Long-Term Treatment with a 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor Alleviates Depression-Like Behavior in Obese Male Rats

July 2024 in “ Behavioural Brain Research ”

Thiraphat Saengmearnuparp, Hiranya Pintana, Nattayaporn Apaijai, Titikorn Chunchai, Chanisa Thonusin, Aphisek Kongkaew, Bannakij Lojanapiwat, Nipon Chattipakorn, Siriporn C. Chattipakorn

5-alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride brain inflammation oxidative stress depressive-like behavior anxiety obesity metabolic disturbances Propecia

TLDR Long-term finasteride treatment reduces depression and brain issues in obese male rats.

The study investigated the effects of long-term finasteride (FIN) treatment on depression-like behavior in obese male rats. It found that FIN treatment in lean rats led to metabolic disturbances and depression, likely due to increased neurotoxic metabolites in the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway (TKP) and impaired microglial homeostasis. Obesity independently caused brain inflammation, oxidative stress, and increased neurotoxic TKP metabolites, resulting in anxiety and depression-like behaviors. The combination of obesity and FIN treatment did not exacerbate these effects beyond those seen with obesity alone. The study highlights the complex interactions between obesity, FIN treatment, and mental health.

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