Research Article: Cognitive impairment and prefrontal TGF-?1 elevation in a rat model of fatigue
Abstract:
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex disorder of unknown etiology, characterized by persistent fatigue unrelieved by rest and accompanied by cognitive dysfunction. While dysregulated cytokines are implicated in CFS pathogenesis, the role of anti-inflammatory transforming growth factor ?1 (TGF-?1) remains poorly defined.
This study investigated central and peripheral TGF-?1 dysregulation and cognitive function in a rat model of fatigue induced by 10-day repetitive sleep deprivation with intermittent rest. Rats were randomly divided into the control group and the fatigue group. Behavioral tests including open field test and Y-maze test were performed after the end of fatigue-loading procedure. Peripheral and central TGF-?1 levels were detected.
Rats in the fatigue group exhibited unchanged daytime short-term locomotor activity but significantly increased anxiety-like behavior in the open field test. In the Y-maze test, the fatigue group showed markedly reduced spontaneous alternation rates compared to controls. Furthermore, prefrontal cortical TGF-?1 levels were elevated in fatigued rats, whereas neither peripheral nor striatal TGF-?1 differed between groups.
These findings demonstrate that the 10-day repetitive sleep deprivation with intermittent rest fatigue model induces cognitive impairment and increased anxiety-like behavior, with selective prefrontal TGF-?1 upregulation. The concomitant elevation of prefrontal TGF-?1 and cognitive deficits suggests a potential role for central TGF-?1 signaling in the pathophysiology of mental fatigue, although the precise nature of this relationship remains to be elucidated.
Introduction:
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex disorder of unknown etiology, characterized by persistent fatigue unrelieved by rest and accompanied by cognitive dysfunction. While dysregulated cytokines are implicated in CFS pathogenesis, the role of anti-inflammatory transforming growth factor ?1 (TGF-?1) remains poorly defined.
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