Lanwei Hou1, Yirui Qi1, Hongwei Sun2, Gang Wang3, Qi Li4, Yanyu Wang2, Zuoji Zhang5, Zhongde Du6, Lin Sun7. 1. Department of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, China. 2. Department of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, China. 3. Laboratory for Cognitive Neuroscience, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, China. 4. Department of Psychiatry, Centre for Reproduction Growth and Development, University of Hong Kong, China. 5. Behavior Medical Education Research Center, Jining Medical University, NO. 16 Hehua Road, Taibaihu District, Jining, 272067, Shandong, China. 6. Department of Neurology, Chinese People's Liberation Army Eighty-Nine Hospital, 256# Beigong West Street, Weifang, 261021, Shandong, China. 7. Department of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, China; Department of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, China. Electronic address: linsun2013@wfmc.edu.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly associated with concurrent anxiety and depression symptoms, and reduce the expression of the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) which promotes the proliferation and survival of neurons. The hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 1(HCN1) could be inhibited by the ketamine, a drug to alleviate depression and anxiety, and regulated the BDNF expression, however, the effects of ketamine in alleviating PTSD symptoms by regulating the HCN1-related BDNF have been poorly perceived. METHODS: In the present study, the effects of ketamine were examined on the PTSD-like effects in a rat model of PTSD induced by SPS&S procedure. After the SPS&S procedure and model testing, PTSD rats were subjected to behavioral testing and biochemical assessments, followed by single treatment with certain doses of ketamine (5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/kg IP). RESULTS: The results showed that the SPS&S procedure induced severe PTSD-like behaviors, with lower levels of BDNF protein levels and higher level of the HCN1 protein in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). These were reversed by a single administration of ketamine. The ketamine with dose of 15 mg/kg significantly increased locomotor behavior in the open field test, aggrandized exploratory behavior in the elevated plus maze test, and decreased immobility time spent in the forced swim test. Meanwhile, ketamine with dose of 15 mg/kg could increase the BDNF protein level, while down-regulate the expression of the HCN1. Eventually, there was a negative correlation between the level of BDNF and HCN1 in the PFC. CONCLUSION: Ketamine affects the HCN1-related BDNF signaling pathways to alleviate PTSD-like effects in rat.
BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly associated with concurrent anxiety and depression symptoms, and reduce the expression of the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) which promotes the proliferation and survival of neurons. The hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 1(HCN1) could be inhibited by the ketamine, a drug to alleviate depression and anxiety, and regulated the BDNF expression, however, the effects of ketamine in alleviating PTSD symptoms by regulating the HCN1-related BDNF have been poorly perceived. METHODS: In the present study, the effects of ketamine were examined on the PTSD-like effects in a rat model of PTSD induced by SPS&S procedure. After the SPS&S procedure and model testing, PTSDrats were subjected to behavioral testing and biochemical assessments, followed by single treatment with certain doses of ketamine (5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/kg IP). RESULTS: The results showed that the SPS&S procedure induced severe PTSD-like behaviors, with lower levels of BDNF protein levels and higher level of the HCN1 protein in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). These were reversed by a single administration of ketamine. The ketamine with dose of 15 mg/kg significantly increased locomotor behavior in the open field test, aggrandized exploratory behavior in the elevated plus maze test, and decreased immobility time spent in the forced swim test. Meanwhile, ketamine with dose of 15 mg/kg could increase the BDNF protein level, while down-regulate the expression of the HCN1. Eventually, there was a negative correlation between the level of BDNF and HCN1 in the PFC. CONCLUSION:Ketamine affects the HCN1-related BDNF signaling pathways to alleviate PTSD-like effects in rat.