Journal of
Neuroscience and Behavioral Health

  • Abbreviation: J. Neurosci. Behav. Health
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2286
  • DOI: 10.5897/JNBH
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 67

Full Length Research Paper

Behavioural and haematological studies on effects of lycopene in Wistar rats subjected to psychological stress

Ogundeji, T.
  • Ogundeji, T.
  • Department of Veterinary Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
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Ayo J. O.
  • Ayo J. O.
  • Department of Veterinary Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Aluwong T.
  • Aluwong T.
  • Department of Veterinary Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Mohammed A.
  • Mohammed A.
  • Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Human Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
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  •  Accepted: 24 April 2013
  •  Published: 31 May 2013

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of prior lycopene supplementation on behaviour and haematology of Wistar rats subjected to psychological stress. Four groups of Wistar rats, each comprising seven animals were investigated: unstressed (U-Control), unstressed + lycopene (U+Lyco), stressed (SControl) and stressed + lycopene (S+Lyco). Olive oil was given by oral gavage to each rat in the groups, either singly or mixed with 10 mg/kg lycopene daily for two weeks. S-Control and S+Lyco groups were subjected to psychological stress followed by behavioural assessment using excitability score test. Blood samples were collected after sacrificing the animals and then analyzed. Psychological stress increased (P < 0.05) erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in Wistar rats. Lycopene significantly increased excitability scores and total blood plasma proteins, and decreased (P > 0.05) erythrocyte MDA concentration. In conclusion, antioxidant properties of lycopene may be attenuating the effects of psychological stress on excitability score and erythrocytes of Wistar rats.

Key words: excitability score, erythrocytes, total plasma proteins, fear stress, oxidative stress, antioxidant supplementation