Abstract
This study investigated the effects of β-alanine (BA) ingestion on the behavioral and neuroendocrine response of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a murine model. Animals were fed a normal diet with or without (PL) BA supplementation (100 mg kg−1) for 30 days. Animals were then exposed to a predator-scent stress (PSS) or a sham (UNEX). Behaviors were evaluated using an elevated plus maze (EPM) and acoustic startle response (ASR) 7 days following exposure to the PSS. Corticosterone concentrations (CS), expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and brain carnosine concentrations were analyzed a day later. Animals in PSS+PL spent significantly less time in the open arms and in the number of entries in the EPM than PSS+BA, UNEX+BA, or UNEX+PL. Animals in PSS+BA had comparable scores to UNEX+BA. Anxiety index was higher (p < 0.05) in PSS+PL compared to PSS+BA or animals that were unexposed. ASR and freezing were greater (p < 0.05) in animals exposed to PSS compared to animals unexposed. CS expression was higher (p < 0.05) in animals exposed to PSS compared to unexposed animals. Brain carnosine concentrations in the hippocampus and other brain sections were significantly greater in animals supplemented with BA compared to PL. BDNF expression in the CA1 and DG subregions of the hippocampus was lower (p < 0.05) in animals exposed and fed a normal diet compared to animals exposed and supplemented with BA, or animals unexposed. In conclusion, BA supplementation in rats increased brain carnosine concentrations and resulted in a reduction in PTSD-like behavior, which may be mediated in part by maintaining BDNF expression in the hippocampus.
Highlights
Stress resulting from an acute traumatic experience can result in a variety of manifestations that include recurring and unwanted recollections or dreams of the event that cause significant behavioral changes (American Psychiatric Association 2013)
The results of this study indicated that 30 days of β-alanine ingestion in rats was effective in attenuating some of the behaviors tested and associated with exposure to predator-scent stress (PSS)
Rats fed a normal diet and exposed to PSS were observed to be significantly less active when placed in the elevated maze and had a greater anxiety level compared to animals that were either unexposed, or animals that were exposed and supplemented with BA
Summary
Stress resulting from an acute traumatic experience can result in a variety of manifestations that include recurring and unwanted recollections or dreams of the event that cause significant behavioral changes (American Psychiatric Association 2013). Responses from acute stress may include avoidance of feelings or reminders of the event, marked arousal including irritability, hypervigilance, an elevated startle response, a concentration deficit or emotional numbing (American Psychiatric Association 2013). These responses to acute stress are often used to diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (American Psychiatric Association 1994), several studies have indicated that some individuals are able to adapt within a short time period following the traumatic experience and not experience PTSD (Bisson et al 2004; Bryant et al 2008). The mechanism that is stimulating the structural remodeling of neurons in the brain is quite complex, evidence is compelling that changes in circulating glucocorticoids (McEwen 2007; Myers et al 2014) and expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (Yao et al 2011) are closely linked to the plasticity of brain function
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