Home Endocrine Regulations 2011 Endocrine Regulations Vol.45, No.1, p.13-21, 2011

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Founded: 1967
ISSN 1210-0668
E-ISSN 1336-0329

Published in English

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Endocrine Regulations Vol.45, No.1, p.13-21, 2011

Title: Gender specific influence of endogenous glutamate release on stress-induced fear in rats
Author: S. K. Jain, D. Zelena

Abstract: Objective. Stress, fear and anxiety are among major public health concerns. The role of glutamate in these processes is becoming more recognized with promising new drug targets. The aim of this study was to establish the gender specificity of a possible treatment of fear by glutamate antagonists in correspondence with changes in stress-hormone release.
Methods. Footshock-induced fear was used as an anxiogenic situation in rats. A combination of two ionotrop receptor antagonists such as MK-801 (dizocilpine; 0.2 mg/kg) for NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartic acid) and GYKI 52466 (benzodiazepine derivative; 10 mg/kg) for AMPA/kainate receptors were used for 5 days following the hypothesis that they potentiate each other the main action, but at the same time the side effects may be minimized.
Results. Female rats tried to avoid the electrical stimulus more actively than males, as they spent more time with exploration and jumping and less time with freezing or rest. Ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonists have anxiolytic action. MK-801 was more effective in females, as it prevented the footshock-induced freezing per se, while in males it was effective only in combination with GyKI 52466. The locomotor side effect of MK-801 was not visible after repeated administration. The freezing behavior was positively correlated with the changes in prolactin but not with adrenocorticotropin levels.
Conclusions. We proved the involvement of endogenous glutamate neurotransmission in stress-induced fear. Therapeutical usage may involve a combination of different receptor antagonists. Special attention should be paid to the gender, as females seem to be more sensitive, therefore they require smaller doses. During the treatment the prolactin levels should be monitored.

Keywords: MK-801, GyKI 52466, footshock, freezing, prolactin
Year: 2011, Volume: 45, Issue: 1 Page From: 13, Page To: 21
doi:10.4149/endo_2011_01_13
Price: 18.00 €






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