The effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on the expression of P2X7R and GFAP in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of mice modeling chronic depression / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate any effect of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the expression of P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of mice modeling depression.Methods:Thirty C57BL/6 mice were divided into a control group ( n=10) and a depression group ( n=20). The mice of the control group were raised in group (five mice per cage), while those of the depression group were kept alone for six weeks to induce depression. Among them, 16 were successfully modeled and randomly divided into a model group ( n=8) and an rTMS group ( n=8). The rTMS group received five sessions per week of 10Hz rTMS for 4 weeks. Any changes in depression-like behavior were observed and the expression of P2X7R and GFAP in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus was measured. Results:Compared to the control group, a significant decrease was observed in the sucrose consumption rate in the sucrose preference test, in the distance moved in the open field test and in the expression of GFAP protein. But there was a significant increase in the immobile time in the tail suspension test and in the expression of P2X7R protein in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in the model group. At the conclusion of the experiment the differences in the sucrose consumption rate, the distance moved, GFAP protein expression, immobile time and P2X7R protein expression between the rTMS and the model group were all statistically significant.Conclusion:rTMS can reduce depression-like behavior, at least in mice. That may be related to inhibiting P2X7R expression and promoting GFAP expression in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.