的含量改变。结果显示,与正常组相比,模型组小鼠糖水偏爱指数下降(P0.01);与模型组比较,金钗石斛各剂量组可显著逆转模型小鼠出现的糖水偏爱指数下降(P0.01),其作用与阳性药帕罗西汀相当;与正常组相比,模型组小鼠新奇抑制摄食潜伏期延长(P0.01);与模型组比较,金钗石斛各剂量组均可显著缩短新奇抑制摄食潜伏期(P0.01);与正常组相比,模型组小鼠悬尾的不动时间明显延长(P0.01),与模型组比较,帕罗西汀及200 mg/kg金钗石斛均可缩短悬尾的不动时间(P0.05);与正常组相比,模型小鼠在强迫游泳实验中不动时间无明显延长,各给药组的不动时间也未见明显改变(P0.05)。与正常组相比,模型组小鼠皮层和海马中的DA和5-HT含量明显减少(P0.05);帕罗西汀能使模型小鼠海马和皮层DA、海马5-HT含量明显增加(P0.05);金钗石斛低、高剂量组皮层DA含量与模型组相比显著性升高(P0.05),金钗石斛中、高剂量组海马DA含量与模型组相比显著性升高(P0.05);金钗石斛高剂量组皮层和海马5-HT含量显著高于模型组(P0.05),但金钗石斛中剂量组仅海马5-HT含量显著高于模型组(P0.01)。以上结果提示,慢性不可预见应激可导致小鼠的类抑郁样行为出现,而金钗石斛提取物能有效改善慢性不可预见应激模型动物的抑郁样行为学表现,并提高小鼠脑内的DA和5-HT水平。     

油莎草须根油树脂成分及抗抑郁作用分析CSCD

揭示油莎草须根油树脂抗抑郁作用及成分。采用超高效液相色谱与串联四级杆飞行时间质谱联用技术分析油莎草须根油树脂化学成分;建立慢性不可预见温和应激(chronic unpredictable mild stress,CUMS)抑郁小鼠模型,从动物行为学、神经递质含量变化、海马组织病理学考察油莎草须根油树脂抗抑郁作用。结果表明:油莎草须根油树脂含有酮类(68.891%)、酯类(8.787%)、醇类(4.258%)、烯类(0.374%)及其他物质(12.879%),主要成分为α-香附酮(59.536%)、吉马酮(5.875%)。CUMS抑郁模型小鼠给药后,油莎草须根油树脂显著缩短了小鼠强迫游泳静止时间,悬尾静止时间;显著提高了中央总路程、平均速度、中央持续时间,油莎草须根油树脂高剂量组明显提升了小鼠血清中5-羟色胺(5-HT)含量、去甲肾上腺素(NE)含量,油莎草须根油树脂高剂量组小鼠海马细胞排列整齐,神经元细胞膜基本完整。油莎草须根油树脂可能通过参与调节CUMS抑郁模型小鼠血清中5-HT和NE的表达,修复小鼠海马组织损伤来改善抑郁样行为。     

中药天年饮对衰老大鼠脑单胺类神经递质含量的影响

目的：观察中药天年饮（Tiannianyin,TNY-traditional chinese medicine）对D-半乳糖衰老大鼠脑单胺类神经递质去甲肾上腺素（NE）、多巴胺（DA）、5-羟色胺（5-HT）含量的影响。方法：选用成年雄性SD大鼠40只．随机分为4组．每组均为10只：正常组、衰老模型组、TNY用药组、阴性对照组。Ⅱ半乳糖连续腹腔注射制作亚急性衰老的大鼠模型．采用高效液相色谱-电化学法检测各组大鼠下丘脑、海马NE、DA、5-HT的含量。结果：D-半乳糖衰老大鼠下丘脑、海马NE、DA、5-HT的含量明显降低（与正常大鼠相比P〈0．01）：TNY可明显提高脑单胺类神经递质的含量（用药组与模型组相比P〈0．05）。结论：TNY可有效调整中枢神经递质的合成,具有良好延缓衰老的作用。     

布洛芬辅助治疗下调氟西汀疗效不佳小鼠海马炎症因子表达改善抑郁样行为

目的:探讨布洛芬辅助治疗对氟西汀疗效不佳抑郁小鼠海马炎症因子表达及抑郁样行为的影响。方法:采用慢性不可预见性温和刺激制备抑郁模型,通过糖水偏爱试验、强迫游泳试验以及新奇环境抑制摄食试验等筛查氟西汀疗效不佳抑郁小鼠,将该小鼠随机分为2组,一组继续氟西汀治疗,另一组给予布洛芬辅助治疗,2周后评价2组小鼠抑郁样行为的变化及海马白细胞介素1β(Interleukin 1β,IL-1β)、前列腺素E2(Prostaglandin E2,PGE2)的表达情况。结果:大约20-30%的抑郁小鼠氟西汀治疗效果不佳,其海马IL-1β、PGE2水平明显高于对照组以及氟西汀治疗有效小鼠(P0.05)。布洛芬辅助治疗下调氟西汀疗效不佳抑郁小鼠海马IL-1β、PGE2水平,小鼠的糖水消耗及糖耗比值均较单纯氟西汀治疗组明显提高(P0.05);小鼠强迫游泳的不动时间明显缩短(P0.05)。并且在新奇环境中的摄食行为增强,摄食潜伏期缩短(P0.05)。结论:布洛芬对氟西汀治疗效果不佳(难治性)抑郁小鼠具有辅助抗抑郁治疗作用,能够下调炎症因子表达,改善其抑郁样行为。     

雌性大鼠去卵巢模型中脑神经内分泌信号异常传导的机理

目的比较正常大鼠和去卵巢大鼠脑内主要神经信息分子的种类和含量,以观察生理和病理状态下,神经内分泌信号传导通路的异同,初步探讨卵巢(雌激素)对神经内分泌信号传导机制。方法观察大鼠脑组织神经元细胞病理形态,运用高效液相色谱-荧光检测器定量检测不同脑区及血清中肾上腺素(E)、去甲肾上腺素(NE)、多巴胺(DA)、5-羟色胺(5-HT)、5-羟基吲哚乙酸(5-HIAA)及高香草酸(HVA)的含量变化。结果脑组织HE染色显示OVX组大鼠脑内神经元退化比假手术组明显。与假手术组相比,OVX组大鼠的NE、E含量降低,差异具有统计学意义的区域分别为海马和血清;HVA在丘脑中含量比假手术组升高;DA含量在皮质区比假手术组下降。与假手术组比较,OVX组在海马和小脑区5-HT含量上升,而5-HIAA含量下降;在皮质、丘脑和血清中,OVX组5-HT含量较假手术组下降,而5-HIAA含量升高。结论去卵巢大鼠的雌激素水平低下状态可能引起脑组织携带的主要信息分子(经典神经递质、氨基酸类递质)释放或合成发生异常,因此去卵巢模型大鼠可以作为一种神经内分泌信号异常的载体,为围绝经期综合征的信号传导的研究提供了一种新的思路和方法。     

莫扎特K448奏鸣曲高频段声波对小鼠抑郁模型干预治疗的分析

目的 建立C57BL/6小鼠抑郁模型,初步探究莫扎特K448奏鸣曲中的高频段声波改善C57BL/6小鼠抑郁症状的效果。方法 1)慢性应激模型的建立:小鼠依据自主活动实验结果剔除活动次数差异较大者,其余分为空白组(n=10)、模型组(n=36),模型组经历5周慢性温和不可预知刺激(chronic unpredictable and mildstress,CUMS),建立小鼠抑郁模型。(2)治疗干预:造模成功后,将模型组小鼠随机均衡分为模型对照组(n=12)、氟西汀组(n=12)和音乐组(n=12)。氟西汀组每天腹腔注射盐酸氟西汀溶液(10 mg/kg),其余两组注射等量的生理盐水。音乐组每天进行2 h高频音乐干预,其余两组不进行音乐干预。干预持续2周。(3)效果评价:实验前3 d及实验中每周称量体重并记录,实验第1周、第5周、第7周进行悬尾实验(tail suspension test,TST)和强迫游泳实验(forced swimming test,FST)。第7周行为学实验结束后,取小鼠脑组织制备匀浆,通过酶联免疫吸附法(enzymelinked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)测定脑源性神经营养因子(brain derived neurotrophic factor,BDNF)含量。结果1)成功构建CUMS小鼠模型。第5周模型组小鼠悬尾不动时间明显增加,差异有显著性(P<0.01),强迫游泳不动时间增加,差异有显著性(P<0.05)。(2)氟西汀组与模型对照组相比,悬尾实验不动时间明显缩短,差异有显著性(P<0.01),强迫游泳实验不动时间缩短,差异无显著性(P>0.05);音乐组与模型对照组相比,悬尾不动时间缩短,差异有显著性(P<0.05),强迫游泳实验不动时间无明显改变,差异无显著性(P>0.05)。模型对照组与空白组小鼠相比,脑组织匀浆中的BDNF含量明显降低,差异有显著性(P<0.01);氟西汀组与模型对照组相比,脑组织匀浆中的BDNF含量明显回升,差异有显著性(P<0.01),但音乐组与模型对照组相比,其差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论 莫扎特K448奏鸣曲高频段声波可一定程度优化小鼠抑郁模型的治疗作用。     

色氨酸对应激小鼠行为学和脑内单胺类递质的影响

本文以小鼠为实验材料建模,依次进行了Morris水迷宫、跳台、强迫游泳实验。结果显示,应激可导致小鼠学习记忆能力下降,容易出现绝望情绪,下丘脑5-HT含量下降,NE含量上升,灌胃高低剂量色氨酸(100,200mg·kg-1 bw)均可显著提高小鼠学习记忆能力,缓和绝望情绪。低剂量色氨酸在增加下丘脑5-羟色胺(5-HT)含量和降低去甲肾上腺素(NE)含量方面效果更显著。结果表明,适量色氨酸可以有效改善应激小鼠相关行为学评分,其机制可能与下丘脑5-HT和NE的含量有关。     

焦虑性抑郁模型大鼠脑区单胺递质含量与神经因子表达的变化

目的研究焦虑性抑郁模型大鼠海马、杏仁核、前额叶皮质内单胺递质的含量变化及脑内神经营养因子的表达趋势,探讨其可能的发病机制。方法 60只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、溶媒对照组、焦虑模型组、抑郁模型组、焦虑性抑郁模型组,每组12只。采用慢性束缚应激联合皮质酮注射的方法建立焦虑性抑郁大鼠模型,造模时间为21 d,造模结束后采用高架十字迷宫测试,旷场实验,强迫游泳实验评价大鼠的焦虑和抑郁样行为,HPLC-ECD法检测大鼠海马、杏仁核、前额叶皮质的单胺递质5-HT、NE、DA含量,蛋白印迹法检测大鼠各脑区神经营养因子BDNF、NT-3的含量。结果焦虑性抑郁模型组大鼠在进入开臂的时间、次数、旷场中自主活动次数均与焦虑组相当,与对照组及抑郁组比较差异有显著性(P0.01或P0.05),在强迫游泳中的不动时间显著增加,与对照组及焦虑组对比差异有显著性(P0.01);同时,与对照组比较,焦虑性抑郁模型组大鼠海马5-HT、杏仁核及前额叶皮质区的5-HT和NE含量均显著下降(P0.01或P0.05);此外,与对照组比较,焦虑性抑郁模型组大鼠各脑区BDNF、NT-3含量显著下降(P0.01或P0.05),同时与焦虑组比较,BDNF含量显著下降(P0.05)。结论焦虑性抑郁模型组大鼠具有显著的焦虑及抑郁样行为,其发病机制可能与脑内海马、杏仁核、前额叶皮质区域的单胺递质含量降低及神经营养因子BDNF、NT-3表达下调有关。     

针刺百会穴对产后抑郁小鼠行为学改变和海马区NMDAR相关蛋白表达的影响

摘要 目的：研究针刺百会穴对产后抑郁小鼠行为学改变和海马区N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸受体（NMDAR）相关蛋白表达的影响。方法：30只C57BL/6母鼠被随机分为对照组、模型组和治疗组,每组30只。模型组和治疗组小鼠在妊娠期间通过皮下注射地塞米松磷酸钠建立产后抑郁小鼠模型,对照组小鼠皮下注射等量的生理盐水作为对照。治疗组小鼠分娩后通过针刺百会穴治疗14天,模型组和对照组小鼠不进行治疗。比较三组小鼠24 h食物消耗量和体重,黑白箱实验中白箱停留时间和黑白箱穿梭次数,以及强迫游泳实验不动状态时间和悬尾实验中悬尾不动时间。同时,通过免疫印记法检测三组小鼠海马去NMDA受体（NR2A和NR2B）、cAMP 结合蛋白(CREB) 和钙调蛋白激酶II(CaMKII) 蛋白表达水平。结果：治疗前,产后抑郁小鼠24 h食物消耗量、体重、白箱停留时间、黑白箱穿梭次数以及海马区CREB蛋白表达水平均显著低于对照组小鼠（P<0.05）,而游泳不同状态时间、悬尾不动时间和海马区NR2A、NR2B、cAMP蛋白表达水平均显著高于对照组小鼠（P<0.05）。治疗后,针刺百会穴治疗组小鼠24 h食物消耗量、体重、白箱停留时间和黑白箱穿梭次数以及海马区CREB蛋白表达水平均显著高于模型组小鼠（P<0.05）,而游泳不同状态时间、悬尾不动时间和海马区NR2A、NR2B、cAMP蛋白表达水平均显著低于模型组小鼠（P<0.05）。结论：针刺百会穴可以显著改善产后抑郁小鼠行为学情况,提高其运动能力,其可能与影响产后抑郁小鼠NMDAR相关蛋白表达有关。     

Berberine produces antidepressant-like effects in the forced swim test and in the tail suspension test in mice

This study investigated the effect of berberine (BER) in the mouse forced swim test (FST) and in the tail suspension test (TST), two models predictive of antidepressant activity. We also investigated the antidepressant-like mechanism of BER by the combination of the desipramine [DES, an inhibitor of reuptake of noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5-HT)], maprotiline (MAP, selective NA reuptake inhibitor), fluoxetine (FLU, selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor) and moclobemide [MOC, monoamine oxidase (MAO) A inhibitor). Then we further measured the levels of monoamines [NA, dopamine (DA) and 5-HT) in mice striatum, hippocampus and frontal cortex. The results show that BER (10, 20 mg/kg, p.o.), significantly reduced the immobility time during the FST and the TST. The immobility time after treatment with BER (20 mg/kg, p.o.) in FST was augmented by DES, FLU and MOC, and not affected by MAP. Furthermore, BER (20 mg/kg, p.o.) increased NA and 5-HT levels in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. Our findings support the view that BER exerts antidepressant-like effect. The antidepressant-like mechanism of BER may be related to the increase in NA and 5-HT levels in the hippocampus and frontal cortex.     

Evaluation of Potential Antidepressant-Like Activity of Chalcone-1203 in Various Murine Experimental Depressant Models

Two classic animal behavior despair tests-the forced swimming test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST) were used to evaluate antidepressant-like activity of a new chalcone compound, chalcone-1203 in mice. It was observed that chalcone-1203 at dose of 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg significantly reduced the immobility time in the FST and TST in mice 30 min after treatment. In addition, chalcone-1203 was found to exhibit significant oral activity in the FST in mice. It also produced a reduction in the ambulation in the open-field test in mice not previously habituated to the arena, but no effect in the locomotor activity in mice previously habituated to the open-field. The main monoamine neurotransmitters and their metabolites in mouse brain regions were also simultaneously determined by HPLC–ECD. It was found that chalcone-1203 significantly increased the concentrations of the main neurotransmitters 5-HT and NE in the hippocampus, hypothalamus and cortex. Chalcone-1203 also significantly reduced the ratio of 5-HIAA/5-HT in the hippocampus and cortex, shown down 5-HT metabolism compared with mice treated with stress vehicle. In conclusion, chalcone-1203 produced significant antidepressant-like activity, and the mechanism of action may be due to increased 5-HT and NE in the mouse hippocampus and cortex.     

Aquaporin 4 regulates the effects of ovarian hormones on monoamine neurotransmission

Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) is the predominant water channels in the brain of mammals. Our previous study has reported that AQP4 knockout induced sex-specific alterations in neurotransmission, indicating that AQP4 might regulate the interaction between sex hormones and neurotransmission. In the present study, we found that AQP4 knockout decreased the concentrations of estrogen and progestogen. Further study showed that exogenous estrogen decreased DA and 5-HT in cortex, reduced DA and 5-HT in striatum, but increased 5-HT in hippocampus in AQP4+/+ male mice. However, in AQP4-/- male mice, exogenous estrogen almost did not alter the levels of neurotransmitters except for decreasing DA in cortex. In female mice, ovariectomy decreased DA in the striatum of AQP4+/+ mice, but did not alter the levels of DA in AQP4-/- mice. These findings reveal for the first time that AQP4 regulates not only water and ion homeostasis but also the functions of ovarian hormone and neurotransmitter.     

Fucoidan exerts antidepressant-like effects in mice via regulating the stability of surface AMPARs

The inflammatory hypothesis is one of the most important mechanisms of depression. Fucoidan is a bioactive sulfated polysaccharide abundant in brown seaweeds with anti-inflammatory activity. However, the antidepressant effects of fucoidan on chronic stress-induced depressive-like behaviors have not been well elucidated. Here, we used two different depressive-like mouse models, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and chronic restraint stress (CRS) models, to explore the detailed molecular mechanism underlying its antidepressant-like effects in C57BL/6J mice by combining multiple behavioral, molecular and immunofluorescence experiments. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of caspase-1 and pharmacological inhibitors were also used to clarify the antidepressant mechanisms of fucoidan. We found that acute administration of fucoidan did not produce antidepressant effects in the tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST). Interestingly, chronic fucoidan administration not only dose-dependently reduced stress-induced depressive-like behaviors in the TST, FST, sucrose preference test (SPT), and novelty-suppressed feeding test (NSFT), but also alleviated the downregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-dependent synaptic plasticity via inhibiting caspase-1-mediated inflammation in the hippocampus of mice. Moreover, fucoidan significantly ameliorated behavioral and synaptic plasticity abnormalities in the overexpression of caspase-1 in the hippocampus of mice. Furthermore, blocking BDNF abolished the antidepressant-like effects of fucoidan in mice. Therefore, our findings clearly indicate that fucoidan provides a potential supplementary noninvasive treatment for depression by inhibition of hippocampal inflammation.     

两种吗啡依赖大鼠模型脑内单胺神经递质水平的比较

目的通过对吗啡诱导的躯体依赖与精神依赖两种大鼠模型脑内单胺类递质水平的比较,探讨其在吗啡依赖形成中的作用。方法采用剂量递增法复制吗啡依赖大鼠模型,然后用纳洛酮催促,引起躯体戒断症状。连续给予吗啡（5mg／kg,ip）6d,引起大鼠产生显著的条件性位置偏爱效应。脑组织去甲肾上腺素（NE）、5-羟色胺（5-HT）和多巴胺（DA）含量采用荧光分光光度法测定。结果吗啡依赖大鼠催促戒断后脑内NE和5-HT水平明显升高,DA水平下降。吗啡在引起大鼠明显位置偏爱的同时,使大鼠脑内DA和5-HT水平显著升高,NE无明显改变。结论吗啡依赖的形成和戒断与脑内单胺神经递质有密切关系,吗啡依赖的躯体戒断症状与NE升高有关,而吗啡诱导的精神依赖则与脑内DA水平升高有关。     

抑郁症患者儿童期受虐对单胺类神经递质及相关因素的影响

目的：探索抑郁症患者儿童期受虐对血清5．羟色胺（5-hydroxytryptamine5-HT）、多巴胺（Dopamine DA）和去甲肾上腺素（Norepinephrine NE）水平及相关因素的影响。方法：对101例抑郁症患者采用儿童受虐问卷（CTQ）、24项汉密尔顿抑郁量表（HAMD24）、自杀意念量表（SIOSS）及Beck绝望量表（BHS）评定儿童期受虐程度,抑郁严重程度,自杀意念强度和绝望严重程度。采用酶联免疫吸附法（ELLSA）测定血清5-HT、DA和NE水平。根据CTQ评分将总分≥50分,分量表≥10分定为被虐待。结果：（1）情感忽视组血清5-HT和DA水平明显低于无忽视组（35．63±62．43,62．58±79．50;P〈0．05;4．08±6．30ng／1,7．61±11．47ng／1,P〈0．05）,受虐组血清NE水平虽高于无受虐组但无统计学意义;（2）情感受虐组和躯体受虐组的HAMD24评分明显高于无受虐组（30．60±9．84,26．77±6．54P〈0．05;31．00±9．59,27．79±8．23;P〈0．05）．遭受性虐待组SIOSS评分明显高于无虐待组（17．07±3．29,14．26±3．63,P〈0．01）。情感受虐组BHS评分明显高于无受虐组（12．13±3．32,10．35±4．30,P〈0．05）（3）儿童期情感被忽视和躯体被虐待评分与BHS评分呈明显正相关（r=0．22,r=0．23,P〈0．05）,被性虐待程度与SIOSS评分有明显相关（r=0．35,P〈0．01）。结论：儿童期情感被忽视的抑郁症患者血清5-HT和DA水平偏低,儿童期受虐的抑郁症患者可能存在下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴的不稳定。儿童期受虐是抑郁发作的危险因素并有更严重的抑郁症状。     

Stress-Related Changes in Cerebral Catecholamine and Indoleamine Metabolism: Lack of Effect of Adrenalectomy and Corticosterone

The concentrations of catecholamine and indoleamine metabolites were measured in intact and adrenalectomized mice to determine whether adrenal hormones mediate or modulate the stress-induced responses. Thirty minutes of footshock resulted in significant increases of the ratios of the dopamine (DA) catabolite, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), to DA in prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, striatum, hypothalamus, and brainstem, and of homovanillic (HVA)/DA ratios in nucleus accumbens, striatum, amygdala, and hypothalamus. Ratios of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol to norepinephrine (NE) were also increased in prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, septum, amygdala, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and brainstem. The concentration of NE was decreased in amygdala. 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)/5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) ratios and free tryptophan were also increased in every brain region. Very similar data were obtained from mice restrained for 30 min. Adrenalectomy resulted in increased HVA/DA ratios in prefrontal cortex and striatum, and 5-HIAA/5-HT in septum. The stress-related changes were largely similar in adrenalectomized mice. Significant interactions between adrenalectomy and footshock treatment occurred in prefrontal cortical DOPAC/DA and hypothalamic NE which was depleted only in adrenalectomized mice, suggesting tendencies for these measures to be more responsive in adrenalectomized mice. Corticosterone administration (0.5-2.0 mg/kg s.c.) which resulted in plasma concentrations in the physiological range did not alter the concentrations of the cerebral metabolites measured in any region. We conclude that adrenal hormones do not mediate cerebral catecholamine or indoleamine metabolism in stress, although adrenalectomy may affect HVA and 5-HIAA metabolism, and there was a tendency for catecholamines to be more sensitive to stress in adrenalectomized animals.     

Sexually dimorphic serotonergic dysfunction in a mouse model of Huntington's disease and depression

Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder in Huntington's disease (HD) patients. In the general population, women are more prone to develop depression and such susceptibility might be related to serotonergic dysregulation. There is yet to be a study of sexual dimorphism in the development and presentation of depression in HD patients. We investigated whether 8-week-old male and female R6/1 transgenic HD mice display depressive-like endophenotypes associated with serotonergic impairments. We also studied the behavioral effects of acute treatment with sertraline. We found that only female HD mice exhibited a decreased preference for saccharin as well as impaired emotionality-related behaviors when assessed on the novelty-suppressed feeding test (NSFT) and the forced-swimming test (FST). The exaggerated immobility time displayed by female HD in the FST was reduced by acute administration of sertraline. We also report an increased response to the 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT in inducing hypothermia and a decreased 5-HT(2A) receptor function in HD animals. While tissue levels of serotonin were reduced in both male and female HD mice, we found that serotonin concentration and hydroxylase-2 (TPH2) mRNA levels were higher in the hippocampus of males compared to female animals. Finally, the antidepressant-like effects of sertraline in the FST were blunted in male HD animals. This study reveals sex-specific depressive-related behaviors during an early stage of HD prior to any cognitive and motor deficits. Our data suggest a crucial role for disrupted serotonin signaling in mediating the sexually dimorphic depression-like phenotype in HD mice.     

The effect of curculigoside on mouse model of perimenopausal depression

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of curculigoside on mice with simulated perimenopausal depression.MethodGavage with high, medium, small dose of curculigoside once daily for 30 d consecutive days. Record the related behavior index. The wet weights and viscera indexes of the mouse uterus, thymus, and spleen were measured. Half of the brain was homogenized and tested for 5-HT and DA concentrations. The levels of serum E2, T, FSH, and LH were measured as well. Finally, histological changes in the uterus, thymus, spleen, and hypothalamus were observed under a light microscope.Resultcurculigoside can enhance the activity and latency time of the mice, increase mouse memory, and decrease electric shocks and immobility times in the TST and FST experiments. Mice treated with curculigoside showed significantly enhancement in viscera indexes of the thymus, spleen, and uterus; significantly elevated levels of serum E2 and T; significantly increased brain 5-HT and DA concentrations; significantly decreased levels of serum FSH and LH; and improvements in the histopathological lesions of the uterus, hypothalamus, thymus, and spleen. The high dose of curculigoside produced the best results.ConclusionAll doses of curculigoside are associated with reversing hormone (E2, T, FSH, and LH) disorders in perimenopausal syndrome and adjusting imbalanced 5-HT and DA levels, representing a therapeutic effect in perimenopausal depression.