The influence of introcerebralventricular injection of nerve growth factor on the depressive behavior and injury of hippocampal neurons in an experimental depression model of rats

Objective To observe the effects of i.c.v. NGF on the depressive behavior and changes of the hippocampal neurons in the depressive rats. Methods The depression model of rats was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress. The techniques of intracerebralventricular microinjection, openfield testing, histochemistry, light microscope and electron microscope were used to observe the effects of i.c.v. NGF on the depressive behavior and changes of the morphological and number of hippocampal neurons in the depressive rats. Results Compared with the i.c.v. saline , i.c.v. NGF could improve the depressive behavior significantly, mitigate the decrease of number of hippocampal neurons, decrease the activity of ACP in hippocampal neurons and the morphological changes of hippocampal neurons were ameliorated. Conclusion I.c.v. NGF might improve depressive behavior by protecting the hippocampal neurons from the injuries induced by experimental depression.