Chronic stress causes protein kinase C epsilon-aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 signaling pathway perturbation in the rat hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, but not in the myocardium

Chronic stress is strongly associated with the occurrence and development of depression and cardiovascular disease. Stress can induce altered mitochondrial function and activation of apoptosis in the cardio-cerebral system. However, it is unknown whether the protein kinase C ε (PKCε)-aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) pathway is altered under chronic stress, and this study sought to address this question. A rat model of depression was established using a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) protocol. After experiencing CUMS for 4 weeks, the sucrose preference test and the forced swim test verified depressive-like behaviors. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays showed that ALDH2 activity was decreased in the rat hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, but was not altered in the myocardium. Western blot assays demonstrated reduced levels of ALDH2 and PKCε, but increased levels of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4HNE) adducts. Caspase-3 expression did not obviously alter, but active forms of caspase-3 were increased in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. In the myocardium, expression of ALDH2, PKCε and 4HNE adducts did not remarkably alter; while caspase-3 expression was reduced and the active forms of caspase-3 were upregulated. Pearson’s correlation test demonstrated that expression of 4HNE adducts was positively correlated with levels of the active forms of caspase-3 in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, but not in the myocardium. In conclusion, chronic stress can damage the PKCε-ALDH2 signaling pathway in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, but not in the myocardium. Moreover, 4HNE is associated with active forms of caspase-3 in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.