Metformin Ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Depressive-Like Behaviors and Abnormal Glutamatergic Transmission

Metformin, a first-line drug for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), has been found to reduce depressive symptoms in patients with comorbid depression and other diseases. However, it is largely unclear how metformin ameliorates depressive-like behaviors. Here, we used lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jiang Chen, Tian Zhou, A-Min Guo, Wen-Bing Chen, Dong Lin, Zi-Yang Liu, Er-Kang Fei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-10-01
Series:Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/9/11/359
Description
Summary:Metformin, a first-line drug for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), has been found to reduce depressive symptoms in patients with comorbid depression and other diseases. However, it is largely unclear how metformin ameliorates depressive-like behaviors. Here, we used lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce depressive-like behaviors in mice and found that LPS-treated mice exhibited increased immobility in the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST), as well as increased glutamatergic transmission. Furthermore, metformin administration in the LPS-treated mice ameliorated depressive-like behaviors and elevated glutamatergic transmission. Our results suggest that metformin has antidepressant effects and can correct abnormal glutamatergic transmission, providing an insight into the underlying mechanism by which metformin acts against depression.
ISSN:2079-7737