Journal of International Psychiatry

Objective To explore plasma Nesfatin-1 concentration and its correlation with hypothalamic pituitary adrenal(HPA)axis in the depression model rats. Methods Twelve SD rats were randomly divided into nomal control group(NCG) and depression model group(DMG),DMG was received 5 consecutive weeks of 7 different chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS).The behavior of rats was evaluated by an open field test, sucrose preference test, and forced swimming test (FST). The concentration of plasma corticosterone and Nesfatin-1 were measured with an enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA). Results Compared with NCG, the DMG had a lower weight gain, lower index of sucrose preference and spent longer time immobile in FST, all of them had statistically significant(P<0.05); The plasma concentrations of corticosterone and Nesfatin-1 were significantly higher in the DMG than those of NCG（P<0.05）;the plasma concentration of Nesfatin-1 in the DMG were positively correlated with the plasma corticosterone concentration.Conclusion CUMS could induce depression-like behavior in rats and increase the plasma concentration of Nesfatin-1 and corticosterone, the HPA axis hyperactivity induced by CUMS may be associated with the increased concentration of Nesfatin-1.

depression; Nesfatin-1; hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis