OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of Zhuyang Ningshen Fang on stress-induced depression-like behavior of Mice and its possible mechanism. METHODS Mouse model was developed by intraperitoneal corticosterone injections. Different dosage(6.4 g/kg,3.2 g/kg, or 1.6 g/kg) of Zhuyang Ningshen Fang water decoction was orally administrated to mice during model producing. After 4 weeks, all mice experienced behavior tests (forced swimming test and tail suspension test) prior to decapitation. Hippocampal tissues were rapidly collected for Western blot analysis of 4 important proteins, neurofilament light chain protein (NF-L), synaptic vesicle protein (SPY), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial-derived neurotro-phic factor (GDNF). RESULTS In contrast to the control, the model group had less body weight, more depression-like behavior, and lower protein levels of NF-L, SPY, BDNF and GDNF in hippocampal tissues. All changes above of the model group could be partially reversed by moderate or lower dosage of Zhuyang Ningshen Fang. Higher dosage of Zhuyang Ningshen Fang could also upregulate expression of BDNF and GDNF, but had no obvious effect on body weight, depression-like behavior or expression of NF-L and SPY.CONCLUSION The ameliorating effect of Zhuyang Ningshen Fang on stress-induced depression -like behavior of mice is associated with plasticity protection by upregulating expression of neurotrophic factors.%目的 探讨助阳宁神方对应激致小鼠抑郁样行为的改善作用及其机制.方法 腹腔注射皮质酮制备应激致抑郁样行为模型,在造模期间每日灌胃给予高、中、低剂量的助阳宁神方水煎剂,造模实验进行4周,第4周末进行强迫游泳实验、悬尾实验后处死动物,取脑剥离出海马,进行神经微丝蛋白轻链(NF-L)、突触素(SYP)、脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)、胶质源性神经营养因子(GDNF)的蛋白免疫印迹(western blot)检测.结果 与空白对照组相比,模型组体质量降低,抑郁样行为明显,海马NF-L、SYP、BDNF及GDNF表达均显著下调；助阳宁神方中、低剂量能明显改善模型动物体质量和行为学变化,并能显著拮抗模型动物海马NF-L、SYP、BDNF及GDNF表达下调；高剂量助阳宁神方对BDNF及GDNF表达也有一定上调作用.结论 助阳宁神方对应激致抑郁样行为的改善作用与调节神经营养因子的表达以发挥保护神经可塑性有关.
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