Possible Therapeutic Role of Vitamin D plus Calcium and Some Hormones against Depression in Male Rat Model.

Abstract

Depression is one of the most neuropsychiatricconditions, with a lifetime prevalence approaching 17%.Depression is a mood disorder which is the most common illness that leads to the alteration of moodand lack of interest in surroundings. Also, depression ranks as one of the most significant causes of disability worldwide, second only to ischemic heart disease. The present study was designed to explore the antidepressant efficacy of some hormones (melatonin, DHEA, vitamin D plus Ca) in the reserpinized rats as a good experimental model for depression. A total number of 80 male albino rats weighting 120-150g (3 months old) were used in the current study. The animals were classified into eight experimental groups (10 rats/ group). -The first group: served as negative control group -The second group: was injectedintraperitoneally with reserpine in a dose of 0.1 mg/kg b.wt. for 75 days and served as positive control group (reserpinized group). -The third group: was injected with reserpine for 45 days then treated orally with melatonin 5 mg/kg b.wt.simultaneouslywith reserpine for 30 days. This group served as reserpinized group treated with low dose of melatonin. -The fourth group: was injected with reserpine for 45 days then treated orally with melatonin 10 mg/kg b.wt.simultaneously with reserpine for 30 days. This group served as reserpinized group treated with high dose of melatonin. -The fifth group: was injected with reserpine for 45 days then treated orally with DHEA 30 mg/kg b.wt.simultaneously with reserpine for 30 days. This groupserved as reserpinized group treated with low dose of DHEA. -The sixth group: was injected with reserpine for 45 days then treated orally with and DHEA 60 mg/kg b.wt. simultaneously with reserpine for 30 days. This group served as reserpinized group treated with high dose of DHEA. -The seventh group: was injected with reserpine for 45 days then treated orally with vitamin D (6 mg/kg b.wt) and calcium (13.5 mg /rat/day) simultaneously with reserpine for 30 days. This group served as reserpinized group treated with low dose of vitamin D plus calcium. -The eighthgroup: was injected with reserpine for 45 days then treated orally with vitamin D (12 mg/kg b.wt) and calcium (27 mg /rat/day) simultaneously with reserpine for 30 days. This group served as reserpinized group treated with high dose of vitamin D plus calcium.