Betaine eliminates CFA-induced depressive-like behaviour in mice may be through inhibition of microglia and astrocyte activation and polarization

Yue Liang; Ling Chen; Yanmei Huang; Lihua Xie; Xueqin Liu; Wenyan Zhou; Wenyu Cao; Zuyao Chen; Xiaolin Zhong

Brain Research Bulletin (Jan 2024)

Betaine eliminates CFA-induced depressive-like behaviour in mice may be through inhibition of microglia and astrocyte activation and polarization

Yue Liang,
Ling Chen,
Yanmei Huang,
Lihua Xie,
Xueqin Liu,
Wenyan Zhou,
Wenyu Cao,
Zuyao Chen,
Xiaolin Zhong

Affiliations

Yue Liang: The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China; The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China
Ling Chen: The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China
Yanmei Huang: The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China
Lihua Xie: The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China
Xueqin Liu: The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China
Wenyan Zhou: The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China
Wenyu Cao: Department of Human Anatomy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China
Zuyao Chen: The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China; Corresponding authors.
Xiaolin Zhong: Corresponding authors.; The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, Hunan, China

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 206
p. 110863

Abstract

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Chronic pain can induce not only nociceptive but also depressive emotions. A previous study demonstrated that betaine, a commonly used nutrient supplement, has an anti-nociceptive effect, but whether betaine can alleviate chronic pain-induced depressive emotion is elusive. Our current study found that betaine administration significantly eliminated complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced pain-related depressive-like behaviour. Mechanistically, betaine treatment inhibited microglia and astrocyte activation. Furthermore, betaine significantly promoted the transition of microglia from the M1 to the M2 phenotype, as well as the transition of astrocytes from the A1 to the A2 phenotype. Additionally, the release of pro-inflammatory factors such as IL-18, IL-1β and IL-6 and anti-inflammatory factors such as IL-10 in the hippocampus induced by CFA were also reversed by betaine administration. Overall, betaine has therapeutic effects on pain-related depressive-like phenotypes caused by CFA, possibly through altering the polarization of microglia and astrocytes to reduce neuroinflammation.

Published in Brain Research Bulletin

ISSN: 1873-2747 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/brain-research-bulletin

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