Action mechanism of vinpocetine in improving learning and memory disorders in depressive rats after MECT / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 To explore the action mechanism of vinpocetine in improving learning and memory disorders in depressive rats after modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT). 【Methods】 The models of depressive rats were constructed by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) method. A total of 30 rats with depression were randomly divided into depression group, MECT group, and MECT+vinpocetine (10 mg/kg) group, with 10 in each group. A total of 10 untreated healthy rats were enrolled as control group. The learning and memory ability were tested by Morris water maze test and novel object recognition test. The depression state was evaluated by sugar preference test. The brain slices of the hippocampus were prepared for electrophysiological experiments. The density of dendritic spine was detected by Golgi staining. The expressions of endocannabinoids related genes [diacylglycerol lipase (DAGLα), monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), and endocannabinoid type-I receptor (CB1R)] were detected by qPCR and Western blotting. The lentivirus was injected to downregulate the expressions of CB1R and DAGLα in the hippocampus. After re-modeling and treatment, behavioral tests were performed. 【Results】 Compared with control group, sugar preference, spatial exploration time, relative discrimination index, long-term potentiation (LTP), density of dendritic spine, expressions of DAGLα and CB1R were decreased, while escape latency and MAGL were increased in depression group (P<0.05). Compared with depression group, sugar preference, escape latency, and MAGL were increased, while spatial exploration time, relative discrimination index, LTP, density of dendritic spine, expressions of DAGLα and CB1R were decreased in MECT group (P<0.05). Compared with depression group, sugar preference, spatial exploration time, relative discrimination index, LTP, density of dendritic spine, expressions of DAGLα and CB1R were increased, while escape latency and MAGL were decreased in MECT+vinpocetine group (P<0.05). Compared with MECT group, sugar preference, spatial exploration time, relative discrimination index, LTP, density of dendritic spine, expressions of DAGLα and CB1R were increased, while escape latency and MAGL were decreased in MECT+vinpocetine group (P<0.05). The down-regulation of DAGLα or CB1R by lentivirus could inhibit the improvement effect of vinpocetine on behavioral performance of depressive rats after MECT. 【Conclusion】 Vinpocetine can significantly improve learning and memory disorders in depressive rats after MECT, which may be related to regulating the expressions of endocannabinoid-related genes and enhancing synaptic plasticity.

Effect of ω-3PUFAs on cognitive deficit in rats with schizophrenia / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To investigate the antagonistic effect of ω-3PUFAs on cognitive impairment in MK-801-induced schizophrenia (SZ) rats and its mechanism.Methods Rat model of schizophrenia was induced by MK-801.Morris water maze was used to detect the change of cognitive function in rats.The number of neonatal neurons in hippocampus was detected by Brdu staining.CREB,p-CREB,BDNF,TrkB and p-TrkB levels were detected by Weston Blot.Results MK-801 induced schizophrenia-like cognitive impairment (the escape latency in the water maze test was (6.51±3.10)s for Ctr group,(15.27±6.20)s for Mod group;acrossing times was (4.63±1.06) times for Ctr group,(2.00±1.15) times for Mod group),reduced the number of neonatal neurons in hippocampus (the relative level of neonatal neuron number per unit area,Mod/Ctr was 0.656±0.066) and impaired the CREB/BDNF/TrkB pathway (the relative level of gray value,Mod/Ctr:CREB was 0.393±0.065,p-CREB was 0.591±0.015,BDNF was 0.716±0.115,TrkB was 0.787±0.029,p-TrkB was 0.586±0.013).ω-3PUFAs improved the CREB/BDNF/TrkB pathway activity by increasing CREB and TrKB level and their phosphorylation (the relative level of gray value,Pre/Ctr:CREB was 1.139±0.111,p-CREB was 0.845±0.243,BDNF was 0.864±0.133,TrkB was 0.916±0.022,p-TrkB was 0.952±0.047),and then recovered the number of neonatal neurons in hippocampus (the relative level of neonatal neuron number per unit area,Pre/ Ctr was 1.183±0.101),thereby reduced the cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia rats(the escape latency in the water maze was (7.44±4.55)s for Pre;acrossing times was (3.86±1.68) times for Pre).Conclusion ω-3PUFAs can relieve the MK-801-induced schizophrenia-like cognitive impairment.

Effects of ziprasidone and olanzapine on glucose and lipid metabolism in first-episode schizophrenia / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of ziprasidone and olanzapine on glucose and lipid metabolism in first-episode schizophrenia.@*METHODS@#A total of 260 schizophrenics were assigned randomly to receive ziprasidone or olanzapine for 6 weeks. The weight was measured at baseline, week 2, 4 and 6. Fasting blood glucose (FBS), fasting insulin, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total-cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were measured at baseline and the end of 6-week treatment. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was measured in some patients at baseline and the end of 6-week treatment. Body mass index (BMI) and insulin resistance index (IRI) were counted.@*RESULTS@#A total of 245 patients completed the trial, including 121 ziprasidone patients and 124 olanzapine patients. The average dose was 137.5 mg/d for ziprasidone and 19.5 mg/d for olanzapine. Patients treated with olanzapine had higher weight gain than those treated with ziprasidone [(4.55±3.37) kg vs (-0.83±2.05) kg, P<0.001]. After the treatment, FBS, fasting insulin, HDL, TC, TG, LDL and IRI levels were significantly increased in the olanzapine group (all P values<0.001 ). However, in the ziprasidone group, FBS decreased significantly and HDL and TG levels increased significantly after the 6-week treatment (all P values<0.05). The mean changes of FBS, fasting insulin, TC, TG, LDL and IRI were significantly different in the two groups (all P values<0.001).@*CONCLUSION@#Ziprasidone has less glucose and lipid metabolic effect for first-episode schizophrenia patients in short-term treatment. However, olanzapine induces weight gain and dysfunction of glucose and lipid metabolism significantly, which is associated with increased risk of complications. When the doctors choose antipsychotics in the clinic, they should consider the side effects of the medication.

Effect of antipsychotic drugs on life quality of schizophrenic patients: one year follow-up study / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the effect of 7 antipsychotic drugs on the life quality of schizophrenia patients including chlorpromazine, sulpiride, clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, and aripiprazole.@*METHODS@#A total of 1,227 stable schizophrenic patients within 5 years onset who took 1 of the 7 study medications as maintenance treatment were followed up for 1 year at 10 China sites. Patients were evaluated by the short form-36 health survey (SF-36) at the baseline and at the end of 1 year.@*RESULTS@#The life quality was improved obviously at the end of the follow-up. There was significant difference in body pain, vitality, and mental health (P<0.05) among these antipsychotic drugs.@*CONCLUSION@#All 7 antipsychotic drugs can improve the life quality of schizophrenia patients. Atypical antipsychotic drugs, especially olazapine and quetiapine, are superior to typical antipsychotic drugs in improving life quality.

A control study on the curative effect and reliability of escitalopram with paroxetine for treatment of depression / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To evaluate efficacy and safety of escitalopram in treating depression. Methods In this randomized, double-blind, double-mimicry, paroxetine parallel controlled study,the study group was treated with escitalopram and the control group with paroxetine. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression was taken to evaluate efficacy score. Results At the end of six weeks,compared with the total scores of HAMD before and after treatment, escitalopram (17.5±7.8) and paroxetine (16.0±7.9) group both showed the significant difference, while the difference compared between two groups ,the efficacy (87.0% and 81.7%) for depression and side effects were no significance. Conclusion Escitalopram is an efficient and safety antidepressant.