Feed restriction since lactation has reduced anxiety in adult Wistar rats

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effects of macronutrients (protein, carbohydrate and/or lipid) in the diet of young adult (72 days) and adult (182 days) Wistar rats treated ad libitum and with 30% restriction from birth on anxiety in the elevated plus-maze. Methods We used 238 rats treated from birth, composing the groups: Control, Protein, Carbohydrate, Lipid, Carbohydrate and Lipid, Control Restriction, Protein Restriction, Carbohydrate Restriction, Lipid Restriction and Carbohydrate and Lipid Restriction. The animals were weighed at the beginning and at the end of the experiment and tested in the elevated plus-maze. Data were submitted to analysis of variance, followed by the Newman-Keuls Test (p<0.05). Results Among the animals treated ad libitum, the Control, Carbohydrate plus Lipid and Lipid gained more weight than the Carbohydrate and Protein; ad libitum animals gained more weight than those on restriction; among the restrictions, Carbohydrate Restriction rats were the ones that gained less weight. Diet-restricted animals exhibited reduced first-entry latency, greater percentage of entries and time spent, frequency of open arm extremity visits, head dipping (protected and unprotected), and length of stay in the central area of the elevated plus-maze. The animals with 182 days presented greater latency for first entry, reduced frequency of false entries and visits to the ends of the open arms and protected head dipping. Conclusion Food restricted animals, regardless of the macronutrient present in the diet, were less anxious and/or increased their impulsivity and those at 182 days were more anxious and/or with reduced impulsivity.

High-Salt Diet in the Pre- and Postweaning Periods Leads to Amygdala Oxidative Stress and Changes in Locomotion and Anxiety-Like Behaviors of Male Wistar Rats

“…The ratio of entries (considered as the animal inserting all the four paws) in each arm (closed or open) and the time spent in them were evaluated ( Teixeira et al, 2020 ). In addition, to analyze the risk assessment of animal, the frequency of head-dipping (the head flexes below the edge of the open arms), rearing (frequency with which the animal stands on its hind legs), and grooming (frequency of time which the animal spent licking or scratching itself while stationary) was recorded ( Plescia et al, 2015 ; Guedine et al, 2018 ; Riul and Almeida, 2020 ).…”

In a circuit necessary for cognition and emotional affect, Alzheimer's-like pathology associates with neuroinflammation, cognitive and motivational deficits in the young adult TgF344-AD rat

“…However, within the context of our own study, the hunger state dependency control experiment showed, despite being satiated (indicated by an equivalent increase in trial omissions in both groups), decision making was unaltered in all rats (indicated by the null effect of the feeding schedule on choices), and as such, the maladaptive decision-making phenotype reported here is not due to hunger-state dependency. Importantly, food-restricting rats to 80% of their ad libitum weight does not induce behavioral differences relative to controls ( Heiderstadt et al, 2000 ) but it can improve behavior ( Bruce‐Keller et al, 1999 ; Chowdhury et al, 2021 ; Kenny et al, 2014 ; Orsini et al, 2004 ; Parikh et al, 2016 ; Riul and Almeida, 2020 ; Stewart et al, 1989 ) and enhance resistance to excitotoxin-induced degeneration ( Bruce‐Keller et al, 1999 ). Therefore, we do not believe the degree of food restriction had an impairing effect on the TgAD rats, and it is possible this modest food restriction protocol could have prevented more severe impairments.…”

Coconut Oil Promotes Greater Satiety and Reduces Blood Cholesterol, But Induces Obesity, Anxiety and Impaired Bone Formation in Adult Wistar Rats

“…At the end filming for each animal, the maze was cleaned using 70% alcohol. Experienced observers evaluated: entries in the open arms at least one time (Lordi et al 2000); the frequency and duration of entries (when the animal entered with four legs) in each arm (closed or open); and frequency of head-dipping and false entries (Riul and Almeida, 2020).…”