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Folic acid ameliorates depression-like behaviour in a rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress.
- Source :
-
BMC neuroscience [BMC Neurosci] 2020 Jan 15; Vol. 21 (1), pp. 1. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Jan 15. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Background: Depression is characterized by significant and low mood. Classical antidepressants are still not adequate in treating depression because of undesirable side effects. Folic acid, a member of the vitamin B complex, in considered to be strongly associated with the function and development of the central nervous system. Thus, in this study, we established a model of depression through chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in rats and assessed the antidepressant effects and mechanisms of folic acid.<br />Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), CUMS treated with folic acid, and CUMS treated with citalopram. Rats were assessed in terms of weight change, open-field test and sucrose preference. Homocysteine, monoamine neurotransmitters, interleukin-6, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), β-endorphin levels in the serum and brains of rats were analysed.<br />Results: Folic acid exhibited antidepressant-like effects in open-field and sucrose preference tests. Folic acid treatment effectively increased the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters, BDNF and β-endorphin, interleukin-6 and homocysteine levels were also significantly suppressed by folic acid administration.<br />Conclusions: These findings serve as preclinical evidence that folic acid plays an antidepressant-like role in several pathways involving monoamine neurotransmitters. Thus, folic acid may be used as a potential antidepressant.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation administration & dosage
Behavior, Animal drug effects
Biogenic Monoamines metabolism
Brain drug effects
Brain metabolism
Citalopram administration & dosage
Depression etiology
Disease Models, Animal
Folic Acid blood
Homocysteine blood
Male
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Antidepressive Agents administration & dosage
Depression metabolism
Depression prevention & control
Folic Acid administration & dosage
Stress, Psychological complications
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1471-2202
- Volume :
- 21
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- BMC neuroscience
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 31941442
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12868-020-0551-3