Changes in Artemin Correlate with Anxiety- and Depression-like Behaviors in a Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Rat Neuroinflammation Model

Artemin is a neurotrophic factor that belongs to the four-member family of Glial-derived growth factors. This study aims to investigate changes in artemin correlated with anxiety and depression-like behaviors in a neuroinflammation rodent model. In adult male Wistar rats, neuroinflammation was established through administration of 2 mg/kg LPS. Anxiety-like behaviors and locomotor activity were evaluated by the open field test. The sucrose preference test and the splash test analyzed depression-like behaviors. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-<i>α</i>), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and artemin levels were measured in the prefrontal cortex, striatum, and serum. In the neuroinflammation group, rearing, total distance traveled, time spent in the central region, and sucrose solution consumption decreased in the open-field test (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). Grooming time and frequency were shortened, and grooming latency was prolonged in the neuroinflammation group (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). TNF-<i>α</i> was significantly increased in the prefrontal cortex (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and striatum (<i>p</i> < 0.01). lL-1β did not change between groups (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Artemin levels decreased in the prefrontal cortex and striatum (<i>p</i> < 0.05). No difference was observed in serum artemin levels; however, artemin levels of brain regions were higher than those in the serum. An increase in anxiety-depression-like behaviors has accompanied decreased levels of artemin in the brain. Artemin may be a target molecule in psychiatric disorders. Further studies are needed to examine the role of artemin in neuropsychiatric disorders.