Curcumin Relieves Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress-Induced Depression-Like Behavior through the PGC-1α/FNDC5/BDNF Pathway. (14th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Yanqin; Sun, Fusheng; Guo, Yujin; Zhang, Yumao; Li, Li; Dang, Ruili; Jiang, Pei
• Other Names: Emanuele Enzo Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Behavioural neurology. Volume 2021(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12-14
• Subjects: Neuropsychology -- Periodicals; Neuropsychiatry -- Periodicals; Cognitive neuroscience -- Periodicals; 616.8005
• DOI: 10.1155/2021/2630445
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-4180

Abstract

Abstract : Background and Aim . Increasing evidence suggests that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1 α (PGC-1 α )/fibronectin type III domain-containing 5 (FNDC5)/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathway might be critical for neuroprotection. Our present study is aimed at investigating the antidepressant-like effects of curcumin (CUR) in a chronic unpredictable mild stress- (CUMS-) induced depression rat model and explore whether the PGC-1 α /FNDC5/BDNF pathway is the major driving force behind the therapeutic effects of CUR. Methods . All rats were randomly divided into four groups, namely, control, CUMS, CUMS + CUR, and CUMS + CUR + SR 18292 (PGC-1 α inhibitor). Behavioral tests were conducted to assess the antidepressant-like effects of CUR. The expressions of PGC-1 α, estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERR α ), FNDC5, and BDNF were determined to investigate the regulatory effects of CUR on the PGC-1 α /FNDC5/BDNF pathway. The PGC-1 α inhibitor SR18292 was used to explore the role of PGC-1 α in the induction of BDNF by CUR. Results . Daily gavage of 100 mg/kg CUR successfully attenuated the abnormal behaviors induced by CUMS and effectively prevented CUMS-induced reduction of PGC-1 α, ERR α, FNDC5, and BDNF expressions. CUR also enhanced PGC-1 α and ERR α translocation from cytoplasm to nucleus. Furthermore, we found that CUR supplementation effectively promoted neurocyte proliferation and suppressed neuronal apoptosis induced by CUMS. Of note, the PGC-1 α inhibitor SR18292 remarkably reversed the beneficial effects of CUR on depressed rats, indicating an important role of PGC-1 α in the antidepressant-like effects of CUR. Conclusion . Collectively, our data evaluating the neuroprotective action of CUR in the CUMS rats highlights the involvement of the PGC-1 α /FNDC5/BDNF pathway in the antidepressant-like effects of CUR.