Antidepressive Effects of Environmental Enrichment in Chronic Stress–Induced Depression in Rats

Abstract

Depression is caused by a variety of factors, especially stressful life events. Chronic stress–induced depression has detrimental effects on hippocampal integrity. Environmental enrichment (EE) is a beneficial intervention for improving anxiety, fear, and stress. We aimed to investigate the antidepressive effects of EE in a depressive rat model (DEP) that was subjected to chronic stress. The control group (n = 10) was kept under normal conditions, while depressive rats (n = 8 per group) were randomized into DEP, DEP + EE, and DEP + fluoxetine (Flx) groups. DEP + EE/Flx groups were exposed to standard housing and EE or Flx, respectively. The behavioral tests showed that hopelessness and anxiety were decreased in DEP + EE and DEP + Flx groups compared with the DEP group (p