Evaluation of the effects of sleep deprivation on depressive symptoms and expression of FAAH enzyme from endocannabinoid system in rats

Abstract

The activation of the endocannabinoid system and the effects of euphoria after sleep deprivation have been proven, but the connection between the activation of this system and the antidepressant effects of sleep deprivation has not been studied. In animal models, sleep deprivation increases the activity of the endocannabinoid system and exerts antidepressant effects. The endocannabinoid system plays an important role in many functions of the body and the nervous system, such as reproduction, memory, and stress. Objective: In this study, for the first time, the level of FAAH enzyme activation of the endocannabinoid system and the antidepressant effects of sleep deprivation were investigated. Methods and Materials: In this study, behavioral symptoms of depression were induced in a laboratory rat model using the chronic stress method for eight weeks, then two models of total and chronic sleep deprivation were used to determine the effects of sleep deprivation on depression symptoms. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were measured using the method of forced swimming test and plus maze test, as well as the level of activity and involvement of the endocannabinoid system in the effects of sleep deprivation on depression symptoms by measuring the expression of FAAH enzyme, which is one of the important and key enzymes of the endocannabinoid system were investigated in the PFC cortex of rats. Results: The results obtained from this study showed that chronic stress for eight weeks caused depressive behaviors in mice in such a way that the amount of immoblitiy in the forced swimming test in rats under chronic stress showed a significant decrease. The results also showed that in rats that were deprived of sleep after chronic stress, showed less immobility time in the forced swimming test. Also, the time that rats spent in the open arm of the plus maze was reduced in stressed rats, and in stressed rats with sleep deprivation, this time increased significantly. Regarding the expression of FAAH enzyme in the PFC cortex of rats after chronic stress, the results showed that the expression of this enzyme was increased and sleep deprivation was associated with the opposite effects on the expression of this enzyme.