Neuroprotective phosphatidylserine liposomes alleviate depressive-like behavior related to stroke through neuroinflammation attenuation in the mouse hippocampus.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of phosphatidylserine liposomes (PSL) on post-stroke (ST) injuries such as neuroinflammation and depression in mice. METHODS: Brain ischemia was induced via the right unilateral common carotid artery occlusion model. Then, behavioral assessments including the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) were used to evaluate the antidepressant-like effect of PSL. Moreover, inflammatory cytokines changes in the hippocampus including TNF-α and IL-10 levels as well as the number of survived neurons were evaluated in ST mice using immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: A significant reduction of the immobility time in both behavioral tests indicated the antidepressant activity of PSL. Moreover, the number of viable neurons increased significantly with PSL treatment, which was similar to control group, compared to the untreated ST group. IHC analysis of ST mice receiving PSL showed a significant reduction in TNF-α and IL-10 levels in the inflamed hippocampus of mice. CONCLUSION: Oral PSL may improve post-stroke depression (PSD) through its anti-inflammatory properties.