Published in:
Open Access
01-08-2019 | Antidepressant Drugs | Article
Novel therapeutic potential of angiotensin receptor 1 blockade in a rat model of diabetes-associated depression parallels altered BDNF signalling
Authors:
Lilla Lenart, Dora B. Balogh, Nikolett Lenart, Adrienn Barczi, Adam Hosszu, Tamas Farkas, Judit Hodrea, Attila J. Szabo, Krisztian Szigeti, Adam Denes, Andrea Fekete
Published in:
Diabetologia
|
Issue 8/2019
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Abstract
Aims/hypothesis
Diabetes is a worldwide epidemic linked with diverse diseases of the nervous system, including depression. A few studies suggested a connection between renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system blockers and reduced depressive symptoms, although underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here we investigated the antidepressant effect and the mechanisms of action of the angiotensin receptor 1 blocker (ARB) losartan in an experiential model of diabetes-associated depression.
Methods
Experimental diabetes was induced by streptozotocin in adult male Wistar rats. After 5 weeks of diabetes, rats were treated for 2 weeks with a non-pressor oral dose of losartan (20 mg/kg). In protocol 1, cerebrovascular perfusion and glial activation were evaluated by single-photon emission computed tomography–MRI and immunohistochemistry. In protocol 2, behaviour studies were performed (forced swim test and open field test). Hippocampal proinflammatory response and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signalling were also assessed.
Results
Here, we show that diabetic rats exhibit depression-like behaviour, which can be therapeutically reversed by losartan. This action of losartan occurs via changes in diabetes-induced neuroinflammatory responses rather than altered cerebral perfusion. We also show that as a part of its protective effect losartan restores BDNF production in astrocytes and facilitates BDNF–tropomyosin receptor kinase B–cAMP response element-binding protein signalling in the diabetic brain.
Conclusions/interpretation
We identified a novel effect of losartan in the nervous system that may be implemented to alleviate symptoms of diabetes-associated depression. These findings explore a new therapeutic horizon for ARBs as possible antidepressants and suggest that BDNF could be a target of future drug development in diabetes-induced complications.