Intervention effect of Gamma aminobutyric acid on anxiety behavior induced by di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in rats

Objective : To investigate the effect of γ- aminobutyric acid( GABA) on the neurobehavior of rats induced by di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate(DEHP). Methods:30 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5groups randomly:control group,DEHP group(500 mg/kg DEHP),low GABA group(L:500 mg/kg DEHP and1 mg/kg GABA),medium GABA group(M :500 mg/kg DEHP and 2 mg/kg GABA),and high GABA group(H:500 mg/kg DEHP and 4 mg/kg GABA). The interventions for DEHP exposure continued for 30 consecutive days. Behavioral changes of rats before and after interventions were assessed in the elevated plus maze test(EPM),and the levels of serotonin(5-HT) and norepinephrine(NE) in prefrontal cortex of rats were measured.Results:No significant differences were found in the EPM among the five groups(p>0.05) before interventions.DEHP and GABA treatment had no significant effects on the body weight of rats. The total food utilization rate of H group and C group were higher than DEHP group(p <0.05). The total entrance was not significantly different among different groups(p>0.05) after interventions. DEHP group had decreased percentage of time spent in open arms and entrance frequency to open arms than C group in the EPM test(p<0.01). The percentage of time spent in open arms and entrance frequency to open arms of M and H group were higher than DEH Pgroup(p<0.05). The levels of 5-HT and NE of DEHP group were higher than C group(p<0.05). The levels of5-HT and NE of M group were lower than DEHP group(p<0.05). The levels of 5-HT and NE of H group were lower than DEHP group(p<0.01). Conclusion:DEHP elevated 5-HT and NE levels in prefrontal cortex of rats and induces anxiety of rats. However,these effects induced by DEHP could be alleviated under GABA intervention through reducing 5-HT and NE in prefrontal cortex of rats.