Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Trichostatin A reduces nerve cell apoptosis in depressive rats by regulating CREB/BDNF signaling pathway

Lianyu Jin , Ying Bao

Mental Health Department, The Second Hospital of Yinzhou District, Ningbo 315000, China;

For correspondence:- Lianyu Jin Email: 1611085047@qq.com Tel:+8615168582553

Accepted: 23 August 2021 Published: 30 September 2021

Citation: Jin L, Bao Y. Trichostatin A reduces nerve cell apoptosis in depressive rats by regulating CREB/BDNF signaling pathway. Trop J Pharm Res 2021; 20(9):1875-1880 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v20i9.13

© 2021 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the influence of trichostatin A on nerve cell apoptosis in depressive rats and to explore the probable molecular mechanism of action.

Methods: A total of 36 Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200 - 220 g were divided into sham group (n = 12), model group (n = 12) and trichostatin group (n = 12) by randomization. The protein expressions of phosphorylated cAMP responsive element-binding protein (p-CREB) and BDNF, as well as the mRNA expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and caspase-3 in each group of rat hippocampus were determined by Western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. The apoptosis of nerve cells in the brain tissues of the rats was labeled using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining.

Results: Compared with those in the sham group, the degree of sucrose preference decreased markedly, while the immobility time after forced swimming test was extended, and the relative expression levels of p-CREB and BDNF proteins in the hippocampus declined (p < 0.05). The mRNA levels of Bcl-2 and caspase-3 and cell apoptosis rate were increased in the model group (p < 0.05). In comparison with the model group, the trichostatin group exhibited increased sucrose preference degree, shortened immobility time following a forced swimming test, and elevated relative expression levels p-CREB and BDNF proteins in the hippocampus (p < 0.05), but lowered mRNA levels of Bcl-2 and caspase-3 and cell apoptosis rate, displaying statistically significant differences (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Trichostatin A reduces cell apoptosis and ameliorates the depression-like behaviors of rats via the regulation of CREB/BDNF signaling pathway. These findings provide new insights into Trichostatin A for the management of depression.

Keywords: Trichostatin A, Depressive, CREB/BDNF signaling pathway, Nerve cell apoptosis