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Resveratrol improves ovariectomy and chronic restraint stress-induced depression-like behaviors in mice through brain-derived neurotrophic factor associated structural synaptic remodeling

  • 0Department of Basic Medicine, Anhui College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Behavioural Pharmacology +

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July 30, 2025

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July 30, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Resveratrol demonstrates antidepressant effects in menopausal depression models by enhancing synaptic plasticity. It upregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and increases dendritic spine density in key brain regions.

Area Of Science

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Endocrinology

Background

  • Menopausal depression lacks clear treatment mechanisms.
  • Resveratrol shows antidepressant potential in various models.
  • The specific effects of resveratrol on menopausal depression are not well understood.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate the antidepressant effects of resveratrol in a menopausal depression model.
  • To elucidate the underlying mechanisms involving synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC).

Main Methods

  • Established a menopausal depression model in ovariectomized transgenic mice with chronic restraint stress.
  • Assessed antidepressant effects using behavioral tests (TST, FST, SPT, NSFT).
  • Evaluated dendritic and dendritic spine density, and quantified BDNF, cofilin1, and p-cofilin1 levels via imaging and molecular analysis.

Main Results

  • Resveratrol significantly reduced immobility in TST and NSFT, and increased sucrose consumption in SPT.
  • Resveratrol treatment increased the density of p-cofilin1 immunoreactive dendritic spines.
  • Resveratrol upregulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA levels in the hippocampus and mPFC.

Conclusions

  • Resveratrol improves menopausal depression-like behaviors.
  • The mechanism involves enhanced synaptic plasticity through BDNF upregulation and increased dendritic spine density.
  • Resveratrol shows promise for treating menopausal depression.

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