Alamandine enhanced spatial memory in rats by reducing neuroinflammation and altering BDNF levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex

Abstract Our study aims to determine the effects of alamandine, the newest component of the renin-angiotensin system, on cognitive functions, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of depression. 35 male Sprague dawley rats, three months old, weighing between 300 and 350 g, w...

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Main Authors: Aysu Kilic, Betul Esra Ipek, Suzin Tatonyan, Kubra Kilic, Huri Demirci, Fatmahan Atalar, Savas Ustunova, Nuran Dariyerli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95683-7
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author Aysu Kilic
Betul Esra Ipek
Suzin Tatonyan
Kubra Kilic
Huri Demirci
Fatmahan Atalar
Savas Ustunova
Nuran Dariyerli
author_facet Aysu Kilic
Betul Esra Ipek
Suzin Tatonyan
Kubra Kilic
Huri Demirci
Fatmahan Atalar
Savas Ustunova
Nuran Dariyerli
author_sort Aysu Kilic
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Our study aims to determine the effects of alamandine, the newest component of the renin-angiotensin system, on cognitive functions, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of depression. 35 male Sprague dawley rats, three months old, weighing between 300 and 350 g, were used. The chronic, unpredictable mild stress model of depression was performed. Experimental animals were divided into five groups: control (C), depression (D), alamandine (50 µg/kg, ip) (D + ALA), A779 (300 µg/kg, ip) (D + A779), and both alamandine and A779 treatment groups (D + ALA + A779). After confirming the development of depression through behavioral tests, the animals’ learning and memory performances were measured using the Morris water maze test. At the end of the experiment, the animals’ prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and blood samples were isolated for biochemical studies and gene expression analyses. The sucrose preference, open field, elevated plus maze, tail suspension, and forced swimming tests were performed to determine the animals’ anxiety levels. There was a significant increase in anxiety-like behaviors in the D group and the A779-treated group, while alamandine exhibited an anxiolytic effect. Moreover, improvements in cognitive skills observed in the Morris water maze test were paralleled by molecular changes, including an increase in BDNF protein levels and NMDA receptor expression and a decrease in GABA levels. In addition, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and oxidative stress markers were increased in the depression groups while significantly decreased with alamandine treatment. It was concluded that alamandine has an anxiolytic effect and facilitates spatial memory by reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.
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spelling doaj-art-2be184dd019240f7b91de577b02f996e2025-08-20T02:12:06ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111910.1038/s41598-025-95683-7Alamandine enhanced spatial memory in rats by reducing neuroinflammation and altering BDNF levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortexAysu Kilic0Betul Esra Ipek1Suzin Tatonyan2Kubra Kilic3Huri Demirci4Fatmahan Atalar5Savas Ustunova6Nuran Dariyerli7Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Bezmialem Vakif UniversityDepartment of Physiology, School of Medicine, Bezmialem Vakif UniversityDepartment of Immunology, Institute of Graduate Studies in Health Sciences, Istanbul UniversitySchool of Medicine, Istanbul UniversityDepartment of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Biruni UniversityDepartment of Rare Diseases, Istanbul University, Child Health InstituteDepartment of Physiology, School of Medicine, Bezmialem Vakif UniversityDepartment of Physiology, School of Medicine, Istanbul University - CerrahpasaAbstract Our study aims to determine the effects of alamandine, the newest component of the renin-angiotensin system, on cognitive functions, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of depression. 35 male Sprague dawley rats, three months old, weighing between 300 and 350 g, were used. The chronic, unpredictable mild stress model of depression was performed. Experimental animals were divided into five groups: control (C), depression (D), alamandine (50 µg/kg, ip) (D + ALA), A779 (300 µg/kg, ip) (D + A779), and both alamandine and A779 treatment groups (D + ALA + A779). After confirming the development of depression through behavioral tests, the animals’ learning and memory performances were measured using the Morris water maze test. At the end of the experiment, the animals’ prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and blood samples were isolated for biochemical studies and gene expression analyses. The sucrose preference, open field, elevated plus maze, tail suspension, and forced swimming tests were performed to determine the animals’ anxiety levels. There was a significant increase in anxiety-like behaviors in the D group and the A779-treated group, while alamandine exhibited an anxiolytic effect. Moreover, improvements in cognitive skills observed in the Morris water maze test were paralleled by molecular changes, including an increase in BDNF protein levels and NMDA receptor expression and a decrease in GABA levels. In addition, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and oxidative stress markers were increased in the depression groups while significantly decreased with alamandine treatment. It was concluded that alamandine has an anxiolytic effect and facilitates spatial memory by reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95683-7AlamandineDepressionNeuroinflammationRenin-angiotensin systemSpatial memory
spellingShingle Aysu Kilic
Betul Esra Ipek
Suzin Tatonyan
Kubra Kilic
Huri Demirci
Fatmahan Atalar
Savas Ustunova
Nuran Dariyerli
Alamandine enhanced spatial memory in rats by reducing neuroinflammation and altering BDNF levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex
Scientific Reports
Alamandine
Depression
Neuroinflammation
Renin-angiotensin system
Spatial memory
title Alamandine enhanced spatial memory in rats by reducing neuroinflammation and altering BDNF levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex
title_full Alamandine enhanced spatial memory in rats by reducing neuroinflammation and altering BDNF levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex
title_fullStr Alamandine enhanced spatial memory in rats by reducing neuroinflammation and altering BDNF levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex
title_full_unstemmed Alamandine enhanced spatial memory in rats by reducing neuroinflammation and altering BDNF levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex
title_short Alamandine enhanced spatial memory in rats by reducing neuroinflammation and altering BDNF levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex
title_sort alamandine enhanced spatial memory in rats by reducing neuroinflammation and altering bdnf levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex
topic Alamandine
Depression
Neuroinflammation
Renin-angiotensin system
Spatial memory
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95683-7
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