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Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate did not mitigate sickness behavior in mice
1Division of Nutritional Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, 1207 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
Physiology & Behavior
|August 26, 2004
Summary
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) did not prevent lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sickness behavior in mice. However, long-term DHEA-S administration showed some neuromodulatory effects, reducing baseline depression post-injection.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Macrophages release cytokines in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), triggering sickness behavior via brain signaling.
- Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate (DHEA-S) are known to influence mental health and cytokine production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if DHEA-S administration can inhibit LPS-induced sickness behavior in mice.
- To assess the neuromodulatory effects of DHEA-S on sickness behavior and its impact on cytokine pathways.
Main Methods:
- Mice received DHEA-S in drinking water for 2 weeks or 3 months, followed by saline or LPS injection.
- Sickness behavior was quantified using a social investigation paradigm.
- Plasma and brain DHEA-S levels were measured.
Main Results:
- LPS injection significantly reduced social behavior in mice.
- DHEA-S administration did not mitigate the acute LPS-induced sickness behavior, despite increased DHEA-S levels in plasma and brain.
- Three months of DHEA-S treatment reduced baseline depression following saline or LPS injection, indicating potential neuromodulatory effects.
Conclusions:
- DHEA-S is ineffective in ameliorating acute LPS-induced sickness behavior.
- Chronic DHEA-S administration may possess neuromodulatory properties, influencing baseline behavior but not acute LPS responses.