Proteomics analysis in rats reveals convergent mechanisms between major depressive disorder and dietary zinc deficiency.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that dietary zinc deficiency can lead to symptoms similar to those observed in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate these mechanisms, we examined proteomic changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HP) of rats, two critical brain regions implicated in the pathophysiology of depression.

Methods

Rats were fed diets either adequate in zinc (ZnA, 50 mg Zn/kg) or deficient in zinc (ZnD, <3 mg/kg) for four weeks. High-throughput proteomic analysis was used to detect changes in protein expression, supplemented by enzyme activity assay for mitochondrial complexes I and IV, examining their functional impacts.

Results

ZnD led to significan

SUBMITTER: Gasior L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11743416 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature