Abstract
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a toxic gas with harmful effects on various organs. However, recent studies have confirmed the protective effect of SO2 on ischemic heart disease, atherosclerosis, and lung infections. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of endogenous SO2 on depression. The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model was performed to cause depression. Depression-like behaviors in animals were determined using an open-field test, forced swimming test, and sucrose consumption. Animal spatial learning and memory were also assessed using the Morris water maze. Besides, the oxidative status of the hippocampus and serum corticosterone level were evaluated. A reduction in the tendency to consume sucrose, mobility, and curiosity, as well as learning and memory disorders were observed in CUMS animals. Depressed animals treated with SO2 revealed a significant improvement in behavioral and cognitive functions. SO2 also reduced neuronal damage and lipid peroxidation of the hippocampus and serum corticosterone level in the CUMS group. Various shreds of evidence support a mutual relationship between inflammation and depression; also, growing studies show the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of mood-related disorders such as depression. This study indicated that increased hippocampal malondialdehyde (MDA) and serum corticosterone levels can be due to the existence of oxidative stress and possible activation of inflammatory processes. SO2 donors diminished MDA and corticosterone levels in depressed animals. According to the study results, SO2 may be able to reduce tissue damage and eventually behavioral disorders caused by depression by lowering oxidative stress and inflammation.
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Data Availability
Data available on request.
Abbreviations
- SO2 :
-
Sulfur dioxide
- CUMS:
-
Chronic unpredictable mild stress
- MDA:
-
Malondialdehyde
- GPX:
-
Glutathione peroxidase
- CAT:
-
Catalase
- IL-1β:
-
Interleukin-1 beta
- IL-6:
-
Interleukin-6
- TNF-α:
-
Tumor necrosis factor-α
- BDNF:
-
Brain derived neurotrophic factor
- NGF:
-
Nerve growth factor
- MPTP:
-
Mitochondrial permeability transition pore
- ERK1/2:
-
Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase
- GRP78:
-
Glucose-regulating protein 78
- AT-1R:
-
Angiotensin 1 receptor
- NF-κB:
-
Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells
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Acknowledgements
The information included in this article is extracted from the thesis of Mrs. Mahdieh Salari, a master´s student in medical physiology.
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The results presented in this article are the result of research project No. 7932. This research was supported by the international campus of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Science and Health Services. Author M.S has received research support.
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All authors have actively participated in this project. F.Z. and M.S. contributed to the study conception and design, data collection, and analysis. The first draft of manuscript was written by F.Z. Other authors contributed to the data collection and review of the article. All authors were aware of all stages of this project, and the article has been prepared with the full consent and participation of all the authors. Also, all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Salari, M., Zare Mehrjerdi, F., Yadegari, M. et al. Antidepressant-like effect of endogenous SO2 on depression caused by chronic unpredictable mild stress. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch Pharmacol 396, 1325–1336 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-023-02405-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-023-02405-9