Involvement of Nrf2 in Development of Anxiety-Like Behavior by Linking Bcl2 to Oxidative Phosphorylation: Estimation in Rat Hippocampus, Amygdala, and Prefrontal Cortex

In this study, we evaluated whether silencing of Nrf2 plays a role in development of anxiety-related behavior. In this regard, we exerted small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting Nrf2 in dorsal third ventricle and subsequently examined the effect of this silencing on anxiety-related behavior along with supposed molecular mechanisms. Therefore, we evaluated apoptotic markers and mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) activity in three brain regions: hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex. Based on our result, Nrf2-silenced rats exhibited greater anxiety-like behavior compared to control group. Furthermore, Nrf2 silencing increased activity of ETC complexes. Also, Bax/Bcl2 ratio of all mentioned areas of the brain and cleavage of caspase-3 in hippocampus increased in Nrf2 silenced group, however, with a distinct pattern.
Source: Journal of Molecular Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research