Fig. 2

Alleviation of iron overload attenuated depression-like behaviours by ameliorating synaptic damage and activating Nrf2. A Body weight changes in mice during the CUMS procedure in the vehicle, CUMS and DFOM groups (n = 8/group). B SPT in each group (n = 8/group). C–E OFT in each group (n = 8/group). F and G TST and FST in each group (all Groups n = 8/group). H The level of Fe in the serum of mice (n = 4/group). I and J Ferrous iron and total iron in the hippocampus of the different indicated groups (n = 6/group). K Western blot analysis of the relative density ratios of TfR and BDNF expression in the hippocampus of each group (n = 6/group). GAPDH served as a loading control. The density of GAPDH, TfR and BDNF protein was measured using ImageJ software. L Western blot analysis of the relative density ratios of PSD95 and SNAP25 expression in the hippocampus of each group (n = 6/group). GAPDH served as a loading control. The density of GAPDH, PSD95 and SNAP25 protein was measured using ImageJ software. M and N Immunohistochemical staining of SYN (sepia) in the hippocampus (n = 4/group; scale bars, 100 μm). O Immunofluorescence of the hippocampus costained with Nrf2 (red) and the mature neuron marker NeuN (green) (n = 4/group; scale bars, 500 μm). All images of immunostaining were analysed with ImageJ software. Bars represent the mean ± SEM. Bars represent the mean ± SEM. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test. Body weight data were analysed by two-way repeated measures analysis of variance. * Represents comparison with the control group; # represents comparison with the CUMS group. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, and ****P < 0.0001