Evolving concepts of depression provide new therapeutic options

Abstract

Depression is a highly prevalent and disabling psyc hiatric disease that often requires long-term treat ment. This study was planned to investigate the antidepressant activity of DHEA in the experimental model. This study was conducted on 40 adult male albino rats assigned int o 4 groups; Gp. (1) control group, Gp. (2) reserpin ized group, Gp.(3) reserpinized group treated with low dose of DHEA and Gp.(4) reserpinized group treated with high dose of DHEA. Brain neurotransmitters, serum ACTH and corticosterone, brain proinflammatory cytokines, brain d erived neutrophic factor and brain antiapoptic mediator as well as the histological examination of the brain tissue sections were carried out. In comparison with the control gr oup, the reserpinized group recorded significant de crease in serotonin, dopamine, BDNF and Bcl-2, significant increase in ACTH, corticosterone were detected in the reserpinized group. Histological examination of bra in tissue sections of rats in the reserpinized grou p showed neuronal damage and shrinkage. On the other hand, t reatment of the reserpinized groups with either low or high dose of DHEA resulted in remarkable improvement in the biochemical parameters associated with restorat ion in the structure organization of the brain in a dose depen dant manner. The present work provides a clear evid ence for the antidepressant potential of DHEA. This was evidenced by activation of serotoninergic and dopaminergic system, reduced levels of ACTH and corticosterone, inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines, promotion of neurotrophic factor and improvement the morphological structure of the brain tissue sections.