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Moderate treadmill exercise prevents oxidative stress-induced anxiety-like behavior in rats
Samina Salim1, Nada Sarraj, Manish Taneja
1Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA. ssalim@uh.edu
Behavioural Brain Research
|January 13, 2010
Summary
Increased oxidative stress elevates anxiety-like behavior in rats. Antioxidants and exercise mitigate this by reducing oxidative stress markers in brain regions linked to anxiety.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Oxidative stress is correlated with anxiety-like behavior.
- Physical exercise shows anxiolytic effects, but its role in oxidative stress-mediated anxiety is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct role of oxidative stress in anxiety-like behavior.
- To identify mechanisms of physical exercise's anxiolytic effects in relation to oxidative stress.
Main Methods:
- Rats were administered l-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO) to induce oxidative stress.
- Anxiety-like behavior was assessed, and oxidative stress markers were measured in serum, urine, and brain tissues.
- Effects of antioxidant (tempol) and treadmill exercise were evaluated.
Main Results:
- BSO administration increased anxiety-like behavior and oxidative stress markers.
- Tempol treatment and moderate treadmill exercise attenuated BSO-induced anxiety-like behavior.
- Exercise prevented BSO-mediated increases in oxidative stress markers in the hippocampus, amygdala, and locus coeruleus.
Conclusions:
- Elevated oxidative stress directly contributes to anxiety-like behavior in rats.
- Antioxidant treatment and physical exercise can prevent oxidative stress-induced anxiety.
- Exercise may exert anxiolytic effects by reducing oxidative stress in key brain regions.
