%0 Journal Article
%A Robledo Montaña, Javier
%A David Martín-Hernández
%A Javier Cuenca-Ortega
%A María Martínez
%A Virto Ruiz, Leire
%A Ambrosio Elejalde, Nagore
%A Montero Solís, Eduardo
%A Marín Cuenda, María José
%A Herrera González, David
%A Sanz Alonso, Mariano
%A Leza Cerro, Juan Carlos
%A Figuero Ruiz, Elena
%A García Bueno, Borja
%T Datos manuscrito: Alterations in neuroinflammation, microglia and neuroplasticity in the rat hippocampus in a combined model of periodontitis and depression
%D 2025
%@ 1755-5930
%U https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/134671
%X Aims: The exact causes of major depressive disorder (MDD) are still debated, but its connection with inflammatory diseases and stress is well established. Emerging evidence suggests a potential link between periodontitis (gum disease) and MDD.Methods: Periodontitis (P) was induced in rats through oral rinses with the pathogenic bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum for 12 weeks, followed by 3 weeks of chronic mild stress (CMS) to induce depressive-like behavior. Four experimental groups were established: periodontitis with CMS (P + CMS+), periodontitis without CMS (P + CMS-), CMS without periodontitis (P-CMS+), and control (P-CMS-). Inflammatory and synaptic plasticity-related mediators were quantified in hippocampal samples. The number, morphology, and inflammatory phenotype of microglia were also evaluated by ultrastructural and fractal analyses.Results: P + CMS+ animals compared with controls showed: (1) increased protein expression of TLR-4, phospho(p)-nuclear factor kappa B (p-NFκB)/NFκB ratio, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS); (2) decreased microglial number, shorter branch length, reduced complexity, and increased expression of iNOS; (3) decreased protein levels of BDNF and synaptophysin, and lower ratios of p-protein kinase B (p-Akt)/Akt and p-mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR)/mTOR.Conclusion: Alterations in neuroinflammation and neuroplasticity in the hippocampus may contribute to the comorbidity between periodontitis and MDD, warranting further investigation.
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