Probiotics alleviate depression-like behavior in mother-infant
separation stress rats
Abstract
Objective: To observe the changes of depression-like behavior in SD rats
induced by maternal separation (MS) stress and to explore the effects of
probiotics on antidepressant-like behavior and cAMP/CREB signaling
pathway. Methods: Newborn SD rats were selected as experimental subjects
and divided into MS+NS group, CON+NS group, MS+P group and CON+P group
using random number table method, 12 rats in each group. At PND 22-49,
the MS+P and CON+P groups were given 1×109 CFU (0.1 ml) of probiotic
colonies by gavage daily and the corresponding dose (1 ml/100g)
according to the change of body weight, and the MS+NS and CON+NS groups
were given the corresponding saline dose (1 ml/100g). Behavioral tests
were performed at PND50-56, and rats were executed at PND57 for
laboratory tests. Results: FST increased, OPT increased and SPT
decreased after probiotic intervention. It was suggested that the
MS-induced depression-like behavior was improved to some extent.
Compared with the model group, probiotic intervention increased the
number of neurons in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, decreased
serum-associated inflammatory factors, increased serum 5-HT
concentration, and decreased CORT concentration in rats. In addition,
the intervention increased the expression levels of cAMP, CREB and BDNF
in the hippocampus of MS rats. Conclusion: Probiotics can alleviate
anxiety/depression-like behavior in SD rats, which may be related to the
activation of cAMP/CREB signaling pathway. The protective effect of
probiotics as therapeutic food care in preventing or alleviating
MS-induced depression-like behaviors provides an experimental basis for
the application of probiotics to alleviate or improve
anxiety/depression.