Kang Dong-Wook, Choi Sheu-Ran, Shin Hyunjin, Lee Hyeryeong, Park Jaehong, Lee Miae, Bae Miok, Kim Hyun-Woo
Department of Physiology and Medical Science, College of Medicine and Brain Research Institute, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 35015, Korea.
Department of Pharmacology, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, Gangneung 25601, Korea.
Exp Neurobiol. 2024 Aug 31;33(4):165-179. doi: 10.5607/en24014.
Pain accompanied by depressive symptoms is a common reason for seeking medical assistance, and many chronic pain patients experience comorbid depression. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a well-known neurotrophin expressed throughout the nervous system, playing a crucial role in neuronal growth and neuroplasticity. This study aimed to examine the effects of exercise on BDNF expression in the nervous system and reserpine (RSP)-induced pain-depression dyad. RSP (1 mg/kg) was subcutaneously administered once daily for three days in mice. The exercise was performed using a rota-rod tester for seven consecutive days following RSP administration. Pain responses were evaluated using von Frey filaments, and depression-like behaviors were assessed through forced swimming and open field tests. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to examine the changes in BDNF expression in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), spinal cord, and hippocampus. Administration of RSP reduced mechanical paw withdrawal threshold, increased immobility time in the forced swimming test, and decreased movement in the open field test. The immunoreactivity of BDNF was increased in the DRG and spinal dorsal regions, and decreased in the hippocampus after RSP administration. Physical exercise significantly reduced the RSP-induced mechanical hypersensitivity and depression-like behaviors. In addition, exercise suppressed not only the increased expression of BDNF in the DRG and spinal dorsal regions but also the decreased expression of BDNF in the hippocampus induced by RSP administration. These findings suggest that repetitive exercise could serve as an effective and non-invasive treatment option for individuals experiencing both pain and depression by modulating BDNF expression.
伴有抑郁症状的疼痛是寻求医疗帮助的常见原因，许多慢性疼痛患者同时患有抑郁症。脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）是一种在整个神经系统中表达的著名神经营养因子，在神经元生长和神经可塑性中起关键作用。本研究旨在探讨运动对神经系统中BDNF表达以及利血平（RSP）诱导的疼痛-抑郁二元组的影响。在小鼠中，每天皮下注射一次RSP（1mg/kg），连续注射三天。在注射RSP后，使用转棒测试仪连续七天进行运动。使用von Frey细丝评估疼痛反应，并通过强迫游泳和旷场试验评估抑郁样行为。进行免疫荧光染色以检查背根神经节（DRG）、脊髓和海马中BDNF表达的变化。注射RSP降低了机械性爪退缩阈值，增加了强迫游泳试验中的不动时间，并减少了旷场试验中的活动。注射RSP后，DRG和脊髓背侧区域的BDNF免疫反应性增加，海马中的BDNF免疫反应性降低。体育锻炼显著降低了RSP诱导的机械性超敏反应和抑郁样行为。此外，运动不仅抑制了RSP给药诱导的DRG和脊髓背侧区域BDNF表达的增加，还抑制了海马中BDNF表达的降低。这些发现表明，重复性运动可以通过调节BDNF表达，为同时经历疼痛和抑郁的个体提供一种有效且非侵入性的治疗选择。
