Effects of Immobilization Stress on Nitric Oxide Active Neurons in Rat’s dlPAG; Histochemical Study.
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Date
2016-07
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Abstract
Background: Exposure to stress-factors caused an array of biochemical,
physiological and behavioral changes. According to literature data, specific
stressors may elicit specific responses, and different stressors may activate
different brain systems by using specific pathways within the central
nervous system. Several brain structures, including the periaqueductal gray
(PAG), have been implicated in the functional neuroanatomy of stress
response. The dorsolateral column of the periaqueductal gray (dlPAG)
integrates aversive emotional experiences and represents an important site
responding to life threatening situations. It was reported that nitric oxide
(NO) affects the neuronal activity of the PAG. The goal of the present study
was to investigate the changes of NO activity in the dlPAG of immobilized
rats using a histochemical examination of the distribution of NADPH-d
reactivity neurons. Our results showed that NO activity in rat’s dlPAG was
significantly increased by acute immobilization stress. This suggests a
pivotal role of this part of the brain and NO-ergic system in stress response
which main role is to attenuate the effect of stress and to restore the
homeostasis. Methods: The experiments were carried out on male Wistar
rats (180-200g), divided into two groups. The first group represented
intact controls. The second group was subjected to acute immobilization
stress. Results: The acute stressor – 1 hour immobilization, showed
statistically significant increase in the number of the NADPH-d positive
neurons compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: NO
activity in rat’s dlPAG was significantly increased by acute immobilization
stress.
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Keywords
Acute immobilization stress, Periaqueductal gray, Nitric oxide, Histochemistry, Rat
Citation
Georgiev Georgi P. Effects of Immobilization Stress on Nitric Oxide Active Neurons in Rat’s dlPAG; Histochemical Study. Academia Anatomica International. 2016 Jul-Dec; 2(2): 27-32.