Hydrogen Sulfide Prevents LPS-Induced Depression-like Behavior through the Suppression of NLRP3 Inflammasome and Pyroptosis and the Improvement of Mitochondrial Function in the Hippocampus of Mice

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been implicated to have antidepressive effects. We sought to investigate the prevention effects of H2S donor NaHS on depression-like behavior induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice and its potential mechanisms. Sucrose preference, force swimming, open field, and elevate zero maze were used to evaluate depression-like behavior. NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome activation and mitochondrial function in the hippocampus were determined. It was found that depression-like behavior induced by LPS was prevented by NaHS pretreatment. LPS caused NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the hippocampus as evidenced by increased phosphorylated-p65 levels and increased NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and mature IL-1β levels in the hippocampus, which were also blocked by NaHS. LPS increased GSDMD-N levels and TUNEL-positive cells in the hippocampus, which was prevented by NaHS. Abnormal mitochondrial morphology in the hippocampus was found in LPS-treated mice. Mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production were reduced, and ROS production was increased in the hippocampus of LPS-treated mice. NaHS pretreatment improved impaired mitochondrial morphology and increased membrane potential and ATP production and reduced ROS production in the hippocampus of LPS-treated mice. Our data indicate that H2S prevents LPS-induced depression-like behaviors by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis and improving mitochondrial function in the hippocampus.

Keywords

• hydrogen sulfide
• depression
• NLRP3 inflammasome
• pyroptosis
• mitochondria