Investigating the role of nisoldipine in foot‐shock‐induced post‐traumatic stress disorder in mice. (18th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Verma, Meenu; Bali, Anjana; Singh, Nirmal; Jaggi, Amteshwar S.
• Is Part Of: Fundamental & clinical pharmacology. Volume 30:Number 2(2016:Apr.)
• Page Start: 128
• Page End: 136
• Publication Date: 2016-01-18
• Subjects: behavior -- corticosterone -- Electric foot‐shock -- nisoldipine -- PTSD; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12174
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0767-3981

Abstract

Abstract: This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of nisoldipine, an L‐type voltage‐sensitive calcium channel blocker, to ameliorate anxiety and fear response in a mouse model of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Acute trauma was induced in Swiss albino mice in a 2‐day electric foot‐shock paradigm consisting of 15 intermittent foot‐shocks of 0.8 mA intensity, 10‐s duration and 10‐s intershock interval, during 5 min, followed by 3 weekly situational reminders, that is, once per week in the same context on three successive weeks. PTSD‐induced behavioral changes were assessed using actophotometer, open‐field, social interaction test, and freezing behavior. Biochemically, the serum corticosterone levels were estimated. Electric foot‐shock and situational reminders produced behavioral alterations and decreased corticosterone levels, assessed on the 21st day following the traumatic event. Administration of sertraline (Ser 15 mg/kg), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and nisoldipine (20 and 40 mg/kg), significantly attenuated the foot‐shock‐trauma‐induced behavioral changes along with normalization of the corticosterone levels. It may be concluded that nisoldipine produces beneficial effects in re‐establishing behavioral alterations, which may be due to normalization of reduced corticosterone levels in PTSD in mice.