<b>The anti-depressive role of Pei Yuan Kai Yu Tong Zhi compound in cerebral small vessel disease based on gut microbiota</b>

The depression is the common complication of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). How to intervene or treat depression symptom in CSVD has become the compelling question. In this study, we explored the anti-depressive role of Pei Yuan Yu Tong Zhi compound (PYKYTZ) based on gut microbiota. CSVD in rats was induced by hypertension using high salt feed and then depressive symptom was evoked using chronic unpredictable mild stress. We found PYKYTZ could improve the depressive-like behaviors in CSVD rats with depression. Also, we determined PYKYTZ affected the microbiota environment in the gut to modulate metabolites production, which then contributed to the protection of nerve and vessels that are associated with depression pathogenesis. Pseudo sterile rats transplanted with fecal microbiota validated the mechanism of PYKYTZ in CSVD with depression.抑郁症是脑小血管病（cerebral small vessel disease, CSVD）常见的并发症，如何干预或治疗脑小血管病伴发的抑郁症状已成为亟待解决的关键科学问题。本研究基于肠道菌群（gut microbiota），探究了培元通滞复方（Pei Yuan Yu Tong Zhi compound, PYKYTZ）的抗抑郁作用。研究通过高盐饮食诱导大鼠高血压以构建脑小血管病模型，随后采用慢性不可预见性温和应激诱发抑郁症状。结果显示，培元通滞复方可改善伴发抑郁的脑小血管病大鼠的抑郁样行为。同时，本研究证实培元通滞复方可通过调控肠道菌群环境调节代谢产物生成，进而对与抑郁症发病机制相关的神经与血管发挥保护作用。本研究通过对伪无菌大鼠实施粪便菌群移植，验证了培元通滞复方治疗脑小血管病伴发抑郁症的作用机制。