Author/Authors :
Haramipour, P Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Science and Research Branch - Islamic Azad University - Tehran, Iran , Asghari, A Department of Clinical Sciences - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Science and Research Branch - Islamic Azad University - Tehran, Iran , Hassanpour, Sh Department of Basic Sciences - Division of Physiology - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Science and Research Branch - Islamic Azad University - Tehran, Iran , Jahandideh, A Department of Clinical Sciences - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Science and Research Branch - Islamic Azad University - Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
This study aimed to determine the anti-depressant effect of betaine (BT) in ovariectomized mice and its possible
interaction with nitrergic and serotoninergic systems. In experiment 1, the mice were divided into control and
sham groups, ovariectomy (OVX), OVX+BT (12.5mg/kg), OVX+BT (25 mg/kg), and OVX+BT (50mg/kg)
groups. In experiment 2, the mice were assigned into control and sham, OVX, OVX+BT (50mg/kg), OVX+LNAME
(10 mg/kg), as well as OVX+injection of the BT and L-NAME. Experiments 3-5 were similar to
experiment 2, except for L-Arginine (50 mg/kg), Fluoxetine (5 mg/kg), and Cyproheptadine (4 mg/kg) that were
injected instead of the L-NAME. Subsequently, forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), and
open field test (OFT) were performed in this study. Moreover, this study determined serum Malondialdehyde
(MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total antioxidant status levels.
According to the findings, OVX increased immobility time, compared to the control group (P<0.05). In
addition, BT (50mg/kg) decreased depression-induced immobility time, compared to the OVX group (P<0.05).
The co-injection of the BT+L-NAME decreased depression-induced immobility time in TST and FST, followed
by an increase in the number of crossing in OFT(P<0.05).Moreover, the co-injection of the BT+L-Arginine
significantly diminished the antidepressant activity of BT on immobility time and decreased positive effect of
BT on the number of crossing (P<0.05). The co-injection of the BT+Fluoxetine significantly amplified the
antidepressant activity of BT on immobility time and number of crossing (P<0.05). Furthermore, the coinjection
of the BT+Cyproheptadine decreased antidepressant activity of BT on immobility time and number of
crossing (P<0.05). The BT (25 and 50mg/kg) reduced the MDA; however, it elevated SOD and GPx levels in
OVX mice (P<0.05). It seems that antidepressant activity of BT mediates via nitrergic and serotoninergic
systems in OVX mice.
Keywords :
Mice , Ovariectomy , Anti-depressant , Betaine , Serotoninergic , Nitrergic
