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Document Type

Original Study

Subject Areas

Health informatics

Keywords

Depression; Irisin; BDNF; Melatonin; Exercise

Abstract

Background Depression affects about 60% of people with hypothyroidism. Exercise and melatonin are thought to have beneficial effects in hypothyroid depression. Irisin and brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) participate significantly in hypothyroid depression in rats and both are decreased in hypothyroid depression. Objectives To investigate the potential roles of melatonin and exercise in hypothyroid depression. Methodology Fifty-six male albino rats were divided into eight groups (n=7/group) as follows: Control (C), Hypothyroidism (Hypo), Hypothyroidism and Melatonin 10 mg/kg/day (Mel), treated hypothyroidism with Levothyroxine 20 μg/kg/day and Melatonin (Mel&Levo), Hypothyroidism and Exercise (30-minute swimming protocol, 5 days/week) (Ex), treated hypothyroidism and exercise (Ex&Levo), Hypothyroidism, Exercise, and Melatonin (Mel&Ex), and treated hypothyroidism, exercise, and Melatonin (Mel,Ex&Levo). Depression was assessed using the Forced Swimming Test (FST) after 6 weeks. Serum levels of irisin, serotonin, and BDNF were measured by ELISA. Results FST immobility times were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the Mel&Ex group compared to the Hypo group (219.7±8.47 sec vs. 124.6±3.75 sec). Serum levels of irisin, serotonin, and BDNF were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the Mel&Ex group compared to the Hypo group (irisin: 29.87±1.48 ng/ml vs. 56.47±2.25 ng/ml; serotonin: 65.43±6.84 ng/ml vs. 148.7±1.55 ng/ml; BDNF: 106.7±5.41 pg/ml vs. 233.5±1.85 pg/ml). Conclusions This study demonstrated that combined melatonin and exercise improved hypothyroid depression, likely mediated through increased levels of Irisin, serotonin, and BDNF. Further studies are needed to evaluate their therapeutic potential in humans.

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