Altered hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal and sympatho-adrenomedullary activities in rats bred for high anxiety: central and peripheral correlates

Wistar rats have been selectively bred for high (HABs) or low (LABs) anxiety-related behavior based on results obtained in the elevated-plus maze. They also display robust behavioral differences in a variety of additional anxiety tests. The present study was undertaken to further characterize physio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychoneuroendocrinology 2006-07, Vol.31 (6), p.724-735
Main Authors: Salomé, Nicolas, Viltart, Odile, Lesage, Jean, Landgraf, Rainer, Vieau, Didier, Laborie, Christine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adrenal Glands - innervation
Adrenal Glands - metabolism
Adrenal Glands - pathology
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - blood
Amygdala - metabolism
Animals
Anxiety
Anxiety - metabolism
Anxiety - pathology
Behavioral psychophysiology
Biogenic Monoamines - metabolism
Biological and medical sciences
Cognitive science
Coping strategy
Corticosterone - blood
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
HAB
Hormones and behavior
HPA axis
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - metabolism
Male
Mild stressor
Neurosecretory Systems - metabolism
Organ Size
Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase - genetics
Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase - metabolism
Pituitary Gland, Anterior - metabolism
Pituitary Gland, Anterior - pathology
Pituitary-Adrenal System - metabolism
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Rats
Rats, Wistar
RNA, Messenger - analysis
Septum of Brain - metabolism
Serotonin
Species Specificity
Sympathetic Nervous System - metabolism
Sympatho-adrenal system
Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase - genetics
Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase - metabolism
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Summary:Wistar rats have been selectively bred for high (HABs) or low (LABs) anxiety-related behavior based on results obtained in the elevated-plus maze. They also display robust behavioral differences in a variety of additional anxiety tests. The present study was undertaken to further characterize physiological substrates that contribute to the expression of this anxious trait. We report changes in brain and peripheral structures involved in the regulation of both the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) and sympatho-adrenal systems. Following exposure to a mild stressor, HABs displayed a hyper-reactivity of the HPA axis associated with a hypo-reactivity of the sympatho-adrenal system and a lower serotonin turnover in the lateral septum and amygdala. At rest, HABs showed a higher adrenal weight and lower tyrosine hydroxylase and phenylethanolamine- N-methyltransferase mRNAs expression in their adrenals than LABs. In the anterior pituitary, HABs also exhibited increased proopiomelanocortin and decreased vasopressin V1b receptor mRNAs expression, whereas glucocorticoid receptor mRNA levels remained unchanged. These results indicate that the behavioral phenotype of HABs is associated with peripheral and central alterations of endocrine mechanisms involved in stress response regulation. Data are discussed in relation to coping strategies adopted to manage stressful situations. In conclusion, HABs can be considered as an useful model to study the etiology and pathophysiology of stress-related disorders and their neuroendocrine substrates.
ISSN:0306-4530
1873-3360
DOI:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2006.02.002