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Behavioral and Biochemical Interaction Between Nicotine and Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress in Mice
G Biala1, K Pekala2, A Boguszewska-Czubara3
1Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4A Street, 20-093, Lublin, Poland. grazyna.biala@umlub.pl.
Molecular Neurobiology
|January 19, 2016
Summary
Nicotine alleviates stress-induced depression, anxiety, and memory deficits in mice. However, nicotine administration paradoxically increases oxidative stress in the brain, impacting antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Nicotine from tobacco smoke affects mood and causes dependence.
- Stress and nicotine abuse frequently co-occur, necessitating research into their combined effects.
- Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) is a model for studying stress-induced behavioral and biochemical changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavioral and biochemical effects of nicotine administration combined with CUMS.
- To understand the mechanisms underlying stress-induced disorders and nicotine-stress interactions.
- To explore the impact of nicotine on oxidative stress markers in the brain.
Main Methods:
- Mice were subjected to CUMS for 4 weeks.
- Behavioral tests included the elevated plus maze (EPM), passive avoidance (PA), and forced swim test (FST).
- Biochemical analyses measured total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in brain tissues.
Main Results:
- CUMS induced anxiety, memory deficits, and depressive effects in mice.
- Nicotine (0.05-0.5 mg/kg) reduced CUMS-induced behavioral impairments.
- Nicotine administration, both acutely and subchronically, increased oxidative stress markers (elevated MDA, decreased TAS, SOD, GPx) in brain regions and the whole brain, irrespective of stress exposure.
Conclusions:
- Nicotine exhibits antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in a CUMS model.
- Nicotine administration exerts a pro-oxidative effect on brain tissues.
- This study elucidates dual nicotine-stress interactions relevant to stress disorders and nicotine dependence.
