scholarly journals Isoliquiritigenin Attenuates Anxiety-Like Behavior and Locomotor Sensitization in Rats after Repeated Exposure to Nicotine

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Yuhua Wang ◽  
Sang Chan Kim ◽  
Tong Wu ◽  
Yu Jiao ◽  
Haifeng Jin ◽  
...  

As important components of positive and negative reinforcement, locomotor sensitization and withdrawal anxiety following repeated exposure to nicotine (NIC) constitute crucial risk factors for relapse to NIC use after abstinence. Glycyrrhiza radix (G. radix), an important tonic used in traditional Oriental medicine, has not only anxiolytic effects but also reduces NIC-induced locomotor sensitization. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL), a bioactive ingredient of G. radix, also exhibits neuropharmacological effects, including anxiolytic action. Previously, we reported that ISL suppressed cocaine-induced extracellular dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens shell (NaccSh) and attenuated methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity. The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of ISL on both NIC withdrawal anxiety and locomotor sensitization. Adult male rats received subcutaneous administration of NIC hydrogen tartrate (0.4 mg/kg, twice a day) for 7 days followed by 4 days of withdrawal. During the period of NIC withdrawal, the rats received four intragastric treatments with ISL (3, 10, or 30 mg/kg/day). All three doses of ISL significantly inhibited NIC withdrawal-induced anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test, but only the 10 mg/kg/day and 30 mg/kg/day ISL doses attenuated locomotor sensitization induced by a challenge dose of NIC. Intracerebroventricular ISL also inhibited both NIC-induced withdrawal anxiety and locomotor sensitization, but intra-NaccSh injection of ISL blocked only NIC locomotor sensitization, which was abolished by post-ISL infusion of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (an oxidant) or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) into the NaccSh. Moreover, there was increased protein expression of phosphorylated Erk1/2 in the NIC-sensitized NaccSh, which was suppressed by ISL. Taken together, these results suggest that ISL can inhibit repeated NIC-induced withdrawal anxiety and locomotor sensitization, and the latter is mediated by antagonizing accumbal reactive oxygen species and NMDA receptor signaling.

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changhong Gu ◽  
ZhengLin Zhao ◽  
Xiaodong Zhu ◽  
Tong Wu ◽  
Bong Hyo Lee ◽  
...  

Anxiety during nicotine withdrawal (NicW) is a key risk factor for smoking relapse. Semen Ziziphi Spinosae (SZS), which is a prototypical hypnotic-sedative herb in Oriental medicine, has been clinically used to treat insomnia and general anxiety disorders for thousands of years. Thus, the present study evaluated the effects of the aqueous extract of SZS (AESZS) on NicW-induced anxiety in male rats that received subcutaneous administrations of nicotine (Nic) (0.4 mg/kg, twice a day) for 7 d followed by 4 d of withdrawal. During NicW, the rats received four intragastric treatments of AESZS (60 mg/kg/d or 180 mg/kg/d). AESZS dose-dependently attenuated NicW-induced anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus maze (EPM) tests and 180 mg/kg/d AESZS inhibited NicW-induced increases in plasma corticosterone. Additionally, the protein and mRNA expressions of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and CRF type 1 receptor (CRF1R) increased in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) during NicW, but these changes were suppressed by 180 mg/kg/d AESZS. A post-AESZS infusion of CRF into the CeA abolished the attenuation of anxiety by AESZS and 180 mg/kg/d AESZS suppressed NicW-induced increases in norepinephrine and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol levels in the CeA. The present results suggest that AESZS ameliorated NicW-induced anxiety via improvements in CRF/CRF1R and noradrenergic signaling in the CeA.


2019 ◽  
Vol 168 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-54
Author(s):  
O. O. Masalova ◽  
S. B. Kazakova ◽  
T. N. Savateeva-Lyubimova ◽  
K. V. Sivak ◽  
N. S. Sapronov ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Elnaz Azizi ◽  
◽  
Fatemeh Ayoobi ◽  
Ali Shamsizadeh ◽  
Amir Moghadam-Ahmadi ◽  
...  

Introduction: Lack of high-quality sleep causes serious side effects like anxiety and changes in plasma concentration of oxalate. The current study aimed to investigate the impact of local extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) on inducing sleep (sleepiness) and anxiety in male rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male rats were allocated in four groups (n=10). The ELF-MFs exposure (0, 10 and 18 Hz) was applied with intensity 200µT for three days (10 min/day). Sham-treated animal did not receive ELF-MF. Serum level of oxalic acid (OA) and sleepiness were measured both before first and after last exposure to ELF-MF or sham. Anxiety, sleepiness and OA were measured by using elevated plus maze, open-field test (OFT) and ELISA test, respectively. Results: Comparison of oxalate levels between before and after exposure to ELF-MF revealed that ELF-MF (10 Hz) decreased the serum level of oxalate (p<0.05). Comparison of the percent of open:closed arm entry (in elevated plus maze) between before and after exposure to ELF-MF revealed significant differences. Also, frequency, velocity and distance moved were decreased in the open-field test. Conclusion: Results of the present study demonstrated that ELF-MF with short time exposure may modulate the metabolism of OA and may modulate anxiety-like behavior or kind of induction of sleepiness in male rats.


2020 ◽  
pp. 109-114

Background and Objectives: Kaempferol (KM) is one of the most important plants with neuroprotection and analgesic effects. In addition, bicuculline (BIC) is a competitive antagonist of the GABAA ionotropic receptor (the most important targets of benzodiazepines and other anxiety suppressants). In this study, intracerebroventricular microinjection of KM on anxiety and its interaction with GABAergic mechanism were investigated in male rats. Materials and Methods: In this exploratory investigation, the male rats were divided into the following groups: control (saline), groups treated by KM (0.5 and 2 mg/rat), DMSO (1mg/rat), KM 0.5+BIC1 mg/rat, KM 0.5+BIC4 mg/rat, KM 2+BIC1 mg/rat, BIC groups (1, 4 mg/rat), and KM 2+BIC 4 mg/rat. Besides, an elevated plus-maze paradigm was used for the evaluation of the anxiety. Results: Statistical analysis revealed that the indices of TTOA in KM groups (0.5 and 2 mg/rat) significantly increased in comparison to the control group (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Moreover, regarding the involvement of the GABAergic system in the anxiolytic-like activity of KM, it was demonstrated that the TTOA related to co-administration of KM (0.5mg/rat) with bicuculline (1mg/rat) significantly reduced, compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to the obtained results, the use of KM can likely improve anxiety through GABAergic mechanism(s).


2019 ◽  
Vol 131 (5) ◽  
pp. 1092-1109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling-Sha Ju ◽  
Jiao-Jiao Yang ◽  
Ning Xu ◽  
Jia Li ◽  
Timothy E. Morey ◽  
...  

Abstract Editor’s Perspective What We Already Know about This Topic What This Article Tells Us That Is New Background Sevoflurane administered to neonatal rats induces neurobehavioral abnormalities and epigenetic reprogramming of their germ cells; the latter can pass adverse effects of sevoflurane to future offspring. As germ cells are susceptible to reprogramming by environmental factors across the lifespan, the authors hypothesized that sevoflurane administered to adult rats could induce neurobehavioral abnormalities in future offspring, but not in the exposed rats themselves. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with 2.1% sevoflurane for 3 h every other day between postnatal days 56 and 60. Twenty-five days later, exposed rats and nonexposed controls were mated to produce offspring. Results Adult male but not female offspring of exposed parents of either sex exhibited deficiencies in elevated plus maze (mean ± SD, offspring of both exposed parents vs. offspring of control parents, 35 ± 12 vs. 15 ± 15 s, P &lt; 0.001) and prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle (offspring of both exposed parents vs. offspring of control parents, 46.504 ± 13.448 vs. 25.838 ± 22.866%, P = 0.009), and increased methylation and reduced expression of the potassium ion-chloride ion cotransporter KCC2 gene (Kcc2) in the hypothalamus. Kcc2 was also hypermethylated in sperm and ovary of the exposed rats. Surprisingly, exposed male rats also exhibited long-term abnormalities in functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and -adrenal axes, reduced expression of hypothalamic and hippocampal Kcc2, and deficiencies in elevated plus maze (sevoflurane vs. control, 40 ± 24 vs. 25 ± 12 s, P = 0.038) and prepulse inhibition of startle (sevoflurane vs. control, 39.905 ± 21.507 vs. 29.193 ± 24.263%, P &lt; 0.050). Conclusions Adult sevoflurane exposure affects brain development in male offspring by epigenetically reprogramming both parental germ cells, while it induces neuroendocrine and behavioral abnormalities only in exposed males. Sex steroids may be required for mediation of the adverse effects of adult sevoflurane in exposed males.


Author(s):  
Г.А. Фролова

Целью исследования является оценка коррекции поведенческих нарушений, вызванных двухнедельной алкоголизацией у самцов белых крыс, путем блокирования сульпиридом ауторецепторов дофамина с учетом индивидуально-типологических особенностей животных. Методика. Эксперимент был выполнен на 40 половозрелых крысах-самцах массой 180-220 г. Уровень тревожности крыс определяли в приподнятом крестообразном лабиринте по общему времени пребывания животного на открытом пространстве лабиринта за 5 мин тестирования и числу повторных выходов на него. Двигательную и исследовательскую активность, а также число актов груминга животных оценивали в тесте открытого поля в течение 5 мин. Уровень депрессивности животных устанавливали с помощью теста Порсолта с подсчетом количества и общей продолжительности периодов полной иммобильности (неподвижности) животного. По количеству фекальных болюсов судили об эмоциональности животных. После исходного (контрольного) тестирования в батарее вышеуказанных тестов животные были разделены на три подгруппы согласно выраженности депрессивности в тесте Порсолта. Алкоголизацию проводили в течение 14 сут путем внутрибрюшинного введения раствора этанола в виде 10% раствора из расчета 2 г/кг веса животного, после чего животные проходили повторное тестирование в поведенческих тестах. Сульпирид («Eglonyl», Sanofi Winthrop Industrie, France) вводили в течение 14 сут в дозе 10 мг/кг, внутрибрюшинно, после чего животные снова проходили тестирование. Результаты. Двухнедельная алкоголизация приводит к увеличению тревожности и депрессивности самцов с исходно низким и средним уровнем депрессивности, на что указывает сокращение пребывания животных данных подгрупп на открытом пространстве приподнятого крестообразного лабиринта (p<0,01), уменьшение числа повторных выходов на него (p<0,05) и значительное увеличение общего времени неподвижности в тесте Порсолта (p<0,01). Последующее введение сульпирида корректирует анксиогенный и депрессогенный эффекты алкоголизации у самцов этих подгрупп. Исходно высокодепрессивные животные не проявили чувствительности к 14-дневному введению этанола и последующему блокированию D2/D3-рецепторов дофамина в приподнятом крестообразном лабиринте и тесте Порсолта. Введение этанола в течение 14 дней угнетает исследовательскую активность (p<0,01) самцов в открытом поле независимо от исходного уровня их депрессивности и двигательную (p<0,01) у низкодепрессивных животных. Последующее введение сульпирида не привело к компенсации эффекта алкоголизации на показатели поведенческой активности в открытом поле. У низкодепрессивных самцов на фоне двухнедельной алкоголизации развивается депрессивноподобное состояние, характеризующееся выраженным поведенческим дефицитом в открытом поле. Двухнедельная алкоголизация приводит к значительному (в 2-3,5 раз, p<0,01) росту эмоциональности независимо от исходного уровня депрессивности крыс, что полностью корректируется последующим введением сульпирида у высокодепрессивных самцов, и к частичному снижению проявлений эмоциональности у низко- и среднедепрессивных животных. Заключение. Полученные результаты свидетельствуют о возможности коррекции тревожных и депрессивных нарушений, возникших на фоне двухнедельной алкоголизации, сульпиридом с учетом индивидуально-типологических особенностей организма. The aim of the study was to evaluate correction of behavioral disorders with sulpiride, a dopamine autoreceptor inhibitor, in alcoholized rats taking into account individual typological features of the animals. Methods. Experiments were performed on sexually mature male rats weighing 180-220 g. The level of anxiety was determined in the elevated plus-maze by the total time of stay in and number of exits from the open space of the maze during 5 minutes of testing. Locomotor and exploratory activity and grooming behavior were assessed in the open field for 5 minutes. The severity of animal depression was determined using the standard Porsolt test by the number and total duration of immobility periods. The emotional state of animals was evaluated by the number of fecal boluses. After the initial (control) tests, the rats were divided into three subgroups based on the severity of depression as determined in the Porsolt test. Alcoholism was modeled by intraperitoneal injections of 10% ethanol (2 g/kg body weight) for 14 days. Then the animal behavior was re-tested. Sulpiride (Eglonyl, Sanofi Winthrop Industrie, France) was administered for 14 days at a dose of 10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally; then the animals were tested again. Results. Two-week alcoholization resulted in increased anxiety and depression of rats with low and medium depression degree at baseline. These disorders were evident from shortened stay of these animals in the open space of elevated plus-maze, reduced number of repeated exits from the open space, and a significant increase in the total time of immobility in the Porsolt test. The subsequent sulpiride treatment corrected the anxiogenic and depressogenic effects of alcoholism in male rats of these subgroups. Originally high-depressive animals did not show a sensitivity to the 14 day-administration of ethanol and subsequent inhibition of D2/D3-dopamine receptors in the elevated plus-maze and Porsolt test. Administration of ethanol for 14 days suppressed both the exploratory activity of rats in the open field regardless of their baseline degree of depression, and the locomotor activity of low-depressive animals. The subsequent sulpiride treatment did not abolish the effect of alcohol on the behavioral activity in the open field. Low-depressive alcoholized males developed a depression-like condition characterized by a marked behavioral deficit in the open field. The two-week alcoholization resulted in a significant (2-3.5 times) increase in the emotionality irrespective of the baseline degree of depression. This disorder was fully corrected by the sulpiride treatment in high-depressive rats and partially reduced the signs of emotionality in low- and medium-depressive animals. Conclusion. The study showed a possibility for correction of anxiety and depressive disorders induced by two weeks of modeled alcohol abuse with sulpiride depending on individual typological features of animals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 152
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Alharbi ◽  
Hindi Alharbi ◽  
Yasser Almogbel ◽  
Abdullah Alalwan ◽  
Ahmad Alhowail

Doxorubicin (DOX) is widely used to treat many types of cancer; however, it is associated with chemotherapy-related complications such as cognitive dysfunction, known as chemobrain. Chemobrain affects up to 75% of cancer survivors, and there are currently no available therapeutic options. This study aims to examine whether metformin (MET) can protect against the neurotoxicity caused by DOX treatment. Forty male rats were divided into four groups (10 rats/group): control, DOX, DOX + MET, and MET. Rats treated with DOX received five doses of 4 mg/kg DOX weekly (cumulative dose: 20 mg/kg). For the DOX-MET and MET groups, MET (3 mg/mL) was dissolved in drinking water. Behavioral and glucose tests were performed one day after treatment was completed. We found DOX (4 mg/kg/week, 5 weeks) caused learning and memory impairment in the Y-maze, novel object recognition, and elevated plus maze behavioral tests. MET did not rescue these DOX-induced memory impairments. Neither DOX nor MET nor MET + DOX altered glucose levels following the treatment. In summary, DOX treatment is associated with memory impairment in rats, but MET does not rescue this cognitive dysfunction.


2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashraf Mahmud ◽  
Stephanie Gallant ◽  
Firas Sedki ◽  
Tracey D’Cunha ◽  
Uri Shalev

Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive compound that is the second most abundant component of cannabis. It has been shown to have a potential therapeutic value for a wide range of disorders, including anxiety, psychosis, and depression. Recently, it was suggested that cannabidiol might be a potential treatment for heroin craving and relapse. Here we investigated the effects of an acute treatment with cannabidiol on cocaine self-administration and cue-induced cocaine seeking in rats. Rats were trained to press a lever to self-administer cocaine (0.5 mg/kg/infusion), first under a fixed interval 20 s (FI-20 s) and then under a progressive ratio (PR) schedule of reinforcement. Cocaine self-administration under a PR schedule of reinforcement was not attenuated by cannabidiol injections (5.0 mg/kg and 10.0 mg/kg; i.p.) when tested 30 min and 24 h after treatment. Cannabidiol treatment (5.0 mg/kg or 10.0 mg/kg) also did not attenuate cue-induced cocaine seeking in rats after a withdrawal period of 14 days. In contrast, treatment with cannabidiol (10.0 mg/kg; i.p.) resulted in a statistically significant anxiolytic effect in the elevated plus-maze. Our findings suggest that, under the conditions described here, an acute cannabidiol treatment has a minimal effect on a rat model of cocaine intake and relapse.


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