Comparison of neurodegeneration between right and left hippocampus area in rats

Depression, as one of the most prevalent and disabling disorders in the world, has a complex and yet not well-known pathophysiology. Genetic, hormonal, neurotransmitter, inflammatory and neurodegenerative theories are all responsible. Studies show that depression leads to structural changes in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, anterior cingulate, and basal bodies. Hippocampal volume loss is observed due to the death of nerve cells, neurons, and glial cells, and reduced neurogenesis. The hippocampus is a part of the limbic system. The limbic system is the area in the brain that is associated with memory, emotions, and motivation. The limbic system is located just above the brain stem and below the cortex. Despite the many studies related to the reduced hippocampal neurogenesis in depressed patients, no study has compared the amount of neurodegeneration between the left and right hippocampus. In this study, we compared neurodegeneration levels in the right and left hippocampus of the rats. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats that were purchased Razi Institute, Karaj, Iran, were evaluated in the study. This study was conducted in cellular and molecular center in Iran University of Medical Sciences, from June 2012 to June 2013. Half of them had unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) for 21 days to develop depression. The forced-swimming test (FST) was used to measure the immobility time (IB), a symptom of depression. One week after the behavioral test, the rats were prepared for transcardial perfusion. Then, paraffin fixed brain was excised and the hippocampus was prepared for Nissl staining. All above-mentioned procedures were performed for the control group too except inducing UCMS. Our results increased IB in the UCMS group, 68.8 second in stress group and 15.1 second in control group. Nissl staining showed prominent neural degeneration in the hippocampus of the rats in the UCMS group. Comparison of the left and right hippocampal cells revealed that the right hippocampus (mean= 49.166) was more vulnerable to stress than the left hippocampus (mean= 76.6). Our study showed different manifestations of depression after UCMS. It showed that UCMS could lead to mental depression. This study showed that the right hippocampus was more sensitive to stress than the left hippocampus. In fact, UCMS resulted in depression. The study showed that the right hippocampus was more sensitive to stress than the left hippocampus. Therefore, the main function of the right hemisphere, which is adaptation to the new environment, is disturbed more.