Dados do Trabalho

Título

Analysis of locomotor behavior of an animal model of RLS induced by iron deficiency submitted to pharmacological treatments and physical exercise.

Introdução

Clinical conditions regarding restless legs syndrome (RLS) have well-characterized pathophysiological conditions in humans and their investigation is also reproducible in experimental models. In this sense, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments that investigate genetic aspects, neurophysiological and biochemical alterations that cause alterations in the dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems, as well as alterations in the adenosinergic system, are using the animal model to understand mechanisms. The rodent model for RLS through iron deficiency stands out, reproducing clinical and sleep conditions similar to those of patients such as sleep architecture, increased wakefulness at the end of the day and behavioral changes that mimic RLS-related characteristics.

Objetivo

To evaluate exploratory and locomotor behavior in an iron-deficient animal model for RLS during different pharmacological treatments and physical exercise.

Métodos

The experimental protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee for the Use of Animals (5561-1/2020). Adult male Wistar rats (n=43) divided into 6 groups: Control; DFe/Control; DFe/DOPA (dopmergenic agonist treatment); DFe/OPI (opioid treatment); DFe/GABA (treatment with α2δ gabapentin ligand); DFe/EF (treatment with physical exercise). In the experimental procedure, with 80 days of life, pharmacological interventions were started, physical exercise lasting 4 weeks. And the behavioral test (Open Field) once a week in parallel with the intervention (9-11am). For statistical analysis, the mixed linear analysis model and the post hoc Bonferroni test were used, p<0.05.

Resultados

The dopaminergic treatment group presented an ambulation total with parameters close to the healthy control, in addition, it indicated a significant reduction when compared to the iron deficiency group (p<0.05). On the other hand, in the opioid group, greater total ambulation was observed when compared to the dopamine and control groups (p<0.01). The treatment with physical exercise presented a tendency of results close to dopamine and to the control, with better effects than specific pharmacological agents.

Conclusões

Taken together, the findings suggest that dopaminergic agents in the treatment of the animal model of RLS, have beneficial effects and better results when compared to other treatments. It is observed that physical exercise is relevant in improving locomotor behavior.

Palavras -chave

Restless legs syndrome. Behavior. Sleep. Treatments.