Journal of International Psychiatry

【Abstract】Objective To compare the influence of early maternal deprivation on the expression of GFAP (Glial fibrillary acidic protein) in rats’ hippocampus and behavior changes in adults, particularly to discuss the underlying mechanisms between astrocytes and depression. Methods On day 4 of parturition, neonatal pups were separated from their mothers during PND4 (the day of post natal 4) to PND11 by transparent polyethylene sheet. Litters were randomly assigned to three groups: stress sensitive group (a daily 3-hour maternal separation) stress resilient group (a daily 15-min maternal separation) normal control group. Each group contained 20 samples and half of the rats were sacrificed for hippocampus on PND12. The expression of GFAP were tested by western blot and IHC. The remaining rats were tested in the open field and their immobility time in forced swimming test on PND56. Results Compared with normal group, SSM groups (PND56) showed decreased total distance and central distance (P<0.05) due to maternal deprivation while SRM not. The immobility time significantly increased for SSM group in forced swimming test (P<0.05). Compared with normal group, the GFAP levels were significantly decreased in SSM group (P<0.05). Conclusion Early long time maternal deprivation downregulates the expression of GFAP in hippocampus and leads to depressed behavior in adult rats. The underlying mechanism may be associated with astrocytes less uptake of glutamate which affects synaptic plasticity.

maternal deprivation; GFAP; astrocytes; glutamate; synaptic plasticity