Neurobehavioral Alterations Induced in Diabetes Are Attenuated by Beta-adrenergic Blockade

Abstract

The aim of this study was to the evaluate the participation of beta adrenergic receptors in anxiety- like disorders which is a psychiatric condition reported in diabetic patients. Neurobehavioral activities were estimated in control mice using the open field, hole-board, elevated plus maze and the light / dark board tests. In another group, the Albino wistar rats were rendered diabetic by a single intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of alloxan (120mg/kg) and neurobevioral deficits estimated with the above named tests .Propranolol (40mg/kg) , a non-specific beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist was administered ( i.p) to the third group before the induction of diabetes after which the neurobehavioral tests were carried out. Diabetes resulted in a significant (p<0.05) reduction in total locomotion, rearing and grooming frequencies in the open- field test and the time spent in the open arm in the elevated plus maze test. The time spent in the light arena of the light/ dark board test was also significantly (p<0.05) reduced .However, pre-treatment with propranolol significantly (p<0.05) reversed these observation as shown by increases in total locomotion ,rearing and grooming frequencies and the time spent including the number of entries into the open arm of the elevated plus maze ,the time spent in the light arena of the light and dark box test also increased . These observations are compatible with an anxiolytic state as opposed to the state of anxiety induced diabetes mellitus. In conclusion, these results suggest the participation of the adrenergic receptors in the anxiety-like behavior characteristic of diabetes in diabetic mice.