Effects of taurine on rat behaviors in three anxiety models.
In our previous studies using an elevated plus-maze test in mice, taurine was shown to present an anxiolytic-like effect after single and repeated administration. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anxiolytic and behavioral effects of taurine on rats in the open field, hole-board, and social interaction test compared to the positive control diazepam. Taurine (14, 42, and 126 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 30 min before the tests. In the social interaction and hole-board tests, taurine (42 mg/kg) significantly increased social interaction time and the number and duration of head-dipping. In the open field test, taurine (126 mg/kg, i.p.) presented anxiolytic-like effects by increasing the number of center entries, time spent in the central area and the anti-thigmotactic score while having no effect on the locomotor activity. Results from these experiments suggest that taurine produces an anxiolytic-like effect in these animal models and may act as a modulator or anti-anxiety agent in the central nervous system.
Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Box 41, 103 Wenhua Road, 110016 Shenyang, P. R. China.
Wei Xi
WX
Kong
Si Wei
SW
Chen
Yu Lei
YL
Li
Yi Jing
YJ
Zhang
Rui
R
Wang
Li
L
Min
Xiaojuan
X
Mi
D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013654:Taurine / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013654:Taurine