| خلاصه مقاله | Introduction: Cerebrolysin (CBL), a peptide prep from porcine brain tissue, is known for its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to assess CBL's therapeutic potential in a ketamine-induced mouse model of schizophrenia. Specifically, it examined its effects on anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, spatial memory, modulation of the tryptophan–kynurenine (TRP/KYN) pathway, and inflammatory responses in the prefrontal cortex (PFC).
Methods: Thirty-six male BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to three experimental groups: (1) control, (2) ketamine (Ket; 20 mg/kg/day, i.p, and (3) Ket + CBL (2.5 mL/kg/day, i.p). Anxiety-like behavior and locomotor activity were evaluated using the open field test, while depression-like behavior was assessed with the tail suspension test. Spatial memory performance was measured using the Lashley III Maze. Levels of KYN and TRP were quantified with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression of the inflammatory markers NLRP3 and IL-1β in the PFC was determined via Western blot analysis.
Results: The findings showed that CBL administration significantly reduced anxiety-like behaviors, decreased immobility time, and enhanced spatial learning and memory performance. Additionally, CBL treatment notably lowered KYN levels while increasing TRP concentrations in the PFC. Ketamine administration was linked to higher IL-1a expression; however, CBL did not significantly affect NLRP3 and IL-1a levels compared to the Ket group.
Conclusion: These results highlight the neuroprotective potential of CBL, suggesting that its beneficial effects may be attributed to modulation of the TRP/KYN pathway, along with improvements in spatial memory, anxiety-like, and depression-like behaviors in the ketamine-induced mouse model of schizophrenia. |