Putative involvement of the nitrergic system on the consolidation, but not initiation, of behavioral sensitization after conspecific alarm substance in zebrafish

Stressful manipulations can sensitize the behavior of an organism, increasing anxiety-like behavior after a delay; this long-term stress sensitization can represent the pathophysiological basis of trauma- and stress-related disorders (TRSDs), of which the most prevalent is post-traumatic stress diso...

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Published in:Pharmacology, biochemistry and behavior biochemistry and behavior, 2015-12, Vol.139, p.127-133
Main Authors: Lima, Monica Gomes, Silva, Suéllen de Nazaré dos Santos, Silva, Rhayra Xavier do Carmo, Oliveira, Karen Renata Herculano Matos, Batista, Evander de Jesus Oliveira, Maximino, Caio, Herculano, Anderson Manoel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Anxiety - etiology
Anxiety - physiopathology
Anxiety - prevention & control
Behavior, Animal - drug effects
Behavior, Animal - physiology
Behavioral sensitization
Danio rerio
Disease Models, Animal
Enzyme Inhibitors - pharmacology
Long-term stress sensitization
NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester - pharmacology
Nitric oxide
Nitric Oxide - physiology
Nitric Oxide Synthase - antagonists & inhibitors
Predator threat
Stress, Physiological
Zebrafish
Zebrafish - physiology
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Summary:Stressful manipulations can sensitize the behavior of an organism, increasing anxiety-like behavior after a delay; this long-term stress sensitization can represent the pathophysiological basis of trauma- and stress-related disorders (TRSDs), of which the most prevalent is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A role for the glutamate–nitric oxide pathway in this sensitization is implied by behavioral, neurophysiological and genomic data on different species. Here, we report on the long-term sensitization of anxiety-like behavior in zebrafish and the possible participation of nitric oxide in this process. Zebrafish exposed to a conspecific alarm substance (AS) show increased anxiety-like behavior at least 24h after stimulus delivery. Blocking nitric oxide synthesis with l-NAME (5mg/kg) 30min, but not 90min, after AS exposure blocks the sensitization of scototaxis and risk assessment, while treatment 90min after exposure blocks the sensitization of thigmotaxis and erratic swimming; l-NAME was not effective when administered 30min before AS exposure. These data suggest a participation of nitric oxide in the consolidation, but not in the initiation, of behavioral sensitization after predator threat. •Exposure of zebrafish to alarm substance sensitized anxiety-like behavior 24h later.•l-NAME before alarm substance did not block these delayed effects.•l-NAME 30min after alarm substance blocks effects on scototaxis and risk assessment.•l-NAME 90min after alarm substance blocks effects on thigmotaxis and erratic swimming.•A role for nitric oxide or its metabolites in behavioral sensitization is suggested.
ISSN:0091-3057
1873-5177
DOI:10.1016/j.pbb.2015.08.005