cyclic-gmp and Depressive-Disorder--Major

BACKGROUND Depression is a major mood disorder. Some patients have been reported to improve following acupuncture. This study aimed to investigate the effects of acupuncture on behaviors associated with depression in the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat model. The expression of signaling pathway components of nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the rat hippocampus and plasma were also measured. MATERIAL AND METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats (N=40) were divided into the control group (N=10), the model group (N=10), the acupuncture group (N=10), and the non-acupuncture group (N=10). The rat model was established by orphaning combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for six weeks. The acupuncture group was given 21 days of treatment using acupoints (AP) or non-acupoints (NP). Rat behaviors associated with depression were tested using the sucrose preference test (SPT), the open field test (OFT), and the elevated plus maze (EPM) test. Enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits, NR1, NR2A, and NR2B in the rat plasma and hippocampus. RESULTS Acupuncture reversed the behaviors associated with depression in the CUMS rat model and reduced the expression of components of the NO and cGMP pathway in the rat hippocampus and plasma. CONCLUSIONS In the CUMS rat model, treatment with acupuncture reduced behaviors associated with depression, and these effects were associated with changes in the NO and cGMP signaling pathway.

Topics: Acupuncture Points; Acupuncture Therapy; Animals; Antidepressive Agents; Behavior, Animal; Cyclic GMP; Depression; Depressive Disorder, Major; Disease Models, Animal; Guanosine Monophosphate; Hippocampus; Male; Nitric Oxide; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Signal Transduction; Stress, Psychological

Major depression (MD) is an independent cardiovascular risk factor, but the exact mechanisms are not clear. In this study we have investigated the intraplatelet L-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) pathway and platelet function in depressive patients.. Nineteen unmedicated patients with MD (34±4years) and 19 control subjects (CS, 34±3years) were included. L-[(3)H]-arginine influx, NO synthase (NOS) activity and intracellular cGMP levels were evaluated in platelets, as well as the expression of eNOS, iNOS, arginase and soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), platelet aggregation and the systemic amino acid profile in MD patients and CS.. L-arginine influx (pmol/10(9)cells/min) in platelets was reduced from 46.2±9.5 to 20.02±2.12 in depression. NOS activity (pmol/10(8) cells) was diminished in MD patients (0.09±0.01) compared to CS (0.17±0.01). Intracellular cGMP levels were also impaired in MD patients associated with hyperaggregability. Moreover, the concentration of plasma L-arginine was reduced by 20% in MD patients. The expression of eNOS, iNOS, arginase II and sGC in platelet lysates was not affected by MD.. Small number of patients in the study.. This study has demonstrated an impairment of L-arginine-NO signaling in platelets from MD patients, suggesting a role in platelet activation and cardiovascular events.

Topics: Adult; Amino Acids; Arginine; Blood Platelets; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cyclic GMP; Depressive Disorder, Major; Female; Guanylate Cyclase; Humans; Male; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Platelet Aggregation; Risk Factors