TY  - BOOK
AU  - Mohanad Zaki Abdelsalam Zaki,
AU  - Nesrine Salah Eldin El-Sayed
TI  - Kynurenine pathway as a possible pharmacological target in interferon-induced depression in rats
U1  - 615.32 
PY  - 2025///
KW  - Pharmacology and Toxicology
KW  - Depression
N1  - Thesis (M.Sc)-Cairo University, 2025; Bibliography: pages 99-133; Issues also as CD
N2  -  Depression is a highly prevalent and disabling disorder that is 
frequently linked to neuroinflammation and dysregulation of the kynurenine 
pathway, a major branch of tryptophan metabolism. The present study 
investigated the potential therapeutic effects of epigallocatechin gallate 
(EGCG), a polyphenolic constituent of green tea, on depressive-like behaviors 
and kynurenine pathway modulation in a rat model of interferon (IFN)-
induced depression. Rats received IFN at a dose of 6 × 10⁴ IU/kg/day, 
subcutaneously (s.c.), while EGCG was administered at 20 mg/kg/day for 
seven consecutive days. Behavioral testing, biochemical measurements, and 
histopathological analyses were performed to assess the impact of EGCG on 
depressive-like behavior, tryptophan and serotonin metabolism, kynurenine 
pathway intermediates, oxidative stress parameters, neuroinflammatory 
cytokines, and glial activation. The results demonstrated that EGCG 
significantly improved depression-like behaviors, normalized serotonin 
levels, and decreased neurotoxic kynurenine derivatives, including quinolinic 
acid. In addition, EGCG attenuated oxidative stress, as indicated by lower 
malondialdehyde levels, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, 
enhanced antioxidant defenses including glutathione, and upregulated anti-
inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4. Histological evaluation further revealed 
that EGCG preserved hippocampal neuronal architecture and reduced glial 
activation, as reflected by diminished glial fibrillary acidic protein expression. 
Collectively, these findings suggest that EGCG exerts antidepressant-like 
effects by regulating the kynurenine pathway, mitigating neuroinflammation, 
and protecting neuronal integrity, underscoring its potential as a therapeutic 
agent in depression management.
ER  -