Expressions of glial fibrillary acidic protein in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala in post-stroke depression in rats

Abstract

Objective To investigate the expressions of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala in post-stroke depression (PSD) in rats. Methods Healthy adult SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a depression group, a stroke group, and a PSD group (n=5 in each group). A model of focal cerebral ischemia was induced by the intraluminal suture method in the stroke group; a rat chronic stress depression model was induced by using chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS) combined with single housing in the depression group; a model of focal cerebral ischemia was induced by the intraluminal suture method in the PSD group. A rat PSD model was induced by CUMS and single housing at 1 week after operation. The sucrose preference test (SPT) was performed in each group at day 1, 8, 15, and 29 after the first CUMS, and the open-field test (OFT) was used to evaluate the depressive behaviors. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of GFAP in the prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus and amygdala at day 29. Results At day 29 after CUMS, the sucrose solution consumption in SPT and the scores of horizontaland vertical movement in OFT in the depression group and PSD group were decreased significantly compared with the normal group and the stroke group (all P 0.05). Conclusion The decreased expression of GFAP in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdale may play a certain role in the process of PSD. Key words: Stroke; Brain Ischemia; Depression; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Prefrontal Cortex; Hippocampus; Amygdala; Disease Models, Animal; Rats