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[Is dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate an anxiolytic agent?]
T A Obut1, T V Lipina, L A Koriakina
1Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Siberian Branch, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Novosibirsk.
Zhurnal Vysshei Nervnoi Deiatelnosti Imeni I P Pavlova
|October 19, 2001
Summary
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) administration prevented anxiety in male mice that experienced social defeat. The hormone
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Social interactions in male mice can lead to distinct psychoemotional states, such as anxiety in subordinate individuals.
- Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is an endogenous steroid hormone with potential neuromodulatory functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anxiolytic effects of exogenous dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in male mice with varying levels of anxiety.
- To determine if the effects of DHEAS are dependent on the animal's psychoemotional state.
Main Methods:
- Male CBA/Lac mice were subjected to repeated agonistic confrontations to establish 'winners' and 'losers' with differing anxiety levels.
- Anxiety was assessed using the 'partition' test.
- Mice received intraperitoneal injections of DHEAS (30 mg/kg) or saline at different time points post-stress.
Main Results:
- Loser mice exhibited significantly higher anxiety levels compared to winners and intact controls.
- DHEAS administration prevented the development of anxiety in loser mice 28 hours after injection.
- DHEAS had no significant effect on the anxiety levels of winner mice.
Conclusions:
- The anxiolytic effect of exogenous DHEAS is dependent on the psychoemotional state of the animal.
- These findings suggest that endogenous DHEAS may play a role in modulating anxiety related to stress.
- The study highlights the potential of DHEAS as a therapeutic agent for stress-induced anxiety disorders.