Role of cAMP/CREB/BDNF signaling pathway in anti-depressive effect of vortioxetine in mice / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of vortioxetine on cAMP/CREB/BDNF signal pathway.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty Kunming mice were randomized into control group and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) group. After establishment of depressive models verified by sucrose preference test, the mice in CUMS group were divided into model group, fluoxetine group and vortioxetine group. The antidepressive effect of vortioxetine was analyzed by tail suspension test, forced swim test and open field test. The levels of cAMP were detected using a commercial ELISA kit, and the expressions of pCREB and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were evaluated with Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Vortioxetine significantly shortened the immobility time of the depressive mice in tail suspension test and forced swim test without affecting the locomotor activity of the mice in open fields, suggesting the antidepressive effect of against depression in mice. Vortioxetine significantly increased the levels of cAMP and promoted the expression of pCREB and BDNF in the hippocampus of the mice (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Vortioxetine improves the behaviors of mice with depression possibly by affecting the cAMP/CREB/BDNF signal pathway.</p>

Synaptic plasticity in anti-depression: Research advances / 国际药学研究杂志

Depression is a common mental disorder, characterized by long-lasting sadness, loss of interest and desperation. People with depressive disorder have a high suicide risk, so depression has become a serious threat to an individual's health and life. Currently, development of anti-depressants is largely limited due to the complexity of this disorder. Clinically available antidepressants are still unable to meet the needs of patients because of both low efficacy and side effects. Recently, with the in-depth study, substantial evidence reveals that abnormalities in synaptic plasticity play important roles during the process of depression. Improving synaptic plasticity will be beneficial to ameliorating depressive symptoms and the accompanying cognitive dysfunction. Here, we review the role of synaptic plasticity during the development of depression and its association with brain-derived neurotrophic factor, astrocytes and microglia.