Abstract
BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately half of new mothers. Chronic exposure to progesterone during pregnancy and its withdrawal following delivery increases depression and anxiety. In addition, there are complex interactions between hormones, neurotransmitters, and trace elements. Zinc (Zn) and magnesium (Mg) influence the nervous system by impacting synaptic neurotransmission in the brain. Thiamine (Vit B1) deficiency results in a high percentage of depressive behaviors. Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species in pregnancy are implicated in the pathogenesis of major depression.
METHODS: We examined the effects of different combinations of Zn, Mg, and Vit B1 in an animal model of PPD. ZnCl, MgCl, and thiamine-HCl were administered to PPD-induced mice. Depression, anxiety-related behavior, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were assessed. Depression and anxiety-like behavior were evaluated by the forced swimming test (FST) and elevated plus-maze, respectively.
RESULTS: The acute combined administration of Zn, Mg, and Vit B1 significantly decreased immobility time in FST, increased the percentage of both time spent in- and entries to open arms in the elevated plus-maze, and augmented TAC.
CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that acute administration of combined treatment with Zn, Mg, and Vit B1 on postpartum day 3 improves depressive symptoms and anxiety-like behaviors. Our evaluation of TAC is in accordance with behavioral results.