Voluntary exercise offers anxiolytic potential and amplifies galanin gene expression in the locus coeruleus of the rat

摘要: Although exercise improves anxiety in humans, it is controversial whether anxiolytic rodents. We tested the hypothesis that stress influences effect of on anxiety-like and defensive behaviors. To explore neurobiological mechanisms exercise, we also examined alters gene expression for stress-related peptide galanin. Rats were housed presence or absence a running wheel 21 d. A subset these rats (1) not injected received single high, dose β-carboline FG7142 (inverse agonist at benzodiazepine receptor site) immediately prior to testing (2) repeatedly with vehicle during last 10 d exercise. On day 22, behaviors measured elevated plus maze, shock probe burying, withdrawal tests. Locus coeruleus prepro-galanin mRNA was by situ hybridization. Exercise sedentary exhibited similar behavior all tests, whereas test battery produced intense avoidance immobility consistent an response. However, anxiolytic-like active relative condition FG7142. increased locus controls. These data suggest emergence enhanced adaptive after chronic voluntary influenced stress. Our support role galanin beneficial consequences running.