Anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental disorders and seriously impairs the physical and mental health of patients. Due to the efficacy of acupuncture for tranquilization, acupuncture displays its unique advantage on the treatment of anxiety disorder, but the relevant biological mechanism has not been elaborated. The modern medicine study has proved that the heart and brain have their own independent natriuretic peptide (NP) system. The dysfunction of ANP and its receptor are closely related to the occurrence of anxiety disorder. The ANP acts on anti-anxiety. Hence, focusing on the three aspects, named the anti-anxiety effect of acupuncture based on its tranquilizing effect, the anti-anxiety effect of ANP and the positive regulation of acupuncture on NP, the mechanism on ANP and its receptor was explored in anti-anxiety with acupuncture based on tranquilizing effect, and the idea was put forward on that the anti-anxiety effect of acupuncture was possibly based on its action of tranquilization through regulating the ANP and its receptor. As a result, it is expected to provide the theoretic support for the mechanism study on anti-anxiety with acupuncture based on its tranquilizing effect.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Anti-Anxiety Agents ; metabolism ; Anxiety ; metabolism ; therapy ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; metabolism ; Humans ; Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; metabolism

It has been known that the glutamate transmission system and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) were possibly related to anxiety processes. Although anxiety symptom can be relieved by NMDA-R antagonists and partial agonists treatment, the functions of NMDA-R and its subunits in anxiety behaviors remain unclear. We used forebrain specific NR2B over-expression mice to examine whether the increase of NR2B subunit level would induce anxiety behaviors. The results indicated that the juvenile (3-5 months old), middle-aged (8-10 months old) and old (19-22 months old ) NR2B transgenic mice showed no significant difference in open field test and elevated plus maze test as compared with the control mice. Capillary electrophoresis of monoamine neurotransmitter in subregions of forebrain revealed no significant difference between transgenic and control mice of 16-18 months age. These results suggest that the increase of NR2B expression and followed NR1 and NR2A expression augmentations in the forebrain have no significant effect on anxiety-related behaviors in mice.
Animals ; Anxiety ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Prosencephalon ; metabolism ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; metabolism

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative anxiety on the gastric pH and volume. We studied 96 female patients aged 16-60 yr who underwent elective gynecological surgery. We classified the subjects into 2 groups, those presenting preoperative anxiety scores using visual analogue scale (VAS, 0-10) less than 5 (L-group, n=59), and those with 5 and more (H-group, n=37). Immediately after tracheal intubation, gastric contents were aspirated using a 14-F multiorifice nasogastric tube. The gastric acidity and volume of the two groups were not statistically different. Mean pH were 3.0+/-1.8 and 3.0+/-2.0 in each group (L-group and H-group) and mean gastric volume (mL) were 15.3 +/-11.7 and 11.8 +/-11.8, respectively. Nine (15.3%) patients in the L-group were considered to be 'at risk i.e. gastric pH <2.5 and volume >25 mL' and one patient (2.7%) in the H-group (p<0.05). The mean serum gastrin concentrations in both groups were similar (21.6+/-9.8 vs. 20.2+/-11.0 pg/mL). The pH and volume of preoperative gastric contents were not correlated with the preoperative anxiety. The results suggest that a low level of preoperative anxiety can be considered a risk factor for aspiration pneumonitis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Anxiety/*metabolism ; Female ; *Gastric Acidity Determination ; Gastric Juice/metabolism ; Humans ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Increasing evidence shows involvement of psychological disorders in functional dyspepsia (FD), but how psychological factors exert their influences upon FD remains largely unclear. The purpose of the present study was to explore the brain-based correlations of psychological factors and FD. METHODS: Based on Fluorine-18-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography, the altered cerebral glycometabolism was investigated in 40 FD patients compared with 20 healthy controls during resting state using statistical parametric mapping software. RESULTS: FD patients exhibited increased glucose metabolism in multiple regions relative to controls (P < 0.001, family-wise error corrected). After controlling for the dyspeptic symptoms, increased aberrations persisted within the insula, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), middle cingulate cortex (MCC) and middle frontal cortex (midFC), which was related to anxiety and depression score. Interestingly, FD patients without anxiety/depression symptoms also showed increased glycometabolism within the insula, ACC, MCC and midFC. Moreover, FD patients with anxiety/depression symptoms exhibited more significant hypermetabolism within the above 4 sites compared with patients without anxiety/depression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that the altered cerebral glycometabolism may be in a vicious cycle of psychological vulnerabilities and increased gastrointestinal symptoms.
Anxiety ; Cerebral Cortex ; Depression ; Dyspepsia* ; Electrons ; Glucose ; Gyrus Cinguli ; Humans ; Metabolism ; Psychology*

Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder is a classical prescription for anxiety. This study aims to analyze the effect of this medicine on mitochondrial morphology and function of anxiety rats and explore the mechanism of it against anxiety. Specifically, uncertain empty bottle drinking water stimulation(21 days) was employed to induce anxiety in rats. The elevated plus-maze test and open field test were respectively performed on the 7 th, the 14 th, and the 21 st days of the stimulation, so as to detect the anxiety-related protein index brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and evaluate the anxiety level of animals. On this basis, the effect of this prescription on anxiety rats was preliminarily evaluated. After the behavioral test on the 21 st day, rats were killed and the brain tissues were separated for the observation of the mitochondrial morphology and the determination of mitochondrial function-related indicators and the adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK) level. The results showed that Danzhi Xiaoxiao Powder could alleviate the anxiety-like behavior of rats, significantly increase the percentage of time in open arm in elevated plus-maze test and the ration of activity time in the central area of the field, dose-dependently raise the activity levels of respiratory chain complex Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ and the adenosine triphosphate(ATP) content, and elevate the levels of BDNF and phosphorylated AMPK(p-AMPK). Clear structure and intact morphology of mitochondrial cristae in medial prefrontal cortex cells and amygdala were observed in the Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder group. In summary, Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder exerts therapeutic effect on anxiety, and the mechanism is the likelihood that p-AMPK protects the structure and maintains the function of mitochondria.
Rats ; Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism* ; Powders ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; Anxiety/drug therapy* ; Mitochondria

Pharmacotherapy of bipolar disorder is a rapidly evolving field. Mood stabilizers and anticonvulsants have varying biochemical profiles which may predispose them to different adverse effects and drug-drug interactions. Several of the new anticonvulsants appear less likely to have the problems with drug-drug interaction. To provide more effective combination pharmacotherapies, clinicians should be allowed to anticipate and avoid pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drug-drug interactions. We reviewed the role of cytochrome P450 isozymes in the metabolism of the drugs and their interactions. The drug-drug interactions of several classes of drugs which used as mood stabilizers and new anticonvulsants, some of which may have psychotropic profiles, are discussed mainly in this article. Finally, potential pharmacokinetic interactions between the benzodiazepines and other coadministered drugs are discussed briefly.
Anti-Anxiety Agents* ; Anticonvulsants ; Benzodiazepines ; Bipolar Disorder ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; Drug Therapy ; Isoenzymes ; Metabolism

Intermittent hypoxia (IH) has preventive and therapeutic effects on hypertension, myocardial infarction, cerebral ischemia and depression, but its effect on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has not been known. In this study, we used inescapable electric foot shock combined with context recapture to build PTSD mouse model. The levels of fear and anxiety were valued by the open field, the elevated plus maze (EPM) and the fear conditioning tests; the level of spatial memory was valued by Y maze test; the number of Fos positive neurons in hippocampus, amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex was valued by immunohistochemical staining; and the protein expressions of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in these brain area were valued by Western blot. The results showed that IH and model (foot shock) had an interaction on percentage of entering open arms (OE%) in EPM and freezing time and the number of fecal pellets in fear conditioning test. IH increased OE% in EPM and reduced the freezing time and the number of fecal pellets in fear conditioning test in PTSD model mice. At the same time, IH reduced the number of Fos positive neurons in the hippocampus, amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex of PTSD model mice, and increased the protein expression levels of HIF-1α, VEGF and BDNF in these brain tissues. In conclusion, IH pretreatment can relieve fear and anxiety behavior in post-traumatic stress model mice, suggesting that IH may be an effective means of preventing PTSD.
Animals ; Anxiety ; therapy ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Fear ; Hypoxia ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Mice ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; therapy ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether sex difference exists in the performance in each arm of elevated plus maze (EPM) and GluR1 level in the hippocampus of female and male Sprague-Dawley rats. METHODS: Eleven male and 10 female SD rats were tested for 5 minutes in the EPM. These rats were decapitated 30 min after testing. The left and right hippocampus were dissected. Samples were stored at -80 degree for protein extracting. Western blot was used to detect the GluR1 levels in the hippocampus. RESULTS: Female rats exhibited less anxiety-like behaviors than male rats in the EPM (P<0.05).Female rats had lower GluR1 levels in total and left hippocampus than those of male rats (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Sex difference exists between female and male rats in the EPM and hippocampal GluR1.
Animals ; Anxiety ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Behavior, Animal ; Female ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; physiology ; Male ; Maze Learning ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, AMPA ; metabolism ; physiology ; Sex Characteristics

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) exposure on anxiety-like behaviors and learning and memory ability in mice and explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS: Forty male ICR mice were randomized equally into control group (0 mg/kg) and 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg DEHP exposure groups, in which the mice were exposed to DEHP at the indicated doses by gavage for 4 weeks. After the treatments, the mice were assessed for behavioral changes using open filed test, elevated plus-maze and Morris water maze test. Brain tissues were collected from the mice for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) content, pathologies and expressions of ZO-1 and occludin in the hippocampus. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the mice with DEHP exposure for 4 weeks exhibited no significant body weight change (P>0.05) but presented with obvious behavioral changes, manifested by reduced movement distance (P < 0.05) and time spent in the center of the open field (P < 0.05), reduced movement distance (P < 0.05) and time spent in the open arm of the elevated maze (P < 0.05), significantly increased latency of searching for the platform (P < 0.05), and decreased frequency of crossing the platform (P < 0.05). HE staining showed obvious vertebral cell death in the hippocampal CA1 to CA3 regions of the mice with DEHP exposure. The exposed mice showed significantly increased MDA content and decreased expressions of ZO-1 and occludin at both the mRNA and protein levels in the hippocampus (P < 0.05 or 0.01). Multivariate linear regression analysis suggested a close correlation between anxiety-like behaviors and learning and memory abilities in DEHP-exposed mice. CONCLUSION DEHP exposure may cause damages of the blood-brain barrier and the pyramidal cells in the hippocampus of mice, thereby inducing anxiety-like behaviors and learning and memory impairment.
Animals ; Anxiety/chemically induced* ; Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism* ; Diethylhexyl Phthalate/toxicity* ; Male ; Maze Learning ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Occludin/pharmacology*

OBJECTIVETo study the metabolic change in brain of rats with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and the intervention effect with Anshen Jielu Recipe (AJR) on it.

METHODSEight rats selected from 32 Wistar rats as normal group, the others were established as GAD model by using uncertainty empty water bottles method. Then the GAD rats were randomly divided into the model group (saline, by gastrogavage), the control group [buspirone hydrochloride, 2.0 mg/(kg x d), by gastrogavage], the treatment group [AJR, 12.5 g/(kg x d), by gastrogavage], 8 in each group, all were treated for 7 days. The concentration of cerebral metabolites, including N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), choline (Cho), creatine (Cr) and glutamate (Glu), in bilateral prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were measured using high-field strong super-conductivity (7.0T) animal MRI; and the ratio of NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr and Glu/Cr were calculated. The effect of AJR intervention was evaluated by changes of MRI before and after rats being treated with AJR for 7 days.

RESULTSRats with GAD showed lowered ratios of NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr, and elevated Glu/Cr ratio in the right prefrontal cortex than those in normal rats. After AJR intervention, the abnormal changes in the three indices were restored to certain extents.

CONCLUSIONSAJR has apparent antianxiety effect in rats with GAD, with the effect initiation faster than that in the control group. Its mechanism is probably correlated with the regulation of abnormal metabolism in the brain.

Animals ; Anxiety Disorders ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Brain ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar