Sub-chronic administration of ascorbic acid elicits antidepressant-like effect and modulates cell survival signaling pathways in mice

In this study, we examined the ability of sub-chronic ascorbic acid administration to produce an antidepressant-like effect in the mouse tail suspension test (TST). Moreover, we investigated the effect of this vitamin on hippocampal and cerebrocortical brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) immunocontent, phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38MAPK and c-Jun. N-terminal kinase (JNK). Fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, positive control, p.o.) or ascorbic acid (0.1 and 1 mg/kg), administered once daily for 21 days, produced a significant antidepressant-like effect in the TST.

Source: The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry - September 13, 2016 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Morgana Moretti, Josiane Budni, Camille Mertins Ribeiro, D ébora Kurrle Rieger, Rodrigo Bainy Leal, Ana Lúcia S. Rodrigues Source Type: research