Behavioral Assessment of Acute Inhibition of System x_c ^- in rats

Authors

Victoria Lutgen, Marquette University
Jon M. Resch, Marquette UniversityFollow
Krista Qualmann, Marquette UniversityFollow
Nicholas J. Raddatz, Marquette UniversityFollow
Cristina Panhans, Marquette UniversityFollow
Ellen M. Olander, Marquette UniversityFollow
Linghai Kong, Marquette UniversityFollow
Sujean Choi, Marquette UniversityFollow
John R. Mantsch, Marquette UniversityFollow
David A. Baker, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

11 p.

Publication Date

12-2014

Publisher

Springer

Source Publication

Psychopharmacology

Source ISSN

0033-3158

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1007/s00213-014-3612-4

Abstract

Rationale

Gaps in our understanding of glutamatergic signaling may be key obstacles in accurately modeling complex CNS diseases. System x_c ^- is an example of a poorly understood component of glutamate homeostasis that has the potential to contribute to CNS diseases.

Objectives

This study aims to determine whether system x_c ^- contributes to behaviors used to model features of CNS disease states.

Methods

In situ hybridization was used to map mRNA expression of xCT throughout the brain. Microdialysis in the prefrontal cortex was used to sample extracellular glutamate levels; HPLC was used to measure extracellular glutamate and tissue glutathione concentrations. Acute administration of sulfasalazine (8–16 mg/kg, IP) was used to decrease system x_c ^- activity. Behavior was measured using attentional set shifting, elevated plus maze, open-field maze, Porsolt swim test, and social interaction paradigm.

Results

The expression of xCT mRNA was detected throughout the brain, with high expression in several structures including the basolateral amygdala and prefrontal cortex. Doses of sulfasalazine that produced a reduction in extracellular glutamate levels were identified and subsequently used in the behavioral experiments. Sulfasalazine impaired performance in attentional set shifting and reduced the amount of time spent in an open arm of an elevated plus maze and the center of an open-field maze without altering behavior in a Porsolt swim test, total distance moved in an open-field maze, or social interaction.

Conclusions

The widespread distribution of system x_c ^- and involvement in a growing list of behaviors suggests that this form of nonvesicular glutamate release is a key component of excitatory signaling.

Comments

Accepted version. Psychopharmacology, Vol. 231, No. 24 (December 2014): 4637-4647. DOI. © 2014 Springer. Used with permission.

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Recommended Citation

Lutgen, Victoria; Resch, Jon M.; Qualmann, Krista; Raddatz, Nicholas J.; Panhans, Cristina; Olander, Ellen M.; Kong, Linghai; Choi, Sujean; Mantsch, John R.; and Baker, David A., "Behavioral Assessment of Acute Inhibition of System x_c ^- in rats" (2014). Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications. 53.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/biomedsci_fac/53