The effects and mechanisms of far-infrared ray on depression-like behavior induced by CRS in mice

Purpose: Far-infrared ray (FIR) is an electromagnetic wave known to impart health benefits against various pathophysiological conditions, including diabetes mellitus, renocardiovascular disorders, stress, and depression, among others. However, the precise impact of FIR on major depressive disorder (...

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Main Authors: Yian Ling, Yejun Gao, Wanbin Liu, Jing Li, Lijuan Nie, Cuizhen Zhu, Qingrong Xia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Brain Research Bulletin
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0361923025001601
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author Yian Ling
Yejun Gao
Wanbin Liu
Jing Li
Lijuan Nie
Cuizhen Zhu
Qingrong Xia
author_facet Yian Ling
Yejun Gao
Wanbin Liu
Jing Li
Lijuan Nie
Cuizhen Zhu
Qingrong Xia
author_sort Yian Ling
collection DOAJ
description Purpose: Far-infrared ray (FIR) is an electromagnetic wave known to impart health benefits against various pathophysiological conditions, including diabetes mellitus, renocardiovascular disorders, stress, and depression, among others. However, the precise impact of FIR on major depressive disorder (MDD) and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of FIR on depression-like behavior in mice. Methods: A mouse model of depression was established using chronic restraint stress (CRS). Behavioral tests were performed to assess alterations in depression-like behaviors. Biochemical methods were employed to measure the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, S100β, IL-17, melatonin (MT), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and corticosterone (CORT) in mice serum. Similarly, the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, S100β, IL-17, and MT in mice brains were measured using biochemical methods. Hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining were utilized to detect morphological changes in the mice hippocampus. In addition, the structure and mitochondrial morphology of hippocampal neurons and microglia were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: The results of behavioral tests revealed that FIR mitigated the depression-like behaviors induced by CRS. FIR also reversed the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and related cytokines in the periphery and brain. The results of hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining showed that FIR improved the damage of mice's hippocampus. Additionally, TEM revealed that FIR alleviated the damage of CRS to hippocampal neurons and microglia. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that FIR can ameliorate depression-like behavior induced by CRS in mice. FIR can reverse the levels of related cytokines in the periphery and brain, and alleviate damage to neurons and microglia, which may constitute its underlying molecular mechanism.
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spelling doaj-art-2b9524d3c2d0477b9dbdb321e3c98dbb2025-08-20T02:19:19ZengElsevierBrain Research Bulletin1873-27472025-06-0122511134810.1016/j.brainresbull.2025.111348The effects and mechanisms of far-infrared ray on depression-like behavior induced by CRS in miceYian Ling0Yejun Gao1Wanbin Liu2Jing Li3Lijuan Nie4Cuizhen Zhu5Qingrong Xia6Affiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China; Department of Science and Education, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, China; Anhui Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Hefei, ChinaAffiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China; Department of Pharmacy, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, China; Department of Science and Education, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, China; Anhui Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Hefei, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Hefei, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Hefei, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, ChinaAffiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China; Department of Pharmacy, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, China; Anhui Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Hefei, ChinaAffiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China; Department of Science and Education, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, China; Anhui Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Hefei, China; Correspondence to: Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, 316 Huang-Shan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230031, China.School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Hefei, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, China; Correspondence to: School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, 81 Mei-Shan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China.Purpose: Far-infrared ray (FIR) is an electromagnetic wave known to impart health benefits against various pathophysiological conditions, including diabetes mellitus, renocardiovascular disorders, stress, and depression, among others. However, the precise impact of FIR on major depressive disorder (MDD) and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of FIR on depression-like behavior in mice. Methods: A mouse model of depression was established using chronic restraint stress (CRS). Behavioral tests were performed to assess alterations in depression-like behaviors. Biochemical methods were employed to measure the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, S100β, IL-17, melatonin (MT), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and corticosterone (CORT) in mice serum. Similarly, the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, S100β, IL-17, and MT in mice brains were measured using biochemical methods. Hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining were utilized to detect morphological changes in the mice hippocampus. In addition, the structure and mitochondrial morphology of hippocampal neurons and microglia were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: The results of behavioral tests revealed that FIR mitigated the depression-like behaviors induced by CRS. FIR also reversed the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and related cytokines in the periphery and brain. The results of hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining showed that FIR improved the damage of mice's hippocampus. Additionally, TEM revealed that FIR alleviated the damage of CRS to hippocampal neurons and microglia. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that FIR can ameliorate depression-like behavior induced by CRS in mice. FIR can reverse the levels of related cytokines in the periphery and brain, and alleviate damage to neurons and microglia, which may constitute its underlying molecular mechanism.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0361923025001601Far-infrared rayChronic restraint stressMajor Depressive DisorderInflammation
spellingShingle Yian Ling
Yejun Gao
Wanbin Liu
Jing Li
Lijuan Nie
Cuizhen Zhu
Qingrong Xia
The effects and mechanisms of far-infrared ray on depression-like behavior induced by CRS in mice
Brain Research Bulletin
Far-infrared ray
Chronic restraint stress
Major Depressive Disorder
Inflammation
title The effects and mechanisms of far-infrared ray on depression-like behavior induced by CRS in mice
title_full The effects and mechanisms of far-infrared ray on depression-like behavior induced by CRS in mice
title_fullStr The effects and mechanisms of far-infrared ray on depression-like behavior induced by CRS in mice
title_full_unstemmed The effects and mechanisms of far-infrared ray on depression-like behavior induced by CRS in mice
title_short The effects and mechanisms of far-infrared ray on depression-like behavior induced by CRS in mice
title_sort effects and mechanisms of far infrared ray on depression like behavior induced by crs in mice
topic Far-infrared ray
Chronic restraint stress
Major Depressive Disorder
Inflammation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0361923025001601
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