The effects of PPAR-γ agonist pioglitazone on anxiety and depression-like behaviors in lipopolysaccharide injected rats

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) agonists have been suggested to have some effects of central nervous system. In the present study, the effects of PPAR-gamma agonist pioglitazone (pio) on anxiety and depression-like behaviors were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injected rats. The animal groups include (n=10 in each): (1) control, (2) LPS (1mg/kg, two hours before behavioral tests), (3-5) LPS+Pio 10, LPS+Pio 20, and LPS+Pio 30 groups which received 10, 20, and 30mg/kg of pio respectively and 30min later were injected by LPS. Pretreatment by pio improved the behaviors of the LPS injected rats in open field, elevated plus maze and forced swimming tests protected from brain tissues oxidative damage and reduced in total white blood cell (WBC). It was indicated that pio had anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effect in LPS injected rats.

Automated summary

The study found that the PPAR-γ agonist pioglitazone can improve anxiety and depression-like behaviors in LPS injected rats, protect brain tissues from oxidative damage, and reduce white blood cell count.