title: Possible anxiolytic effects of taurine in the mouse elevated plus-maze.
abstract: The effects of taurine, an inhibitory amino acid, on the behavior of male mice were examined in the elevated plus-maze test of anxiety. Acute taurine treatment (60 mg/kg, PO) significantly increased the percentage of time spent in the open arms. Moreover, when taurine was administered daily for seven days and the plus-maze test was conducted 40 minutes after the last administration, a significant increase of the percentage of time in the open arms was observed even at dose of 2.5 mg/kg, however the open arm entries and the total entries were unaffected at any dose tested. In order to get a comprehensive profile of drug action, detailed behavioral analyses were further exerted. Single administration of 60 mg/kg taurine can significantly reduce the total rears. The results suggest that taurine have some anxiolytic-like properties, although its effects seem more limited and are not consistent with those presented by classic anxiolytics, such as diazepam.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Box 41, 103 Wenhua Road, 110016 Shenyang, PR China. c100sw@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Si Wei
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wei Xi
authors.initials: WX
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Yi Jing
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yu Lei
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiao Juan
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Mi
authors.forename: Xiao Shuo
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Mu
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D003975:Diazepam; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D013654:Taurine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D013654:Taurine; D003975:Diazepam