Serum levels of BDNF are associated with craving in opiate-dependent patients

Preclinical study results suggest that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) are involved in the modulation of addictive behaviour. We investigated alterations in serum levels of BDNF and GDNF in opiate-dependent patients (28 males) who received diacetylmorphine treatment within a structured opiate maintenance programme. BDNF (T = 2.735, p = 0.009) serum levels were significantly increased in the opiate-dependent patients as compared with healthy controls (21 males), whereas GDNF serum levels (T = 1.425, p = 0.162) did not differ significantly from GDNF serum levels of the healthy controls. BDNF serum levels were significantly associated with craving for heroin (measured by the Heroin Craving Questionnaire (r = 0.420, p = 0.029) and by the General Craving Scale (r = 0.457, p = 0.016), whereas GDNF serum levels were not associated with psychometric dimensions of heroin craving. In conclusion, our results show a positive association between BDNF serum levels and opiate craving in opiate-dependent patients.     

注射用血栓通（冻干）对糖尿病大鼠海马损伤保护作用的研究

目的 研究注射用血栓通（冻干）（XST）减轻糖尿病大鼠海马神经损伤的作用。方法 ip链脲佐菌素（STZ）制备糖尿病大鼠模型,随机分为模型组和XST（50 mg/kg）组,每组10只,另随机取10只SD大鼠为对照组。ip给药,每天给药1次,于屏障环境中连续给药60 d,对照组和模型组大鼠ip等量生理盐水。常规HE染色观察大鼠海马CA1区细胞的形态;采用实时荧光定量PCR（qRT-PCR）技术对海马Bax、Bcl-2、Bcl-xl、脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）、胶质细胞源性神经营养因子（GDNF）、神经突触素（Syn）mRNA水平进行检测;采用Western blotting法对3种紧密连接蛋白——海马闭锁小带蛋白1（ZO-1）、咬合蛋白（Occludin）、封闭蛋白5（Claudin-5）和BDNF蛋白表达水平进行检测。结果 与模型组比较,XST减轻糖尿病引起的海马神经细胞形态改变,显著增加细胞数目（P<0.05） ;显著升高抑凋亡基因Bcl-2、Bcl-xlmRNA的表达,降低促凋亡基因Bax mRNA的表达（P<0.05） ;XST组3种紧密连接蛋白的表达量均不同程度的升高,其中Occludin、Claudin-5差异有统计学意义（P<0.05、0.01）;XST组GDNF、BDNF mRNA表达、BDNF蛋白表达均显著升高（P<0.05）。结论 XST可以减轻糖尿病大鼠海马神经损伤,其机制可能与提高紧密连接蛋白及神经营养因子表达有关。     

芍甘木瓜汤通过BDNF/TrkB/CREB信号通路改善脑卒中偏瘫痉挛状态大鼠神经行为学研究

目的 观察芍甘木瓜汤对脑卒中偏瘫痉挛状态大鼠神经行为学的影响,并探讨对脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）/酪氨酸蛋白激酶B（TrkB）/环磷腺苷效应元件结合蛋白（CREB）信号通路的调控机制。方法 取50只SD大鼠采用改良线栓法制作大脑中动脉梗死模型,选取建模成功大鼠随机分为模型组、巴氯芬（0.008 g/kg）组和芍甘木瓜汤低、中、高剂量（0.05、0.10、0.15 g/kg）组。另取10只SD大鼠不栓塞大脑中动脉作为假手术组,于再灌注2 h后ig给药,每天1次,连续2周,假手术组和模型组ig等量生理盐水。干预前后分别采用Zea Longa量表、改良Ashworth量表评价神经行为学、肌张力变化,采用大鼠多导生理记录仪测定上肢伸直幅度;酶联免疫法检测大鼠干预前后血清BDNF、TrkB水平;苏木素-伊红（HE）染色观察缺血半暗带脑组织病理变化,透射电镜下观察缺血半暗带脑组织神经元超微结构;实时荧光定量PCR（qRT-PCR）检测缺血半暗带脑组织BDNF、TrkB-FL、TrkB-T1、CREB mRNA表达;Western blotting检测BDNF、TrkB-FL、TrkB-T1、CREB蛋白表达及p-CREB水平。结果 干预后巴氯芬组和芍甘木瓜汤各剂量组的Zea Longa量表、改良Ashworth量表分级均较干预前和模型组（干预后）显著改善（P<0.05）,上肢伸直幅度均较干预前和模型组（干预后）均显著增加（P<0.05）,血清BDNF、TrkB水平均较干预前和模型组（干预后）显著升高（P<0.05）,缺血半暗带脑组织病理变化和神经元超微结构均较模型组明显改善。模型组缺血半暗带脑组织BDNF、TrkB-FL mRNA与蛋白表达,p-CREB蛋白水平均显著低于假手术组（P<0.05）,巴氯芬组和芍甘木瓜汤各剂量组均较模型组显著升高（P<0.05）;模型组缺血半暗带脑组织TrkB-T1 mRNA与蛋白表达显著高于假手术组（P<0.05）,巴氯芬组和芍甘木瓜汤各剂量组均较模型组显著下降（P<0.05）。各组缺血半暗带脑组织CREB mRNA表达差异无统计学意义。结论 对脑卒中偏瘫痉挛状态大鼠ig予以芍甘木瓜汤可改善其神经行为学,降低肌张力,增加血清BDNF、TrkB水平,减轻缺血半暗带脑组织病理和神经元超微结构变化,推测与激活BDNF/TrkB/CREB通路,上调BDNF、TrkB-FL mRNA与蛋白表达,下调TrkB-T1 mRNA与蛋白表达,增加p-CREB水平有关。     

捏脊疗法对脾虚大鼠学习记忆及其皮层BDNF和GDNF阳性细胞数目的影响

目的观察捏脊疗法对脾虚大鼠学习记忆及其大脑皮层脑源性神经生长因子（BDNF）和胶质源细胞性神经营养因子（GDNF）阳性细胞数目的影响,并探讨其作用机制。方法通过建立利血平致脾虚动物模型,设立正常组、模型组、阳性对照组、捏脊组。测定大鼠体质量、学习记忆和游泳时间等指标,评定脾虚反应的强度。通过免疫组织化学技术,研究各组大鼠大脑皮层BDNF和GDNF阳性细胞数目的变化。结果捏脊疗法使脾虚大鼠的体质量明显增加的同时,游泳时间明显延长（P〈0.05）。与阳性对照组和捏脊组相比,脾虚组大鼠学习记忆能力明显降低,大脑皮层BDNF和GDNF阳性细胞数目明显减少（P〈0.05）。结论捏脊疗法能有效抗疲劳和改善脾虚大鼠学习记忆能力,其机制可能与捏脊调节大脑皮层BDNF和GDNF阳性细胞蛋白表达水平有关。     

五味子乙素对慢性应激抑郁大鼠海马BDNF/TrkB/CREB通路的影响

目的 研究五味子乙素对慢性应激抑郁大鼠海马脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）/酪氨酸激酶B（TrkB）/环磷腺苷效应元件结合蛋白（CREB）信号通路的影响。方法 40只SD大鼠随机选择10只作为对照组,其余大鼠采用慢性不可预知温和应激（chronic unpredictable mild stress,CUMS）结合孤养制备抑郁症模型,造模结束后随机分为3组：模型组、盐酸氟西汀（3 mg·kg^-1）组、五味子乙素（5 mg·kg^-1）组,每天ig给药1次,连续8周。分别于造模前、造模后及给药后进行旷场、悬尾、强迫游泳行为学实验;通过苏木素-伊红（HE）染色观察大鼠海马形态学改变;免疫组织化学染色（IHC）法观察大鼠海马BDNF蛋白表达;实时荧光定量PCR（qRT-PCR）法检测大鼠海马BDNF、TrkB、CREB mRNA相对表达量;Westernblotting检测大鼠海马BDNF、TrkB、CREB蛋白相对表达量。结果 与对照组比较,模型组大鼠旷场实验水平、垂直得分显著降低（P＜0.05）,悬尾不动时间和强迫游泳漂浮时间显著增加（P＜0.05）;HE染色结果显示海马神经元结构损伤,IHC结果显示海马BDNF表达明显降低;海马BDNF、TrkB、CREB mRNA及蛋白相对表达显著降低（P＜0.05）。与模型组比较,盐酸氟西汀及五味子乙素组大鼠水平、垂直得分显著增加（P＜0.05）,不动时间和漂浮时间显著减少（P＜0.05）;海马神经元结构明显复原,海马组织中BDNF染色明显增加;BDNF、TrkB、CREB mRNA和蛋白相对表达量显著增加（P＜0.05）。结论 五味子乙素可以改善慢性应激抑郁大鼠抑郁样行为、海马区神经元数量及形态,其机制可能与上调BDNF/TrkB/CREB信号通路有关。     

临床孤立综合征患者血清和脑脊液中脑源性与胶质细胞源性神经营养因子水平及其神经保护作用研究

目的 探讨多发性硬化（MS）的早期表现--临床孤立综合征（CIS）患者血清及脑脊液中脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）、胶质细胞源性神经营养因子（GDNF）水平及其神经保护作用.方法 对27例CIS患者及21例对照者进行研究,CIS患者发作期进行扩展残疾状态量表（EDSS）评分、寡克隆带测定及MRI检查,液相芯片分析技术检测血清及脑脊液BDNF、GDNF浓度.结果 CIS患者发作期血清及脑脊液BDNF[分别为（5.981±0.995）和（0.178±0.008）μg/L]、GDNF浓度[分别为（0.039±0.007）和（0.082±0.011）μg/L]与对照组[血清：（4.374±0.501）、（0.042±0.007）μg/L;脑脊液：（0.152±0.011）、（0.065±0.013）μg/L]比较差异均无统计学意义（均P＞0.05）;脑脊液BDNF与GDNF浓度呈正相关（r=0.777,P=0.000）,血清BDNF与GDNF浓度无相关性（r=-0.375,P=0.126）.血清及脑脊液BDNF、GDNF浓度与EDSS评分、血脑屏障指数、Delpech指数、Tourtellotte合成率及脑萎缩无明显相关性（P＞0.05）.结论 CIS患者体内BDNF与GDNF水平相关,二者可能具有协同的神经保护作用.BDNF及GDNF与CIS患者血脑屏障破坏及中枢神经系统内IgG合成无关,与神经功能残疾及脑萎缩的关系仍需研究.     

BDNF plasma levels decrease during benzodiazepine withdrawal in patients suffering from comorbidity of depressive disorder and benzodiazepine dependence

Rationale  

Alterations in the expression of neurotrophic growth factors like brain-derived neuronal factor (BDNF) and glial cell line-derived neuronal growth factor (GDNF) have been frequently associated with affective disorders. Indeed, benzodiazepine dependence is typically combined with affective disorders. Aim of the study was to investigate plasma levels of the neuronal growth factors BDNF and GDNF during benzodiazepine withdrawal in patients suffering from comorbidity of benzodiazepine dependence and depressive disorder.     

Influences of chronic venlafaxine,olanzapine and nicotine on the hippocampal and cortical concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a key neurotrophic factor in the brain. It plays an important role in the etiopathogenesis and pharmacotherapy of mental disorders, such as depression or schizophrenia. In recent years, studies have shown that cognitive processes, which are impaired in the course of mental disorders, significantly change BDNF levels in the brain.Administered to rats at a dose of 20 mg/kg (b.d. for 5 weeks), venlafaxine (VEN) increases BDNF levels in the hippocampus and cortex, compared to controls. Administered at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg (b.d. for 5 weeks), olanzapine (OLA) significantly increases BDNF levels in both the cortex and the hippocampus. Similarly, nicotine (NIC) administered at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg (b.d. for 5 weeks) increases BDNF concentrations in both the hippocampus and the cortex. Combined administration of NIC with VEN or OLA does not increase BDNF levels in the hippocampus or the cortex.Based on our study, it can be claimed that BDNF mediates behavioral responses only to drugs used individually and participates in the antidepressant and procognitive effects of the study compounds. BDNF also initiates plastic changes and modulation of synaptic activity in rat brains.     

Protective effect of compound Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) dripping pills alone and in combination with carbamazepine on kainic acid-induced temporal lobe epilepsy and cognitive impairment in rats

Context: Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is resistant to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and is associated with cognitive impairment. The modern Chinese medicine, compound Danshen dripping pills (CDDP), is clinically effective in treating epilepsy and improving cognitive impairment.

Objective: This study evaluated the protective effects of CDDP alone and in combination with carbamazepine (CBZ) on kainic acid-induced TLE and cognitive impairment in rats.

Materials and methods: Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: control (sham operated), model, CDDP, CBZ and combined. A TLE model was then created via bilateral intrahippocampal injection of 0.35?μg kainic acid (KA). Rats received CDDP (85?mg/kg), CBZ (100?mg/kg) or combined (85?mg/kg CDDP +100?mg/kg CBZ) via intragastric administration for 90?d, respectively. Seizure intensity, apoptosis and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) were measured. Furthermore, the improvement in cognitive impairment and hippocampal neuronal damage was evaluated.

Results: CDDP combined with CBZ significantly decreased seizure severity and frequency (p?p?p?p?p?Conclusion: These findings support the use of CDDP as an adjuvant drug for the treatment of TLE and cognitive deficit. Its mechanism might be related to an anti-apoptosis effect and up-regulation of GDNF.     

SSR149415, a non-peptide vasopressin V1b receptor antagonist, has long-lasting antidepressant effects in the olfactory bulbectomy-induced hyperactivity depression model

Olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) in rats causes several behavioral and neurochemical CNS changes, reminiscent of symptoms of human depression. Such depression-like behavior after OBX can be reversed with antidepressants. Recently, a connection between the vasopressin 1_b (V_1b) receptor and the development of depression has been suggested; therefore, a vasopressin V_1b receptor antagonist (SSR149415) was investigated in the OBX model. Male rats received olfactory bulbectomy or sham surgery. After recovery, animals received 14 consecutive daily doses of SSR149415 (10 or 30 mg/kg), imipramine (20 mg/kg), or vehicle (5% hydroxy-propyl methylcellulose). Animals were tested in an open field after acute treatment, on days 7 and 14 of treatment and 1 week after cessation of treatment. Similar to imipramine, repeated, but not acute, administration of SSR149415 completely reversed OBX-induced hyperactivity, leaving activity in shams unaffected. This reversal of OBX-induced hyperactivity in the SSR149415 treated rats was still present 7 days after cessation of treatment. Although the behavioral effects of treatment with SSR149415 were specific for the OBX animals, adrenal gland weights were reduced in both sham and OBX animals treated with 30 mg/kg SSR149415. Chronic but not acute administration of SSR149415 normalizes OBX-induced hyperactivity up to 1 week after cessation of treatment, suggesting that a V_1b receptor antagonist may have long-lasting antidepressant activity.     

Formation of aversive memories associated with conditioned drug withdrawal requires BDNF expression in the amygdala in acute morphine-dependent rats

Aim:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in learning and memory in multiple brain areas. In the present study, we investigated the roles of BDNF in aversive memories associated with conditioned drug withdrawal in acute morphine-dependent rats.

Methods:

Conditioned place aversion (CPA) was induced in male SD rats exposed to a single dose of morphine (10 mg/kg, sc) followed by naloxone (0.3 mg/kg, sc). In some rats, BDNF receptor antagonist K252a (8.5 ng per side) or BDNF scavenger TrkB-FC (0.65 μg per side) was bilaterally microinjected into amygdala before naloxone injection. BDNF mRNA and protein expression levels in amygdala were detected after the behavior testing.

Results:

CPA behavior was induced in rats by the naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal, which was accompanied by significantly increased levels of BDNF mRNA and protein in the amygdala. Bilateral microinjection of TrkB-FC or K252a into the amygdala completely blocked CPA behavior in the rats.

Conclusion:

Formation of aversive memories associated with conditioned drug withdrawal in acute morphine-dependent rats requires BDNF expression in the amygdala.     

Temporal Regulation of Peripheral BDNF Levels during Cocaine and Morphine Withdrawal: Comparison with a Natural Reward

Background:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin that has long been studied in the field of addiction and its importance in regulating drug addiction–related behavior has been widely demonstrated. The aim of our study was to analyze the consequences of a repeated exposure to drugs of abuse or natural reward on plasma BDNF levels during withdrawal.

Methods:

Rats were chronically injected with morphine (subcutaneously, 5mg/kg) or cocaine (intraperitoneally, 20mg/kg) or fed with a butter biscuit (per os, 4g) once per day for 14 days. Blood collection was performed on the 1st (withdrawal day 1 or WD1) or on (WD14), either at the same time point rats had been exposed to drugs or natural reward or at a different time point (used to quantify basal brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels).

Results:

Cocaine treatment led to a rapid (WD1) and persistent (WD14) decrease of basal BDNF levels compared with saline-treated animals, whereas morphine induced an increase on WD14 without any alteration on WD1. On the contrary, the natural reward induced a significant increase of basal brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels only on WD1. The analysis of BDNF levels at the usual time point at which animals had been exposed showed that both drugs, but not the natural reward, increased BDNF levels compared with basal levels.

Conclusion:

Our data highlight that only drugs of abuse are able to persistently alter BDNF levels and to induce specific variations of this neurotrophic factor at the usual hour of injection.     

Hippocampal BDNF signaling is required for the antidepressant effects of perillaldehyde

BackgroundPerillaldehyde is one of the main components in perilla. Previous studies have shown that perillaldehyde exerted an antidepressant effect in mice, some of which is mediated through regulation of the anti-inflammatory system and the monoamine system. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the possible effects of perillaldehyde on the neurotrophic system and to elucidate whether its antidepressant effect requires brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling.MethodsMice were exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and orally administrated with perillaldehyde for 4 weeks for behavioral testing.ResultsPerillaldehyde not only reversed the decrease in sucrose preference but also attenuated the increase in feeding latency. In addition, perillaldehyde can attenuate the reduction of CUMS-induced hippocampal BDNF levels. Our further study found that the BDNF receptor tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) antagonist K252a completely blocked the antidepressant effect of perillaldehyde in mice. Biochemical analysis showed that K252a pretreatment completely prevented the improvement of BDNF, extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and synaptic protein.ConclusionsThese results indicated that activation of BDNF-ERK signaling in the hippocampus was required, at least in part for the antidepressant effects of perillaldehyde.     

Chronic antidepressant-like effect of EMD386088, a partial 5-HT6 receptor agonist,in olfactory bulbectomy model may be connected with BDNF and/or CREB signalling pathway

Background

The removal of the olfactory bulbs has been attributed to behavioral changes and neuroplasticity manifesting themselves among others like increases in brain neurotrophin expression and neurogenesis. Earlier data presented that EMD386088, a 5-HT₆ receptor partial agonist, exerts antidepressant-like properties after chronic administration in olfactory bulbectomy (OB) model as was it compared with amitriptyline (AMI). The aim of this study was to compare acute and chronic biochemical effects of EMD386088, administered in its antidepressant active (2.5 mg/kg) and non-active (1.25 mg/kg) doses, found in the open field test in OB rats, with those of AMI (10 mg/kg). The levels of 5-HT₆ receptor protein and selected neurotrophins in prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (Hp) of rats have been examined.

Preliminary evidence of cannabinoid effects on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in humans

Background  Acute and chronic exposure to cannabinoids has been associated with cognitive deficits, a higher risk for schizophrenia and other drug abuse. However, the precise mechanism underlying such effects is not known. Preclinical studies suggest that cannabinoids modulate brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Accordingly, we hypothesized that Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC), the principal active component of cannabis, would alter BDNF levels in humans. Materials and methods  Healthy control subjects (n = 14) and light users of cannabis (n = 9) received intravenous administration of (0.0286 mg/kg) Δ⁹-THC in a double-blind, fixed order, placebo-controlled, laboratory study. Serum sampled at baseline, after placebo administration, and after Δ⁹-THC administration was assayed for BDNF using ELISA. Results  Δ⁹-THC increased serum BDNF levels in healthy controls but not light users of cannabis. Further, light users of cannabis had lower basal BDNF levels. Δ⁹-THC produced psychotomimetic effects, perceptual alterations, and “high” and spatial memory impairments. Implications  The effects of socially relevant doses of cannabinoids on BDNF suggest a possible mechanism underlying the consequences of exposure to cannabis. This may be of particular importance for the developing brain and also in disorders believed to involve altered neurodevelopment such as schizophrenia. Larger studies to investigate the effects of cannabinoids on BDNF and other neurotrophins are warranted.     

What is the combined effect of intense intermittent exercise and Ginkgo biloba plant on the brain neurotrophic factors levels,and learning and memory in young rats?

BackgroundThe present study was conducted to investigate the effect of intense intermittent exercise and Ginkgo biloba on the hippocampal levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) and also memory and learning in young rats.MethodsForty two eight-week-old rats were randomly divided into six groups including control, low dose of Ginkgo biloba (65 mg/kg), high dose of Ginkgo biloba (100 mg/kg), exercise, exercise + low dose of Ginkgo biloba, exercise + high dose of Ginkgo biloba. The exercise protocol or Ginkgo biloba administration was six days a week for six weeks. The hippocampal levels of BDNF and NT-4 were measured by ELISA method, and learning and memory were evaluated by Morris water maze test in all groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS software.ResultsIncrease in hippocampal levels of BDNF and NT-4 appeared following exercise (p < 0.01). The levels do not change following exercise + Ginkgo biloba administration. However, the NT-4 level decreased in the high dose of Ginkgo biloba group (p < 0.01). Disorder in learning and memory was indicated following the use of low dose of Ginkgo biloba or exercise + low dose Ginkgo biloba administration (p < 0.001). Learning elevated in the exercise group (p < 0.05).ConclusionsExercise in young rats may increase brain neurotrophin levels and lead to improved learning. The preventative or protective role of Ginkgo biloba against some diseases has been suggested, but its consumption in young athletes is recommended with caution.     

Environmental enrichment has antidepressant-like action without improving learning and memory deficits in olfactory bulbectomized rats

Depression, especially in the elderly, is associated with poor cognitive functioning. Exercise has received much attention in the treatment for depression and also dementia. Here we studied the effect of an enriched environment combined with voluntary exercise (EE/VE) on the olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) rat. The OBX rat is hyperactive in an open field, which is normalized by chronic antidepressant treatment, and suffers from learning and memory impairments. Neurotrophic factors are thought to be involved in the antidepressant action of EE/VE. Hyperactivity and cognitive functioning (both hippocampal dependent and independent tasks) were investigated before and after EE/VE. We quantified hippocampal mRNA levels of the neurotrophic factors BDNF, VGF and VEGF. VEGF receptor (FLK-1) inhibition was achieved by i.c.v administration of the antagonist SU5416 during the period of EE/VE. OBX almost completely blocked fear memory acquired either 48 h or 28 days before surgery. EE/EV normalized OBX-induced hyperactivity in open field, while having no effect on the decrease in hippocampal dependent learning and memory. VEGF mRNA levels in hippocampus were significantly increased both in OBX and control rats following EE/VE. OBX reduced BDNF mRNA levels, but EE did not reverse this. Inhibition of the FLK-1 receptor did not suppress EE/VE induced normalization of the hyperactivity of the OBX rat. The lack of effect of EE/VE on cognitive parameters, while normalizing hyperactivity, suggests different neuronal mechanisms underlying OBX-induced behavioral changes. Since EE/VE still normalizes the OBX-induced hyperactivity while the FLK-1 receptor was blocked, we assume that VEGF is not obligatory for the antidepressant effect of EE/VE. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Anxiety and Depression'.     

Lithium treatment alters brain concentrations of nerve growth factor,brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in a rat model of depression

Nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) are proteins involved in neuronal survival and plasticity of dopaminergic, cholinergic and serotonergic neurons in the central nervous system. Since decreased size and impaired function of some neuronal populations may be relevant in depression it has been hypothesized that these molecules may have a functional role in the pathophysiology as well as treatment of depression. Using an animal model of depression, the Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) rats and their controls, the Flinders Resistant Line (FRL), we investigated the effects of chronic lithium treatment on brain NGF, BDNF and GDNF. Lithium was administered as food supplementation during 6 wk. NGF, BDNF and GDNF measurements were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Lithium altered the brain concentrations of neurotrophic factors in the hippocampus, frontal cortex, occipital cortex and striatum. Moreover, the changes were different in the two rat strains. Our data support the notion that neurotrophic factors play a role in depression and in the mechanism of the action of lithium.     

皮质前额叶和海马PPAR-α通路参与N-棕榈酰乙醇胺抗大鼠抑郁样行为

目的　探讨皮质前额叶（PFC）和海马中α型过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体（PPARα）参与N-棕榈酰乙醇胺（PEA）调控慢性应激诱导大鼠抑郁样行为的机制。方法　将50只SD大鼠按照随机数字表法分为正常对照组、模型组、氟西汀组（阳性药物对照,10 mg/kg）、PEA组（10 mg/kg）和PEA+MK886组（PEA 10 mg/kg+MK886 3 mg/kg）,每组10只。除正常对照组外,其余各组大鼠给予慢性不可预见性温和应激（CUMS）和孤养应激干预4周建立抑郁模型,建模1周时分组给予相应药物干预4周。第36天麻醉大鼠后取脑组织标本,通过免疫组化染色观察皮质前额叶（PFC）和海马中多唾液酸-神经细胞黏附分子（PSA-NCAM）蛋白表达情况;酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）检测大鼠PFC中脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）、胶质细胞源性神经营养因子（GDNF）的表达,及PFC和海马中肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素1β（IL-1β）和核转录因子-κB（NF-κB）的水平。结果　PEA上调了CUMS抑郁模型大鼠PFC和海马中PSA-NCAM及PFC中BDNF和GDNF蛋白表达,下调了PFC和海马中TNF-α、IL-1β和NF-κB水平。与PEA组相比,PEA+MK886组大鼠PFC和海马中PSA-NCAM、PFC中BDNF和GDNF的表达下调,PFC和海马中TNF-α、IL-1β、NF-κB的水平增加。结论　PEA可通过调控PFC和海马的PPARα通路促进神经可塑性、缓解神经炎症,发挥神经保护作用,从而改善CUMS大鼠的抑郁样行为。