title: Venlafaxine inhibits apoptosis of hippocampal neurons by up-regulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor in a rat depression model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effect of venlafaxine on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in rat hippocampal neurons, as well as its inhibitory effect on apoptosis of hippocampal neurons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Differences in behavioral ability between the depression model group and the Venlafaxine treatment group were observed using behavioral, sucrose-water and open field tests. The rat hippocampal tissue was sliced, stained and observed for BDNF distribution by immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis of hippocampal neurons was detected by TUNEL. BDNF expression in the hippocampal tissue was detected by Western blot. Injury and apoptosis of the hippocampal tissue were observed by electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Behavioral test showed that venlafaxine effectively improved the behavioral abilities of depressed rats. Immunohistochemistry showed that venlafaxine markedly increased the BDNF expression in the rat hippocampus. TUNEL showed that venlafaxine markedly inhibited apoptosis of hippocampal neurons, which was also confirmed by electron microscopic observation of the pathologic sections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Venlafaxine improved the expression of BDNF through working on PI3k/PKB/eNOS pathway and repressed the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Yue-Shi
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: The Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University Shanghai 200032, China.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Jian-Lin
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ji
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D015153:Blotting, Western; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003863:Depression / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015854:Up-Regulation; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
keywords: Venlafaxine; apoptosis; brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); hippocampal neuron