Abstract
While several pieces of evidence link obesity and mood disorders in menopause, the mechanisms involved are not yet fully understood. We have previously demonstrated that Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) both attenuated diet-induced obesity of male rats and restored serotonin-induced hypophagia in ovariectomized female rats. The present study aimed at exploring whether GbE treatment ameliorates ovariectomy-related obesity and anxious/depressive-like behaviours. Wistar female rats were either ovariectomized (OVX) or sham-operated (Sham). After 2 months, either 500 mg/kg of GbE or vehicle were administered daily by gavage for 14 days. Anxious/depressive-like behaviours were assessed by the Elevated Plus Maze and the Forced Swim Tests, respectively. Ovariectomy caused high visceral adiposity, hyperleptinemia, and hypercholesterolemia, and increased the anxiety index (p = 0.048 vs. Sham + GbE) while it decreased the latency to immobility (p = 0.004 vs. Sham). GbE treatment in OVX rats improved body composition, adiponectin levels and blood lipid profile. It also reduced the anxiety index (p = 0.004) and increased the latency to immobility (p = 0.003) of OVX rats. Linear regression analysis demonstrated that leptin (p = 0.047) and total cholesterol levels (p = 0.022) were associated with anxious-like behaviours while body adiposity (p = 0.00005) was strongly associated with depressive-like behaviours. The results showed that GbE therapy was effective in attenuating the deleterious effects of ovariectomy on body composition, lipid profile, and anxious/depressive-like behaviours. Further studies are warranted to better understand the therapeutic potential of GbE in menopause.
Highlights
Menopause is recognized as a natural and physiological state, its consequences deserve attention and an adequate care
In a study with obese and non-obese individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD), the boost of some cytokines such as TNF-alpha and C-reactive protein (CRP) seemed to be partially dependent on body mass index (BMI)[8]
This agrees with the demonstrations of antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of the hormone administered to control r odents[13] and to the behavioural impairment reported in animal models of leptin r esistance[14,15]
Summary
Menopause is recognized as a natural and physiological state, its consequences deserve attention and an adequate care. Important risk factors for obesity-associated cardiovascular diseases, including dyslipidaemia and leptin/adiponectin imbalance, have been reported in obese post-menopausal women and ovariectomized animals[9,10,11]. In overweight middle-aged women leptin resistance has been associated with impairment of mental health[12]. This agrees with the demonstrations of antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of the hormone administered to control r odents[13] and to the behavioural impairment reported in animal models of leptin r esistance[14,15]. It is likely that leptin resistance may be associated with depression and anxiety in obese people, the participation of leptin in mental disorders is not fully established in h umans[16]
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