Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common psychiatric illnesses in the general population. In mental disorders, the activation of inflammatory pathways in the brain is a major producer of excitotoxicity and an inducer of oxidative stress. The occurrence of these 2 events is partly responsible for the neuronal damage inherent in patients with mental disorders. In the case of MDD, the release of hormone and increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines in plasma and indicators of oxidative stress have been identified as consequences of this event. The most important affectations in patients with MDD are changes in their cognitive and executive functions due to brain inflammation. Hence, these biomarkers can serve as diagnostic and severity classification tools and treatment. In this work, we described the communication pathway between the immune and neuroendocrine systems in MDD and suggested possible therapeutic options for the disease.
BackgroundNeurological disorders suggest that the excitotoxicity involves a drastic increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations and the formation of reactive oxygen species. The presence of these free radicals may also affect the dopaminergic system. The aim of this work was to determine if riboflavin (B2) and pyridoxine (B6) provide protection to the brain against free radicals generated by 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) by measuring the levels of dopamine (DA) and selected oxidative stress markers.MethodsMale Fisher rats were grouped (n = 6) and treated as follows: group 1, control (NaCl 0.9%); group 2, 3-NPA (20 mg/kg); group 3, B2 (10 mg/kg); group 4, B2 (10 mg/kg) + 3-NPA (20 mg/kg); group 5, B6 (10 mg/kg) and group 6, B6 + 3-NPA. All treatments were administered every 24 h for 5 days by intraperitoneal route. After sacrifice, the brain was obtained to measure DA, GSH, and lipid peroxidation, Ca2+, Mg2+, ATPase and H2O2.Main findingsLevels of dopamine increased in cortex, striatum and cerebellum/medulla oblongata of animals that received 3-NPA alone. The lipid peroxidation increased in cortex, striatum, and cerebellum/medulla oblongata, of animals treated with B2 vitamin alone. ATPase dependent on Ca+2, Mg+2 and H2O2 increased in all regions of animals that received 3-NPA alone.ConclusionThe results confirm the capacity of 3-NPA to generate oxidative stress. Besides, the study suggests that B2 or B6 vitamins restored the levels of DA and reduced oxidative stress in brain of rats. We believe that these results would help in the study of neurodegenerative diseases.
These results suggest that the reduction of dopamine and oxidant effect during cytarabine treatment could result in brain injury but could be prevented by oleic acid supplementation.
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