Ascorbic Acid Protects Against Anxiogenic-Like Effect Induced by Methylmercury in Zebrafish: Action on the Serotonergic System

Abstract

To evaluate the protector effect of ascorbic acid (AA) against anxiogenic-like effect induced by methylmercury (MeHg) exposure, adult zebrafish were treated with AA (2 mg g(-1), intraperitoneal [i.p.]) before MeHg administration (1.0 μg g(-1), i.p.). Groups were tested for the light/dark preference as a behavioral model of anxiety, and the content of serotonin and its oxidized metabolite tryptamine-4,5-dione (T-4,5-D) in the brain was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. MeHg has produced a marked anxiogenic profile in both tests, and this effect was accompanied by a decrease in the extracellular levels of serotonin, and an increase in the extracellular levels of T-4,5-D. Added to this, a marked increase in the formation of a marker of oxidative stress accompanied these parameters. Interestingly, the anxiogenic-like effect and biochemical alterations induced by MeHg were blocked by pretreatment with AA. These results for the first time demonstrated the potential protector action of AA in neurobehavioral and neurochemical alterations induced by methylmecury exposure demonstrating that zebrafish model could be used as an important tool for testing substances with neuroprotector actions.

Does Vitamin C Influence Neurodegenerative Diseases and Psychiatric Disorders?

“…The authors suggested that the alleviating effect of Vit C on stress-related rearing behavior was exerted via modulation of corticosterone, whereas the effect on freezing behavior via modulation of corticotropin-releasing hormone or adrenocorticotropin-releasing hormone [ 186 ]. Puty et al [ 187 ] in turn suggested that Vit C plays anxiolytic-like effect via affecting serotonergic system. The researchers evaluated the protective effect of Vit C against methylmercury (MeHg)-induced anxiogenic-like effect in zebrafish.…”

Potential of zebrafish as a model for exploring the role of the amygdala in emotional memory and motivational behavior

“…Different compounds have already been shown to alter this innate behavior in zebrafish. Exposure to 0.5 % ethanol, for example, has an anxiolytic effect in such light–dark preference assays (Sackerman et al, ), whereas treatment with methylmercury has an anxiogenic effect (Puty et al, ).…”

Anxiolytic properties of compounds that counteract oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and glutamatergic dysfunction: a review

“…In addition to the compounds discussed above (agomelatine, NAC, and omega-3 fatty acids), we also found some evidence of anxiolytic effects in clinical trials and animal studies for ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and the mGlu 2/3 receptor agonist LY354740. Although ascorbic acid has presented anxiolytic effects in different animal models in rats,146 mice,147 and zebrafish,148 evidence of its anxiolytic effects in humans is limited. Only one small randomized double-blind placeb-controlled clinical trial (n=42) with ascorbic acid conducted with normal volunteers was found: its results were that ascorbic acid decreased anxiety levels 149.…”