EPA and DHA Alleviated Chronic Dextran Sulfate Sodium Exposure-Induced Depressive-like Behaviors in Mice and Potential Mechanisms Involved
Xi-Yu Wang,
Shu-Sen He,
Miao-Miao Zhou,
Xiao-Ran Li,
Cheng-Cheng Wang,
Ying-Cai Zhao,
Chang-Hu Xue,
Hong-Xia Che
Affiliations
Xi-Yu Wang
College of Marine Science and Biological Engineering, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
Shu-Sen He
College of Marine Science and Biological Engineering, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
Miao-Miao Zhou
College of Marine Science and Biological Engineering, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
Xiao-Ran Li
College of Marine Science and Biological Engineering, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
Cheng-Cheng Wang
SKL of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, No. 1299 Sansha Road, Qingdao 266404, China
Ying-Cai Zhao
SKL of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, No. 1299 Sansha Road, Qingdao 266404, China
Chang-Hu Xue
SKL of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, No. 1299 Sansha Road, Qingdao 266404, China
Hong-Xia Che
College of Marine Science and Biological Engineering, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) have higher rates of depression. However, the mechanism of depression development remains unclear. The improvements of EPA and DHA on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC have been verified. Therefore, the present study mainly focused on the effects of EPA and DHA on UC-induced depression in C57BL/6 mice and the possible mechanisms involved. A forced swimming test and tail suspension experiment showed that EPA and DHA significantly improved DSS-induced depressive-like behavior. Further analysis demonstrated that EPA and DHA could significantly suppress the inflammation response of the gut and brain by regulating the NLRP3/ASC signal pathway. Moreover, intestine and brain barriers were maintained by enhancing ZO-1 and occludin expression. In addition, EPA and DHA also increased the serotonin (5-HT) concentration and synaptic proteins. Interestingly, EPA and DHA treatments increased the proportion of dominant bacteria, alpha diversity, and beta diversity. In conclusion, oral administration of EPA and DHA alleviated UC-induced depressive-like behavior in mice by modulating the inflammation, maintaining the mucosal and brain barriers, suppressing neuronal damage and reverting microbiota changes.
