Effect of high-intensity interval training on self-care and anxiety-like behaviors in naive rats.

Self-care behavior covers individual's health, life and well-being to maintain the necessary activities. The aim of this study is to examine the self-care and possible anxiolytic effects of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIT). Eight-week-old Wistar Albino male rats were divided into Control (n = 8), and Exercise (n = 8). Rat exercised for 38 min a day, 5 days a week, for 8 weeks The animals were then subjected to open field test and splash test, and the behaviors were video recorded. Student t test and Shapiro-Wilk test were used as statistical tests. In the exercise group, spray-induced grooming behavior increased significantly in terms of duration and frequency (p < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed in the latency of grooming (p > 0.05). In the open-field test, the total distance traveled, which is a locomotor activity parameter, did not change between the groups. Anxiolytic-like behaviors such as total rearing behavior, unsupported rearing, central time, and central region entries increased remarkably in the exercise group vs. control (p < 0.0001). Freezing as an anxiogenic behavior decreased in the exercise group positively (p < 0.0001). Intermittent high-intensity exercise improved and increased self-care behaviors. Further, the present study shows that HIIT has beneficial effects on different aspects of behaviors such as exploratory behaviors, increasing anxiolytic behaviors, and reducing anxiogenic behavior. The present study is a preclinical study that will pave the way for new studies.

Effects of aerobic exercise on lipopolysaccharide-induced experimental acute lung injury in the animal model of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? We evaluated the effects of diabetes and exercise on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury. By providing a comprehensive analysis of redox status, blood gases and histological parameters, we aimed to contribute to the ongoing debate in the literature. What are the main findings and its importance? We demonstrated the preventive effect of exercise, but diabetes did not alter the severity of acute lung injury. ABSTRACT: Acute lung injury (ALI) is a life-threatening respiratory condition. Diabetes (DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycaemia. There is an ongoing debate concerning whether there is a protective effect of diabetes in ALI. Exercise is a special type of physical activity that has numerous beneficial effects. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of diabetes and exercise on the prognosis of ALI. Male Wistar albino rats were divided into two groups (sedentary and exercise). Both groups were divided into four subgroups: Control, ALI, DM, DM+ALI (n = 6 each). Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg i.p.). The maximal exercise capacity was determined with the incremental load test. Animals were exercised on a treadmill for 45 min at 70% of maximal exercise capacity, 5 days a week for 12 weeks. Acute lung injury was induced by intratracheal injection of lipopolysaccharide (100 µg/100 g body weight) 24 h before the end of the experiment. We performed arterial blood gas analysis. Redox status was measured in both plasma and lung tissue. Malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels were measured in lung tissue. Lung tissue was evaluated histologically. Acute lung injury caused significant damage in the lung tissue, which was verified histologically, with an increase in oxidative stress parameters. Exercise prevented the lung damage induced by ALI and reduced oxidative stress in the lung tissue. Diabetes did not alter the magnitude of damage done by ALI. Exercise showed a protective effect against DM and ALI in rats. The effect of DM was insignificant for the prognosis of ALI.

Effects of chronic intermittent cold stress on anxiety-depression-like behaviors in adolescent rats.

Stress, which triggers numerous physiological and behavioral responses in the organism, is a significant risk factor that contributes to the development of psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. This study aimed to investigate the inflammation, oxidative stress status, anxiety, and depression-like behaviors of adolescent rodents exposed to chronic intermittent cold stress. Adolescent male rats were subjected to a modified chronic intermittent cold stress model (21 days, 1 hour/day, 4 °C). Depression-like behaviors were evaluated using the sucrose preference and forced swimming tests, while anxiety-like behaviors were assessed using the open field, elevated plus maze, and light-dark box tests. We measured levels of cortisol, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1ß, brain-derived natriuretic factor, reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, total oxidants and antioxidants, and other chemicals in the prefrontal cortex, thalamus, striatum, and hippocampus brain regions of rats using ELISA and colorimetric methods. Data were analyzed using Student's t-test and Pearson correlation analysis. After the cold stress treatment, both anxiety and depression-like behaviors increased remarkably in the subjects. Our study revealed significant changes in various brain regions among the stress-exposed subjects. Cold stress resulted in decreased BDNF levels in the prefrontal cortex and striatum (p < 0.05), increased cortisol levels in the prefrontal cortex (p < 0.05), increased IL-1ß levels in the hippocampus and thalamus (p < 0.05), increased protein carbonyl levels in the striatum (p < 0.05), and decreased TAS in the prefrontal cortex and thalamus (p < 0.05). Adolescent rats exposed to cold exhibit both anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. This study observed an increase in inflammation in various brain regions, yet the responses to stress varied. Our findings suggest that adolescence is a period of heightened sensitivity to stress, which can lead to dramatic consequences.

Chronic pregabalin treatment reduced anxiety, and acute pregabalin treatment increased depression-like behaviors in rats.

BACKGROUND: Pregabalin is an antiepileptic drug that binds to the alpha-2/delta unit at presynaptic voltage-dependent calcium channels. We aimed to investigate the effect of acute and chronic pregabalin administration on anxiety and depression-like behaviors. METHODS: Fifty-six male Wistar albino rats were divided into seven groups: control, vehicle, and five different dose groups (5, 10, 30, 60, and 100 mg/kg). Pregabalin was administered for two weeks. Depression-like behaviors were evaluated by Forced swimming test. Anxiety-like behavior (ALB) was evaluated by Open field test (OFT), Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), and light-dark box. Subjects underwent the forced swimming test (FST) after the first dose, while the open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM), and light-dark box (LDB) were performed after two weeks of treatment. Further sucrose preference test was conducted to evaluate anhedonia until the end of the experiment. RESULTS: In the forced swimming test, depression-like behaviors increased after acute single-dose administration of 10, 30, 60, 100 mg/kg pregabalin. According to OFT results, chronic 100 mg/kg pregabalin showed anxiolytic effects by decreasing grooming, and freezing behaviors. In addition, 100 mg/kg chronic pregabalin administration significantly increased the time spent in the central region, the number of entries to the center, and the unsupported rearing number without causing any change in locomotor activity. According to EPM results, both chronic 60 and 100 mg/kg pregabalin treatments showed anxiolytic effects by increasing open arm time and head dipping behavior. In addition, 60 and 100 mg/kg chronic pregabalin administration significantly decreased stretch attend posture. All pregabalin administrations between 5 and 100 mg/kg displayed anxiolytic effects in the LDB. Sucrose preference was above 65% for the duration of all experiments and subjects did not show anhedonia. CONCLUSION: Acute pregabalin treatment triggered depression-like behaviors. Anhedonia, which may be associated with depression, was not observed during chronic treatment. Moreover, chronic treatment with pregabalin revealed potent anxiolytic effects in different behavior patterns and doses for all tests of unconditional anxiety. In particular, 100 mg/kg chronic pregabalin administration decreased anxiety-like behaviors in all experiment setups. Although the anxiolytic effect was demonstrated in chronic treatment, acute treatment of pregabalin induced depression-like behaviors, and thus in clinical practice should be done with caution, especially in patients with anxiety-depression comorbidity.

Effects of the Recurrent and Different Doses of Ketamine Exposure on Anxiety-like Behaviors and Locomotor Activity in Juvenile Rats.

BACKGROUND: Ketamine is a widely used anesthetic agent. Although the potential adverse effects of ketamine use in juvenile age are uncertain, certain studies reported that children exposed to recurrent anesthesia could face an increased risk of neurodevelopmental deficits in motor function and behavioral risks. We aimed to investigate the long-term effects of repeated exposure to various ketamine doses on anxious behavior and locomotor activity in juvenile rats. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the long-term effects of repeated exposure to various ketamine doses on anxious behavior and locomotor activity in juvenile rats. METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar Albino juvenile male rats were randomized into 5 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, and 50 mg/kg ketamine (KET) and saline (Group C) Groups and KET was administered for 3 consecutive days at 3-hour intervals in 3 doses. Ten days after the last KET dose, behavioral parameters were analyzed with an open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM), and light-dark box (LDB). Satistical analysis was conducted with Kruskall-Wallis test followed by Dunn's Multiple Comparison Test. RESULTS: Unsupported rearing behavior decreased in 50 mg/kg KET Groups when compared to Group C. Incorrect transition time, total grooming time, and transfer latency time increased significantly in the 50 mg/kg KET Group when compared to Group C. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that 50 mg/kg KET led to anxiety-like behavior and destroyed memory and spatial navigation. Ketamine doses were associated with late effects of ketamine on anxiety- like behavior in juvenile rats. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms that play a role in the different effects of ketamine doses on anxiety and memory.

Alterations in hippocampal neurogenesis and hippocampal insulin signaling pathway in rat with metabolic syndrome.

Objectives: We aimed to examine the level of hippocampal neurogenesis, and assess learning and anxiety and the level of some proteins involving insulin signaling pathways in rats with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS); and to reveal the relationship among them. Materials and Methods: Totally, 30 Wistar-albino rats were used. The rats were divided into three groups: Control, MetS, and MetS+Ins. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to evaluate the levels of neurogenesis markers; Doublecortin (DCX), Neuronal-Differentiation-1 (NeuroD1), Ki67, and Neuronal nuclear protein (NeuN). Then, cleaved caspase-3 and TUNEL labeling were performed to detect the level of apoptosis. Additionally, behavior tests were performed to evaluate the learning-memory levels and anxiety-like behaviors. Insulin, Insulin Receptor (IR), Insulin Receptor Substrate (IRS2), glucose transporter (GLUT)-3, and GLUT4 protein expression levels were analyzed to evaluate the possible changes in the insulin signaling pathway. Results: An increase in anxiety with memory deficiency was observed in MetS. In the hippocampus of MetS, an increase was detected in the level of apoptosis, whereas a decrease was detected in the expression level of the neurogenesis marker. Insulin secretion and IR levels decreased in hippocampal neurons. We observed that GLUT3 and GLUT4 levels increased because of the non-activated insulin signaling pathway. Conclusion: We think that the insulin signaling pathway may have an effect on the decreased neurogenesis in the MetS group. So, the evaluation of the Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and the investigation of the effect of endoplasmic reticulum stress on this pathway will be among the targets of our future studies.

Aerobic exercise has an anxiolytic effect on streptozotocin­induced diabetic rats.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and impaired insulin secretion or action. Psychological comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety, are more common in people with diabetes. Exercise results in anxiolytic effects, as demonstrated in numerous studies. This study aims to evaluate potential anxiolytic effects of aerobic exercise in streptozotocin (STZ)­induced diabetes. Male Wistar albino rats (n=40) were randomly divided into four groups of control, exercise, diabetes, and diabetes + exercise. Diabetes was induced with a single i.p. injection of STZ. The incremental load test was applied to exercise groups to determine maximal exercise capacity. Rats exercised on a treadmill at 70% of their maximal capacity for 45 min, five days per week for 12 weeks. On the day after the last exercise session the open field test and elevated plus maze test were carried out. Diabetes caused an increase in anxiety level, reflected in stretch­attend posture, self­grooming behaviors, and freezing time, with no significant changes for other behavioral parameters. Training normalized diabetes­induced deteriorations and also induced a significant anxiolytic effect both on diabetic and non­diabetic rats. This effect was observed for all behavioral parameters. The results of the open field test and elevated plus maze were consistent. The current results demonstrated a slight increase in anxiety with diabetes and a prominent anxiolytic effect of aerobic exercise. Considering the conflicting results in exercise­anxiety studies, this study hig hlights the importance of individually designed exercise protocols.

Effects of exercise training on anxiety in diabetic rats.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common health problem, which manifests itself with chronic hyperglycemia and impaired insulin action. The prevalence of anxiety disorders tends to be high in the diabetic population. Exercise has a well-known anxiolytic effect, also demonstrated on rodents, but the effect of exercise on the DM-induced anxiety is still unknown. Female, Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=8) (C; EX; DM; DM+EX). DM was induced by injection (i.p.; 50 mg/kg) of Streptozotocin (STZ). Rats exercised in moderate intensity on the treadmill (15m/min; 5°; 30 min) for 5 weeks. Anxiety-like behavior (ALB) was evaluated by Open field test (OFT) and Elevated Plus Maze (EPM). According to OFT, central time and central entry have increased with in EX but not in DM+EX. There was no difference between C and DM. Central latency time didn't differ among groups. Unsupported rearing increased in both EX and DM+EX. There was no significant decrease in DM. Freezing time was significantly increased in the DM group. Exercise training reduced freezing time both in diabetic and non-diabetic animals. EPM results were similar. Time spent in open arm was increased significantly in exercise groups compared to their sedentary matches, and freezing time data were also parallel to OFT. Our study revealed that diabetes had shown an anxiogenic effect, which was not severe, and it only manifested itself on some behavioral parameters. Exercise training was reduced anxiety-like behavior both in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. However, because of the nature of exercise studies, it is hard to separate the anxiolytic effect of exercise from the alteration of locomotion.