Objective:To compare the expression levels of candidate genes before and after Shuganjieyu capsule treatment, to analyze their correlation with depression symptoms and cognitive function, and to find and clarify the biomarkers related to the efficacy of Shuganjieyu capsule.Methods:Among 27 patients with mild to moderate depression (MMD), 24 items Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD-24) was used to assess the severity of depression, Chinese revised Wechsler adult intelligence scale(WAIS-RC) and Chinese revised Wechsler memory scale(WMS) were used to assess cognitive function, and qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression levels of candidate genes in peripheral blood of patients with depression before and after treatment with Shuganjieyu capsule.SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis, paired t-test, non-parametric test, Spearman correlation analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve were used for data statistics. Results:The symptoms of MMD patients were relieved after Shuganjieyu capsule treatment(HAMD scores: baseline 14.00(9.75, 18.25), 8-week 4.00(2.00, 7.25), Z=-4.462, P<0.01), and the verbal intelligence quotient(VIQ) of WMS was puomoved (VIQ scores: baseline (123.00±10.24), 8-week (128.00±6.77), t=4.372, P<0.01). The level of gene expression brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) (baseline 1.68(0.92, 2.63), 8-week 2.30(1.47, 4.34), Z=-2.781, P=0.005), glial cell derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF) (baseline 0.74(0.31, 1.15), 8-week 0.97(0.50, 1.71), Z=-2.159, P=0.031), 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A(HTR2A) (baseline 0.60(0.39, 1.60), 8-week 0.98(0.44, 2.29), Z=-1.994, P=0.046) and glutamate ionotropic receptor AMPA type subunit 1(GRIA1) (baseline 1.19(0.66, 2.40), 8-week 1.76(0.86, 4.13), Z=-2.756, P=0.006) was up-regulated after treatment.The change rate of BDNF expression were correlated with the score of HAMD-24 ( r=-0.35, P=0.038) and performance intelligence quotient of WMS ( r=0.40, P=0.022). Conclusions:BDNF may be used as a therapeutic marker of Shuganjieyu capsule in the treatment of clinical symptoms and cognitive function of MMD patients, which is used to evaluate the efficacy of antidepressants.

Objective:To investigate the changes of hippocampal gray matter volume and expression of candidate immune related genes in a rat model of schizophrenia established by repeated administration of dizocilpine(MK-801).Methods:Thirty SPF grade Sprague-Dawley male rats at postnatal day 28 were randomly divided into MK-801 medium-dose (0.25 mg/kg) group, MK-801 high-dose(0.50 mg/kg) group and normal saline (5 mL/kg) group according to random number table method, with 10 in each group.Rats were given continuous intraperitoneal administration according to grouping once a day for 14 days.Open field test, novel object recognition test and Y-maze test were used at postnatal day 60 to detect spontaneous activity, exploration ability, anxiety level, object recognition memory ability and spatial working memory of rats, respectively.At postnatal day 67, structural magnetic resonance imaging was used to detect the changes of hippocampal gray matter volume in rat.And at postnatal day 70, qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of candidate immune-related genes in rat hippocampus.SPSS 25.0 was used for statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA was used for comparison among multiple groups, and Tukey test was used for further pairwise comparisons.Results:(1)The behavioral results showed that there were significant differences in the total movement distance, central area activity time, novel object recognition index, and spontaneous correct alternation rate among the three groups ( F=11.15, 10.11, 13.62, 11.99, all P<0.05). The total movement distances in MK-801 medium-dose group and MK-801 high-dose group ((21.44±2.17) m, (22.87±1.96)m) were higher than that in the normal saline group ((18.70±1.88) m) (both P<0.05). The activity time of the central area in the MK-801 medium-dose group and MK-801 high-dose group((3.24±1.58) s, (2.50±1.32) s) were lower than that of the normal saline group ((6.05±2.48)s) (both P<0.01). Novel object recognition indexes in the MK-801 medium-dose group and MK-801 high-dose group((56.10±3.99)%, (54.00±6.41)%) were both lower than that in the normal saline group ((65.90±5.65)%)(both P<0.01), and the rates of spontaneous correct alternation ((54.60±7.03)%, (51.60±8.84)%) in the two groups were lower than that of the normal saline group ((68.40±8.57)%) (both P<0.01). (2) The results of structural magnetic resonance imaging showed that there were significant differences in the volume of hippocampal gray matter among the three groups ( F=9.24, P<0.001). The volumes of hippocampal gray matter in MK-801 medium-dose group and MK-801 high-dose group were lower than that in normal saline group(both P<0.001). (3)By constructing protein-protein interaction network, four candidate immune related genes were screened out: neuropeptide Y (NPY), somatostatin (SST), cholecystokinin (CCK) and tachykinin 1 (TAC1). The results showed that the mRNA expression levels of NPY, SST and CCK in the hippocampus of the three groups were significantly different ( F=11.41, 10.43, 5.85, all P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference in the TAC1 mRNA expression level ( F=0.08, P>0.05). The mRNA levels of NPY, SST and CCK in the hippocampus of rats in the MK-801 high-dose group were lower than those in the normal saline group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Both medium dose and high dose MK-801 administration can reduce the volume of hippocampal gray matter in schizophrenia model rats, but they have different effects on the expression of hippocampal immune related genes, of which high dose administration has a greater effect.

Geriatric depression in the elderly is becoming one of the most common psychiatric disorders affecting older people's mental and physical health.However, there is currently no systematic review on animal models for geriatric depression.Therefore, this paper analyzes and summarizes the animal models commonly used in geriatric depression studies and the application of antidepressants in geriatric depression models based on relevant national and international literature of recent years, aiming to provide insights on research approaches and considerations on study methods for geriatric depression.