Antidepressant Effects of TRH Analogue EEP in Female and Male Rats Assessed with the Forced Swim Test and BDNF Assay
2023-05
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Antidepressant Effects of TRH Analogue EEP in Female and Male Rats Assessed with the Forced Swim Test and BDNF Assay
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2023-05
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Abstract
The endogenous peptide pGLU-GLU-PRO-NH2 (EEP) has antidepressant effects in male rats
demonstrated by decreased immobility in the forced swim test (FST). EEP is a chemical analog
of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which has short-term antidepressant effects by
intrathecal administration in humans. In people with depression, brain-derived neurotrophic
factor (BDNF) is decreased in the hippocampus and frontal cortex which leads to decreased
volume in both. When people are successfully treated for depression, irrespective of the
treatment type, BDNF and volume increase in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, which can
indicate recovery. Sex differences are present in the occurrence and symptoms of depression;
however, female animals are not always represented in depression research. Female sex
hormones are thought to be a reason for sex differences related to depression, and BDNF is
known to fluctuate over the estrous cycle of female rats. This study sought to determine if the
antidepressant effects of EEP are related to BDNF levels in rats. This study found no significant
effects with the forced swim test (FST) and immobility but had a large effect size. A minor sex
difference was present in the FST (p = 0.03). Rats that received EEP were not found to have
significantly increased levels of BDNF in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, but the results had
a large effect size with the frontal cortex. No sex difference was found with BDNF
concentrations. Results related to the estrous cycle were insignificant and considered
exploratory. The results suggest that continued testing of EEP is needed to gain a greater
understanding.
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A Plan B Research Project submitted to the faculty of University of Minnesota Duluth by Emily N. Schulz in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts, May 2023. This item has been modified from the original to redact the signature present.
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Schulz, Emily N. (2023). Antidepressant Effects of TRH Analogue EEP in Female and Male Rats Assessed with the Forced Swim Test and BDNF Assay. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/255765.
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