Protective Effects of Selenium Against Depression and Anxiety Like Behaviors Induced by Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

The effects of selenium in a rat model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced anxiety and depression like behaviors was challenged. Materials and Methods: The animals were allocated into 4 groups (n=8-9 in each) and treated by: (1) saline as a control group, (2) LPS 1 mg/kg, was injected two hours before behavioral tests, (3- 4) Selenium 100 or 200 μg/kg before LPS. Open- field test (OFT), elevated plus maze test (EPT) and forced swimming (FS) test were done. The brains were then collected to examine oxidative stress criteria. Results: LPS increased the immobility while increased active and climbing time (P<0.001) in FS test. Selenium improved performances of the rats in FS test (P<0.001). In EPT, LPS decreased the entry into and the time spent in the open arms while, increased the time spent in the closed arms (P<0.05-P<0.01). The higher dose of selenium increased the entry into and the time spent in the open arms while, decreased the time spent in the closed arms(P<0.01-P<0.01). In OFT, LPS decreased the crossing, the time spent and the traveled distance in central zone and also total crossing and total distance compared with control (P<0.01- P<0.001). The higher dose of selenium improved performances of the rats in OFT (P<0.05- P<0.01). LPS injection also increased MDA while decreased thiol, SOD and CAT (P<0.001). Selenium protected from brain tissues oxidative damage (P<0.01-P<0.001). Conclusion: It was demonstrated that administration of LPS induced depression and anxiety like behaviors in rats which wasreflected by impaired performances of the rats in FST, OF and EPM. Selenium improved performances of the rats in behavioral tests. Therefore, a protective effect for selenium against depression and anxiety like behaviors induced by LPS is suggested