Expression and function of Rac1 in the nucleus accumbens of rats with chronic stress depression

Objective:To investigate the expression and function of Rac1 in the rat nucleus accumbens (NAc) with chronic stress depression.Methods: The expression of Rac1 mRNA in the NAc was observed by establishing a chronic stress (CUMS) rat depression model, and the difference in Rac1 mRNA expression was compared with the untreated model group after chronic antidepressant therapy. To explore the relationship between Rac1 and chronic stress depression;over-express Rac1 in rat nucleus accumbens and perform CUMS modeling to explore the function of Rac1 in chronic stress depression.Results: Rac1 expression was decreased in NAc of CUMS rats and correlated with CUMS-induced depression. Imipramine antidepressant treatment significantly attenuated Rac1 decrease in NAc of CUMS rats;overexpression of Rac1 significantly improved CUMS-induced depression-like behavior in rats.Conclusion:The expression of Rac1 in the NAc of rats with chronic stress depression is reduced, and upregulation of Rac1 could improve the depression-like behavior induced by chronic stress.