短链脂肪酸-酰化淀粉对小鼠抑郁样行为的缓解及机制

大量研究证实“微生物-肠-脑轴”在抑郁症的发生发展中发挥重要作用,而肠道微生物产生的短链脂肪酸(short chain fatty acids,SCFAs),更是参与神经调控作用的关键分子。该研究首次采用SCFA-酰化淀粉在大肠定点释放5类短链脂肪酸,探究其对慢性应激诱导的抑郁症状的缓解及机制。以雄性C57BL/6 J小鼠为研究对象,通过为期5周的慢性不可预知温和应激构建抑郁小鼠模型,通过旷场实验、高架十字迷宫实验和强迫游泳实验对小鼠的抑郁样行为进行评价。同时对小鼠应激激素、神经递质水平及相关酶的表达水平进行检测。结果显示,乙酸、异丁酸和丁酸能在不同程度上减轻小鼠抑郁样行为,其可能机制与SCFAs修复下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴反馈调节障碍、恢复5-羟色胺的正常代谢相关。该研究为抑郁症的营养干预提供了新的理论依据。

Short chain fatty acid-acylated starch alleviates depression-like behaviors in mice and its mechanisms

A large number of studies have confirmed that the“microorganism-gut-brain axis”plays an important role in the development of depression,and the short chain fatty acids(SCFAs)produced by gut microbiota are the key molecules involved in neuromodulation.In this study,for the first time,SCFA-acylated starches were used to release 5 types of SCFAs in the large intestine,to explore their alleviation effects on chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)-induced depression in mice and its mechanisms.Using male C57BL/6J mice as the research object,a five-week intervention was used to construct a depressive mice model,and the depression-like behaviors of the mice were evaluated through the open field test,elevated plus maze test and forced swimming test.At the same time,the concentration of stress hormones,neurotransmitters and the gene expression of related enzyme in mice were detected.The results showed that acetic acid,isobutyric acid and butyric acid can alleviate depression-like behaviors in mice to varying degrees.The possible mechanisms are related to SCFAs repairing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis feedback regulation disorder and restoring normal metabolism of 5-hydroxytrptamine.This study provides a new theoretical basis for nutrition intervention of depression.