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Zvozilova A, Bukatova S, Koprdova R, Mach M. Evaluation of New Approaches to Depression Treatment Using an Animal Model of Pharmacoresistant Depression. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5265. [PMID: 38791304 PMCID: PMC11121040 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Depression is emerging as the predominant psychiatric disorder globally. Despite the wide availability of antidepressants, up to 30% of patients exhibit poor response to treatment, falling into the category of treatment-resistant depression (TRD). This underscores the need for the exploration of novel therapeutic options. Our work aims to study the effect of chronic administration of the pyridoindole derivative SMe1EC2M3, a triple reuptake inhibitor, and the combination of zoletil and venlafaxine under conditions of stress induced by a 4-week chronic mild stress (CMS) procedure in Wistar-Kyoto male rats as an animal model of TRD. Therefore, we investigated the possible effect of the selected compounds in four experimental groups, i.e., stress + vehicle, stress + venlafaxine, stress + zoletil + venlafaxine and stress + SMe1EC2M3. The following variables were assessed: anhedonia in sucrose preference test (SPT), spontaneous locomotion and exploration in open field test (OF), anxiety-like behavior in elevated plus maze test (EPM), motivation and depressive-like behavior in forced swim test (FST) and nociception in tail flick test. We also evaluated cognition, particularly recognition memory, in the novel object recognition test (NOR). Sucrose preference was significantly increased in the SMe1EC2M3 group (p < 0.05) in comparison with the venlafaxine animals. In the OF, we observed a significantly higher number of entries into both the central and peripheral zones in the venlafaxine (p < 0.05 central zone; p ≤ 0.05 periphery zone) and SMe1EC2M3 (p < 0.05 central zone; p < 0.05 periphery zone) groups compared to the venlafaxine + zoletil group. SMe1EC2M3 was able to significantly increase the time of climbing in FST (p < 0.05) in comparison with the venlafaxine and control groups. The NOR test revealed a significantly higher discrimination ratio in the SMe1EC2M3 group (p < 0.05) compared to the control and venlafaxine groups. Analyses of the tail flick test showed a significant increase in reaction time to painful stimuli in the SMe1EC2M3 group (p < 0.05) in comparison to both the control and venlafaxine groups. Our findings suggest that SMe1EC2M3 has the potential to ameliorate some behavioral changes associated with TRD, and the venlafaxine + zoletil combination treatment was not a promising treatment alternative in the animal model of TRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Zvozilova
- Centre of Experimental Medicine of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.Z.); (S.B.); (R.K.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Stanislava Bukatova
- Centre of Experimental Medicine of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.Z.); (S.B.); (R.K.)
| | - Romana Koprdova
- Centre of Experimental Medicine of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.Z.); (S.B.); (R.K.)
| | - Mojmir Mach
- Centre of Experimental Medicine of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.Z.); (S.B.); (R.K.)
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de Oliveira-Júnior BA, Marques DB, Rossignoli MT, Prizon T, Leite JP, Ruggiero RN. Multidimensional behavioral profiles associated with resilience and susceptibility after inescapable stress. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9699. [PMID: 38678053 PMCID: PMC11055923 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59984-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Clinical depression is characterized by multiple concurrent symptoms, manifesting as a complex heterogeneous condition. Although some well-established classical behavioral assessments are widespread in rodent models, it remains uncertain whether rats also display stress-induced depression-related phenotypes in a multidimensional manner, i.e., simultaneous alterations in multiple behavioral tests. Here, we investigated multivariate patterns and profiles of depression-related behavioral traits in male Wistar rats subjected to inescapable footshocks (IS) or no-shocks (NS), followed by a comprehensive battery of behavioral tests and ethological characterization. We observed generalized stronger intra-test but weaker inter-test correlations. However, feature clustering of behavioral measures successfully delineated variables linked to resilience and susceptibility to stress. Accordingly, a noteworthy covariation pattern emerged, characterized by increased open field locomotion, reduced time in the elevated plus maze open arms, lower sucrose preference, and increased shuttle box escape failures that consistently differentiated IS from NS. Surprisingly there is little contribution from forced swim. In addition, individual clustering revealed a diversity of behavioral profiles, naturally separating NS and IS, including subpopulations entirely characterized by resilience or susceptibility. In conclusion, our study elucidates intricate relationships among classical depression-related behavioral measures, highlighting multidimensional individual variability. Our work emphasizes the importance of a multivariate framework for behavioral assessment in animal models to understand stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedito Alves de Oliveira-Júnior
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Danilo Benette Marques
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Matheus Teixeira Rossignoli
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tamiris Prizon
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - João Pereira Leite
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Naime Ruggiero
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Bernardus Saayman JL, Harvey BH, Wegener G, Brink CB. Sildenafil, alone and in combination with imipramine or escitalopram, display antidepressant-like effects in an adrenocorticotropic hormone-induced (ACTH) rodent model of treatment-resistant depression. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 969:176434. [PMID: 38458412 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder (MDD) represents a challenge with high prevalence and limited effectiveness of existing treatments, particularly in cases of treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Innovative strategies and alternative drug targets are therefore necessary. Sildenafil, a selective phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, is known to exert neuroplastic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, and is a promising antidepressant drug candidate. AIM To investigate whether sildenafil monotherapy or in combination with a known antidepressant, can elicit antidepressant-like effects in an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-induced rodent model of TRD. METHODS ACTH-naïve and ACTH-treated male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats received various sub-acute drug treatments, followed by behavioural tests and biochemical analyses conversant with antidepressant actions. RESULTS Sub-chronic ACTH treatment induced significant depressive-like behaviour in rats, evidenced by increased immobility during the forced swim test (FST). Sub-acute sildenafil (10 mg/kg) (SIL-10) (but not SIL-3), and combinations of imipramine (15 mg/kg) (IMI-15) and sildenafil (3 mg/kg) (SIL-3) or escitalopram (15 mg/kg) (ESC-15) and SIL-3, exhibited significant antidepressant-like effects. ACTH treatment significantly elevated hippocampal levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), serotonin, norepinephrine, kynurenic acid (KYNUA), quinolinic acid (QUINA), and glutathione. The various mono- and combined treatments significantly reversed some of these changes, whereas IMI-15 + SIL-10 significantly increased glutathione disulfide levels. ESC-15 + SIL-3 significantly reduced plasma corticosterone levels. CONCLUSION This study suggests that sildenafil shows promise as a treatment for TRD, either as a stand-alone therapy or in combination with a traditional antidepressant. The neurobiological mechanism underlying the antidepressant-like effects of the different sildenafil mono- and combination therapies reflects a multimodal action and cannot be explained in full by changes in the individually measured biomarker levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juandré Lambertus Bernardus Saayman
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacen™), Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Brian Herbert Harvey
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacen™), Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Unit on Risk and Resilience on Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7700, South Africa; The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Gregers Wegener
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit (TNU), Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Christiaan Beyers Brink
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacen™), Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
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Tyson HR, Harrison DJ, Higgs MJ, Isles AR, John RM. Deficiency of the paternally-expressed imprinted Peg3 gene in mice has sexually dimorphic consequences for offspring communication and social behaviour. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1374781. [PMID: 38595977 PMCID: PMC11002209 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1374781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Imprinted genes are expressed from one parental allele as a consequence of epigenetic processes initiated in the germline. Consequently, their ability to influence phenotype depends on their parent-of-origin. Recent research suggests that the sex of the individual expressing the imprinted gene is also important. We have previously reported that genetically wildtype (WT) dams carrying and caring for pups mutant for PEG3 exhibit anxiety-like behaviours and their mutant pups show a reduction in ultrasonic vocalisation when separated from their mothers. Sex-specificity was not examined. Methods WT female mice were mated with WT, heterozygous Peg3-/+ or homozygous Peg3-/- studs to generate all WT (control), 50:50 mixed or 100% mutant litters, respectively, followed by behavioural assessment of both dams and their pups. Results We reproduced our original finding that WT dams carrying and caring for 100% mutant litters exhibit postpartum anxiety-like symptoms and delayed pup retrieval. Additionally, these WT dams were found to allocate less time to pup-directed care behaviours relative to controls. Male Peg3-deficient pups demonstrated significantly reduced vocalisation with a more subtle communication deficit in females. Postweaning, male mutants exhibited deficits across a number of key social behaviours as did WT males sharing their environment with mutants. Only modest variations in social behaviour were detected in experimental females. Discussion We have experimentally demonstrated that Peg3 deficiency confined to the offspring causes anxiety in mouse mothers and atypical behaviour including deficits in communication in their male offspring. A male-specific reduction in expression PEG3 in the fetally-derived placenta has previously been associated with maternal depression in human pregnancy. Maternal mood disorders such as depression and anxiety are associated with delays in language development and neuroatypical behaviour more common in sons. Peg3 deficiency could drive the association of maternal and offspring behavioural disorders reported in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah R. Tyson
- Biomedicine Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - David J. Harrison
- Biomedicine Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Mathew J. Higgs
- Behavioural Genetics Group, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony R. Isles
- Behavioural Genetics Group, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Rosalind M. John
- Biomedicine Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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De Barros Oliveira R, Anselmi M, Marchette RCN, Roversi K, Fadanni GP, De Carvalho LM, Damasceno S, Heinrich IA, Leal RB, Cavalli J, Moreira-Júnior RE, Godard ALB, Izídio GS. Differential expression of alpha-synuclein in the hippocampus of SHR and SLA16 isogenic rat strains. Behav Brain Res 2024; 461:114835. [PMID: 38151185 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Two inbred strains, Lewis (LEW) and Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR), are well-known for their contrasting behavior related to anxiety/emotionality. Studies with these two strains led to the discovery of the Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) on chromosome 4 (Anxrr16). To better understand the influences of this genomic region, the congenic rat strain SLA16 (SHR.LEW-Anxrr16) was developed. SLA16 rats present higher hyperactivity/impulsivity, deficits in learning and memory, and lower basal blood pressure than the SHR strain, even though genetic differences between them are only in chromosome 4. Thus, the present study proposed the alpha-synuclein and the dopaminergic system as candidates to explain the differential behavior of SHR and SLA16 strains. To accomplish this, beyond the behavioral analysis, we performed (I) the Snca gene expression and (II) quantification of the alpha-synuclein protein in the hippocampus (HPC), prefrontal cortex (PFC), and striatum (STR) of SHR and SLA16 strains; (III) sequencing of the 3'UTR of the Snca gene; and (IV) evaluation of miRNA binding in the 3'UTR site. A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) was identified in the 3'UTR of the Snca gene, which exhibited upregulation in the HPC of SHR compared to SLA16 females. Alpha-synuclein protein was higher in the HPC of SHR males compared to SLA16 males. The results of this work suggested that differences in alpha-synuclein HPC content could be influenced by miRNA regulation and associated with behavioral differences between SHR and SLA16 animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel De Barros Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Mayara Anselmi
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | | | - Katiane Roversi
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Pasetto Fadanni
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Luana Martins De Carvalho
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Samara Damasceno
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Rodrigo Bainy Leal
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Juliana Cavalli
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Curitibanos, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Lúcia Brunialti Godard
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Geison Souza Izídio
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
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Chen L, Lu Y, Hua X, Zhang H, Sun S, Han C. Three methods of behavioural testing to measure anxiety - A review. Behav Processes 2024; 215:104997. [PMID: 38278425 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2024.104997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Behavioural test is very useful to assess the anxiety activity, screen new anxiolytic drugs, explore the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders. Methods of behavioural testing that reflects different aspects of anxiety emotionality simultaneously have always been a critical issue for academics. In this paper, we reviewed previous methods to use behavioural test to evaluate the anxiety activity. A single test was used to measure only one aspect of anxiety emotionality. A battery of behavioural tests could get a comprehensive information of anxiety profile. In one single trial, open field test, elevated plus maze and light/dark box are integrated to assess different types of emotional behaviours. This new paradigm is useful for evaluating multiple dimensions of behaviours simultaneously, minimizing general concerns about previous test experience and inter-test intervals between tests. It is proposed as a promising alternative to using test battery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijing Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, PR China; The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250000, PR China
| | - Yi Lu
- The People's Hospital of Huaiyin, Jinan 250000, PR China
| | - Xiaokai Hua
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250000, PR China
| | - Hongyan Zhang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250000, PR China
| | - Shiguang Sun
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250000, PR China.
| | - Chunchao Han
- School of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, PR China; Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Quality Control and Construction of the Whole Industrial Chain of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250355, PR China.
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Nuseir K, Alzoubi KH, Altarifi A, Kassab M, Khabour OF, Al-Ghraiybah NF, Obiedat R. Long-term effects of neonatal pain and sucrose treatment. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PHARMACOLOGY AND DRUG DISCOVERY 2024; 6:100176. [PMID: 38322818 PMCID: PMC10844943 DOI: 10.1016/j.crphar.2024.100176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose In neonatal intensive care units, applying sucrose solution for analgesia is now a routine treatment for mild procedural pain. Studies of animal and human infants provide clear evidence of benefits in the short term, but few studies have investigated the long term benefits. Thus, we determined whether sucrose could ameliorate painful stimulation during infancy in Sprague-Dawley rats and also explored the long-term effects of repeated sucrose administration during infancy. Female and male rats were included to investigate sex-related differences. Methods Rat pups were stimulated either with painful or tactile stimuli for the first 14 days of their lives. Pups were pretreated either with sucrose or not treated before stimulation. Behavioral tests were conducted during adolescence and adulthood. Hotplate, rotarod, open field, elevated plus maze, and radial arm water maze tests were employed to assess the behavioral consequences of early life manipulations and treatments. Results Painful stimulation during infancy increased the sensitivity to pain later in life, and sucrose did not remedy this effect. Motility, coordination, anxiety, and cognition tests in adulthood obtained mixed results. Pain during infancy appeared to increase anxiety during adulthood. Learning and memory in adulthood were affected by pain during infancy, and sucrose had a negative effect even in the absence of pain. No sex-related differences were observed in any of the behavioral tests by employing this model of neonatal pain. Conclusion Painful stimulation during infancy resulted in deficiencies in some behavioral tests later in life. Sucrose pretreatment did not mitigate these shortcomings and it actually resulted in negative outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khawla Nuseir
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Karem H. Alzoubi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan
| | - Ahmad Altarifi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Manal Kassab
- Department Maternal and Child Health, Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Omar F. Khabour
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Nour F. Al-Ghraiybah
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Roa'a Obiedat
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
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Hakataya S, Katsu N, Okanoya K, Toya G. An exploratory study of behavioral traits and the establishment of social relationships in female laboratory rats. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295280. [PMID: 38048339 PMCID: PMC10695365 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
There is growing evidence that social relationships influence individual fitness through various effects. Clarifying individual differences in social interaction patterns and determinants for such differences will lead to better understanding of sociality and its fitness consequences for animals. Behavioral traits are considered one of the determining factors of social interaction. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of individual behavioral traits on social relationship building in laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus), a highly social species. Initially, the following behavioral characteristics were measured in individuals: tameness (glove test), activity (open field test), exploration (novel object test), sociability (three-chamber test), and boldness (elevated plus maze test). We then used DeepLabCut to behaviorally track three groups of four individuals (12 total) and analyze social behaviors such as approach and avoidance behaviors. Principal component analysis based on behavioral test results detected behavioral traits interpreted as related to exploration, boldness, activity, and tameness, but not sociability. In addition, behavioral tracking results showed consistent individual differences in social behavior indices such as isolation time and partner preference. Furthermore, we found that different components were correlated with different phases of social behavior; exploration and boldness were associated with the early stages of group formation, whereas activity was associated with later stages of relationship building. From these results, we derived hypothesize that personality traits related to the physical and social environment have a larger influence in the relationship formation phase, and the behavioral trait of activity becomes important in the maintenance phase of relationships. Future studies should examine this hypothesis by testing larger group sizes and ensuring there is less bias introduced into group composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiomi Hakataya
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
- Advanced Comprehensive Research Organization, Teikyo University, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noriko Katsu
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuo Okanoya
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
- Advanced Comprehensive Research Organization, Teikyo University, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Genta Toya
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
- Advanced Comprehensive Research Organization, Teikyo University, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan
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Shanazz K, Nalloor R, Vazdarjanova A. A mild stressor induces short-term anxiety and long-term phenotypic changes in trauma-related behavior in female rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1231563. [PMID: 37732174 PMCID: PMC10507355 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1231563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Anxiety and anxiety-influenced disorders are sexually dimorphic with women being disproportionately affected compared to men. Given the increased prevalence in women and the documented differences in anxiety and trauma behavior between male and female rats this paper sought to examine the link between stress, anxiety, and fear learning and extinction in female rats. We tested the hypothesis that a mild stressor will induce short-and long-term increases in anxiety and produce long term effects on subsequent fear learning and extinction behavior. Methods We induced anxiety in female Sprague- Dawley rats with a short (3 min) exposure to a ball of cat hair infused with 150 μl of cat urine (mild stressor) that elicits innate fear but does not cause fear conditioning. The control group was exposed to fake cat hair. Anxiety was assessed in the Light-Dark Open Field (LDOF) or Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) before, immediately after and 4 days after stimulus exposure. Two weeks later, all animals were subject to Contextual Fear Conditioning (CFC) in the Shock Arm of a Y-maze, blocked off from the rest of the maze. Memory and fear extinction (learning of safety) was assessed in the following four days by placing each rat in one of the Safe Arms and measuring avoidance extinction (time spent and number of entries in the Shock Arm). Results Cat hair exposure induced changes in anxiety-like behavior in the short-term that appeared resolved 4 days later. However, the cat-hair exposed rats had long-term (2 weeks) phenotypic changes expressed as altered exploratory behavior in an emotionally neutral novel place. Fear learning and extinction were not impaired. Yet, using avoidance extinction, we demonstrated that the phenotypic difference induced by the mild stressor could be documented and dissociated from learning and memory. Discussion These findings demonstrate that the history of stress, even mild stress, has subtle long-term effects on behavior even when short-term anxiety appears resolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadijah Shanazz
- VA Research Service, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA, United States
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Rebecca Nalloor
- VA Research Service, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Almira Vazdarjanova
- VA Research Service, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
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Gryksa K, Schmidtner AK, Masís-Calvo M, Rodríguez-Villagra OA, Havasi A, Wirobski G, Maloumby R, Jägle H, Bosch OJ, Slattery DA, Neumann ID. Selective breeding of rats for high (HAB) and low (LAB) anxiety-related behaviour: A unique model for comorbid depression and social dysfunctions. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 152:105292. [PMID: 37353047 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Animal models of selective breeding for extremes in emotionality are a strong experimental approach to model psychopathologies. They became indispensable in order to increase our understanding of neurobiological, genetic, epigenetic, hormonal, and environmental mechanisms contributing to anxiety disorders and their association with depressive symptoms or social deficits. In the present review, we extensively discuss Wistar rats selectively bred for high (HAB) and low (LAB) anxiety-related behaviour on the elevated plus-maze. After 30 years of breeding, we can confirm the prominent differences between HAB and LAB rats in trait anxiety, which are accompanied by consistent differences in depressive-like, social and cognitive behaviours. We can further confirm a single nucleotide polymorphism in the vasopressin promotor of HAB rats causative for neuropeptide overexpression, and show that low (or high) anxiety and fear levels are unlikely due to visual dysfunctions. Thus, HAB and LAB rats continue to exist as a reliable tool to study the multiple facets underlying the pathology of high trait anxiety and its comorbidity with depression-like behaviour and social dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Gryksa
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Anna K Schmidtner
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Marianella Masís-Calvo
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Odir A Rodríguez-Villagra
- Centro de Investigación en Neurosciencias, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica.
| | - Andrea Havasi
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Gwendolyn Wirobski
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Rodrigue Maloumby
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Herbert Jägle
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Oliver J Bosch
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - David A Slattery
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Heinrich-Hoffmann-Straße 10, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
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11
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Zhou R, Huang C, Bi N, Li L, Li C, Gu X, Song Y, Wang HL. Chronic Pb Exposure Induces Anxiety and Depression-like Behaviors in Mice via Excitatory Neuronal Hyperexcitability in Ventral Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:12222-12233. [PMID: 37559393 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) is a widespread neurotoxic pollutant. Pb exposure is associated with mood disorders, with no well-established neural mechanisms elucidated. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether excitatory neurons in the dentate gyrus subregion of the ventral hippocampus (vDG) played a key role in Pb-induced anxiety and depression-like behaviors. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 100 ppm Pb starting on day 1 of pregnancy until experiments were performed using the offspring. Behavioral studies suggested that chronic Pb exposure triggered anxiety and depression-like behaviors. A combination of electrophysiological, optogenetic, and immunohistochemistry experiments was conducted. Results showed that Pb exposure resulted in excitatory neuronal hyperexcitability in vDG and that the behavioral deficits caused by Pb exposure could be rescued by inhibition of excitatory neuronal activity. Moreover, it was found that the action potential (AP) threshold of excitatory neurons was decreased by electrophysiological recordings. Our study demonstrates a significant role for excitatory neurons in vDG in Pb-induced anxiety and depression-like behaviors in mice, which is likely a result of decreased AP threshold. These outcomes can serve as an important basis for understanding mechanisms of anxiety and depression under environmental Pb exposure and help in the design of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqing Zhou
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230000, Anhui, PR China
| | - Chengqing Huang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230000, Anhui, PR China
| | - Nanxi Bi
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230000, Anhui, PR China
| | - Ling Li
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230000, Anhui, PR China
| | - Changqing Li
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230000, Anhui, PR China
| | - Xiaozhen Gu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230000, Anhui, PR China
| | - Yang Song
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China
| | - Hui-Li Wang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230000, Anhui, PR China
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12
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Tchekalarova J, Krushovlieva D, Ivanova P, Kortenska L. Spontaneously hypertensive rats vs. Wistar Kyoto and Wistar rats: an assessment of anxiety, motor activity, memory performance, and seizure susceptibility. Physiol Behav 2023:114268. [PMID: 37308045 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) are widely accepted for modeling essential hypertension and Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, data concerning central nervous system changes associated with behavioral responses of this strain and usage of Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats as controls are confounding. The objective of the present study was to assess the impact of anxiety and motor activity on the cognitive responses of SHRs compared to Wistar and WKY rats. In addition, the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus on cognitive behavior and seizure susceptibility in the three strains was evaluated. In Experiment#1, SHR demonstrated impulsive responses in the novelty suppression feeding test accompanied by impaired spatial working and associative memory in the Y maze and object recognition test compared with the Wistar rat but not WKY rats. In addition, the WKY rats exhibited diminished activity compared to Wistar rats in an actimeter. In Experiment#2, the seizure susceptibility was assessed by 3-min electroencephalographic (EEG) recording after two consecutive injections of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) (20+40 mg/kg). The WKY rats were more vulnerable to rhythmic metrazol activity (RMA) than the Wistar rats. In contrast, Wistar rats were more prone to generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) than WKY rats and SHRs. Control SHR had lower BDNF expression in the hippocampus compared to Wistar rats. However, while the BDNF levels were elevated in the Wistar and WKY rats after PTZ injection, no change in this signaling molecule was observed in the SHR in the seizure condition. The results suggest Wistar rats as a more appropriate control of SHR than WKY rats for studying memory responses mediated by BDNF in the hippocampus. The higher vulnerability to seizures in Wistar and WKY rats compared to SHR might be linked to PTZ-induced decreased expression of BDNF in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Tchekalarova
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria; University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 1756 Sofia, Bulgaria.
| | | | - Petya Ivanova
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria
| | - Lidia Kortenska
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria
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13
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Milosavljevic S, Smith AK, Wright CJ, Valafar H, Pocivavsek A. Kynurenine aminotransferase II inhibition promotes sleep and rescues impairments induced by neurodevelopmental insult. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:106. [PMID: 37002202 PMCID: PMC10066394 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02399-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated sleep is commonly reported in individuals with neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BPD). Physiology and pathogenesis of these disorders points to aberrant metabolism, during neurodevelopment and adulthood, of tryptophan via the kynurenine pathway (KP). Kynurenic acid (KYNA), a neuroactive KP metabolite derived from its precursor kynurenine by kynurenine aminotransferase II (KAT II), is increased in the brains of individuals with SCZ and BPD. We hypothesize that elevated KYNA, an inhibitor of glutamatergic and cholinergic neurotransmission, contributes to sleep dysfunction. Employing the embryonic kynurenine (EKyn) paradigm to elevate fetal brain KYNA, we presently examined pharmacological inhibition of KAT II to reduce KYNA in adulthood to improve sleep quality. Pregnant Wistar rats were fed either kynurenine (100 mg/day)(EKyn) or control (ECon) diet from embryonic day (ED) 15 to ED 22. Adult male (N = 24) and female (N = 23) offspring were implanted with devices to record electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) telemetrically for sleep-wake data acquisition. Each subject was treated with either vehicle or PF-04859989 (30 mg/kg, s.c.), an irreversible KAT II inhibitor, at zeitgeber time (ZT) 0 or ZT 12. KAT II inhibitor improved sleep architecture maintaining entrainment of the light-dark cycle; ZT 0 treatment with PF-04859989 induced transient improvements in rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM (NREM) sleep during the immediate light phase, while the impact of ZT 12 treatment was delayed until the subsequent light phase. PF-04859989 administration at ZT 0 enhanced NREM delta spectral power and reduced activity and body temperature. In conclusion, reducing de novo KYNA production alleviated sleep disturbances and increased sleep quality in EKyn, while also improving sleep outcomes in ECon offspring. Our findings place attention on KAT II inhibition as a novel mechanistic approach to treating disrupted sleep behavior with potential translational implications for patients with neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snezana Milosavljevic
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Andrew K Smith
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Courtney J Wright
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Homayoun Valafar
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Ana Pocivavsek
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA.
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14
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Fadanni GP, Leão AHFF, Granzotto N, Pereira AG, de Gois AM, Anjos PAR, Linder ÁE, Santos JR, Silva RH, Izídio GS. Genetic effects in a progressive model of parkinsonism induced by reserpine. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:1131-1142. [PMID: 36964320 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06350-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE AND METHODS We investigated the locomotor, emotional, physiological, and neurobiological effects induced by low-dose reserpine repeated treatment (0.1 mg/kg; 14 injections) in males from the Lewis (LEW), Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR), and SHR.LEW-(D4Rat76-D4Mgh11) (SLA16) isogenic rat strains, which have different genetic backgrounds on chromosome 4. Behavioral responses in the catalepsy, open-field, and oral movements' tests were coupled with blood pressure, body weight, and striatal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) level assessments to establish neurobiological comparisons between reserpine-induced impairments and genetic backgrounds RESULTS: Results revealed the SHR strain was more sensitive in the catalepsy test and exhibited higher TH immunoreactivity in the dorsal striatum. The SLA16 strain presented more oral movements, suggesting increased susceptibility to develop oral dyskinesia. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed the efficacy of repeated treatment with a low dose of reserpine and demonstrated, for the first time, the genetic influence of a specific region of chromosome 4 on the expression of these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Pasetto Fadanni
- Graduate Program of Pharmacology, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | | | - Natalli Granzotto
- Graduate Program of Pharmacology, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Aline Guimarães Pereira
- Graduate Program of Developmental and Cellular Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Auderlan Mendonça de Gois
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Evolutionary Neurobiology, Department of Biosciences, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Itabaiana, Brazil
| | - Pâmela Andressa Ramborger Anjos
- Graduate Program of Pharmacology, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Áurea Elizabeth Linder
- Graduate Program of Pharmacology, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - José Ronaldo Santos
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Evolutionary Neurobiology, Department of Biosciences, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Itabaiana, Brazil
| | - Regina Helena Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Geison Souza Izídio
- Graduate Program of Pharmacology, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
- Graduate Program of Developmental and Cellular Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
- Biological Sciences Center, Cellular Biology, Embryology and Genetics Department, Behavioral Genetics Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88.040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
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15
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Xu X, Zhuo L, Zhang L, Peng H, Lyu Y, Sun H, Zhai Y, Luo D, Wang X, Li X, Li L, Zhang Y, Ma X, Wang Q, Li Y. Dexmedetomidine alleviates host ADHD-like behaviors by reshaping the gut microbiota and reducing gut-brain inflammation. Psychiatry Res 2023; 323:115172. [PMID: 36958092 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders that affects children and even continues into adulthood. Dexmedetomidine (DEX), a short-term sedative, can selectively activate the α2-adrenoceptor. Treatment with α2-adrenergic agonists in patients with ADHD is becoming increasingly common. However, the therapeutic potential of DEX for the treatment of ADHD is unknown. Here, we evaluated the effect of DEX on ADHD-like behavior in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), a widely used animal model of ADHD. DEX treatment ameliorated hyperactivity and spatial working memory deficits and normalized θ electroencephalogram (EEG) rhythms in SHRs. We also found that DEX treatment altered the gut microbiota composition and promoted the enrichment of beneficial gut bacterial genera associated with anti-inflammatory effects in SHRs. The gut pathological scores and permeability and the level of inflammation observed in the gut and brain were remarkably improved after DEX administration. Moreover, transplantation of fecal microbiota from DEX-treated SHRs produced effects that mimicked the therapeutic effects of DEX administration. Therefore, DEX is a promising treatment for ADHD that functions by reshaping the composition of the gut microbiota and reducing inflammation in the gut and brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangzhao Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Center for Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China; Department of Anesthesiology, The People's Hospital of Nanchuan, Chongqing 408400, China
| | - Lixia Zhuo
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Center for Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Linjuan Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Center for Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Huan Peng
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Center for Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Yixuan Lyu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Center for Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Huan Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Center for Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Yifang Zhai
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Center for Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Danlei Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Center for Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Xiaodan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Center for Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Xinyang Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Center for Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Liya Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Center for Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Center for Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Xiancang Ma
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Center for Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Center for Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China.
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16
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Giffin KA, Lovelock DF, Besheer J. Toll-like receptor 3 neuroimmune signaling and behavior change: A strain comparison between Lewis and Wistar rats. Behav Brain Res 2023; 438:114200. [PMID: 36334783 PMCID: PMC10123804 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
There are many unanswered questions about the interaction between the immune system and behavior change, including the contributions of individual differences. The present study modeled individual differences in the immune system by comparing inbred Lewis rats, which have dysregulated stress and immune systems, to their genetically diverse parent strain, Wistar rats. The objective was to examine the consequences of an immune challenge on behavior and neuroimmune signaling in both strains. Peripheral administration of the toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) agonist and viral memetic polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) induced behavior changes in both strains, reducing locomotor activity and increasing avoidance behavior (time on the dark side of the light-dark box). Furthermore, poly(I:C) induced hyperarousal and increased avoidance behavior more in female Lewis than female Wistar rats. Baseline strain differences were also observed: Lewis rats had higher avoidance behavior and lower startle response than Wistars. Lewis rats also had lower levels of peripheral inflammation, as measured by spleen weight. Finally, poly(I:C) increased expression of genes in the TLR3 pathway, cytokine genes, and CD11b, a gene associated with proinflammatory actions of microglia, in the prelimbic cortex and central amygdala, with greater expression of cytokine genes in male rats. Lewis rats had lower baseline expression of some neuroimmune genes, particularly CD11b. Overall, we found constitutive strain differences in immune profiles and baseline differences in behavior, yet poly(I:C) generally induced similar behavior changes in males while hyperarousal and avoidance behavior were heightened in female Lewis rats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Joyce Besheer
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, USA; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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17
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Guimarães ATB, Freitas ÍN, Mubarak NM, Rahman MM, Rodrigues FP, Rodrigues ASDL, Barceló D, Islam ARMT, Malafaia G. Exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces an anxiolytic-like effect, changes in antipredator defensive response, and DNA damage in Swiss mice. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 442:130004. [PMID: 36152541 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Although the in vivo toxicity of nanoplastics (NPs) has already been reported in different model systems, their effects on mammalian behavior are poorly understood. Thus, we aimed to evaluate whether exposure to polystyrene (PS) NPs (diameter: 23.03 ± 0.266 nm) alters the behavior (locomotor, anxiety-like and antipredator) of male Swiss mice, induces brain antioxidant activity, and erythrocyte DNA damage. For this, the animals were exposed to NPs for 20 days at different doses (6.5 ng/kg and 6500 ng/kg). Initially, we did not observe any effect of pollutants on the locomotor activity of the animals (inferred via open field test and Basso mouse scale for locomotion). However, we noticed an anxiolytic-like behavior (in the open field test) and alterations in the antipredatory defensive response of mice exposed to PS NPs, when confronted with their predator potential (snake, Pantherophis guttatus). Furthermore, such changes were associated with suppressing brain antioxidant activity, inferred by lower DPPH radical scavenging activity, reduced total glutathione content, as well as the translocation and accumulation of NPs in the brain of the animals. In addition, we noted that the treatments induced DNA damage, evaluated via a single-cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) applied to circulating erythrocytes of the animals. However, we did not observe a dose-response effect for all biomarkers evaluated and the estimated accumulation of PS NPs in the brain. The values of the integrated biomarker response index and the results of the principal component analysis (PCA) and the hierarchical clustering analysis confirmed the similarity between the responses of animals exposed to different doses of PS NPs. Therefore, our study sheds light on how PS NPs can impact mammals and reinforce the ecotoxicological risk associated with the dispersion of these pollutants in natural environments and their uptake by mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ítalo Nascimento Freitas
- Laboratory of Toxicology Applied to the Environment, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Ecology, Conservation, and Biodiversity, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Nabisab Mujawar Mubarak
- Petroleum and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan BE1410, Brunei Darussalam
| | - Md Mostafizur Rahman
- Laboratory of Environmental Health and Ecotoxicology, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Damià Barceló
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), H2O Building, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Emili Grahit 101, 17003, Girona, Spain; Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), JordiGirona 1826, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Guilherme Malafaia
- Laboratory of Toxicology Applied to the Environment, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Conservation of Cerrado Natural Resources, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Ecology, Conservation, and Biodiversity, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Biotechnology and Biodiversity, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
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18
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Spontaneously hypertensive rats manifest deficits in emotional response to 22-kHz and 50-kHz ultrasonic playback. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 120:110615. [PMID: 36007820 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2022.110615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Many symptoms used routinely for human psychiatric diagnosis cannot be directly observed in animals which cannot describe their internal states. However, the ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) rodents use to communicate their emotional states can be measured. USV have therefore become a particularly useful tool in brain disease models. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) are considered an animal model of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and schizophrenia. However, the specifics of SHR's behavior have not been fully described and there is very little data on their USV. Recently, we developed a communication model, in which Wistar rats are exposed to pre-recorded playbacks of aversive (22-kHz) or appetitive (50-kHz) USV, and their vocal responses depend on the extent of prior fear conditioning (0, 1, 6 or 10 shocks). Here, we investigated SHR's behavior and heart rate (HR) in our communication model, in comparison to Wistar rats employed as controls. In general, SHR emitted typical USV categories, however, they contained more short 22-kHz and less 50-kHz USV overall. Moreover, fewer SHR, in comparison with Wistar rats, emitted long 22-kHz USV after fear conditioning. SHR did not show a 50-kHz playback-induced HR increase, while they showed a profound 22-kHz playback-induced HR decrease. Finally, the number of previously delivered conditioning shocks appeared to have no effect on the investigated vocal, locomotor and HR responses of SHR. The phenomena observed in SHR are potentially attributable to deficits in emotional perception and processing. A lower number of 50-kHz USV emitted by SHR may reflect observations of speech impairments in human patients and further supports the usefulness of SHR to model ADHD and schizophrenia.
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19
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Ramos A, Granzotto N, Kremer R, Boeder AM, de Araújo JFP, Pereira AG, Izídio GS. Hunting for Genes Underlying Emotionality in the Laboratory Rat: Maps, Tools and Traps. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:1840-1863. [PMID: 36056863 PMCID: PMC10514530 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220901154034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Scientists have systematically investigated the hereditary bases of behaviors since the 19th century, moved by either evolutionary questions or clinically-motivated purposes. The pioneer studies on the genetic selection of laboratory animals had already indicated, one hundred years ago, the immense complexity of analyzing behaviors that were influenced by a large number of small-effect genes and an incalculable amount of environmental factors. Merging Mendelian, quantitative and molecular approaches in the 1990s made it possible to map specific rodent behaviors to known chromosome regions. From that point on, Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analyses coupled with behavioral and molecular techniques, which involved in vivo isolation of relevant blocks of genes, opened new avenues for gene mapping and characterization. This review examines the QTL strategy applied to the behavioral study of emotionality, with a focus on the laboratory rat. We discuss the challenges, advances and limitations of the search for Quantitative Trait Genes (QTG) playing a role in regulating emotionality. For the past 25 years, we have marched the long journey from emotionality-related behaviors to genes. In this context, our experiences are used to illustrate why and how one should move forward in the molecular understanding of complex psychiatric illnesses. The promise of exploring genetic links between immunological and emotional responses are also discussed. New strategies based on humans, rodents and other animals (such as zebrafish) are also acknowledged, as they are likely to allow substantial progress to be made in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Ramos
- Behavior Genetics Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Natalli Granzotto
- Behavior Genetics Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Pharmacology, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Rafael Kremer
- Behavior Genetics Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Developmental and Cellular Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Ariela Maína Boeder
- Behavior Genetics Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Pharmacology, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Julia Fernandez Puñal de Araújo
- Behavior Genetics Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Developmental and Cellular Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Aline Guimarães Pereira
- Behavior Genetics Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Developmental and Cellular Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Geison Souza Izídio
- Behavior Genetics Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Pharmacology, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Developmental and Cellular Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
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20
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Xu C, Su L, Qiu N, Hou M, Yu F, Zou X, Wang J. The Effect of Unpredictable Chronic Stress on Rare Minnow ( Gobiocypris rarus): Growth, Behaviour and Physiology. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11121755. [PMID: 36552265 PMCID: PMC9775413 DOI: 10.3390/biology11121755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Fishes often adjust their behaviour patterns and physiological responses to cope with changing environments, and different life experiences affect them differently. Fishes might adapt to short-term stress, whereas long-term unpredictable stress may lead to various adverse effects. Although some studies have constructed unpredictable stress models of fish, the effect of unpredictable chronic stress (UCS) in the laboratory is poorly understood in fishes. In the current study, we exposed adult rare minnow to an unpredictable chronic stress protocol over 7 and 14 days and measured their response in terms of growth performance, cortisol, neurotransmitter levels (DA, 5-HT, and related metabolites), and behaviour patterns to comprehensively assess the effects of UCS on laboratory rare minnow. We discovered that specific growth rates were significantly decreased, and cortisol levels were lowered in both 7-days and 14-days stress groups. In the behaviour test, the activity level of the 14-days stress group increased, but there was no significant difference in the number of crossings to the center areas, time spent in the center areas, or the speed. In addition, the levels of DA and 5-HT did not change in the stress groups, but the DOPAC and 5-HIAA levels in the 14 days stress group were significantly higher than those in the control group. These results suggested that UCS influences rare minnow growth performance, behaviour patterns, and cortisol levels, and similar stress should be minimised in the laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunsen Xu
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liangxia Su
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Ning Qiu
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Miaomiao Hou
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fandong Yu
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xinhua Zou
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jianwei Wang
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
- National Aquatic Biological Resource Center, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430070, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-027-6878-0033
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21
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Linhares SSG, Meurer YDSR, de Aquino ACQ, Câmara DDA, Brandão LEM, Fiuza FP, Lima RH, Engelberth RCJG, Cavalcante JS. Prenatal exposure to fluoxetine modulates emotionality and aversive memory in male and female rat offspring. Behav Pharmacol 2022; 33:575-588. [PMID: 36256730 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
During pregnancy, women are prone to depression, for which selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine, are usually the first-line treatment. However, fluoxetine can cross the placental barrier and affect fetuses, causing changes in serotonin levels early in life. Long-term effects in the brain circuits that control cognitive and emotional behavior are related to early fluoxetine exposure during development. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether fluoxetine exposure (10 mg/kg/day) from the 13th gestational day (GD13) to GD21 may lead to behavioral emotional-cognitive changes in male and female rat offspring approximately 90 days postnatally (~PN90). We have analyzed the performance of individuals in the open field and in the plus-maze discriminative avoidance task, which assesses anxiety and learning/memory processing behaviors. We have found that prenatal (GD13-GD21) exposure to fluoxetine strengthened aversive memory and induced higher anxiety levels in males, and quick extinction of aversive memory in females. Taken together, these results suggest that early exposure to fluoxetine impairs the basal state of anxiety and the cognitive functions of rats during adulthood, which may be in a sex-specific manner because males appear more susceptible than females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Sophia G Linhares
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Ywlliane da Silva R Meurer
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Antônio Carlos Queiroz de Aquino
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Diego de Aquino Câmara
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | | | - Felipe Porto Fiuza
- Graduate Program in Neuroengineering, Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, Brazil
| | - Ramón Hypolito Lima
- Graduate Program in Neuroengineering, Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, Brazil
| | - Rovena Clara J G Engelberth
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Jeferson Souza Cavalcante
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
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22
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Améndola L, Weary D, Zobel G. Effects of personality on assessments of anxiety and cognition. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 141:104827. [PMID: 35970418 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Individual variation in responses to commonly used tests of anxiety and spatial memory is often reported. While this variation is frequently considered to be 'noise', evidence suggests that it is, at least partially, related to consistent individual differences in behavioral responses (i.e., personality). The same tests used to assess anxiety are often used to profile personality traits, but personality differences are rarely considered when testing treatment differences in anxiety. Focusing on the rat literature, we describe fundamental principles involved in anxiety and spatial memory tests and we discuss how personality differences and housing conditions can influence behavioral responses in these tests. We propose that an opportunity exists to increase stress resiliency in environmentally sensitive individuals by providing environmental enrichment. We conclude by discussing different approaches to incorporating personality measures into the design and analysis of future studies; given the potential that variation masks research outcomes, we suggest that a strategy which considers the individual and its housing can contribute to improving research reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Améndola
- Animal Welfare Program, University of British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Daniel Weary
- Animal Welfare Program, University of British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Gosia Zobel
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare Team, AgResearch Ltd., Ruakura Research Centre, 10 Bisley Road, Private Bag 3123, Hamilton 3214, New Zealand.
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23
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Börchers S, Krieger JP, Asker M, Maric I, Skibicka KP. Commonly-used rodent tests of anxiety-like behavior lack predictive validity for human sex differences. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 141:105733. [PMID: 35367714 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Women are more likely to develop an anxiety disorder than men. Yet, preclinical models of anxiety were largely developed in male rodents, with poorly understood predictive validity for sex differences. Here, we investigate whether commonly-used anxiety-like behavior tests, elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field (OF), represent the human sex difference in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. When interpreted by EPM or OF, female rats displayed less anxiety-like behavior compared to males, as they spent twice as much time in the open arms of the EPM or the center of the OF compared to males. However, they also displayed vastly different levels of locomotor activity, possibly confounding interpretation of these locomotion-dependent tests. To exclude locomotion from the assessment, the acoustic startle response (ASR) test was used. When interpreted by the ASR test, females displayed more anxiety-like behavior compared to males, as indicated by a nearly two-fold higher startle amplitude. The observed sex differences were not driven by gonadal steroids. Overall, all but one of the tests fail to mirror the sex difference in anxiety reported in humans. Our findings suggest that the ASR might be a better fit in modelling female anxiety-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stina Börchers
- Institute for Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jean-Philippe Krieger
- Institute for Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mohammed Asker
- Institute for Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ivana Maric
- Institute for Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Nutritional Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Karolina P Skibicka
- Institute for Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Nutritional Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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24
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Differential Effects of a Novel Opioid Ligand UTA1003 on Antinociceptive Tolerance and Motor Behaviour. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15070789. [PMID: 35890089 PMCID: PMC9318816 DOI: 10.3390/ph15070789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Analgesic tolerance is a major problem in the clinic for the maintenance of opioid-induced long-term pain relief. Opioids with mixed activity on multiple opioid receptors promise reduced antinociceptive tolerance in preclinical studies, but these compounds typically show poor bioavailability upon oral, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, or intravenous administration. We designed UTA1003 as a novel opioid that acts as a mu (MOP) and kappa (KOP) opioid receptor agonist and a partial agonist for delta (DOP) opioid receptor. In the present study, its antinociceptive effects, as well as its effects on antinociceptive tolerance and motor behaviour, were investigated in male rats. Acute antinociception was measured before (basal) and at different time points after subcutaneous injection of UTA1003 or morphine using the tail flick and hot plate assays. Various motor behavioural activities, including horizontal locomotion, rearing, and turning, were automatically measured in an open-field arena. The antinociceptive and behavioural effects of repeated administration of UTA1003 and morphine were determined over eight days. UTA1003 induced mild antinociceptive effects after acute administration but induced no tolerance after repeated treatment. Importantly, UTA1003 co-treatment with morphine prevented antinociceptive tolerance compared to morphine alone. UTA1003 showed less motor suppression than morphine in both acute and sub-chronic treatment regimens, while it did not affect morphine-induced motor suppression or hyper-excitation. Based on these activities, we speculate that UTA1003 crosses the blood-brain barrier after subcutaneous administration and, therefore, could be developed as a lead molecule to avoid opioid-induced antinociceptive tolerance and motor suppression. Further structural modifications to improve its antinociceptive effects, toxicity profile, and ADME parameters are nevertheless required.
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25
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Rudolfová V, Petrásek T, Antošová E, Frynta D, Landová E, Valeš K, Nekovářová T. Inter-individual differences in laboratory rats as revealed by three behavioural tasks. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9361. [PMID: 35672428 PMCID: PMC9174278 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13288-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Stable inter-individual differences in behaviour and personality have been studied for several decades now. The aim of this study was to test the repeatability of behaviour of the Long Evans strain of laboratory rats in order to assess their inter-individual differences. Male laboratory rats (n = 36) were tested in a series of tasks (Open field test, Elevated plus maze test, and modified T-maze test) repeated over time to assess their personality traits. To evaluate the temporal stability of the behaviour, we calculated repeatability estimates of the examined traits. We also checked for a link in behavioural traits across these experiments, which would suggest the existence of a behavioural syndrome. We found stable inter-individual differences in behaviour. Interestingly, no link emerged between the tasks we studied and therefore we did not find support for a behavioural syndrome. The lack of behavioural correlations between these experiments suggests that the results derived from these tasks should be interpreted carefully, as these experiments may measure various behavioural axes. Moreover, the animals habituate to the apparatus. Consequently, behaviour in the Open field test and Elevated plus maze test is not fully consistent and repeatable across subsequent trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Rudolfová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.,National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Petrásek
- Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.,National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Eliška Antošová
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Frynta
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Landová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Valeš
- Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.,National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Nekovářová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. .,Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic. .,National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic. .,Department of Ethology and Companion Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
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26
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A Framework for Developing Translationally Relevant Animal Models of Stress-Induced Changes in Eating Behavior. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:888-897. [PMID: 34433512 PMCID: PMC8720907 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Stress often affects eating behaviors, leading to increased eating in some individuals and decreased eating in others. Identifying physiological and psychological factors that determine the direction of eating responses to stress has been a major goal of epidemiological and clinical studies. However, challenges of standardizing the stress exposure in humans hinder efforts to uncover the underlying mechanisms. The issue of what determines the direction of stress-induced feeding responses has not been directly addressed in animal models, but assays that combine stress with a feeding-related task are commonly used as readouts of other behaviors, such as anxiety. Sex, estrous cyclicity, circadian cyclicity, caloric restriction, palatable diets, elevated body weight, and properties of the stressors similarly influence feeding behavior in humans and rodent models. Yet, most rodent studies do not use conditions that are most relevant for studying feeding behavior in humans. This review proposes a conceptual framework for incorporating these influences to develop reproducible and translationally relevant assays to study effects of stress on food intake. Such paradigms have the potential to uncover links between emotional eating and obesity as well as to the etiology of eating disorders.
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27
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Anjos PAR, Marchette RCN, Kremer R, Granzotto N, Alves TM, Fadanni GP, Mazur FG, Anton EL, da Silva-Santos JE, Linder ÁE, Izídio GS. The influence of chromosome 4 on high ethanol consumption and blood pressure. Alcohol 2022; 102:1-10. [PMID: 35500756 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2022.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) strain was developed through selective breeding for high systolic blood pressure. In our laboratory, we established a congenic rat strain named SHR.Lewis-Anxrr16 (SLA16). The SLA16 rat strain is genetically identical to the SHR except for the inserted Anxrr16 region in chromosome 4. Our objective was to evaluate the influence of this genomic region on ethanol consumption and blood pressure. First, we exposed SHR and SLA16 male and female rats to ethanol consumption. Results showed that, regardless of strain, females consumed more ethanol than males during forced (10% v/v) and spontaneous ethanol consumption (SEC; 2.5-20% v/v). Then, females from both strains were used to evaluate sensitivity to ethanol. No strain differences in the loss of righting reflex were observed after ethanol treatment (3 g/kg, 20% w/v, intraperitoneal [i.p.]). But, in the triple test, female SHR rats presented lower sensitivity to the ethanol (1.2 g/kg, 14% w/v, i.p.). Surprisingly, female SHR rats also presented higher blood pressure after SEC (10% v/v). Finally, losartan treatment was effective in decreasing the blood pressure of female rats of both strains, but had specific effects on SHR ethanol consumption. Our data suggest that SLA16 female rats consume less ethanol (10%), are more sensitive to its effects, and present lower blood pressure than SHR female rats. We demonstrated that the Anxrr16 locus in chromosome 4 is a genetic candidate to explain high ethanol consumption and blood pressure, at least in females.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Renata Cristina Nunes Marchette
- Department of Pharmacology - Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil; Neurobiology of Addiction Section, Integrative Neuroscience Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Program, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Rafael Kremer
- Department of Cellular Biology, Embryology, and Genetics - Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil; Department of Medicine - Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Natalli Granzotto
- Department of Pharmacology - Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Thalita Mello Alves
- Department of Cellular Biology, Embryology, and Genetics - Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Pasetto Fadanni
- Department of Pharmacology - Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil; Department of Cellular Biology, Embryology, and Genetics - Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Fernando Gabriel Mazur
- Department of Cellular Biology, Embryology, and Genetics - Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Elaine Leocádia Anton
- Department of Pharmacology - Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | | | - Áurea Elizabeth Linder
- Department of Pharmacology - Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Geison Souza Izídio
- Department of Pharmacology - Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil; Department of Cellular Biology, Embryology, and Genetics - Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
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28
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Ningthoujam DS, Singh N, Mukherjee S. Possible Roles of Cyclic Meditation in Regulation of the Gut-Brain Axis. Front Psychol 2021; 12:768031. [PMID: 35002859 PMCID: PMC8727337 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.768031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nilkamal Singh
- Department of Yoga, Manipur University, Imphal, India
- *Correspondence: Nilkamal Singh
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29
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Shanazz K, Dixon-Melvin R, Bunting KM, Nalloor R, Vazdarjanova AI. Light-Dark Open Field (LDOF): A novel task for sensitive assessment of anxiety. J Neurosci Methods 2021; 363:109325. [PMID: 34418444 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2021.109325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pre-clinical studies of psychiatric disorders often include a measure of anxiety-like behavior. Several tasks exist that serve this purpose, but because anxiety is complex with a myriad of anxiogenic stimuli, researchers are often compelled to use multiple tasks. The Light-Dark Open Field (LDOF) combines concepts from two such tasks, Light-Dark Box and Open Field, into one task with the synergistic effect of enhanced discrimination of anxiety-like behavior. NEW METHODS Our goal was to increase the sensitivity of the Open Field task with the addition of a shadow, conceptually similar to the Light-Dark Box, to detect concealed differences even under bright light, which is highly anxiogenic. The resulting LDOF allows assessment of anxiety due to bright light and open space simultaneously, while retaining the ability to assess the impact of each with custom indices. In addition, it maintains all the advantages and measures of the Open Field. RESULTS Using custom created indices from measures collected in the LDOF one can assess anxiety induced by light, open space, or light and open space combined and thus elucidate anxiety-inducing factors. Using two strains of rats: an outbred strain, Sprague-Dawley (SD), and a strain that exhibits high trait anxiety, Lewis rats, we found that increased discrimination for anxiety-like behavior can be achieved with the Light-Dark Open Field. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING MODELS The LDOF allows researchers to extract the traditional measures of an Open Field, including valuable information about locomotion and habituation while adding a further layer of discrimination with the light-dark component. Because the LDOF is a combination of two different tests, it saves time compared to running multiple experiments in series that then need to be counterbalanced to reduce artefacts and task order effects. In addition, it detects differences even when traditional tasks of anxiety have reached their ceiling sensitivity (i.e. EPM under bright light conditions). CONCLUSION We present the Light-Dark Open Field: a simple modification of an existing Open Field apparatus that incorporates aspects of the Light-Dark Box with the addition of a shadow. The shadow (Dark Perimeter) allows for increased discrimination in detecting anxiety-like behaviors. Comparison of anxiety-like behavior between Lewis and SD rats allowed us to develop the construct and face validity of the LDOF as well as demonstrate its sensitivity even under bright light conditions. In addition, we developed 3 indices that allow one to parse out, from one set of data, the effect of two anxiogenic stimuli- bright light and open space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadijah Shanazz
- VA Research Service, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA, United States; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Rachael Dixon-Melvin
- VA Research Service, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA, United States; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Kristopher M Bunting
- VA Research Service, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA, United States; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Rebecca Nalloor
- VA Research Service, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA, United States; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Almira I Vazdarjanova
- VA Research Service, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA, United States; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States.
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30
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Methods and Challenges in Investigating Sex-Specific Consequences of Social Stressors in Adolescence in Rats: Is It the Stress or the Social or the Stage of Development? Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2021; 54:23-58. [PMID: 34455576 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2021_245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is a time of social learning and social restructuring that is accompanied by changes in both the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The activation of these axes by puberty and stressors, respectively, shapes adolescent development. Models of social stress in rats are used to understand the consequences of perturbations of the social environment for ongoing brain development. This paper reviews the challenges in investigating the sex-specific consequences of social stressors, sex differences in the models of social stress used in rats and the sex-specific effects on behaviour and provides an overview of sex differences in HPA responding to stressors, the variability in pubertal development and in strains of rats that require consideration in conducting such research, and directions for future research.
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Dondoladze K, Nikolaishvili M, Zurabashvili D. The effect of balneotherapy on the oxidative system and changes in anxiety behavior, enhanced by low doses of radon. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 97:1461-1469. [PMID: 34323641 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1956009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of our research was to study the effect of radon hormesis balneotherapy using natural thermal waters of Tskaltubo spring, practically, its effect on oxidant and antioxidant systems and anxiety reactions in rats. Radon is a natural gas with radioactive properties, which can have a hermetic effect when used in small doses. Radon was used to activate antioxidant mechanisms in rats, which resulted an anxiolytic effect and positively enhanced the effect of balneotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS To study the effect of radon in balneotherapy, groups of experimental animals (rats) were exposed to three different treatments. The radon-containing waters of Tskaltubo spring were inhaled in one group and 5 after taking the water in another group. Saline was used for inhalation in animals of the saline group. In animals of the control and sham control groups, inhalation was not used. To assess the anxiolytic effect of radon inhalation, the anxiety was induced and behavioral tests were performed (the open field and the elevated plus-maze test) after 24 h and 5 days of inhalation procedures. RESULTS The anxiety test results showed that exposure to low doses of radon led to a decrease in the level of anxiety in rats. The data show that the total distance traveled by rats in the open field test after inhalation of radon was significantly greater than that by animals in the sham control and control groups. During the open field and elevated plus-maze tests, rats that had inhaled radon spent more time in the central part of the open field and on the open arms of the maze than did the other groups of rats. In the group of rats that had not inhaled radon, an increase in anxiety was observed. The basis of this reaction was an increase in the glutathione concentration. CONCLUSION Based on our research, it can be concluded that the inhalation of small doses of radon, associated with treatments of waters from the Tskaltubo spring, activated the antioxidant systems of the body and enhanced the positive effect of balneotherapy. Clinically, this is expressed as a decrease in anxiety. Inhalation of small doses of radon activated antioxidant processes in the brain, causing an increase in glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khatuna Dondoladze
- Department of Radiobiology at Iv, Beritashvili Center for Experimental Biomedicine, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Marina Nikolaishvili
- Department of Radiobiology at Iv, Beritashvili Center for Experimental Biomedicine, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - David Zurabashvili
- Faculty of Medicine, Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
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Exploratory drive, fear, and anxiety are dissociable and independent components in foraging mice. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:318. [PMID: 34039953 PMCID: PMC8155035 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01458-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Anxiety-like behavior of rodents is frequently accompanied by reduced exploration. Here, we identify dissociable components of anxiety, fear, and exploratory drive of sated and foraging mice. With the help of behavioral assays, including the open field task, elevated plus maze, dark-light transition task, and beetle mania task, we demonstrate a general increase in exploration by food restriction. Food-restricted mice bred for high anxiety behavior (HAB) showed ameliorated anxiety- but not fear-related behavior. By means of principal component analysis, we identified three independent components, which resemble the behavioral dimensions proposed by Gray's Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (approach behavior, avoidance behavior, and decision making). Taken together, we demonstrate anxiolytic consequences of food restriction in a mouse model of anxiety disorders that can be dissociated from a general increase in foraging behavior.
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Chaney AM, Lopez-Picon FR, Serrière S, Wang R, Bochicchio D, Webb SD, Vandesquille M, Harte MK, Georgiadou C, Lawrence C, Busson J, Vercouillie J, Tauber C, Buron F, Routier S, Reekie T, Snellman A, Kassiou M, Rokka J, Davies KE, Rinne JO, Salih DA, Edwards FA, Orton LD, Williams SR, Chalon S, Boutin H. Prodromal neuroinflammatory, cholinergic and metabolite dysfunction detected by PET and MRS in the TgF344-AD transgenic rat model of AD: a collaborative multi-modal study. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:6644-6667. [PMID: 34093845 PMCID: PMC8171096 DOI: 10.7150/thno.56059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are valuable but do not fully recapitulate human AD pathology, such as spontaneous Tau fibril accumulation and neuronal loss, necessitating the development of new AD models. The transgenic (TG) TgF344-AD rat has been reported to develop age-dependent AD features including neuronal loss and neurofibrillary tangles, despite only expressing APP and PSEN1 mutations, suggesting an improved modelling of AD hallmarks. Alterations in neuronal networks as well as learning performance and cognition tasks have been reported in this model, but none have combined a longitudinal, multimodal approach across multiple centres, which mimics the approaches commonly taken in clinical studies. We therefore aimed to further characterise the progression of AD-like pathology and cognition in the TgF344-AD rat from young-adults (6 months (m)) to mid- (12 m) and advanced-stage (18 m, 25 m) of the disease. Methods: TgF344-AD rats and wild-type (WT) littermates were imaged at 6 m, 12 m and 18 m with [18F]DPA-714 (TSPO, neuroinflammation), [18F]Florbetaben (Aβ) and [18F]ASEM (α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor) and with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and with (S)-[18F]THK5117 (Tau) at 15 and 25 m. Behaviour tests were also performed at 6 m, 12 m and 18 m. Immunohistochemistry (CD11b, GFAP, Aβ, NeuN, NeuroChrom) and Tau (S)-[18F]THK5117 autoradiography, immunohistochemistry and Western blot were also performed. Results: [18F]DPA-714 positron emission tomography (PET) showed an increase in neuroinflammation in TG vs wildtype animals from 12 m in the hippocampus (+11%), and at the advanced-stage AD in the hippocampus (+12%), the thalamus (+11%) and frontal cortex (+14%). This finding coincided with strong increases in brain microgliosis (CD11b) and astrogliosis (GFAP) at these time-points as assessed by immunohistochemistry. In vivo [18F]ASEM PET revealed an age-dependent increase uptake in the striatum and pallidum/nucleus basalis of Meynert in WT only, similar to that observed with this tracer in humans, resulting in TG being significantly lower than WT by 18 m. In vivo [18F]Florbetaben PET scanning detected Aβ accumulation at 18 m, and (S)-[18F]THK5117 PET revealed subsequent Tau accumulation at 25m in hippocampal and cortical regions. Aβ plaques were low but detectable by immunohistochemistry from 6 m, increasing further at 12 and 18 m with Tau-positive neurons adjacent to Aβ plaques at 18 m. NeuroChrom (a pan neuronal marker) immunohistochemistry revealed a loss of neuronal staining at the Aβ plaques locations, while NeuN labelling revealed an age-dependent decrease in hippocampal neuron number in both genotypes. Behavioural assessment using the novel object recognition task revealed that both WT & TgF344-AD animals discriminated the novel from familiar object at 3 m and 6 m of age. However, low levels of exploration observed in both genotypes at later time-points resulted in neither genotype successfully completing the task. Deficits in social interaction were only observed at 3 m in the TgF344-AD animals. By in vivo MRS, we showed a decrease in neuronal marker N-acetyl-aspartate in the hippocampus at 18 m (-18% vs age-matched WT, and -31% vs 6 m TG) and increased Taurine in the cortex of TG (+35% vs age-matched WT, and +55% vs 6 m TG). Conclusions: This multi-centre multi-modal study demonstrates, for the first time, alterations in brain metabolites, cholinergic receptors and neuroinflammation in vivo in this model, validated by robust ex vivo approaches. Our data confirm that, unlike mouse models, the TgF344-AD express Tau pathology that can be detected via PET, albeit later than by ex vivo techniques, and is a useful model to assess and longitudinally monitor early neurotransmission dysfunction and neuroinflammation in AD.
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Snyder CN, Brown AR, Buffalari D. Similar tests of anxiety-like behavior yield different results: comparison of the open field and free exploratory rodent procedures. Physiol Behav 2021; 230:113246. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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35
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Baumbach JL, McCormick CM. Nicotine sensitization (Part 2): Time spent in the centre of an open field sensitizes to repeated nicotine into the drug-free state in female rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:371-382. [PMID: 33123818 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05686-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Nicotine is initially anxiogenic and becomes anxiolytic after prolonged exposure. The mechanisms that facilitate the shift in anxiety-like behaviour produced by nicotine are unclear. OBJECTIVE We investigated the change in time spent in the centre of an open field (as a measure anxiety-like behaviour) produced by three intermittent injections of nicotine as part of experiments of locomotor sensitization to nicotine. METHODS Rats were injected with nicotine (0.4 mg/kg) or saline and immediately placed in the open field arena for 1 h on two consecutive days and again 9 days later. RESULTS When given saline, time spent in the centre of the arena did not change, whereas repeated nicotine injections increased in time spent in the centre beyond the increase produced by an acute injection of nicotine. Repeated nicotine (and not acute nicotine) also increased time in the centre in a drug-free state when tested 24 h after the last injection. CONCLUSION Repeated nicotine sensitized the time spent in the centre of an open field with the long-lasting sensitization of this measure of anxiety-like behaviour evident in a drug-free state, in contrast to locomotor sensitization which does not persist in the drug-free state. The results suggest independence of the mechanisms of sensitization that underlie locomotor and anxiolytic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cheryl M McCormick
- Department of Psychology, Department of Biological Sciences, Centre for Neuroscience, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2S 3A1, Canada.
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Mendonça MM, Costa AN, Moraes GCA, Martins GM, Almeida AF, Rincon GCN, Siqueira JPR, Padilha DM, Moya MI, Ferreira-Neto ML, Gomes RM, Pedrino GR, Fontes MAP, Colombari E, Crestani CC, Fajemiroye JO, Xavier CH. Centrally acting antihypertensives change the psychogenic cardiovascular reactivity. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2021; 35:892-905. [PMID: 33465820 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Clonidine (CL) and Rilmenidine (RI) are among the most frequently prescribed centrally acting antihypertensives. Here, we compared CL and RI effects on psychogenic cardiovascular reactivity to sonant, luminous, motosensory, and vibrotactile stimuli during neurogenic hypertension. The femoral artery and vein of Wistar (WT - normotensive) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were catheterized before (24 h interval) i.p. injection of vehicle (NaCl 0.9%, control - CT group), CL (10 µg/kg), or RI (10 µg/kg) and acute exposure to luminous (5000 lm), sonant (75 dB sudden tap), motor (180° cage twist), and air-jet (10 L/min - restraint and vibrotactile). Findings showed that: (i) CL or RI reduced the arterial pressure of SHR, without affecting basal heart rate in WT and SHR; (ii) different stimuli evoked pressor and tachycardic responses; (iii) CL and RI reduced pressor response to sound; (iv) CL or RI reduced pressor responses to luminous stimulus without a change in peak tachycardia in SHR; (v) cage twist increased blood pressure in SHR, which was attenuated by CL or RI; (vi) air-jet increased pressure and heart rate; (vii) CL or RI attenuated the pressor responses to air-jet in SHR while RI reduced the chronotropic reactivity in both strains. Altogether, both antihypertensives relieved the psychogenic cardiovascular responses to different stimuli. The RI elicited higher cardioprotective effects through a reduction in air-jet-induced tachycardia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M Mendonça
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil
| | - Amanda N Costa
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil
| | - Gean C A Moraes
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil
| | - Gustavo M Martins
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil.,School of Medicine, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil
| | - Aline F Almeida
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil.,School of Medicine, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil
| | - Gabriel C N Rincon
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil.,School of Medicine, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil
| | - João P R Siqueira
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil.,School of Medicine, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil
| | - Daniella M Padilha
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil.,School of Medicine, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil
| | - Marcela I Moya
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil.,School of Medicine, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil
| | | | - Rodrigo Mello Gomes
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil
| | | | | | - Eduardo Colombari
- School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Carlos C Crestani
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | - James O Fajemiroye
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil
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Mncube K, Möller M, Harvey BH. Post-weaning Social Isolated Flinders Sensitive Line Rats Display Bio-Behavioural Manifestations Resistant to Fluoxetine: A Model of Treatment-Resistant Depression. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:688150. [PMID: 34867504 PMCID: PMC8635751 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.688150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) complicates the management of major depression (MD). The underlying biology of TRD involves interplay between genetic propensity and chronic and/or early life adversity. By combining a genetic animal model of MD and post-weaning social isolation rearing (SIR), we sought to produce an animal that displays more severe depressive- and social anxiety-like manifestations resistant to standard antidepressant treatment. Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) pups were social or isolation reared from weaning [postnatal day (PND) 21], receiving fluoxetine (FLX) from PND 63 (10 mg/kg × 14 days), and compared to Sprague Dawley (SD) controls. Depressive-, anxiety-like, and social behaviour were assessed from PND 72 in the forced swim test (FST) and social interaction test (SIT). Post-mortem cortico-hippocampal norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT), and dopamine (DA), as well as plasma interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), corticosterone (CORT), and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) levels were assayed. FSL rats displayed significant cortico-hippocampal monoamine disturbances, and depressive- and social anxiety-like behaviour, the latter two reversed by FLX. SIR-exposed FSL rats exhibited significant immobility in the FST and social impairment which were, respectively, worsened by or resistant to FLX. In SIR-exposed FSL rats, FLX significantly raised depleted NE and 5-HT, significantly decreased DBH and caused a large effect size increase in DA and decrease in CORT and TNF-α. Concluding, SIR-exposed FSL rats display depressive- and social anxiety-like symptoms that are resistant to, or worsened by, FLX, with reduced plasma DBH and suppressed cortico-hippocampal 5-HT, NE and DA, all variably altered by FLX. Exposure of a genetic animal model of MD to post-weaning SIR results in a more intractable depressive-like phenotype as well as changes in TRD-related biomarkers, that are resistant to traditional antidepressant treatment. Given the relative absence of validated animal models of TRD, these findings are especially promising and warrant study, especially further predictive validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khulekani Mncube
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (PharmaCen), Division of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Marisa Möller
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (PharmaCen), Division of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Brian H Harvey
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (PharmaCen), Division of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.,South African Medical Research Council Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health and Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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38
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Tsuda MC, Mahdi S, Namchuk A, Wu TJ, Lucki I. Vendor differences in anxiety-like behaviors in female and male Sprague Dawley rats. Physiol Behav 2020; 227:113131. [PMID: 32791181 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Although Sprague Dawley outbred rats are commonly used in behavioral, physiological, and pharmacological studies, dramatic differences in responses may emerge from rats obtained from different suppliers even when sex, age, and environmental conditions are maintained constant. In the present study, we compared behavioral responses on three tests related to anxiety of Sprague Dawley female and male rats obtained from three different vendors in the United States: Charles River, Envigo, and Taconic. All rats were tested in the open field, light-dark box, and elevated zero maze. We found reduced time spent in the center area of the open field and decreased light compartment duration in the light-dark box test in female and male rats from Taconic compared to Charles River and Envigo rats, suggesting anxiety-like behaviors differ between the three vendors. No vendor differences were found on performance in the elevated zero maze. Furthermore, the contribution of stress hormones to vendor differences was examined by measuring serum corticosterone levels in rats 30 min after exposure to the elevated zero maze. There were no vendor differences in corticosterone levels, suggesting that endogenous levels of stress hormones most likely did not contribute to vendor differences in anxiety-like behaviors. Collectively, these findings highlight the importance of vendor selection of the Sprague Dawley stock for research involving behavioral tests related to anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mumeko C Tsuda
- Rat Behavior Core, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Sumayyah Mahdi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Amanda Namchuk
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - T John Wu
- Rat Behavior Core, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Irwin Lucki
- Rat Behavior Core, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
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The influence of rat strain on the development of neuropathic pain and comorbid anxio-depressive behaviour after nerve injury. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20981. [PMID: 33262364 PMCID: PMC7708988 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77640-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Back-translating the clinical manifestations of human disease burden into animal models is increasingly recognized as an important facet of preclinical drug discovery. We hypothesized that inbred rat strains possessing stress hyper-reactive-, depressive- or anxiety-like phenotypes may possess more translational value than common outbred strains for modeling neuropathic pain. Rats (inbred: LEW, WKY, F344/ICO and F344/DU, outbred: Crl:SD) were exposed to Spared Nerve Injury (SNI) and evaluated routinely for 6 months on behaviours related to pain (von Frey stimulation and CatWalk-gait analysis), anxiety (elevated plus maze, EPM) and depression (sucrose preference test, SPT). Markers of stress reactivity together with spinal/brain opioid receptor expression were also measured. All strains variously developed mechanical allodynia after SNI with the exception of stress-hyporesponsive LEW rats, despite all strains displaying similar functional gait-deficits after injury. However, affective changes reflective of anxiety- and depressive-like behaviour were only observed for F344/DU in the EPM, and for Crl:SD in SPT. Although differences in stress reactivity and opioid receptor expression occurred, overall they were relatively unaffected by SNI. Thus, anxio-depressive behaviours did not develop in all strains after nerve injury, and correlated only modestly with degree of pain sensitivity or with genetic predisposition to stress and/or affective disturbances.
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Bishnoi IR, Ossenkopp KP, Kavaliers M. Sex and age differences in locomotor and anxiety-like behaviors in rats: From adolescence to adulthood. Dev Psychobiol 2020; 63:496-511. [PMID: 33047845 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Risk-taking behaviors are a primary contributor to elevated adolescent injury and mortality. Locomotor and anxiety-like behaviors in rodents have been used to examine risk-taking. Here, we examined risk-taking behavior (i.e., changes in locomotor and anxiety-like behaviors) from early to late adolescence and adulthood in male and female rats in the open-field (OF) apparatus and the light-dark (LD) test. We also examined whether these behaviors are affected by an early adolescent immune stressor, lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Long-Evans male and female rats were injected with LPS (200 μg/kg) or vehicle control in early adolescence (postnatal day [PND] 30 and 32). Anxiety-like behavior and locomotor activity were measured in early (PND 38-40), late adolescence (PND 50), and adulthood (PND 88 and 98) in the OF and in early adolescence (PND 42) and adulthood (PND 90) in the LD test. Early and late adolescent rats displayed significantly greater locomotor and anxiety-like behaviors than adult rats in the OF and LD test. Sex differences were also found, with adolescent and adult females displaying greater locomotor and anxiety-like behaviors than male rats in the OF and LD tests. LPS administered two times in early adolescence did not have a significant impact on either locomotor or anxiety-like behaviors suggesting minimal impact of the immune stressor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indra R Bishnoi
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Klaus-Peter Ossenkopp
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Martin Kavaliers
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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Kajero JA, Seedat S, Ohaeri J, Akindele A, Aina O. Investigation of the effects of cannabidiol on vacuous chewing movements, locomotion, oxidative stress and blood glucose in rats treated with oral haloperidol. World J Biol Psychiatry 2020; 21:612-626. [PMID: 32264772 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2020.1752934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: Tardive dyskinesia (TD) unlike acute dystonia may be irreversible. This study investigated the effects of oral cannabidiol (CBD) on haloperidol-induced vacuous chewing movement (VCM) model of TD. Methods: There were six experimental groups with different combinations of oral cannabidiol with 5 mg/kg of haloperidol given orally. Behavioural assays and FBS were measured. VCMs were assessed after the last dose of medication. Blood for oxidative stress assays was collected on the 8th day after the administration of the last dose of medication. Results: This study found that CBD co-administration with haloperidol attenuated the VCMs and increased motor tone produced by haloperidol. CBD alone at 5 mg/kg appears to have anxiolytic properties but may not be as effective as haloperidol which exhibited a greater anxiolytic effect at 5 mg/kg. Treatment with CBD alone at 5 mg/kg also appeared to enhance brain DPPH scavenging activity. Conclusions: We confirmed that CBD can ameliorate motor impairments produced by haloperidol. Our data suggest that CBD can be combined with haloperidol to prevent the emergent of extrapyramidal side effects and long-term movement disorders, such as acute dystonic disorder and TD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Soraya Seedat
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jude Ohaeri
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Abidemi Akindele
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics & Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Oluwagbemiga Aina
- Department of Biochemistry, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research Yaba Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
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Nephew BC, Nemeth A, Hudda N, Beamer G, Mann P, Petitto J, Cali R, Febo M, Kulkarni P, Poirier G, King J, Durant JL, Brugge D. Traffic-related particulate matter affects behavior, inflammation, and neural integrity in a developmental rodent model. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 183:109242. [PMID: 32097814 PMCID: PMC7167358 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies indicate that exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) is associated with cognitive delay, depression, anxiety, autism, and neurodegenerative diseases; however, the role of PM in the etiology of these outcomes is not well-understood. Therefore, there is a need for controlled animal studies to better elucidate the causes and mechanisms by which PM impacts these health outcomes. We assessed the effects of gestational and early life exposure to traffic-related PM on social- and anxiety-related behaviors, cognition, inflammatory markers, and neural integrity in juvenile male rats. Gestating and lactating rats were exposed to PM from a Boston (MA, USA) traffic tunnel for 5 h/day, 5 days/week for 6 weeks (3 weeks gestation, 3 weeks lactation). The target exposure concentration for the fine fraction of nebulized PM, measured as PM2.5, was 200 μg/m3. To assess anxiety and cognitive function, F1 male juveniles underwent elevated platform, cricket predation, nest building, social behavior and marble burying tests at 32-60 days of age. Upon completion of behavioral testing, multiple cytokines and growth factors were measured in these animals and their brains were analyzed with diffusion tensor MRI to assess neural integrity. PM exposure had no effect on litter size or weight, or offspring growth; however, F1 litters developmentally exposed to PM exhibited significantly increased anxiety (p = 0.04), decreased cognition reflected in poorer nest-organization (p = 0.04), and decreased social play and allogrooming (p = 0.003). MRI analysis of ex vivo brains revealed decreased structural integrity of neural tissues in the anterior cingulate and hippocampus in F1 juveniles exposed to PM (p < 0.01, p = 0.03, respectively). F1 juvenile males exposed to PM also exhibited significantly decreased plasma levels of both IL-18 (p = 0.03) and VEGF (p = 0.04), and these changes were inversely correlated with anxiety-related behavior. Chronic exposure of rat dams and their offspring to traffic-related PM during gestation and lactation decreases social behavior, increases anxiety, impairs cognition, decreases levels of inflammatory and growth factors (which are correlated with behavioral changes), and disrupts neural integrity in the juvenile male offspring. Our findings add evidence that exposure to traffic-related air pollution during gestation and lactation is involved in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder and other disorders which include social and cognitive deficits and/or increased anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin C Nephew
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, 100 Institute Rd, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA; University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, 55 N. Lake Road, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA.
| | - Alexandra Nemeth
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA
| | - Neelakshi Hudda
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Gillian Beamer
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA
| | - Phyllis Mann
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA
| | - Jocelyn Petitto
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, 100 Institute Rd, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA
| | - Ryan Cali
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, 100 Institute Rd, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA; University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, 55 N. Lake Road, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Marcelo Febo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Praveen Kulkarni
- Center for Translational NeuroImaging, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Guillaume Poirier
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, 55 N. Lake Road, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Jean King
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, 100 Institute Rd, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA; University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, 55 N. Lake Road, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - John L Durant
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA; Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02111, USA; Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civil Life, Tufts University, 10 Upper Campus Road, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Doug Brugge
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, 195 Farmington Ave., Farmington, CT, 06032, USA
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Hiew LF, Khairuddin S, Aquili L, Koh J, Fung ML, Lim WL, Lim LW. Behavioural responses of anxiety in aversive and non-aversive conditions between young and aged Sprague-Dawley rats. Behav Brain Res 2020; 385:112559. [PMID: 32097707 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Measures of anxiety in behavioural tests remain largely unclear even decades after their establishment. Differences in the severity of anxiety measured by anxiety tests is an important issue that must be addressed. To test the hypothesis that the addition of light as an aversive stimulus will elicit a difference in behaviour between aged and young animals, we compared the responses of aged and young animals in the home cage emergence test (HCET) and elevated plus maze (EPM), in high aversive bright light and low aversive dim light conditions. In the HCET, our results demonstrated that young animals escaped with shorter latency and greater frequency than aged animals in both bright and dim light conditions, indicating that young animals display greater exploratory tendencies than aged animals. In the EPM, bright light conditions induced anxiogenic effects in both age groups. Interestingly, two-way ANOVA showed a significant interaction effect of age and light on the number of entries into the open arms of the EPM as well as frequency of escape in the HCET. These results show that the addition of light as an aversive stimulus in the EPM and HCET produced different responses in aged versus young animals in each test. In conclusion, significant interactions between age and light affected aged and young animals differently in the HCET and EPM, indicating that the two tests measure different aspects of anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lih Fhung Hiew
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sharafuddin Khairuddin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Luca Aquili
- School of Psychological and Clinical Sciences, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
| | - Junhao Koh
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Malaysia
| | - Man-Lung Fung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wei Ling Lim
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Malaysia.
| | - Lee Wei Lim
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Malaysia.
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44
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Exploratory behaviour is associated with microhabitat and evolutionary radiation in Lake Malawi cichlids. Anim Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Brehm AM, Tironi S, Mortelliti A. Effects of trap confinement on personality measurements in two terrestrial rodents. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0221136. [PMID: 31986141 PMCID: PMC6984697 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, consistent individual differences in behavior, or personalities, have been a topic of increasing interest as researchers strive to understand and predict the responses of individuals and populations to anthropogenic changes. Behavioral studies in wild populations often require that animals are live trapped before behavioral observation can occur, and this is especially true in studies investigating animal personalities. However, it is unknown whether the amount of time confined to a live trap may regulate the behavior of trapped individuals. Specifically, if the duration of trap confinement directly influences behavior, then by obtaining wild animals through live trapping we may be confounding the very measurements of greatest interest. To investigate whether the duration of trap confinement influences the behavior of trapped individuals, we performed a study on two small mammal species, focusing specifically on personality traits. We positioned high-definition trail cameras facing Longworth small mammal traps in the field to observe capture events and record the time of capture. We then measured personality in captured deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and southern red-backed voles (Myodes gapperi) using three standardized tests, and through linear and generalized linear models we found that the time an animal had spent confined to a trap before testing did not affect 86% of behaviors exhibited. Our results showed two weak behavioral effects of confinement duration on boldness and docility resulting from an interaction between the duration of confinement and whether or not an individual was naïve to trapping. Our results suggest that behavioral measurements of wild, trapped small mammals are not determined by the time spent confined to a trap. However, researchers should use caution and consider whether an animal is naïve to trapping during analysis since habituation to the live trap may play a role in the effects of confinement duration on behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M. Brehm
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States of America
| | - Sara Tironi
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States of America
| | - Alessio Mortelliti
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States of America
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Ammari M, Othman H, Rtibi K, Sakly M, Abdelmelek H. The Effects of Carob ( Ceratonia siliqua L.) on Emotional Behavior Impairment and Metabolic Disorders Induced by Estrogen Deficiency in Rats. J Med Food 2020; 23:961-966. [PMID: 31971850 DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2019.0187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) contains a wide variety of polyphenols with high antioxidant properties. In this study, we investigated the effects of aqueous extract of carob pods (AECP) on emotional behavior impairments and metabolic disorders in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Female Wistar rats were assigned to three groups: group 1, control non-OVX rats; group 2, OVX rats; and group 3, OVX rats orally treated with AECP (500 mg/kg) for15 days after ovariectomy. Elevated plus-maze and open-field tests were performed on the 26th and 27th post-ovariectomy days, respectively. Afterwards, the rats were anesthetized and their serums were collected for biochemical analysis. We found that AECP improved emotional behavior impairments revealed by elevated plus-maze and open-field tests in OVX rats. Moreover, ovariectomy significantly increased triglyceride, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels in the serum. AECP administration significantly reversed ovariectomy-induced biochemical alterations. Thus, we suggest that the AECP may have an anxiolytic-like effect and prevent biochemical disorders associated with menopause or ovariectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Ammari
- Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Laboratory of Integrative Physiology, University of Carthage, Jarzouna, Tunisia.,Higher Institute of Applied Biological Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Haifa Othman
- Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Laboratory of Integrative Physiology, University of Carthage, Jarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Kaïs Rtibi
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Animal Physiology, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Beja, University of Jendouba, Béja, Tunisia
| | - Mohsen Sakly
- Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Laboratory of Integrative Physiology, University of Carthage, Jarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Hafedh Abdelmelek
- Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Laboratory of Integrative Physiology, University of Carthage, Jarzouna, Tunisia
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Cavaliere DR, Maisonnette S, Krahe TE, Landeira-Fernandez J, Cruz APM. High- and Low-conditioned Behavioral effects of midazolam in Carioca high- and low-conditioned freezing rats in an ethologically based test. Neurosci Lett 2020; 715:134632. [PMID: 31790719 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.134632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The selective breeding of laboratory rodents with different anxiety-related traits is the subject of growing interest. The present study compared the effects of the benzodiazepine midazolam in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test of anxiety in two lines of Wistar rats that were selectively bred in our laboratory for either high or low anxiety-like traits based on a contextual freezing conditioning paradigm. After phenotyping anxiety-like traits (i.e., conditioned freezing behavior), Carioca High-Freezing [CHF], Carioca Low-Freezing [CLF]) and control rats were intraperitoneally injected (1.0 ml/kg) with .9 % saline or midazolam (.25, .5, .75, and 1.0 mg/kg) and subjected to the EPM 30 min later. After the saline injection, the CHF and CLF groups exhibited lower and higher open-arm exploration in the EPM, respectively, compared with control rats. These results indicate that anxiety-related traits previously selected from an associative learning paradigm can also be phenotypically expressed in an ethologically based animal model of anxiety. All midazolam doses significantly increased open-arm exploration in both CHF and control animals, but this anxiolytic-like effect in CLF rats was only observed at the lowest dose tested (.25 mg/kg). The present findings indicate that these two breeding lines of rats are a useful model for studying anxiety, and the anxiolytic effect of midazolam depends on genetic variability that is associated with basal reactions to threatening situations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Silvia Maisonnette
- Department of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Thomas E Krahe
- Department of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - J Landeira-Fernandez
- Department of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Antonio Pedro Mello Cruz
- Laboratory of Psychobiology and Neuroscience, Institute of Psychology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil
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48
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Ouni S, Askri D, Jeljeli M, Abdelmalek H, Sakly M, Amara S. Toxicity and effects of copper oxide nanoparticles on cognitive performances in rats. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH 2019; 75:384-394. [PMID: 31876265 DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2019.1689376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing scientific evidences that the physical and chemical properties of manufactured nanoparticles lead to an increase in their bioavailability and toxicity. Among them Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) are widely used in different fields. However their potential adverse effects namely on brain functions are still discussed. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the subacute oral toxicity and effects of CuO-NPs on cognitive performances in rats. Rats were randomly divided into three groups of 8 animals each, a control group received a dose 9‰ sodium chloride and the other groups received a suspension of CuO-NPs at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg through oral gavage for 14 consecutive days. Multiple behavioral tests showed that CuO-NPs caused little changes in memory and learning performances as well as the locomotors activity, while the anxiety index increased. Copper NPs exposure increased also the liver and stomach relative weights and altered some blood biochemical parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souhir Ouni
- Faculty of Sciences Bizerta, Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Carthage University, Jarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Dalel Askri
- Faculty of Sciences Bizerta, Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Carthage University, Jarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Mustapha Jeljeli
- Faculty of Sciences Bizerta, Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Carthage University, Jarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Hafedh Abdelmalek
- Faculty of Sciences Bizerta, Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Carthage University, Jarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Mohsen Sakly
- Faculty of Sciences Bizerta, Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Carthage University, Jarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Salem Amara
- Faculty of Sciences Bizerta, Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Carthage University, Jarzouna, Tunisia
- Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Humanities, Shaqra University, Afif, Saudi Arabia
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49
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Hestehave S, Abelson KSP, Brønnum Pedersen T, Munro G. Stress sensitivity and cutaneous sensory thresholds before and after neuropathic injury in various inbred and outbred rat strains. Behav Brain Res 2019; 375:112149. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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50
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Dávila SG, Cuenca OT, Gil MG, Toledano-Díaz OA, Castaño C, Santiago-Moreno J, Campo JL. Anti-predator behavior in pure and hybrid red-legged partridges. Poult Sci 2019; 98:3085-3092. [PMID: 30778564 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pez075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-predator behavior in pure red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) and hybrids with chukar partridges (A. rufa × (A. rufa × A. chukar)). A total of 117 birds (66 pure and 51 hybrid partridges; 74 females and 43 males) maintained in outdoor cages were used at a range of 52 to 55 wk of age. Four active fear tests were performed (novel object test, fear of humans test, emergence test, and restraint test) in order to analyze differences between pure and hybrid populations regarding the escape response type (novel object test and fear of humans test), the withdrawal distance (fear of humans test), and the reaction time (emergence test and restraint test). These variables could determine the ability of pure partridges captive to survive when released into the wild for hunting. There were no significant differences in anti-predator behavior in pure and hybrid birds, only one trend was observed in withdrawal distance (P = 0.09), being greater in pure than in hybrids partridges. There was a significant difference between sexes in the response type in the novel object test (P = 0.05); whereby the females came closer to the object than the males. The results of the present study indicate that active anti-predatory behavior was not associated with the genotype. However, since captivity could reduce the active anti-predator behavior, the results could be different if the wild birds that were tested had been sourced from their natural environment. Both sexes had similar active anti-predator behavior, although the males showing less approach behavior to a novel object that could be related to the sex-dimorphic behavior in natural social structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- S G Dávila
- Department of Animal Breeding, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - O T Cuenca
- Department of Animal Breeding, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - M G Gil
- Department of Animal Breeding, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - O A Toledano-Díaz
- Departament of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - C Castaño
- Departament of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - J Santiago-Moreno
- Departament of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - J L Campo
- Department of Animal Breeding, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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