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A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
Published on: February 22, 2018
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FSHR ablation induces depression-like behaviors.
Wen-Kai Bi1,2,3,4, Shan-Shan Shao1,2,3,4, Zhi-Wei Li5
1Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Ji-nan, 250000, China.
Acta Pharmacologica Sinica
|March 24, 2020
Summary
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) impacts menopausal depression by influencing brain oxidative stress. Restoring FSH signaling may alleviate depression-like behaviors in mice.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Reproductive Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Reproductive hormone alterations are linked to menopausal depression risk.
- The specific role of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in menopausal depression is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of FSH on menopausal depression using a mouse model.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of FSH's influence on depression-like behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized FSH receptor knockout (Fshr-/-) mice to model postmenopausal conditions.
- Assessed depression-like behaviors, brain oxidative stress markers (GCLm, G6PD), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.
- Administered N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) as a ROS scavenger in vivo and FSH in vitro.
Main Results:
- Fshr-/- mice exhibited exacerbated depression-like behaviors and increased brain oxidative stress due to reduced GCLm and G6PD.
- NAC treatment attenuated depression-like behaviors in Fshr-/- mice.
- FSH administration dose-dependently increased GCLm and G6PD levels and decreased ROS production in neuroblastoma cells.
Conclusions:
- FSH signaling plays a role in the pathogenesis of menopausal depression.
- FSH appears to maintain neuronal redox balance by regulating ROS levels.
- Targeting FSH signaling could be a potential therapeutic strategy for menopausal depression.
