Mar 25, 2025 11:08 PM
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1077978
INTRO: A new study published in The Journal of Immunology found that a high-salt diet (HSD) induces depression-like symptoms in mice by driving the production of a protein called IL-17A. This protein has previously been identified as a contributor to depression in human clinical studies.
“This work supports dietary interventions, such as salt reduction, as a preventive measure for mental illness. It also paves the way for novel therapeutic strategies targeting IL-17A to treat depression,” shared Dr. Xiaojun Chen, a researcher at Nanjing Medical University who led the study. “We hope these findings encourage discussions on salt consumption guidelines,” said Dr. Chen.
The researchers also identified a type of immune cell called gamma-delta T cells (γδT cells) as an important source of IL-17A in HSD-fed mice, accounting for ~40% of IL-17A-producing cells. Depleting γδT cells significantly alleviated HSD-induced depressive symptoms, identifying another possible treatment method.
High-salt intake is ubiquitous in the Western diet, with fast foods often containing 100 times more salt than a home-cooked meal. HSD is already an important public health concern as it is linked to cardiovascular, autoimmune, and neurodivergent diseases. Furthermore, major depression disorder is also a significant public health concern with a lifetime prevalence of 15-18% and a place in the top 10 causes of death in the United States. HSD has long been associated with the occurrence and development of depression, but its role in the causation of depression was unclear... (MORE - details, no ads)
INTRO: A new study published in The Journal of Immunology found that a high-salt diet (HSD) induces depression-like symptoms in mice by driving the production of a protein called IL-17A. This protein has previously been identified as a contributor to depression in human clinical studies.
“This work supports dietary interventions, such as salt reduction, as a preventive measure for mental illness. It also paves the way for novel therapeutic strategies targeting IL-17A to treat depression,” shared Dr. Xiaojun Chen, a researcher at Nanjing Medical University who led the study. “We hope these findings encourage discussions on salt consumption guidelines,” said Dr. Chen.
The researchers also identified a type of immune cell called gamma-delta T cells (γδT cells) as an important source of IL-17A in HSD-fed mice, accounting for ~40% of IL-17A-producing cells. Depleting γδT cells significantly alleviated HSD-induced depressive symptoms, identifying another possible treatment method.
High-salt intake is ubiquitous in the Western diet, with fast foods often containing 100 times more salt than a home-cooked meal. HSD is already an important public health concern as it is linked to cardiovascular, autoimmune, and neurodivergent diseases. Furthermore, major depression disorder is also a significant public health concern with a lifetime prevalence of 15-18% and a place in the top 10 causes of death in the United States. HSD has long been associated with the occurrence and development of depression, but its role in the causation of depression was unclear... (MORE - details, no ads)
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