Profiling Proteins in the Hypothalamus and Hippocampus of a Rat Model of Premenstrual Syndrome Irritability

Abstract

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to several physical and mental symptoms (such as irritability) commonly encountered in clinical gynaecology. The incidence of PMS has been increasing, attracting greater attention from medical fields. However, PMS pathogenesis remains unclear. This study employed two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) for proteomic map analysis of the hypothalamus and hippocampus of rat models of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) irritability. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time of flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF-MS) was used to identify proteins possibly related with PMS irritability. Baixiangdan, a traditional Chinese medicine effective against PMS irritability, was used in the rat model to study putative target proteins of this medicine. The hypothalamus and hippocampus of each group modelling PMS displayed the following features: decreased expression of Ulip2, tubulin beta chain 15, α actin, and interleukin 1 receptor accessory protein; increased expression of kappa-B motif-binding phosphoprotein; decreased expression of hydrolase at the end of ubiquitin carboxy, albumin, and aldolase protein; and increased expression of M2 pyruvate kinase, panthenol-cytochrome C reductase core protein I, and calcium-binding protein. Contrasting with previous studies, the current study identified new proteins related to PMS irritability. Our findings contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of PMS irritability and could provide a reference point for further studies.

Figure 1

Behavioural assays. (a) Horizontal score in the open-field test, representing the rat's excitability. (b) Vertical score in the open-field test, representing the rat's exploratory behaviour. (c) Overall score in the open-field test. (d) Score in the attack behaviour test. The following groups were analysed: (1) the control/normal group (Ctrl), (2) the PMS irritability model group (Mod), and (3) the group administered with the Baixiangdan capsule (BXD). ^∗P < 0.05.

Figure 2

Two-dimensional gel electropherograms obtained from hypothalamus and hippocampi tissues, analysed in pairs. (a) Image overlay of the hypothalamus samples from the control group and the model group. (b) Image overlay of the hypothalamus samples from the control group and the group administered with Baixiangdan. (c) Image overlay of the hippocampi samples from the control group and the model group. (d) Image overlay of the hypothalamus samples from the control group and the group administered with Baixiangdan.