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Using the Activity-based Anorexia Rodent Model to Study the Neurobiological Basis of Anorexia Nervosa
Published on: October 22, 2015
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Anorexia Reduces GFAP+ Cell Density in the Rat Hippocampus
Daniel Reyes-Haro1, Francisco Emmanuel Labrada-Moncada1, Durairaj Ragu Varman1
1Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Universitario 3001, 76230 Juriquilla, QRO, Mexico.
Neural Plasticity
|September 1, 2016
Summary
Anorexia nervosa reduces astrocyte density in the hippocampus, a key brain region. This study in a mouse model reveals significant GFAP+ cell loss and altered intermediate filament expression, impacting brain energy supply.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Eating Disorders Research
Background:
- Anorexia nervosa is a complex eating disorder with unknown neurobiological underpinnings.
- Magnetic resonance imaging studies suggest hippocampal volume reduction in anorexic patients.
- Astrocytes are crucial for brain energy supply, but their role in anorexia is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate astrocyte density and reactivity in the hippocampus of the dehydration-induced anorexia (DIA) murine model.
- To assess the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and other intermediate filaments in astrocytes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the DIA mouse model to mimic anorexia nervosa.
- Quantified GFAP+ cell density and GFAP+ cells/nuclei ratio in hippocampal subregions (CA1, CA2, CA3, dentate gyrus).
- Measured GFAP, vimentin, and nestin protein expression using Western blot and immunohistochemistry.
Main Results:
- GFAP+ cell density was significantly reduced (~20%) in CA2, CA3, and dentate gyrus, but not CA1.
- The GFAP+ cells/nuclei ratio decreased in CA2 (-23%) and dentate gyrus (-48%).
- Anorexia led to reduced GFAP expression, increased vimentin and nestin expression, and more than twofold increase in reactive astrocytes in CA2 and dentate gyrus.
Conclusions:
- Anorexia significantly reduces hippocampal astrocyte density, particularly in specific subregions.
- Altered expression of intermediate filaments (vimentin, nestin) and increased astrocyte reactivity suggest a detrimental impact on astrocyte function.
- These findings provide insights into the neurobiology of anorexia nervosa and its effects on brain structure and glial cells.
