Evaluation of therapeutic markers and mechanism of Shuganjieyu capsule in treatment of depression / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To compare the expression levels of candidate genes before and after Shuganjieyu capsule treatment, to analyze their correlation with depression symptoms and cognitive function, and to find and clarify the biomarkers related to the efficacy of Shuganjieyu capsule.Methods:Among 27 patients with mild to moderate depression (MMD), 24 items Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD-24) was used to assess the severity of depression, Chinese revised Wechsler adult intelligence scale(WAIS-RC) and Chinese revised Wechsler memory scale(WMS) were used to assess cognitive function, and qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression levels of candidate genes in peripheral blood of patients with depression before and after treatment with Shuganjieyu capsule.SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis, paired t-test, non-parametric test, Spearman correlation analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve were used for data statistics. Results:The symptoms of MMD patients were relieved after Shuganjieyu capsule treatment(HAMD scores baseline 14.00(9.75, 18.25), 8-week 4.00(2.00, 7.25), Z=-4.462, P<0.01), and the verbal intelligence quotient(VIQ) of WMS was puomoved (VIQ scores baseline (123.00±10.24), 8-week (128.00±6.77), t=4.372, P<0.01). The level of gene expression brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) (baseline 1.68(0.92, 2.63), 8-week 2.30(1.47, 4.34), Z=-2.781, P=0.005), glial cell derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF) (baseline 0.74(0.31, 1.15), 8-week 0.97(0.50, 1.71), Z=-2.159, P=0.031), 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A(HTR2A) (baseline 0.60(0.39, 1.60), 8-week 0.98(0.44, 2.29), Z=-1.994, P=0.046) and glutamate ionotropic receptor AMPA type subunit 1(GRIA1) (baseline 1.19(0.66, 2.40), 8-week 1.76(0.86, 4.13), Z=-2.756, P=0.006) was up-regulated after treatment.The change rate of BDNF expression were correlated with the score of HAMD-24 ( r=-0.35, P=0.038) and performance intelligence quotient of WMS ( r=0.40, P=0.022). Conclusions:BDNF may be used as a therapeutic marker of Shuganjieyu capsule in the treatment of clinical symptoms and cognitive function of MMD patients, which is used to evaluate the efficacy of antidepressants.