Fig. 4
P2X7 receptor antagonism impeded the development of depressive-like behaviors induced by CUS. (a–f) Influence of A438079 or BBG on behavioral deficits induced by chronic unpredictable stress (CUS). a Experimental paradigm. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal + saline (n = 13), CUS + saline (n = 11), CUS + BBG (n = 11), and CUS + A438079 (n = 13). All rats in CUS groups were exposed to CUS with antagonist of P2X7 receptor (BBG, 1 pmol/rat; A438079, 1.75 nmol/rat) or vehicle administration in the hippocampus per day for 3 weeks. b A schematic representation of hippocampi sections. Bars indicate the placement of the guide cannulas (3.8 mm anteroposterior; ±3 mm mediolateral from bregma; 3.5 mm dorsoventral from the skull). Behavioral tests were then conducted, including c rearing numbers in open-field test (OFT) (F 3,47  = 6.030, p < 0 .01), (d) total distance traveled in open-field test (OFT) (F 3,47  = 3.518, p < 0.05), e struggling time in forced swimming test (FST) (F 3,47  = 6.537, p < 0.05), f immobility time in forced swimming test (FST) (F 3,47  = 60.660, p < 0.01). All data are expressed as the mean ± SEM. # p < 0.05, ## p < 0.01, comparing to normal rats; *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 compared to rats in CUS + saline group