The Effects of Ethyl Pyruvate on Behavioral and Biochemical Parameters in Immobilization Stress-Induced Mice

Abstract

Objective: Ethyl pyruvate (EP) is a molecule with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic features. The present study investigates EP's effects on behavioral and biochemical alterations induced by immobilization (IM) stress. Methods: In this outcome, 45 male BALB/c mice were separated into five groups [CONT (control), IM, IM+EP, EP, IM+F (fluoxetine)]. IM applied groups had 6 hours of immobilization stress procedure a day for a week. EP (50 mg/day) and fluoxetine (5 mg/day) were applied to the mice intraperitoneally. After the stress induction protocol, passive avoidance, open field (OF), and forced swimming tests (FST) were executed. After behavioral tests, brain tissues were obtained for biochemical investigations. Results: Immobilization application increased immobility times in the FST and decreased the total distance moved and the center time in the OF test. Immobile times were reduced with fluoxetine and EP applied groups compared with the IM group due to decreased learned helplessness. The IM group had decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase levels, which were increased with EP applications. Conclusion: These results show that EP generates antidepressant-like effects with decreasing oxidation and increasing BDNF levels.