Effects of SB-205384, a positive modulator of alpha3-subunit-containing GABA-A receptors, on isolation-induced aggression in male mice.
GABA-A receptors are involved in the control of aggressive behaviour. Various studies suggest a role for a1-containing GABA-A receptors in modulating aggression. However, the possible involvement of a3 subunit of GABA-A receptors has not been examined. In this study, we analysed the effect of SB-205384 (0.5-4 mg/kg, i.p), a positive modulator of GABA-A receptors containing a3 subunit, on agonistic behaviour elicited by isolation in male mice. Half of the mice were housed during 30 days and employed as experimental or control animals; the remainder were used as <<opponents>> and were temporally rendered anosmic by zinc sulphate. Individually housed mice were exposed to anosmic opponents in a neutral area 30 minutes after the drug administration and encounters were videotaped and evaluated using an ethopharmacologically-based analysis. The results indicated that SB-205384 did not produce any significant behavioural changes, suggesting that GABA-A receptors which contain the a3 subunit may not be involved in the modulation of aggression.
Navarro
José Francisco
JF
University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain. navahuma@uma.es
Burón
Estrella
E
Martín-López
Mercedes
M
D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D000631:Aminopyridines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D011897:Random Allocation; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects*; D012934:Social Isolation; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014743:Videotape Recording; D019287:Zinc Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
D000631:Aminopyridines; C546258:Gabra3 protein, mouse; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D013876:Thiophenes; C108120:SB 205384; D019287:Zinc Sulfate