Administration of Glycine Following Immobilized Stress Produces Neurobehavioral And Biochemical Effects in Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Glycine is the simplest amino acid. Glycine acts as a neurotransmitter, stimulating and inhibiting brain cells affecting cognition, mood and appetite. Other biochemical molecules that have an impact on bodily functions are metabolized with the help of glycine. All species have evolved coping methods to deal with stress, which is often encountered in everyday activities. Stressful situations that last for an extended period of time can cause anxiety and affective disorders like depression, which in turn cause an excessive amount of free radical generation and oxidative stress. Methodology: Current research is planned to evaluate how glycine may affect in rats expose to repeated restraint stress. Two test groups and a control group of rats were used, test 1 animals were treated with immobilized stress for 14 days and test 2 were treated with immobilized stress following glycine administration at a dose of 200mg/kg/ml. The effect of immobilized stress and glycine on anxiety was assessed by elevated plus maze test while open field was used for evaluating locomotor activities and depression like symptoms assessed by forced swimming test. Results: Anxiogenic effects, depression like symptoms and hyperlocomotor activity observed in restraint stress rats while counter effects seen in case of test 2 animals. Biochemically glycine also produces counter effects against restrain stress. In conclusion glycine significantly improves anxiety and depression like symptoms in stressed rats.