Major Depression and Its Recurrences: Life Course Matters

Association of dietary vitamin C intake with depression in adults: A cross-sectional study of NHANES from 2005 to 2020

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between dietary vitamin C intake and depression in adults.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 2005 to 2020. Logistic regressions and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression were used to assess the association between dietary vitamin C intake and depression. Additionally, we performed stratified and sensitivity analyses to evaluate the stability of the results.

RESULTS

This study included 38,157 participants, with 3448 (9.04 %) of them experiencing depression. The vitamin C intake was negatively associated with depression after adjusting for all covariates (OR = 0.91, 95%CI: 0.88-0.94, P < 0.001). Similar inverse associations were observed when vitamin C intake was transformed into categorical variables. Individuals in higher quartiles of dietary vitamin C intake (Q2, Q3, and Q4) had lower odds ratios (ORs) compared to those in the lowest quartile (Q1), as indicated by adjusted ORs of 0.78 (95 % CI: 0.71-0.87, P < 0.001), 0.74 (95 % CI: 0.67-0.82, P < 0.001), and 0.73 (95 % CI: 0.65-0.81, P < 0.001), respectively. The RCS analysis found an L-shaped nonlinear relationship between dietary vitamin C intake and depression, after adjusting for all covariates (P for non-linearity<0.001). Consumption of vitamin C was inversely associated with depression (OR = 0.994, 95%CI: 0.993-0.996, P < 0.001) for intakes below 93.61 mg, but there was no association between dietary vitamin C intake and depression (P = 0.980) for intakes of 93.61 mg or higher. The inverse associations between vitamin C intake and depression remained robust in stratified and sensitivity analyses.

LIMITATIONS

This study was a cross-sectional study, and therefore unable to establish a causal relationship between dietary vitamin C intake and depression. We are unable to fully eliminate the confounding effects resulted from other unmeasured or unknown factors.

CONCLUSION

The study revealed a negative association between dietary vitamin C intake and depression, as well as an L-shaped nonlinear relationship between vitamin C intake and depression.

Osteoporosis and depression in perimenopausal women: From clinical association to genetic causality

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis and major depressive disorder (MDD) represent two significant health challenges globally, particularly among perimenopausal women. This study utilizes NHANES data and Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to explore the link between them, aiming to provide a basis for intervention strategies for this group.

METHODS

The study analyzed NHANES 2007-2018 data using weighted logistic regression in R software to evaluate the link between MDD and osteoporosis risk. Then, a two-sample MR analysis with GWAS summary statistics was performed, mainly using the IVW method. Additional validation included MR Egger, Weighted Median, Mode, and MR-PRESSO methods.

RESULTS

The research analysis indicated a significant link between MDD and the risk of osteopenia/osteoporosis. Our analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between MDD and both femoral neck osteoporosis (OR = 6.942 [95 % CI, 1.692-28.485]) and trochanteric osteoporosis (OR = 4.140 [95 % CI, 1.699-10.089]). In analyses related to osteopenia, a significant positive correlation was observed between MDD and both total femoral osteopenia (OR = 3.309 [95 % CI, 1.577-6.942]) and trochanteric osteopenia (OR = 2.467 [95 % CI, 1.004-6.062]). Furthermore, in the MR analysis, genetically predicted MDD was causally associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis via the IVW method (P = 0.013).

LIMITATIONS

Our study was limited by potential selection bias due to excluding subjects with missing data, and its applicability was primarily to European and American populations.

CONCLUSION

Integrating NHANES and MR analyses, a robust correlation between MDD and osteoporosis was identified, emphasizing the significance of addressing this comorbidity within clinical practice and meriting further investigation.

Frontal Theta Asymmetry may be a new target for reducing the severity of depression and improving cognitive function in depressed patients

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of depressive disorder is increasing due to a variety of factors, which brings a huge strain on individuals, families and society. This study aims to investigate whether there is Frontal Theta Asymmetry (FTA) in depressed patients, and whether FTAs are related to depression severity and cognitive function changes in depressed patients.

METHODS

Participants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. Socio-demographic data of each participant were recorded. Zung's self-rating Depression Scale was used to assess the depression status of participants. P300 was used to evaluate the cognitive function of participants. EEG data from participants were collected by the NeuroScan SynAmps RT EEG system. t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Chi-square test were used to detect the differences of different variables between the two groups. Multiple linear regression analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to analyze relationships between FTAs in different regions and participants' depression status and cognitive function.

RESULTS

A total of 66 depressed participants and 47 healthy control participants were included in this study. The theta spectral power of the left frontal lobe was slightly stronger than that of the right frontal lobe in the depression group, while the opposite was true in the healthy control group. The FTA in F3/F4 had certain effects on the emergence of depression in participants, the emergence of depression in participants and Changes in cognitive function.

CONCLUSIONS

FTAs are helpful to assess the severity of depression and early identify cognitive impairment in patients with depression.

Pharmacological mechanism of natural antidepressants: The role of mitochondrial quality control

BACKGROUND

Depression is a mental illness characterized by persistent sadness and a reduced capacity for pleasure. In clinical practice, SSRIs and other medications are commonly used for therapy, despite their various side effects. Natural products present distinct advantages, including synergistic interactions among multiple components and targeting multiple pathways, suggesting their tremendous potential in depression treatment. Imbalance in mitochondrial quality control (MQC) plays a significant role in the pathology of depression, emphasizing the importance of regulating MQC as a potential intervention strategy in addressing the onset and progression of depression. However, the role and mechanism through which natural products regulate MQC in depression treatments still need to be comprehensively elucidated, particularly in clinical and preclinical settings.

PURPOSE

This review was aimed to summarize the findings of recent studies and outline the pharmacological mechanisms by which natural products modulate MQC to exert antidepressant effects. Additionally, it evaluated current research limitations and proposed new strategies for future preclinical and clinical applications in the depression domain.

METHODS

To study the main pharmacological mechanisms underlying the regulation of MQC by natural products in the treatment of depression, we conducted a thorough search across databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases to classify and summarize the relationship between MQC and depression, as well as the regulatory mechanisms of natural products.

RESULTS

Numerous studies have shown that irregularities in the MQC system play an important role in the pathology of depression, and the regulation of the MQC system is involved in antidepressant treatments. Natural products mainly regulate the MQC system to induce antidepressant effects by alleviating oxidative stress, balancing ATP levels, promoting mitophagy, maintaining calcium homeostasis, optimizing mitochondrial dynamics, regulating mitochondrial membrane potential, and enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis.

CONCLUSIONS

We comprehensively summarized the regulation of natural products on the MQC system in antidepressants, providing a unique perspective for the application of natural products within antidepressant therapy. However, extensive efforts are imperative in clinical and preclinical investigations to delve deeper into the mechanisms underlying how antidepressant medications impact MQC, which is crucial for the development of effective antidepressant treatments.

Monomeric pilose antler peptide improves depression-like behavior in mice by inhibiting FGFR3 protein expression

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

It has been found that pilose antler peptide has an antidepressant effect on depression. However, the exact molecular mechanism of its antidepressant effect is still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study sought to determine the impact of monomeric pilose antler peptide (PAP; sequence LVLVEAELRE) on depression as well as investigate potential molecular mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chronic unexpected mild stress (CUMS) was used to establish the model, and the effect of PAP on CUMS mice was detected by the behavioral test. The influence of PAP on neuronal cells and dendritic spine density was observed by immunofluorescence and Golgi staining. FGFR3 and the CaMKII-associated pathway were identified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis was utilized to measure their proteins and gene expression levels. Molecular docking and microscale thermophoresis were applied to detect the binding of PAP and FGFR3. Finally, the effect of FGFR3's overexpression on PAP treatment of depression was detected.

RESULTS

PAP alleviated the changes in depressive behavior induced by CUMS, promoted the growth of nerve cells, and the density of dendritic spines was increased to its original state. PAP therapy successfully downregulated the expression of FGFR3 and ERK1/2 while upregulating the expression of CREB, BDNF, and CaMKII.

CONCLUSION

Based on the current research, PAP has a therapeutic effect on depression brought on by CUMS by inhibiting FGFR3 expression and enhancing synaptic plasticity.

Depression and risk of infectious diseases: A mendelian randomization study

Previous observational inquiries have revealed a correlation between depression and infectious maladies. This study seeks to elucidate the causal linkages between depression, specifically Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and infectious diseases. Nevertheless, the causative nature of the association between MDD and infectious diseases remains elusive. Two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) analyses was executed utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly connected with MDD and infectious diseases as instrumental variables (IVs). A series of sensitivity analyses were subsequently conducted. Genetic variants linked to MDD were employed as instrumental variables sourced from a genome-wide meta-analyses comprising 500,199 individuals. Summary-level data on five infectious diseases, including candidiasis, pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), and urinary tract infections (UTI), were acquired from the UK Biobank and FinnGen study. Our findings evinced that genetically predicted MDD exhibited a heightened risk of candidiasis (OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.06-2.17; P = 2.38E-02), pneumonia (OR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.01-1.29; P = 3.16E-02), URTI (OR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.12-1.36; P = 3.71E-05), and UTI (OR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.12-1.42; P = 8.90E-05). Additionally, we identified bidirectional causal relationships between UTI and MDD. The associations between MDD and the risk of URTI and UTI remained consistent in multivariable MR analyses, accounting for genetically predicted smoking and body mass index. In conclusion, this investigation ascertained a causal connection between MDD and the susceptibility to infectious diseases, particularly URTI and UTI.

Lifestyle factors, physical health, and life satisfaction under different changes in depressive symptoms among Chinese community-dwelling older adults: A longitudinal analysis

BACKGROUND

The study aims to investigate the long-term impact of lifestyle-related factors and physical health on life satisfaction and depressive symptoms among Chinese community-dwelling older adults.

METHODS

Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), the analytic sample of this study included 1,068 older adults who had participated in the surveys in both 2011 and 2018. Multivariate regression was employed to analyze both cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between lifestyle-related factors, physical health, and subjective well-being - specifically depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. Additionally, the model tested how these factors correlate with life satisfaction across different groups of depressive symptom changes among older adults, categorized as not at risk of depression, intermittent depression, and chronic depression.

RESULTS

Multimorbidity was significantly related to baseline and follow-up depressive risk in older adults. Shorter sleep duration was associated with baseline depression risk. Current alcohol drinkers reported significantly more severe depressive symptoms than non-drinkers. At baseline, current smokers were more likely to have a lower degree of life satisfaction than nonsmokers. Among older adults with chronic depression at the 7-year follow-up, former smokers tended to have lower life satisfaction than nonsmokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings identified drinking alcohol and having a shorter sleep duration as modifiable lifestyle-related risk factors for late-life depression and smoking as a detrimental factor for life satisfaction in older Chinese adults. Multimorbidity was a significant predictor of more depressive symptoms. Our findings have implications for future psychosocial interventions that target the alleviation of depressive symptoms and the promotion of life satisfaction in older Chinese people based on their different long-term mental and physical health conditions.

Different dosage regimens of zuranolone in the treatment of major depressive disorder: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy and safety of different dosage regimens of zuranolone in the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library and other databases were searched from inception until July 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to the efficacy and safety of zuranolone in the treatment of MDD were included. The data were extracted independently by 2 investigators and assessed the study quality by the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. The primary outcome includes the 17-item HAMILTON total score (HAMD-17) and the incidence of adverse events (AEs).

RESULTS

Six high-quality RCTs with 1593 patients were finally included in our analysis. Zuranolone group achieve a notable treatment effect at day15 in HAMD-17 compared with placebo group (MD = -2.69, 95 % CI: -4.45 to -0.94, P < 0.05). For safety, no significant differences existed in the proportion of patients with AEs between zuranolone with placebo (RR = 1.25, 95 % CI: 0.99 to 1.58, P = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

Zuranolone has a significant efficacy in improving depressive symptoms in the short term and is positively correlated with the dosage administered. However, the efficacy of zuranolone decreased significantly when the time of administration was extended. Zuranolone demonstrated a controllable safety issue. But adverse effects increased as the dose of zuranolone was gradually increased to 50 mg.

The antidepressant effects of protein arginine methyltransferase 2 involve neuroinflammation

Protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) 2 catalyzes the methylation of arginine residues in histones. Depression is associated with histone methylation; however, more comprehensive research is needed on how PRMT2 regulates depression. The present study aimed to investigate the effects and possible mechanism(s) of PRMT2 overexpression on depression-like behavior induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in rats, and whether lentivirus-mediated PRMT2 overexpression in the hippocampus suppresses depression-like behavior. Furthermore, the PRMT2 inhibitor MS023 was administered to the animals to investigate whether the antidepressant effect of PRMT2 overexpression could be reversed. Behavioral experiments were performed to detect depression-like behavior in rats. Western blotting was used to determine protein expression levels of PRMT2, histone H3R8 asymmetric dimethylation (H3R8me2a), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and arginase 1 (Arg1) in rat hippocampal tissues. Hippocampal microglia and PRMT2 were stained using immunofluorescence techniques. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of various inflammatory factors in rat hippocampal tissue. Results of analysis revealed that PRMT2 overexpression in the hippocampus exerted an antidepressant effect. PRMT2 overexpression in the hippocampus reduced the proportion of activated microglia in the hippocampus, upregulated Arg1 and H3R8me2a expression, and downregulated iNOS expression. PRMT2 overexpression in the hippocampus inhibited the release of pro-inflammatory factors and promoted the release of anti-inflammatory factors. In summary, PRMT2 overexpression in the hippocampus promoted the conversion of microglia from the M1 to M2 type, resulting in an antidepressant effect. These results suggest that PRMT2 may be a potential therapeutic target to prevent and treat depression.

Mitochondrial dynamics dysfunction: Unraveling the hidden link to depression

Depression is a common mental disorder and its pathogenesis is not fully understood. However, more and more evidence shows that mitochondrial dynamics dysfunction may play an important role in the occurrence and development of depression. Mitochondria are the centre of energy production in cells, and are also involved in important processes such as apoptosis and oxidative stress. Studies have found that there are abnormalities in mitochondrial function in patients with depression, including mitochondrial morphological changes, mitochondrial dynamics disorders, mitochondrial DNA damage, and impaired mitochondrial respiratory chain function. These abnormalities may cause excessive free radicals and oxidative stress in mitochondria, which further damage cells and affect the balance of neurotransmitters, causing or aggravating depressive symptoms. Studies have shown that mitochondrial dynamics dysfunction may participate in the occurrence and development of depression by affecting neuroplasticity, inflammation and neurotransmitters. This article reviews the effects of mitochondrial dynamics dysfunction on the pathogenesis of depression and its potential molecular pathway. The restorers for the treatment of depression by regulating the function of mitochondrial dynamics were summarized and the possibility of using mitochondrial dynamics as a biomarker of depression was discussed.

Topological differences of striato-thalamo-cortical circuit in functional brain network between premature ejaculation patients with and without depression

INTRODUCTION

Premature ejaculation (PE), a common male sexual dysfunction, often accompanies by abnormal psychological factors, such as depression. Recent neuroimaging studies have revealed structural and functional brain abnormalities in PE patients. However, there is limited neurological evidence supporting the comorbidity of PE and depression. This study aimed to explore the topological changes of the functional brain networks of PE patients with depression.

METHODS

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were acquired from 60 PE patients (30 with depression and 30 without depression) and 29 healthy controls (HCs). Functional brain networks were constructed for all participants based on rs-fMRI data. The nodal parameters including nodal centrality and efficiency were calculated by the method of graph theory analysis and then compared between groups. In addition, the results were corrected for multiple comparisons by family-wise error (FWE) (p < .05).

RESULTS

PE patients with depression had increased degree centrality and global efficiency in the right pallidum, as well as increased degree centrality in the right thalamus when compared with HCs. PE patients without depression showed increased degree centrality in the right pallidum and thalamus, as well as increased global efficiency in the right precuneus, pallidum, and thalamus when compared with HCs. PE patients with depression demonstrated decreased degree centrality in the right pallidum and thalamus, as well as decreased global efficiency in the right precuneus, pallidum, and thalamus when compared to those without depression. All the brain regions above survived the FWE correction.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that increased and decreased functional connectivity, as well as the capability of global integration of information in the brain, might be related to the occurrence of PE and the comorbidity depression in PE patients, respectively. These findings provided new insights into the understanding of the pathological mechanisms underlying PE and those with depression.

Oral microbiota dysbiosis alters chronic restraint stress-induced depression-like behaviors by modulating host metabolism

Studies have shown that the microbiota-gut-brain axis is highly correlated with the pathogenesis of depression in humans. However, whether independent oral microbiome that do not depend on gut microbes could affect the progression of depression in human beings remains unclear, neither does the presence and underlying mechanisms of the microbiota-oral-brain axis in the development of the condition. Hence this study that encompasses clinical and animal experiments aims at investigating the correlation between oral microbiota and the onset of depression via mediating the microbiota-oral-brain axis. We compared the oral microbial compositions and metabolomes of 87 patients with depressive symptoms versus 70 healthy controls. We found that the oral microbial and metabolic signatures were significantly different between the two groups. Significantly, germ-free (GF) mice transplanted with saliva from mice exposing to chronic restraint stress (CRS) displayed depression-like behavior and oral microbial dysbiosis. This was characterized by a significant differential abundance of bacterial species, including the enrichment of Pseudomonas, Pasteurellaceae, and Muribacter, as well as the depletion of Streptococcus. Metabolomic analysis showed the alternation of metabolites in the plasma of CRS-exposed GF mice, especially Eicosapentaenoic Acid. Furthermore, oral and gut barrier dysfunction caused by CRS-induced oral microbiota dysbiosis may be associated with increased blood-brain barrier permeability. Pseudomonas aeruginosa supplementation exacerbated depression-like behavior, while Eicosapentaenoic Acid treatment conferred protection against depression-like states in mice. These results suggest that oral microbiome and metabolic function dysbiosis may be relevant to the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of depression. The proposed microbiota-oral-brain axis provides a new way and targets for us to study the pathogenesis of depression.

Auraptene-ameliorating depressive-like behaviors induced by lipopolysaccharide combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress in mice mitigate hippocampal neuroinflammation mediated by microglia

An inflammatory response is one of the pathogeneses of depression. The anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of auraptene have previously been confirmed. We established an inflammatory depression model by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection combined with unpredictable chronic mild stress (uCMS), aiming to explore the effects of auraptene on depressive-like behaviors in adult mice. Mice were divided into a control group, vehicle group, fluoxetine group, celecoxib group, and auraptene group. Then, behavioral tests were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of auraptene in ameliorating depressive-like behavior. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were examined by ELISA. Interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) were examined by protein chip technology. The morphology of microglia was observed by the immunohistochemical method. The data showed that, compared with the control group, the vehicle group mice exhibited a depressive-like behavioral phenotype, accompanied by an imbalance in inflammatory cytokines and the activation of microglia in the hippocampus. The depressive behaviors of the auraptene group's mice were significantly alleviated, along with the decrease in pro-inflammatory factors and increase in anti-inflammatory factors, while the activation of microglia was inhibited in the hippocampus. Subsequently, we investigated the role of auraptene in vitro-cultured BV-2 cells treated with LPS. The analysis showed that auraptene downregulated the expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and NO, and diminished the ratio of CD86/CD206. The results showed that auraptene reduced the excessive phagocytosis and ROS production of LPS-induced BV2 cells. In conclusion, auraptene relieved depressive-like behaviors in mice probably via modulating hippocampal neuroinflammation mediated by microglia.

LncRNA SNHG14 Served as a Biomarker of Depression Disorder Patients and Regulated Depression-Like Behaviors via MiR-200a-3p

Depression disorder has become a major mental disease and has attracted special attention globally. Identifying specific biomarkers for the diagnosis and severity of depression disorder would benefit its clinical management. This study focused on the significance of lncRNA SNHG14 in depression disorder and investigated its effect on depression-like behaviors, aiming to explore a potential biomarker for depression disorder occurrence and development. This study included 147 patients with depression disorder and 98 healthy individuals. The serum SNHG14 in all participants was analyzed by PCR, and its diagnostic value was evaluated by receiver operatorating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. The depression-like behaviors were induced via chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) and evaluated by sucrose preference, forced swimming, and open field tests. SNHG14 was significantly upregulated in depression disorder patients relative to healthy individuals, which discriminated depression disorder patients with a relatively high efficiency. Depression disorder patients with severe conditions showed higher serum SNHG14 levels, and a significantly positive correlation of SNHG14 with PHQ9 score was demonstrated. In CSDS mice, increasing SNHG14 and decreasing miR-200a-3p were observed. Silencing SNHG14 and overexpressing miR-200a-3p could alleviate reduced sucrose preference, increased swimming immobility time, decreased standing times, and decreased traveling distance induced by CSDS. The knockdown of SNHG14 promoted the expression of miR-200a-3p, and silencing miR-200a-3p could reverse the protective effect of SNHG14 silencing on depression-like behaviors. SNHG14 served as a biomarker for the occurrence and severity of depression disorder. Silencing SNHG14could alleviate depression-like behaviors via modulating miR-200a-3p.

Major depression disorder and heart failure: A two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether a bidirectional causal relationship exists between major depressive disorder (MDD) and heart failure (HF).

METHODS

Our two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study consisted of two parts. In the first part, we conducted a forward MR analysis where MDD was considered as the exposure and HF as the outcome. In the second part, a reverse MR analysis was performed, treating HF as the exposure and MDD as the outcome. Summary data on MDD and HF were obtained from the IEU Open GWAS database.

RESULTS

Based on the results of the MR-Egger regression intercept test, there was no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy in this study. Furthermore, the IVW results consistently suggested estimates of causal effect values. The findings revealed that individuals with MDD had a 16.9% increased risk of HF compared to those without MDD (OR = 1.169, 95%CI: 1.044-1.308, P = 0.007). However, there was no evidence to support that HF would increase the risk of MDD (OR = 1.012, 95%CI: 0.932-1.099, P = 0.773). Heterogeneity in SNPs of MDD and HF was observed through the heterogeneity test and funnel plot. Additionally, the leave-one-out method did not identify any instances where a single SNP was biased toward or dependent on causation.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides evidence supporting a one-way causal relationship between MDD and HF. Specifically, MDD increases the risk of developing HF. However, our findings did not provide any evidence suggesting that HF increases the risk of developing MDD.

Identifying depression's genetic role as a precursor to sepsis and increased mortality risk: Comprehensive insights from mendelian randomization analysis

BACKGROUND

Previous retrospective studies have shown a correlation between depression and increased risk of infections, including a moderate rise in sepsis likelihood associated with severe depression and anxiety. To investigate the potential causal links between depression, sepsis, and mortality risks, while considering confounding factors, we employed a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.

METHODS

In this two-sample Mendelian randomization study, we analyzed data from a large-scale genome-wide association study on depression, involving 807,553 European individuals (246,363 cases, 561,190 controls). We extracted SNP associations with sepsis and 28-day mortality from UK Biobank GWAS outcomes. The correlation analysis primarily employed the inverse-variance weighted method, supplemented by sensitivity analyses for heterogeneity and pleiotropy assessment.

RESULTS

Our analysis revealed a potential causal link between depression and an increased risk of sepsis (OR = 1.246, 95% CI: 1.076-1.442, P = 0.003), but no causal association was found with sepsis-induced mortality risk (OR = 1.274, 95% CI: 0.891-1.823, P = 0.184). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified a potential causal association between depression and heightened sepsis risk, while no link was found with sepsis-induced mortality. These findings suggest that effective management of depression could be important in preventing sepsis.

Golgi-targeted NIR fluorescent probe with large stokes shift for real-time monitoring of nitric oxide in depression model

Depression is a debilitating mental illness that poses a serious threat to human health. Nitric Oxide (NO), as an important gasotransmitter, is closely associated with the pathogenesis of depressive disorders. Effective monitoring of NO fluctuation is beneficial for the diagnosis of depression and therapy assessment of antidepressants. Currently, there is a lack of effective methods for rapidly and sensitively identifying NO and elucidating its relationship with depression diseases. Herein, we developed a NIR dye TJ730-based fluorescent probe TJ730-Golgi-NO incorporating benzenesulfonamide as a Golgi-targeted moiety and the thiosemicarbazide group for NO detection. The probe exhibited turn-on fluorescence ability and a large Stokes shift of 158 nm, which shows high sensitivity, selectivity, and rapid response (<1 min) for NO detection. TJ730-Golgi-NO could detect exogenous and endogenous NO in cells stimulated by Glu and LPS, and target Golgi apparatus. Moreover, we disclose a significant increase of NO in the depression model and a weak fluorescence evidenced in the fluoxetine-treated depression mice. This study provides a competent tool for studying the function of NO and helping improve the effective treatment of depression diseases.

Trajectories of depressive symptoms and risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and mortality: a prospective cohort study

Background

Depressive symptoms are established risk factors for various health outcomes. However, previous studies assessed depressive symptoms at a single time point, neglecting individual variations over time.

Aims

To identify depressive symptoms trajectories through repeated measures and examine their associations with cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer and mortality.

Methods

This study included 20 634 UK Biobank participants free of CVD and cancer at baseline with two or more assessments of depressive symptoms during 2006-2016. Group-based trajectory modelling identified depressive symptoms trajectories. Incident CVD, cancer and mortality were followed up until 2021 through linked registries.

Results

Six depressive symptoms trajectories were identified: no symptoms (n=6407), mild-stable (n=11 539), moderate-stable (n=2183), severe-decreasing (n=206), moderate-increasing (n=177) and severe-stable (n=122). During a median follow-up of 5.5 years, 1471 CVD cases, 1275 cancer cases and 503 deaths were documented. Compared with the no symptoms trajectory, the mild-stable, moderate-stable and severe-stable trajectories exhibited higher CVD risk, with hazard ratios (HRs) (95% CIs) of 1.19 (1.06 to 1.34), 1.32 (1.08 to 1.34) and 2.99 (1.85 to 4.84), respectively. Moderate-increasing and severe-stable trajectories were associated with higher mortality risks, with HRs (95% CIs) of 2.27 (1.04 to 4.93) and 3.26 (1.55 to 6.88), respectively. However, the severe-decreasing trajectory was not associated with higher risks of adverse outcomes. We did not find significant associations between any trajectory and cancer.

Conclusions

Trajectories related to stable and increasing depressive symptoms, but not the trajectory associated with severe depressive symptoms at the initial assessment but decreasing at the follow-up, were associated with higher risks of CVD and mortality. Alleviating severe depressive symptoms at the initial onset may mitigate CVD and mortality risks.

Functional Connectivity Differences in the Resting-state of the Amygdala in Alcohol-dependent Patients with Depression

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The mechanism of comorbidity between alcohol dependence and depressive disorders are not well understood. This study investigated differences in the brain function of alcohol-dependent patients with and without depression by performing functional connectivity analysis using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 29 alcohol-dependent patients with depression, 31 alcohol-dependent patients without depression and 31 healthy control subjects were included in this study. The resting-state functional connectivity between the amygdala and the whole brain was compared among the three groups. Additionally, we examined the correlation between functional connectivity values in significantly different brain regions and levels of alcohol dependence and depression.

RESULTS

The resting-state functional connectivity between the left amygdala and the right caudate nucleus was decreased in alcohol-dependent patients. Additionally, the resting-state functional connectivity of the right amygdala with the right caudate nucleus, right transverse temporal gyrus, right temporal pole: superior temporal gyrus were also decreased. In alcohol-dependent patients with depression, not only was functional connectivity between the above brain regions significantly decreased, but so was functional connectivity between the right amygdala and the left middle temporal gyrus. Also, there was no significant correlation between the resting-state functional connectivity values in statistically significant brain regions and the levels of alcohol dependence and depression.

CONCLUSION

The impairment of the functional connectivity of the amygdala with caudate nucleus and partial temporal lobe may be involved in the neural mechanism of alcohol dependence comorbidity depressive disorders.

Nerolidol reduces depression-like behavior in mice and suppresses microglia activation by down-regulating DNA methyltransferase 1

Modern medicine has unveiled that essential oil made from Aquilaria possesses sedative and hypnotic effects. Among the chemical components in Aquilaria, nerolidol, a natural sesquiterpene alcohol, has shown promising effects. This study aimed to unravel the potential of nerolidol in treating depression. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was utilized to induce depression-like behavior in mice, and open field test, sucrose preference, and tail suspension test was conducted. The impacts of nerolidol on the inflammatory response, microglial activation, and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) were assessed. To study the regulatory role of DNMT1, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to treat BV2 cells, followed by the evaluation of cell viability and DNMT1 level. Additionally, the influence of DNMT1 overexpression on BV2 cell activation was determined. Behavioral analysis revealed that nerolidol reduced depression-like behavior in mice. Nerolidol reduced the levels of inflammatory factors and microglial activation caused by CUMS. Nerolidol treatment was found to reduce DNMT1 levels in mouse brain tissue and it also decrease the LPS-induced increase in DNMT1 levels in BV2 cells. DNMT1 overexpression reversed the impacts of nerolidol on the inflammation response and cell activation. This study underscores the potential of nerolidol in reducing CUMS-induced depressive-like behavior and inhibiting microglial activation by downregulating DNMT1. These findings offer valuable insights into the potential of nerolidol as a therapeutic option for depression.

Prophylactic Effects of n-Acethylcysteine on Inflammation-induced Depression-like Behaviors in Mice

Depression, affecting individuals worldwide, is a prevalent mental disease, with an increasing incidence. Numerous studies have been conducted on depression, yet its pathogenesis remains elusive. Recent advancements in research indicate that disturbances in synaptic transmission, synaptic plasticity, and reduced neurotrophic factor expression significantly contribute to depression's pathogenesis. In our study, we utilized adult male C57BL/6J mice. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can induce both chronic and acute depression-like symptoms in mice, a widely used model for studying depression associated with inflammation. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) exhibits anti-inflammatory and ameliorative effects on depressive symptoms. This study sought to determine whether NAC use could mitigate inflammatory depressive behavior through the enhancement of synaptic transmission, synaptic plasticity, and increasing levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In this study, we discovered that in mice modeled with depression-like symptoms, the expression levels of dendrites, BDNF, and miniature excitatory postsynaptic potential (mEPSC) in glutamatergic neurons, as well as the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid glutamate receptors (AMPARs) GluA1 and GluA2 subunits, were significantly decreased. These findings suggest an impairment in the synaptic transmission of glutamatergic neurons. Following treatment with NAC, the previously mentioned levels improved, indicating an enhancement in both synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity. Our results suggest that NAC exerts a protective effect on mouse models of inflammatory depression, potentially through the enhancement of synaptic transmission and plasticity, as well as the restoration of neurotrophic factor expression. These findings offer vital animal experimental evidence supporting NAC's role in mitigating inflammatory depressive behaviors.

Electrocortical Reactivity during Self-Referential Processing Predicts the Development of Depression across Adolescence

BACKGROUND

Negative attentional biases and self-schemas have been implicated in the development of depression. Research has indicated that a larger late positive potential (LPP) to negative self-referential words is associated with depression-as well as a maternal history of depression, an indicator of risk. However, it is unclear whether the LPP to self-referential words predicts the actual development of depression. The present study examined whether electrocortical reactivity during self-referential processing predicts the development of depression across adolescence.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 165 8 to 14-year-old girls with no lifetime history of a depressive disorder who completed the self-referential encoding task (SRET) while electroencephalography was recorded at a baseline assessment. Participants and their parent completed the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Aged Children at the baseline, 2-year, 4-year, and 6-year follow-up assessments.

RESULTS

Results indicated that a larger LPP to negative self-referential words at baseline predicted an increased likelihood of developing chronic-intermittent depression (i.e., persistent and/or recurrent), but not non-chronic, single episode depression, across adolescence. In contrast, neither SRET recall biases nor the LPP to positive self-referential words predicted the development of either type of depression.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that electrocortical reactivity associated with a negative self-schema in late childhood predicts the development of a more pernicious subtype of depression across adolescence. Moreover, the present study highlights the importance of considering clinical course in the examination of biomarkers of risk for depression.

Global, regional, and national incidence trends of depressive disorder, 1990-2019: An age-period-cohort analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study

BACKGROUND

Depressive disorder is a severe global public health problem. It is crucial to evaluate the global incidence trends of depressive disorder.

METHODS

The incidence data were drawn from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2019. Estimates were presented by global and sociodemographic index (SDI) quintiles, and the age-period-cohort (APC) model was used to estimate the incidence trends.

RESULTS

APC analysis indicated a decline in depressive disorder incidence globally (net drift = -0.24%, 95%CI: -0.29, -0.18), except for an increase in SDI regions (net drift = 0.07, 95%CI:0, 0.14). In high SDI regions, depressive disorder incidence increased among the younger and declined among the elder population, whereas the opposite trend was observed in middle and low-middle SDI regions. The depressive disorder incidence increased significantly among people aged 15 to 24 years after adjusting for age effects, decreased since 2000 after adjusting for period effects and increased rapidly in the birth cohort after 1990 in high SDI by adjusting for cohort effects.

CONCLUSION

Globally, there was a declining trend of depressive disorder incidence in 1990-2019. Specifically, the incidence was declining globally in younger populations, while increasing in older populations. However, this trend differed depending on the SDI of the region.

Immunotherapy for depression: Recent insights and future targets

Depression stands as a prominent contributor to global disability, entailing an elevated risk of suicide. Substantial evidence supports the notion that immune dysregulation may play a role in the development of depression and impede responses to antidepressant treatments. Immune dysregulation may cause depression in susceptible individuals through raising inflammatory responses. Differences in immune cell types and the release of pro-inflammatory mediators are observed in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with major depressive disorder, which is associated with neuroimmune dysfunction. Therefore, the interaction of peripheral and central immune targets in depression needs to be understood. Urgent attention is required for the development of innovative therapeutics directed at modulating immune responses for the treatment of depression. This review delineates the immune mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of depression, assesses the therapeutic potential of immune system targeting for depression treatment, and deliberates on the merits and constraints of employing immunotherapy in the management of depression.

Association of composite dietary antioxidant index with depression and all-cause mortality in middle-aged and elderly population

Current research has shown an increasing acceptance of interventions for depression through dietary modifications. However, whether composite dietary antioxidant index (CDAI) is associated with depression and all-cause mortality in middle-aged and elderly population remains unknown. This study aimed to explore those associations in American middle-aged and elderly population. Weighted logistic regression models and weighted Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to assess the association of CDAI, covariates, depression, and all-cause mortality, respectively. The stability of the results was also determined by a linear trend test based on CDAI quintiles. Restricted cubic spline curves were employed to test for non-linear relationships. In the model adjusted for all covariates, significant associations were found with the ORs (95% CI) for CDAI and depression [0.77 (0.67, 0.89)] and the HRs (95% CI) for CDAI with all-cause mortality[0.91 (0.83, 1.00)]. Upon conducting restricted cubic spline curves, we found that the association between CDAI and depression was linear, whereas the association between CDAI and all-cause mortality was non-linear with an inflection point of -0.19. Statistical significance was only found before the inflection point. In this study of middle-aged and elderly Americans, CDAI was linearly negatively associated with depression and non-linearly negatively associated with all-cause mortality.

An empirical analysis of structural neuroimaging profiles in a staging model of depression

We examine structural brain characteristics across three diagnostic categories: at risk for serious mental illness; first-presenting episode and recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD). We investigate whether the three diagnostic groups display a stepwise pattern of brain changes in the cortico-limbic regions. Integrated clinical and neuroimaging data from three large Canadian studies were pooled (total n = 622 participants, aged 12-66 years). Four clinical profiles were used in the classification of a clinical staging model: healthy comparison individuals with no history of depression (HC, n = 240), individuals at high risk for serious mental illness due to the presence of subclinical symptoms (SC, n = 80), first-episode depression (FD, n = 82), and participants with recurrent MDD in a current major depressive episode (RD, n = 220). Whole-brain volumetric measurements were extracted with FreeSurfer 7.1 and examined using three different types of analyses. Hippocampal volume decrease and cortico-limbic thinning were the most informative features for the RD vs HC comparisons. FD vs HC revealed that FD participants were characterized by a focal decrease in cortical thickness and global enlargement in amygdala volumes. Greater total amygdala volumes were significantly associated with earlier onset of illness in the FD but not the RD group. We did not confirm the construct validity of a tested clinical staging model, as a differential pattern of brain alterations was identified across the three diagnostic groups that did not parallel a stepwise clinical staging approach. The pathological processes during early stages of the illness may fundamentally differ from those that occur at later stages with clinical progression.

Chinese herbal medicines for the treatment of depression: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Objectives: Amidst rising global burden of depression and the associated challenges with conventional antidepressant therapies, there is a growing interest in exploring the efficacy and safety of alternative treatments. This study uses a Bayesian network meta-analysis to rigorously evaluate the therapeutic potential of Chinese herbal medicines in the treatment of depression, focusing on their comparative efficacy and safety against standard pharmacological interventions. Methods: Five databases (PubMed, Wanfang Data, EMBASE, CNKI, and the Cochrane Library) and grey literature were searched from inception to end of July 2023 to identify studies that assessed the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicines in treating depression. The response rate, Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) scores, and rates of adverse events were assessed through both direct and indirect comparisons. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were meticulously performed. Statistical analysis used Markov chain Monte Carlo methods, with effect size estimates provided as odd ratios and their 95% confidence intervals. Results: A total of 198 RCTs involving 8,923 patients were analyzed, assessing 17 Chinese herbal medicines. Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking results indicated that the top three treatments with the best response rate were possibly Guipiwan, Ease Pill, and Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction; the top three treatments on the reduction of HAMD scores were Chai Hu Shu Gan San, Xingnao Jieyu Decoction, and Xiaoyao Powder; and the top three treatments with the lowest adverse effects rates were Xiaoyao Powder, Alprazolam, and Xingnao Jieyu Decoction. Interestingly, commonly used synthetic drugs such as Fluoxetine, Escitalopram, Amitriptyline, Sertraline, Flupentixol and Melitracen, and Venlafaxine, not only appeared to be less effective than specific Chinese herbal medicines (Gan Mai Da Zao Decoction, Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction, Chai Hu Shu Gan San, Danzhi-Xiaoyao-San, and Xingnao Jieyu Decoction), but they were also related to substantially higher risk of adverse events. Conclusion: Our findings elucidate the promising therapeutic potential of Chinese herbal medicines as viable alternatives in the treatment of depression, with certain herbs demonstrating enhanced efficacy and safety profiles. The outcomes of this study advocate for the integration of these alternative modalities into contemporary depression management paradigms. However, it underscores the necessity for larger, methodologically robust trials to further validate and refine these preliminary findings. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42023452109.

Study of decreased serum levels of C1q/TNF-related protein 4 (CTRP4) in major depressive disorder

BACKGROUND

The adipokines secreted by adipocytes might play an important role through crossing the blood brain barrier to the brain, which could mediate the common physiological pathway between depression and obesity. CTRP4, a member of the CTRP family, is highly expressed in human adipose tissue and brain tissue.

OBJECTIVE

this study aimed to measure serum C1q/TNF-related protein 4 (CTRP4) levels in depressive patients to explore the association between CTRP4 levels and depression.

METHODS

depressive patients (n = 138), healthy controls (n = 100) were enrolled from September 2020 to December 2021. The level of serum CTRP4 was measured by enzymes linked to immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Other biochemical indicators were measured by Advia 2400 automatic biochemistry analyzer. Depressive symptoms of patients were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Scale-24 item (HAMD-24).

RESULTS

this study found that serum CTRP4 levels in the MDD group were lower than that of the health control (P < 0.001). Serum CTRP4 levels were negatively correlated with HAMD-24 scores (r = -0.368; P = 0.001). The serum CTRP4 levels were negatively correlated with Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG) and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C), but were positively associated with high density lipid-cholesterol (HDL-C) (r = -0.267, r = -0.255, r = -0.312 and r = 0.280; P = 0.017, P = 0.023, P = 0.005 and P = 0.012). The ROC curve of CTRP4 showed that the Area Under Curve (AUC) was 0.856, P < 0.001.

CONCLUSION

the serum CTRP4 levels in MDD patients were lower than that in health control, which might mediate the physiological progress of MDD patients.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation improves memory in first-diagnosed, drug-naïve patients with depression: Secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Cognitive impairments are found in most patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). It is believed that low Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) level raise the risk of anxiety, depressive symptoms and cognition dysfunction. Since our previous research has found n-3 PUFAs supplementation improves anxiety in MDD, this study was to further explore the effectiveness on cognitive impairment among depressed patients.

METHODS

A total of 72 venlafaxine treated outpatients with first-diagnosed, drug-naïve depression were enrolled. Daily n-3 PUFAs supplementation (2.4 g/d of fish oil, including 1440 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 960 mg of docosahexaenoic acid) or placebo was used for 12 weeks. Cognitive function, measure by repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status ([RBANS]) scores, was compared over time.

RESULTS

Immediate memory, delayed memory and RBANS total scores were significant higher in both groups at week 4 and week 12 compared with baseline. Both groups exhibited improvement on attention scores at week 12. No significant differences were observed comparing n-3 PUFAs with placebo groups in the improvement of total RBANS scores and other subscales except in the change of immediate memory at both week 4 and week 12 (p < 0.05).

LIMITATIONS

Sample size was relatively low. Moreover, multiple ethnic populations and the income of patients should be considered. Lastly, we used raw scores instead of the standardized scores of RBANS.

CONCLUSION

N-3 PUFAs supplementation yielded a small but statistically significant improvement on immediate memory in first-diagnosed, drug-naïve depressed patients. While, antidepressant treatment resulted in significant improvement of cognitive function.

The role of ncRNAs in depression

Depressive disorders have a significant impact on public health, and depression have an unsatisfactory recurrence rate and are challenging to treat. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are RNAs that do not code protein, which have been shown to be crucial for transcriptional regulation. NcRNAs are important to the onset, progress and treatment of depression because they regulate various physiological functions. This makes them distinctively useful as biomarkers for diagnosing and tracking responses to therapy among individuals with depression. It is important to seek out and summarize the research findings on the impact of ncRNAs on depression since significant advancements have been made in this area recently. Hence, we methodically outlined the findings of published researches on ncRNAs and depression, focusing on microRNAs. Above all, this review aims to improve our understanding of ncRNAs and provide new insights of the diagnosis and treatment of depression.

Association between hs-CRP and depressive symptoms: a cross-sectional study

Background and aim

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a sensitive measure of low-grade inflammation and appears superior to conventional blood tests in assessing cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this investigation was to explore the link between high-sensitivity CRP and depressive symptoms among adults.

Methods and results

Multiple logistic regression and smoothed curve fitting were used to investigate the association between hs-CRP and depressive symptoms based on data from the, 2017-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Subgroup analyses and interaction tests were used to assess the stability of this relationship across populations. The study comprised 6,293 non-clinical participants, which included 549 individuals with depressive symptoms. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was found to increase with increasing levels of hs-CRP. This trend persisted even after quartetting hs-CRP levels. In the fully adjusted model, each unit increase in hs-CRP was associated with a 10% increase in the odds of depressive symptoms (OR=1.10,95%CI:1.01-1.21). Participants in the highest quartile of hs-CRP had a 39% higher prevalence of depressive symptoms compared to those in the lowest quartile (OR=1.39,95%CI:1.01-1.92). Additionally, this positive correlation was more pronounced in men.

Conclusions

In adult Americans, there exists a positive association between elevated hs-CRP levels and depressive symptoms, with a more prominent manifestation of this association observed in males.

Depression and hepatobiliary diseases: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

Background

More and more evidence suggests a close association between depression and hepatobiliary diseases, but its causal relationship is not yet clear.

Method

Using genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to summarize data, independent genetic variations associated with depression were selected as instrumental variables. Firstly, we designed a univariate Mendelian randomization (UVMR) analysis with two samples and simultaneously conducted reverse validation to evaluate the potential bidirectional causal relationship between depression and various hepatobiliary diseases. Secondly, we conducted a multivariate Mendelian randomization (MVMR) analysis on diseases closely related to depression, exploring the mediating effects of waist to hip ratio, hypertension, and daytime nap. The mediating effects were obtained through MVMR. For UVMR and MVMR, inverse variance weighted method (IVW) is considered the most important analytical method. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using Cochran'Q, MR Egger, and Leave-one-out methods.

Results

UVMR analysis showed that depression may increase the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.03-1.46; p=0.0248) in liver diseases, while depression does not increase the risk of other liver diseases; In biliary and pancreatic related diseases, depression may increase the risk of cholelithiasis (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.05-1.50; p=0.0120), chronic pancreatitis (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.10-2.35; p=0.0140), and cholecystitis (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.03-1.48; p=0.0250). In addition, through reverse validation, we found that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cholelithiasis, chronic pancreatitis, cholecystitis, or the inability to increase the risk of depression (p>0.05). The waist to hip ratio, hypertension, and daytime nap play a certain role in the process of depression leading to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, with a mediating effect of 35.8%.

Conclusion

Depression is a susceptibility factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and the causal effect of genetic susceptibility to depression on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is mediated by waist-hip ratio, hypertension, and daytime nap.

Taste dysfunction as a predictor of depression in schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the relationship between taste dysfunction and depression among patients with schizophrenia, to achieve early detection of depression in clinical practice.

METHODS

Following PRISMA guidance, a comprehensive literature search was conducted globally, covering papers published from 1961 to June 2023. A total of 17 manuscripts were selected through meta-analysis and sensitivity analysis after examining available materials from seven databases to determine the correlation between depression and taste dysfunction.

RESULTS

The comparison of the 17 selected manuscripts revealed that individuals with gustatory dysfunction may be more likely to experience depressive symptoms (SMD, 0.51, 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.93, p = 0.02). Depression is associated with taste dysfunction in certain aspects, as indicated by the pleasantness ratings of sucrose solutions (SMD, -0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.11 to 0.05, p = 0.08), gustatory identification ability (SMD, 0.96, 95% CI, 0.03 to 1.89, p = 0.04), and the perception threshold of sweet taste (MD, 0.80, 95% CI, 0.79 to 0.81, p < 0.00001).

CONCLUSIONS

Due to variations in the methods, designs, and selection criteria employed in the included studies, it is necessary to establish a feasible framework. Future research using detailed and targeted approaches can provide clearer and more unified conclusions on the relationship between taste dysfunction and depression. Moreover, further high-quality research is needed to obtain clearer conclusions and explore the potential of taste dysfunction as an effective tool for early screening of depression.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This review has been registered in the PROSPERO on April 2022 with the identifier CRD42023400172.

The role of microglia heterogeneity in synaptic plasticity and brain disorders: Will sequencing shed light on the discovery of new therapeutic targets?

Microglia play a crucial role in interacting with neuronal synapses and modulating synaptic plasticity. This function is particularly significant during postnatal development, as microglia are responsible for removing excessive synapses to prevent neurodevelopmental deficits. Dysregulation of microglial synaptic function has been well-documented in various pathological conditions, notably Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. The recent application of RNA sequencing has provided a powerful and unbiased means to decipher spatial and temporal microglial heterogeneity. By identifying microglia with varying gene expression profiles, researchers have defined multiple subgroups of microglia associated with specific pathological states, including disease-associated microglia, interferon-responsive microglia, proliferating microglia, and inflamed microglia in multiple sclerosis, among others. However, the functional roles of these distinct subgroups remain inadequately characterized. This review aims to refine our current understanding of the potential roles of heterogeneous microglia in regulating synaptic plasticity and their implications for various brain disorders, drawing from recent sequencing research and functional studies. This knowledge may aid in the identification of pathogenetic biomarkers and potential factors contributing to pathogenesis, shedding new light on the discovery of novel drug targets. The field of sequencing-based data mining is evolving toward a multi-omics approach. With advances in viral tools for precise microglial regulation and the development of brain organoid models, we are poised to elucidate the functional roles of microglial subgroups detected through sequencing analysis, ultimately identifying valuable therapeutic targets.

Disrupted properties of functional brain networks in major depressive disorder during emotional face recognition: an EEG study via graph theory analysis

Previous neuroimaging studies have revealed abnormal brain networks in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) in emotional processing. While any cognitive task consists of a series of stages, little is yet known about the topology of functional brain networks in MDD for these stages during emotional face recognition. To address this problem, electroencephalography (EEG)-based functional brain networks of MDD patients at different stages of facial information processing were investigated in this study. First, EEG signals were collected from 16 patients with MDD and 18 age-, gender-, and education-matched normal subjects when performing an emotional face recognition task. Second, the global field power (GFP) method was employed to divide group-averaged event-related potentials into different stages. Third, using the phase transfer entropy (PTE) approach, the brain networks of MDD patients and normal individuals were constructed for each stage in negative and positive face processing, respectively. Finally, we compared the topological properties of brain networks of each stage between the two groups using graph theory approaches. The results showed that the analyzed three stages of emotional face processing corresponded to specific neurophysiological phases, namely, visual perception, face recognition, and emotional decision-making. It was also demonstrated that depressed patients showed abnormally decreased characteristic path length at the visual perception stage of negative face recognition and normalized characteristic path length in the stage of emotional decision-making during positive face processing compared to healthy subjects. Furthermore, while both the MDD and normal groups' brain networks were found to exhibit small-world network characteristics, the brain network of patients with depression tended to be randomized. Moreover, for patients with MDD, the centro-parietal region may lose its status as a hub in the process of facial expression identification. Together, our findings suggested that altered emotional function in MDD patients might be associated with disruptions in the topological organization of functional brain networks during emotional face recognition, which further deepened our understanding of the emotion processing dysfunction underlying MDD.

Major depressive disorder: hypothesis, mechanism, prevention and treatment

Worldwide, the incidence of major depressive disorder (MDD) is increasing annually, resulting in greater economic and social burdens. Moreover, the pathological mechanisms of MDD and the mechanisms underlying the effects of pharmacological treatments for MDD are complex and unclear, and additional diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for MDD still are needed. The currently widely accepted theories of MDD pathogenesis include the neurotransmitter and receptor hypothesis, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hypothesis, cytokine hypothesis, neuroplasticity hypothesis and systemic influence hypothesis, but these hypothesis cannot completely explain the pathological mechanism of MDD. Even it is still hard to adopt only one hypothesis to completely reveal the pathogenesis of MDD, thus in recent years, great progress has been made in elucidating the roles of multiple organ interactions in the pathogenesis MDD and identifying novel therapeutic approaches and multitarget modulatory strategies, further revealing the disease features of MDD. Furthermore, some newly discovered potential pharmacological targets and newly studied antidepressants have attracted widespread attention, some reagents have even been approved for clinical treatment and some novel therapeutic methods such as phototherapy and acupuncture have been discovered to have effective improvement for the depressive symptoms. In this work, we comprehensively summarize the latest research on the pathogenesis and diagnosis of MDD, preventive approaches and therapeutic medicines, as well as the related clinical trials.

Post-stress Social Interaction and 3-Cyano-N-(1,3-Diphenyl-1H-Pyrazol-5-yl) Benzamide Treatment Attenuate Depressive-like Behavior Induced by Repeated Social Defeat Stress

Persistent stress increases the probability for developing depression significantly thereafter. Repeated social defeat stress is a widely used model to investigate depressive-like behavior in preclinical models. Hence, the repeated social defeat stress model provided an ideal animal model, through which the hypotheses of prevention and treatment can be investigated. We have successfully induced depressive-like behavior for male C57BL/6J mice with this model. Here, we reported that certain level of during-stress social interactions with single female or multiple male peer(s) exerted a positive role in preventing the development of depressive-like behavior induced by repeated social defeat stress. Our data suggested that the stress-susceptible mice may benefit from positive social interaction, which reduces the chance for depressive-like behavior development. Since numerous studies indicate that the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) plays an important role in various cognitive functions, we further investigate the treatment effect of 3-cyano-N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl) benzamide (CDPPB) on the depressive-like behavior induced by repeated social defeat stress. Most importantly, robust anti-depressant effects have been achieved through modulating the mGluR5 function. We found that single oral dose administration of CDPPB (20 mg/kg), to some extent, alleviated the social avoidance behaviors for the stress-susceptible mice. Our data implies that the CDPPB, a positive allosteric modulator of mGluR5, is a promising anti-depressant candidate with limited side effect.

Association between serum omega-3 PUFAs levels and cognitive impairment in never medically treated first-episode patients with geriatric depression: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Geriatric depression increases the public health burden and health care costs, reduces quality of life. Studies have shown the association between ω-3 PUFAs levels and inflammatory markers levels and depression, but few have explored the relationship between omega-3 PUFAs, inflammatory markers, and cognitive function in geriatric depression. This study aimed to compare the differences in ω-3 PUFAs levels and inflammatory markers between geriatric depression with cognitive impairment (CI) and those without CI.

METHODS

A total of three hundred and five elderly patients were recruited. In addition to collecting basic information, their blood specimens were collected to detect serum EPA, DHA, AA, TC, LDL-C, IL-6, TNF-α, and hs-CRP levels. The Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), and The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) were used to assess their depression, anxiety, and cognitive function, respectively.

RESULTS

Compared to those without CI, geriatric depression patients with CI had higher serum TC, LDL-C levels, lower EPA, DHA, and AA levels, and more elevated IL-6, TNF-α, and hs-CRP levels (all P < 0.05). Further linear regression analysis showed that EPA, DHA, and TNF-α, hs-CRP levels were significantly associated with the occurrence and the severity of CI.

LIMITATIONS

No causal relationship could be drawn due to the cross-sectional design.

CONCLUSIONS

Omega-3 PUFAs and inflammatory factors levels may predict CI in elderly patients with MDD in the future. Our findings suggest that ω-3 PUFAs (EPA and DHA) and inflammatory factors (TNF-α and CRP) may predict the occurrence and the severity of CI among elderly MDD patients.

Constituents, pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetic studies, clinical applications, and safety profile on the classical prescription Kaixinsan

Kaixinsan (KXS) is a noteworthy classical prescription, which consists of four Chinese medicinal herbs, namely Polygalae Radix, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Poria, and Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma. KXS was initially documented in the Chinese ancient book Beiji Qianjin Yaofang written by Sun Simiao of the Tang Dynasty in 652 A.D. As a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, it functions to nourish the heart and replenish Qi, calm the heart tranquilize the mind, and excrete dampness. Originally used to treat amnesia, it is now also effective in memory decline and applied to depression. Although there remains an abundance of literature investigating KXS from multiple aspects, few reviews summarize the features and research, which impedes better exploration and exploitation of KXS. This article intends to comprehensively analyze and summarize up-to-date information concerning the chemical constituents, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical applications, and safety of KXS based on the scientific literature, as well as to examine possible scientific gaps in current research and tackle issues in the next step. The chemical constituents of KXS primarily consist of saponins, xanthones, oligosaccharide esters, triterpenoids, volatile oils, and flavonoids. Of these, saponins are the predominant active ingredients, and increasing evidence has indicated that they exert therapeutic properties against mental disease. Pharmacokinetic research has illustrated that the crucial exposed substances in rat plasma after KXS administration are ginsenoside Re (GRe), ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1), and polygalaxanthone III (POL). This article provides additional descriptions of the safety. In this review, current issues are highlighted to guide further comprehensive research of KXS and other classical prescriptions.

Joint association of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure with depression in adults

BACKGROUND

Heavy metals (HMs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent significant components of environmental pollution, typically occurring as mixtures, raising concerns about their potential impact on human health. However, the combined effect of HMs and PAHs exposure on depression has not been explored.

METHODS

Leveraging National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data spanning 2005 to 2016, we employ survey-weighted multiple logistic regression models to probe the interrelation between HMs, PAHs, and depression. This exploration is complemented by age and gender-stratified analyses, as well as a determination of the dose-response linkage via restricted cubic spline regression. Furthermore, the combined impact of HMs and PAHs on depression was evaluated through a range of statistical methodologies.

RESULTS

The study encompasses 7732 adults. Our findings unveil notable associations, indicating the significant influence of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and all six PAHs metabolites on depression. Moreover, mixed exposure to HMs and PAHs emerges as a substantial contributor to an augmented depression risk, with Cd, Pb, 1-hydroxynaphthalene (1-NAP), 2-hydroxyfluorene (2-FLU), and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-PYR) likely driving this positive relationship. Intriguingly, subgroup analyses highlight greater prominence of these connections among individuals aged 20-59 and among women. Furthermore, the results tentatively suggest a potential interplay between Cd and 2-NAP in relation to depression.

CONCLUSION

This study posits that exposure to both individual and combined HMs and PAHs may be associated with an elevated risk of depression. Further prospective investigations are warranted to substantiate these findings.

Communicating the benefits of quitting smoking on mental health increases motivation to quit in people with anxiety and/or depression

BACKGROUND

Although smoking rates have declined over time, this decline has not been observed among those with mental health concerns. It is therefore important to develop effective messaging to support quitting in this population.

METHODS

We conducted an online experiment with 419 adults who smoke cigarettes daily. Participants with, or without a lifetime history of anxiety and/or depression were randomized to view a message focused on the benefits of quitting smoking on mental or physical health. Participants then reported motivation to quit smoking, mental health concerns about quitting, and perceived effectiveness of the message.

RESULTS

Participants with a lifetime history of anxiety and/or depression who saw the message focused on the benefits of quitting smoking on mental health reported greater motivation to quit than when they saw a message focused on the benefits to physical health. This was not replicated when examining current symptoms instead of lifetime history. Pre-existing beliefs that smoking improves one's mood were greater in those experiencing current symptoms and in those with a lifetime history of anxiety and/or depression. There was no main or interaction (message type X mental health status) effect of message type received on mental health related concerns about quitting.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is one of the first to evaluate a smoking cessation message with content specifically targeted to those with mental health concerns about quitting smoking. Additional work is needed to determine how to best target those with mental health concerns with messages focused on the benefits of quitting on mental health.

Saikosaponin-d alleviates depression by promoting NLRP3 ubiquitination and inhibiting inflammasome activation

Saikosaponin-d (SSd) is a triterpene saponin from the roots of Bupleurum chinese. Recent studies have revealed its antidepressant activity, but its mechanism involved is unclear. This study's objective was to ascertain how SSd may reduce depression in depressed mice subjected to chronic unpredictable animal stress (CUMS) and to investigate the mechanisms underlying these effects. Models of CUMS depression were established and different groups were treated with SSd and escitalopram. After the last day of administration of the treatment, behavioral tests were performed. ELISA was used to measure the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-18, and western blot was used to measure the presence of proteins associated with NLRP3. Hippocampal neuronal damage was observed using Nissl staining, and NLRP3 ubiquitination assay was performed by immunoprecipitation and gene silencing. An inflammatory cell model was constructed by treating BV2 cells with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to verify the ubiquitination modification of NLRP3 by SSd. Behavioral tests demonstrated that SSd effectively alleviated depression-like symptoms. SSd should substantially limit the degrees of proteins associated with NLRP3, as properly as limit the harm to hippocampal neurons. Gene silencing results showed that SSd regulates NLRP3 through the E3 ubiquitin ligase MARCHF7. In vitro, SSd remarkably increased the protein expression of K48-linked ubiquitin in inflammatory BV2 cells, while decreasing the protein levels of NLRP3. Our findings suggest that SSd has antidepressant effects in CUMS mice by promoting ubiquitination of NLRP3 to inhibit inflammasome activation and improve the inflammatory state.

Causal association between kynurenine and depression investigated using two-sample mendelian randomization

As research progresses, the intricate metabolic connections between depression and tryptophan, as well as kynurenine (KYN), have become increasingly evident. In studies investigating the relationship between KYN and depression, the conclusions reached thus far have been inconsistent. Therefore, we propose employing a two-sample mendelian randomization (MR) approach to further elucidate the relationship between KYN and depression. We utilized extensive data from large-scale genome-wide association studies to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms that act as instrumental variables for kynurenine and depression in European ancestry populations, ensuring compliance with MR assumptions. We employed five MR algorithms, namely, weighted median, MR-Egger, inverse variance weighted (IVW), simple mode, and weighted mode, with IVW as the primary analysis method. Sensitivity tests were conducted using Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger intercept test, MR Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier, and Leave-one-out analysis.The IVW analysis revealed that each standard deviation increase in kynurenine corresponded to a 1.4-fold increase in the risk of depression (OR = 1.351, 95% CI 1.110-1.645, P = 0.003). The direction of the effect size (positive or negative) was consistent with the findings from the other four algorithms. Sensitivity tests indicated no heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy among the instrumental variables. Elevated levels of kynurenine have a causal relationship with an increased risk of developing depression.

Serotonin 2A Receptor (5-HT2AR) Agonists: Psychedelics and Non-Hallucinogenic Analogues as Emerging Antidepressants

Psychedelics make up a group of psychoactive compounds that induce hallucinogenic effects by activating the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR). Clinical trials have demonstrated the traditional psychedelic substances like psilocybin as a class of rapid-acting and long-lasting antidepressants. However, there is a pressing need for rationally designed 5-HT2AR agonists that possess optimal pharmacological profiles in order to fully reveal the therapeutic potential of these agonists and identify safer drug candidates devoid of hallucinogenic effects. This Perspective provides an overview of the structure-activity relationships of existing 5-HT2AR agonists based on their chemical classifications and discusses recent advancements in understanding their molecular pharmacology at a structural level. The encouraging clinical outcomes of psychedelics in depression treatment have sparked drug discovery endeavors aimed at developing novel 5-HT2AR agonists with improved subtype selectivity and signaling bias properties, which could serve as safer and potentially nonhallucinogenic antidepressants. These efforts can be significantly expedited through the utilization of structure-based methods and functional selectivity-directed screening.

Pick fecal microbiota transplantation to enhance therapy for major depressive disorder

In recent years, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as a promising therapy for major depressive disorder (MDD). The goal of the operation is to restore a healthy gut microbiota by introducing feces from a healthy donor into the recipient's digestive system. The brain-gut axis is thought to have a significant role in regulating mood, behavior, and cognition, which supports the use of FMT in the treatment of MDD. Numerous studies have shown a correlation between abnormalities of the gut microbiota and MDD, whereas FMT has demonstrated the potential to restore microbial equilibrium. While FMT has shown encouraging results, it is crucial to highlight the potential hazards and limits inherent to this therapeutic approach. Stool donor-to-recipient disease transfer is a concern of FMT. Furthermore, it still needs to be determined what effect FMT has on the gut microbiota and the brain in the long run. This literature review provides an overview of the possible efficacy of FMT as a therapeutic modality for MDD. There is hope for patients who have not reacted well to typical antidepressant therapy since FMT may become an invaluable tool in the treatment of MDD as researchers continue to examine the relationship between gut microbiota and MDD.

Investigating the mechanism of Sinisan formula in depression treatment: a comprehensive analysis using GEO datasets, network pharmacology, and molecular docking

The herbal formula Sinisan (SNS) is a commonly used treatment for depression; however, its mechanism of action remains unclear. This article uses a combination of the GEO database, network pharmacology and molecular docking technologies to investigate the mechanism of action of SNS. The aim is to provide new insights and methods for future depression treatments. The study aims to extract effective compounds and targets for the treatment of depression from the T CMSP database. Relevant targets were searched using the GEO, Disgenet, Drugbank, PharmGKB and T T D databases, followed by screening of core targets. In addition, GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed to explore potential pathways for the treatment of depression. Molecular docking was used to evaluate the potential targets and compounds and to identify the optimal core protein-compound complex. Molecular dynamics was used to further investigate the dynamic variability and stability of the complex. The study identified 118 active SNS components and 208 corresponding targets. Topological analysis of P P I networks identified 11 core targets. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses revealed that the mechanism of action for depression involves genes associated with inflammation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and the MAP K3 and P I3K-Akt signalling pathways. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations showed a strong binding affinity between these compounds and the screened targets, indicating promising biological activity. The present study investigated the active components, targets and pathways of SNS in the treatment of depression. Through a preliminary investigation, key signalling pathways and compounds were identified. These findings provide new directions and ideas for future research on the therapeutic mechanism of SNS and its clinical application in the treatment of depression.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Merazin hydrate produces rapid antidepressant effects by activating CaMKII to promote neuronal activities and proliferation in hippocampus

In our previous studies, we demonstrated that merazin hydrate (MH) had rapid antidepressant effects, but the deep mechanism needed to be further investigated. In this study, we used depressive-like model, behavioral tests, molecular biology and pharmacological interventions to reveal the underlying mechanisms of MH's rapid antidepressants. We found that a single administration of MH was able to produce rapid antidepressant effects in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) exposed mice at 1 day later, similar to ketamine. Moreover, MH could not only significantly up-regulated the expressions of cFOS, but also obviously increased the number of Ki67 positive cells in hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). Furthermore, we also found that the phosphorylated expression of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) was significantly reduced by CUMS in hippocampus, which was also reversed by MH. In addition, pharmacological inhibition of CaMKII by using KN-93 (a CaMKII antagonist) blocked the MH's up-regulation of cFOS and Ki67 in hippocampal DG. To sum up, this study demonstrated that MH produced rapid antidepressant effects by activating CaMKII to promote neuronal activities and proliferation in hippocampus.

Purinergic P2X7 receptor as a potential therapeutic target in depression

The elaborate mechanisms of depression have always been a research hotspot in recent years, and the pace of research has never ceased. The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) belongs to one of the adenosine triphosphates (ATP)-gated cation channels that exist widely in brain tissues and play a prominent role in the regulation of depression-related pathology. To date, the role of purinergic P2X7R in the mechanisms underlying depression is not fully understood. In this review, we conclude that the purinergic receptor P2X7 is a potential therapeutic target for depression based on research results published over the past 5 years in Google Scholar and the National Library of Medicine (PubMed). Additionally, we introduced the functional characteristics of P2X7R and confirmed that excessive activation of P2X7R led to increased release of inflammatory cytokines, which eventually contributed to depression. Furthermore, the inhibition of P2X7R produced antidepressant-like effects in animal models of depression, further proving that P2X7R signalling mediates depression-like behaviours. Finally, we summarised related studies on drugs that exert antidepressant effects by regulating the expression of P2X7R. We hope that the conclusions of this review will provide information on the role of P2X7R in the neuropathophysiology of depression and novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of depression.

Characteristics of gut microbiota and metabolic phenotype in patients with major depressive disorder based on multi-omics analysis

Depression is a chronic, relapsing mental illness, often accompanied by loss of appetite, increased fatigue, insomnia and poor concentration. Here, we performed serum and urine metabolomics and fecal 16S rDNA sequencing studies on 57 unmedicated patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 57 healthy controls to characterize the metabolic and flora profile of MDD patients. We observed significant differences in serum and urinary metabolome between MDD patients and healthy individuals. Specifically, glycerophospholipid metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis and linoleic acid metabolism were significantly disordered in serum, and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, arginine biosynthesis, purine metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, and pyrimidine metabolism were significantly impaired in urine. On this basis, we identified four potential diagnostic biomarkers for carnitine and four fatty acid classes in serum and urine, respectively. In addition, we observed significant disturbances of the gut microbiota in MDD patients. Spearman correlation analysis showed that imbalances in the gut microbiota were associated with metabolic disturbances, suggesting an important role of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of MDD. Our study provides a theoretical basis for further understanding of the pathogenesis of depression and for future clinical diagnosis and screening, as well as a basis for targeting the gut flora to optimize its structure for the prevention and treatment of depression.

Diosmin ameliorates LPS-induced depression-like behaviors in mice: Inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress in the prefrontal cortex

Diosmin is a flavone glycoside with a confirmed therapeutic effectiveness on the chronic venous disorders. In this paper, the classical mouse depression model induced by LPS was established to explore the effect of Diosmin on depression. Firstly, we found that Diosmin could inhibit the inflammation and neuronal damage in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of mice, and thus alleviating the LPS-induced depressive-like behaviors. Specifically, Diosmin treatment significantly suppressed the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β), reduced the activation of microglia, and inhibited the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome and its downstream effector caspase-1 in both PFC of mice and BV2 microglial cells exposed to LPS. Then, we demonstrated that pretreatment with Diosmin dramatically suppressed the LPS-induced oxidative stress in the PFC of mice, manifested in the decrease of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde while increase of catalase activity. Consistently, Diosmin also alleviated the oxidative stress in BV2 cells exposed to LPS. Finally, we confirmed that Diosmin effectively suppressed the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway in the PFC of LPS-treated mice. Further in vitro experiments also verified that Diosmin could prevent the p65 transposition to nucleus in LPS-treated BV2 cells, suggesting that the antidepressant effects of Diosmin are partially mediated by blocking of NF-κB signaling. Taken together, this study proposes the potential antidepressant effect of Diosmin, which provides useful support to the development of new therapies for depression.