New research highlights how activating LXRβ can restore brain function and improve symptoms of anxiety and depression, suggesting novel therapeutic strategies for mental health treatment. Study: Therapeutic potential of liver X receptor beta in depression and anxiety . Image Credit: peterschrieber.
media / Shutterstock.com In a recent review published in the journal Brain Medicine , researchers investigate the role of liver X receptor beta (LXRβ) in anxiety and depression. What is LXRβ? LXRβ, which belongs to the nuclear receptor family of ligand-activated transcription factors, controls cholesterol metabolism and inflammation.
Several studies have elucidated molecular mechanisms linking LXR activity to mental disorder symptoms, including anxiety and depression. LXRβ protects fetal neurons in the peripheral and central nervous systems. In the central nervous systems of adults, LXRβ can be found in various cell types, some of which include microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes.
Antidepressant effects of LXRβ LXRβ is not only a regulator of cholesterol metabolism but also influences water, glucose, and thyroid hormone transport, indicating its widespread physiological role beyond mental health disorders Rodent studies have demonstrated that LXRβ protects microglia, neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes from depression-like behaviors. In chronic stress, LXRβ expression levels are reduced in rats' hippocampus. In these rats, treatment with GW3965, an LXR agonis.