Change of autophagy in hippocampal neurons of depression model rats and its mechanism

Objective To observe the change of neuronal autophagy in hippocampus of depression model rats,and to investigate the reason of the abnormal hippocampal structure of the depression rats.Methods Twenty male SD rats were randomly divided into control group and model group,10rats in each group.The depression rat model was produced by giving the chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS).Electron microscope was used to detect the ultrastructure of neurons and the changes of autophagy.The expression levels of LC-3and Beclin-1in hippocampus tissue of rats were detected by Western blotting method.Results Many autophagsome vacuoles were seen obviously in hippocampal neurons of the rats in model group under electron microscope.The ratio of LC-3Ⅱ to LC-3Ⅰin control group was 0.99±0.11,while in model goup was 3.13±0.21;the expression levels of Beclin-1 in control and model groups were 0.79±0.09and 2.15±0.28,respectively.The ratio of LC-3Ⅱto LC-3Ⅰ and the expression level of Beclin-1 in model group were higher than those in control group(P 0.05).Conclusion Atuophagy is increased in hippocampal neurons of depression model rats,which indicats that autophagy may be duced to the abnormality of hippocampus volume.