Association of escitalopram-induced shifts in gut microbiota and sphingolipid metabolism with depression-like behavior in wistar-kyoto rats.

ABSTRACT: The microbiota-gut-brain axis plays a pivotal role in neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly in depression. Escitalopram (ESC) is a first-line antidepressant, however, its regulatory mechanisms on the microbiota-gut-brain axis in the treatment of depression remain unclear. The antidepressant effects of ESC were evaluated using the forced swim test in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, while damage in the gut and brain regions was assessed through H&E staining and immunohistochemistry. The therapeutic mechanisms in WKY rats with depression-like behavior were investigated through 16S rRNA sequencing of the gut microbiota, serum untargeted metabolomics, and hippocampal proteomics. Results indicated that ESC intervention improved depressive-like behaviors, as evidenced by increased swimming times in W

SUBMITTER: Duan J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11833111 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature