Potential contribution of oxidative stress and inflammation to anxiety and hypertension

Abstract

Previously, we have published that pharmacological induction of oxidative stress causes anxiety-like behavior in rats and also is associated with hypertension in these animals. Here, we report that sub-chronic induction of oxidative stress via pharmacological induction leads to i) reduction in glyoxalase (GLO)-1 and glutathione reductase (GSR)-1 expression; ii) calpain mediated reduction of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels; iii) NFκB mediated upregulation of proinflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and elevated angiotensin (AT)-1 receptor levels in hippocampus, amygdala and locus coeruleus regions of the brain. Acute oxidative stress has opposite effects. We speculate that regulation of GLO1, GSR1, BDNF, NFκB and AT-1 receptor may contribute to anxiety-like behavior and hypertension in rats.

Effects of Centrally Administered Etanercept on Behavior, Microglia, and Astrocytes in Mice Following a Peripheral Immune Challenge

“…Furthermore, although research into the effects of centrally and peripherally administered TNF-a blockade on cognition and depressive symptoms has improved our understanding of cytokine actions in the CNS (Couch et al, 2013;Tobinick and Gross, 2008), little work has been undertaken to enhance our knowledge on the effects of TNF-a blockade on anxiety behaviors. This is surprising as peripheral inflammatory conditions, such as RA and psoriasis, involving TNF-a upregulation are commonly associated with anxiety Salim et al, 2011), although the exact mechanisms whereby inflammation induces psychiatric symptoms are unclear (Chandarana et al, 1987;Couch et al, 2013). It is suggested that peripheral inflammation can cause upregulation of TNF-a, which in turn activates macrophages peripherally and microglia centrally (Qin et al, 2007) and is further linked to the development of anxiety-like behavior (Wohleb et al, 2011).…”

Anxious phenotypes plus environmental stressors are related to brain DNA damage and changes in NMDA receptor subunits and glutamate uptake

“…Glutamate excitotoxicity has been highlighted as having an important role in the pathology of mood disorders, including anxiety and depression [2,42,59]. In addition, the importance of the NMDA receptor and its subunits NR1, NR2A-D and NR3, which are coded by different genes [58], have been reported in many basic and clinical studies.…”

Sarcopenia and the Common Mental Disorders: a Potential Regulatory Role of Skeletal Muscle on Brain Function?

“…Over a decade ago, elevated levels of complement component (C)4, IL-6 and CRP, but not C3, were found to be associated with depression [42]. Oxidative stress induced by administration of L-buthionine-(S, R)-sulfoximine (BSO) [43] and xanthine plus xanthine oxidase (X+XO) [44] promotes NF-κB-dependent inflammation [45] and causes anxiety-like behaviour in rats.…”