Glyoxalase-I mRNA expression and CCK-4 induced panic attacks.
BACKGROUND
There is evidence that the anti-glycation enzyme glyoxalase-1 (GLO1) may play a role in anxiety-related behaviour. However, discordant findings between GLO1 expression and anxiety-related behaviour have been observed in animal models. Because no data are available on the relation between GLO1 mRNA expression and human anxiety so far, we investigated the expression of GLO1 mRNA in peripheral blood cells in relation to cholecystokinin-tetrapeptide (CCK-4) induced panic anxiety in healthy subjects as an established model of human anxiety in healthy volunteers.


METHODS
Twenty-three healthy subjects underwent challenge with CCK-4. GLO1 mRNA expression was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction prior to CCK-4 injection. Baseline anxiety was assessed with the State-Trait-Anxiety-Inventory (STAI) and panic response was measured with the Panic Symptom Scale (PSS).


RESULTS
CCK-4 elicited a marked anxiety response accompanied by a significant increase in heart rate. GLO1 mRNA expression did not correlate with state or trait anxiety nor with severity of CCK-4 induced anxiety.


CONCLUSIONS
The lack of correlation between GLO1 mRNA expression and CCK-4 induced panic severity suggests that GLO1 is not involved into the acute panic response to CCK-4 in healthy volunteers. Therefore, further studies are needed to clarify the involvement of GLO1 in anxiety disorders at baseline and in anxiety challenge paradigms to resolve the apparent contradictions of preclinical studies concerning the relationship between GLO1 expression and anxiety.
Eser
Daniela
D
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Nussbaumstrasse 7, 80336 Munich, Germany. daniela.eser@med.uni-muenchen.de
Uhr
Manfred
M
Leicht
Gregor
G
Asmus
Maria
M
Länger
Anna
A
Schüle
Cornelius
C
Baghai
Thomas C
TC
Mulert
Christoph
C
Rupprecht
Rainer
R
D000328:Adult; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007791:Lactoylglutathione Lyase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D013758:Tetragastrin / Q000633:toxicity*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013758:Tetragastrin; D007791:Lactoylglutathione Lyase