Role of free radicals in stress-induced neurobehavioural changes in rats

Effect of restraint stress (RS) and its modulation by antioxidants were evaluated on elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field (OF) tests in rats. Restraint stress (RS for 1 hr) reduced the number of open arm entries, as also the time spent on open arms indicating enhanced anxiogenic response in the EPM test as compared to normal non RS group of rats. Pretreatment with ascorbic acid (100 and 200 mg/kg) and alpha-tocopherol (30 and 60 mg/kg) attenuated these RS-induced effects. In the OF test, RS-reduced (a) ambulations; and (b) rearings, whereas an increase was seen in (a) latency of entry and (b) number of fecal boluses. The RS-induced changes in OF parameters were reversed after pretreatment with the antioxidants, (ascorbic acid and alpha tocopherol). Biochemical data showed that RS enhanced MDA levels in both serum and brain, and these were attenuated after pretreatment with the antioxidants. The pharmacological and biochemical results indicate that free radicals might be involved in such stress-induced neurobehavioural effects.