To study the effects of different types of exercise on the plasma metabolomics of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depressed rats based on 1 H-NMR metabolomics techniques, and to explore the potential mechanisms of exercise for the treatment of depression.
MethodsRats were randomly divided into blank control group (C), CUMS control group (D), pre-exercise group (P), aerobic exercise group (A), resistance exercise group (R), and aerobic + resistance exercise group (AR).The corresponding protocol intervention was applied to each group of rats. Body weight, sucrose preference and open eld tests were performed weekly during the experiment to evaluate the extent of depression in rats. Plasma samples from each group of rats were collected at the end of the experiment, and then the plasma was analyzed by 1 H-NMR metabolomics combined with multivariate statistical analysis methods to identify differential metabolites and perform metabolic pathway analysis.
Results(1) Compared with the group D, the body weight, sucrose preference rate, and the number of crossings and standings in the different types of exercise groups were signi cantly improved (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01).(2) Compared to group C, a total of 15 differential metabolites associated with depression were screened in the plasma of rats in group D, involving 6 metabolic pathways. Group P can regulate the levels of 6 metabolites: valine, lactate, inositol, glucose, phosphocreatine, acetoacetic acid. Group A can regulate the levels of 6 metabolites: N-acetylglycoprotein, leucine, lactate, low density lipoprotein, glucose, acetoacetic acid. Group R can regulate the levels of 6 metabolites: choline, lactate, inositol, glucose, phosphocreatine, acetoacetic acid. Group AR can regulate the levels of 5 metabolites: choline, citric acid, glucose, acetone, acetoacetic acid.
ConclusionThe different types of exercise groups can improve the depressive symptoms in CUMS rats, and there are common metabolites and metabolic pathways for their mechanism of effects. This study provides a powerful analytical tool to study the mechanism of the antidepressant effect of exercise, and provides an important method and basis for the early diagnosis, prevention and treatment of depression.