The central expression of connexin 36 and 43 in rat animal models of trait and state anxiety

Abstract

Purpose There are few studies on the role of gap junctions in anxiety. The Gap junctions are intercellular channels and their subunit is connexin (CX). The specific isoforms of connexins for neurons and astrocytes are (CX36) and (CX43). Here, we examined the gene expression of these connexins in animal models of trait and state anxiety. Methods The animal grouping was as follows: 1) control group, 2) trait anxiety group in which the rats were placed in the elevated plus maze (EPM) 3) diazepam+ trait anxiety group 4) state anxiety group, in which the animals were placed in the (EPM) after tolerating 120 minutes of isolation 5) diazepam + state anxiety group. Using a real time PCR technique, we examined the gene expression of (CX36) and (CX43) in the ventral hippocampus (v Hip), basolateral amygdala (BLA), and medial prefrontal cortex (m PC). Results Data showed that the anxiety of animals in the state anxiety group was significantly higher than the trait anxiety group (p < 0.05). In the state anxiety group, gene expression of (CX36) was lower in (m PC) and (BLA) compared to the control and trait anxiety groups (p < 0.01). The expression of (CX43) in (BLA) and (v Hip) was also lower than in the control and trait anxiety groups. Conclusions This study shows (CX36) and (CX43) reduction in the mentioned structures increases anxiety and the role of these connexins in the state anxiety is more prominent than trait anxiety.