Hydrogen sulfide ameliorates glucocorticoid-induced depression probably via up-regulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in the hippocampus of rats

Abstract

Objective To explore the antagonistic effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on corticosterone (CORT)-induced depression in rats and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Methods Forty adult male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, CORT treatment group, low-dose NaHS treatment group, high-dose NaHS treatment group. Rats in the later three groups were treated with CORT (40 mg/kg/d, subcutaneous injection) for 14 d to induce depression models, and rats in the control did not give any treatment; 15 d after that, rats in the control group and CORT treatment group were given normal saline (5 mL/kg), and rats in the low-dose NaHS treatment group and high-dose NaHS treatment group were given NaHS at 1.68 mg/kg and 5.60 mg/kg, respectively, via intraperitoneal injection for 14 d. The depression-like behavior was evaluated by locomotor activity test, sucrose preference test and forced swimming test. The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus was detected by Western blotting and ELISA. Results The spontaneous motor activity, sucrose consumption and hippocampal BDNF expression in the CORT treatment group were significantly decreased, and the immobility time was significantly increased as compared with those in the control group (P 0.05). Conclusion H2S exerts antidepressant-like effect on CORT-treated rats; BDNF probably mediates the antidepressant role of H2S. Key words: Hydrogen sulfide; Depression; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Corticosterone