[Dose-dependent effects of intracisternally administered insulin on rat's behavior and glucose level]

Rat behavior in the open field and elevated plus-maze as well as glycaemia level were analyzed in rats after intracisternal administration of 2.5, 25, 50 and 200 ng of insulin. Dose-dependent changes were found in both behavioral tests: insulin in low doses (2.5 and 25 ng) increased probability of locomotion and investigative activity in open field, while insulin in high doses (50 and 200 ng) did not alter locomotor activity and showed tendency to weakening of the investigative behavior (especially in the dose of 50 ng). Significant decrease of rat anxiety level during the first 5 minutes of testing was found after administration of 2.5 and 200 ng of insulin and during the next 5 minutes after administration of 2.5 and 25 ng of insulin in elevated plus-maze. The glucose level in rats was increased in 1-2 hours after insulin administration, though glycaemia level did not exceed normal values. Thus revealed alterations of behavior are supposed to be the result of direct insulin influence on central mechanisms of activation and/or suppression of underlying behavioral characteristics of animals.