Chlorella vulgaris reduces the impact of stress on hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and brain c-fos expression. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Souza Queiroz, Julia; Marín Blasco, Ignacio; Gagliano, Humberto; Daviu, Nuria; Gómez Román, Almudena; Belda, Xavier; Carrasco, Javier; Rocha, Michelle C.; Palermo Neto, João; Armario, Antonio
• Is Part Of: Psychoneuroendocrinology. Volume 65(2016:Mar.)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 8
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: ALA α-linolenic acid -- ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone -- CRF corticotropin-releasing factor -- CV Chlorella vulgaris -- DR dorsal raphe -- HPA axis hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis -- LC locus coeruleus -- LA linoleic acid -- LSv lateral septum ventral -- MeA medial amygdala -- mPFC medial prefrontal cortex (Cg1: cingulate PrL: prelimbic IL: infralimbic) -- hnRNA heteronuclear RNA -- hnCRF heteronuclear RNA for CRF -- PVN hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus -- mpdPVN medial dorsal parvocellular division of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus -- RIA radioimmunoassay; Chlorella vulgaris -- ACTH -- Corticosterone -- Glucose -- Forced swimming -- Corticotropin-releasing factor; Psychoneuroendocrinology -- Periodicals; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Neuropsychoendocrinologie -- Périodiques; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.12.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4530

Abstract

Highlights: Acute pretreatment with C. vulgaris reduced stress-induced HPA activation (ACTH levels and hnCRF expression in the PVN). Acute pretreatment with C. vulgaris reduced stress-induced c- fos expression in most evaluated brain regions. Acute pretreatment with C. vulgaris reduced stress-induced hyperglycemia. Abstract: Predominantly emotional stressors activate a wide range of brain areas, as revealed by the expression of immediate early genes, such as c- fos . Chlorella vulgaris (CV) is considered a biological response modifier, as demonstrated by its protective activities against infections, tumors and stress. We evaluated the effect of acute pretreatment with CV on the peripheral and central responses to forced swimming stress in adult male rats. Pretreatment with CV produced a significant reduction of stress-related hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal activation, demonstrated by decreased corticotrophin releasing factor gene expression in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and lower ACTH response. Hyperglycemia induced by the stressor was similarly reduced. This attenuated neuroendocrine response to stress occurred in parallel with a diminished c- fos expression in most evaluated areas, including the PVN. The data presented in this study reinforce the usefulness of CV to diminish the impact of stressors, by reducing the HPA response. Although our results suggest a central effect of CV, further studies are necessary to understand the precise mechanisms underpinning this effect.