Regulation of the MCHergic Neural Circuit to Dorsal Raphe Nucleus on Emotion-Related Behaviors and Intestinal Dysfunction in Mice Model of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) is frequently accompanied by depression and anxiety, resulting in a reduced quality of life and increased medical expenditures. Although psychological factors are known to play an important role in the genesis and development of IBS-D, an understanding of the central neural control of intestinal dysfunction remains elusive. Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a gut-brain peptide involved in regulating feeding, sleep-wake rhythms, and emotional states.

Methods: This study investigated the regulation of the MCHergic neural circuit from the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) to the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) on anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, intestinal motility, and visceral hypersensitivity in a mice model of IBS-D. The models of IBS-D were prepared by inducing chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS).

Results: Chemogenetic activation of the MCH neurons in the LHA could excite serotonin (5-HT) neurons in the DRN and induce anxiety- and depression-like behaviors and IBS-D-like symptoms, which could be recovered by microinjection of the MCH receptor antagonist SNAP94847 into the DRN. The mice model of IBS-D showed a reduction of 5-HT and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the DRN, while an elevation of 5-HT and BDNF was observed in the colon through immunofluorescent staining, ELISA, and western blot analysis. SNAP94847 treatment in the DRN alleviated anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, improved intestinal motility, and alleviated visceral hypersensitivity responses by normalizing the 5-HT and BDNF expression in the DRN and colon.

Conclusion: This study suggests that the activation of MCH neurons in the LHA may induce IBS-D symptoms via the DRN and that the MCH receptor antagonist could potentially have therapeutic effects.