Effects of atenolol injected into the nucleus accumbens septi in rats in the elevated plus-maze test.

Background In previous studies, we have observed that glutamate antagonists injected within the nucleus accumbens septi (NAS) induced an anxiolytic-like effect in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test in rats. In the present study, the effect of Atenolol, a specific Beta Adreno-receptor antagonist in the EPM was studied in male rats bilaterally cannulated NAS. Methods Rats were divided into five groups that received either 1 µL injections of saline or atenolol in different doses (0.75, 1 or 2 µg/1 µL, n=15-16) 15 min before testing. Results Time Spent in the Open Arm was modified by treatment (F=4.563, p=0.006, df 3). This was increased by the lowest dose of atenolol (p<0.05), by the medium doses (p<0.001) and also by the highest dose (p<0.01). Time per Entry was modified by treatment (F=4.54, p=0.06, df 3). This parameter was increased by the lowest dose of atenolol (p<0.01), but not for the medium and higher doses. Conclusions We conclude that Atenolol beta receptor blockade in the accumbens lead to an anxiolytic-like effect related to an increase in the time spent in the open arm and in the time per entry, showing specific behavioral patterns.

Differential behavioral profile induced by the injection of dipotassium chlorazepate within brain areas that project to the nucleus accumbens septi.

BACKGROUND: The effect of the agonism on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors was studied within medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), amygdala (AMY) and ventral hipocampus (VH) in the plus-maze test in male rats bilaterally cannulated. These structures send glutamatergic projections to the nucleus accumbens septi (NAS), in which interaction and integration between these afferent pathways has been described. In a previous study of our group, blockade of glutamatergic transmission within NAS induced an anxiolytic like effect. METHODS: Three rat groups received either saline or dipotassium chlorazepate (1 or 2 µg/1 µl solution) 15 min before testing. Time spent in the open arms (TSOA), time per entry (TPE), extreme arrivals (EA), open and closed arms entries (OAE, CAE) and relationship between open- and closed-arms quotient (OCAQ) were recorded. RESULTS: In the AMY injected group TSOA, OAE and EA were increased by the higher doses of dipotassium chlorazepate (p < 0.01). In the mPFC, TPE was decreased by both doses (p < 0.05). Injection within ventral hippocampus (VH) decreased TSOA, OAE and OCAQ with lower doses (p < 0.05). When the three studied saline groups were compared, TSOA, OAE, EA and OCAQ were enhanced in the VH group when compared to mPFC and AMY (p < 0.001). Insertion of inner canula (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.01) and saline injection showed an increasing significant difference (p < 0.001 in all cases) with the action of guide cannula alone within VH in TSOA, OAE and EA. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the injection of dipotassium chlorazepate has a differential effect depending of the brain area, leading to facilitatory and inhibitory effects on anxiety processing.

Anxiolytic-like effect of losartan injected into amygdala of the acutely stressed rats.

It has been recognized that the stress-related peptides are involved in anxiety states. Angiotensin II receptor blockade by systemic administration of the AT(1) receptor antagonists has been proposed as a new treatment possibility for anxiety disorders. For better understanding of the related mechanisms, in this study we evaluated effects of bilateral intraamygdaloid injections of 2 (LOS 2) and 4 (LOS 4) µg of losartan (LOS), a selective AT(1) receptor antagonist, on the behavior of the not stressed and acutely stressed rats in an elevated "plus" maze. Under non-stress conditions, LOS 4 increased time spent in the open arms (p < 0.01), number of extreme open arm arrivals (p < 0.05), time per entry (p < 0.01), and the number of total arm entries (p < 0.05) showing thus considerable anxiolytic activity. The open arm extreme arrivals were increased by LOS 4 in both not stressed (p < 0.05) and stressed (p < 0.05) rats. When no stressed and stressed LOS 4 animals were compared, time per entry and the number of closed arm entries (p < 0.05, both) were decreased in the latter group. Moreover, the LOS 4 stressed rats had significantly increased open/closed arm quotient (p < 0.05) as compared to the both control and LOS 4 non-stress group (p < 0.05, both). These findings suggest that the AT(1) receptor blockade in amygdala is important for the anxiolytic action of LOS (and probably other AT(1) receptor blockers) under both non-stress and stress conditions.

¿Qué cualidades valoran más los Pacientes de su Médico de Familia? / What qualities do patients value more in a Family Doctor?

Objetivo. Conocer qué cualidades del Médico de Familia son más valoradas por los pacientes y en qué medida son cumplidas. Diseño. Estudio descriptivo transversal. Emplazamiento. Atención Primaria. Área de Toledo. Participantes. Mayores de 14 años del Área, seleccionados por muestreo aleatorio sistemático. Mediciones principales. Encuesta telefónica diseñada ad hoc con ítems sobre las características relevantes del médico y el cumplimiento de las mismas, en escala de 0 a 10. Se recogieron también variables sociodemográficas, enfermedades crónicas y utilización de consultas. Resultados. Fueron entrevistados 161 pacientes, con edad media de 42,6 años. El 55,7% mujeres. El 69,7% tenía alguna enfermedad crónica. El 38,6% de ellos había acudido a su médico en el último mes, mientras que el 90,4% lo había hecho en el último año. Las características más valoradas fueron la ‘confiabilidad’ y el ‘trato respetuoso’; las menos valoradas fueron la ‘participación en la toma de decisiones’ y la ‘aceptación de pruebas demandadas por el paciente’. Respecto al grado de cumplimiento de dichas cualidades, destacan el ‘trato respetuoso’ y la ‘confiabilidad’. Conclusiones. La utilización de consulta es muy elevada en nuestro medio. Los pacientes valoran más cualidades de “índole personal” del médico que las de tipo técnico u organizativo. La participación en la toma de decisiones es de las menos valoradas. En general, los médicos del Área de Toledo cumplen en buena medida las expectativas planteadas en lo que a las cualidades personales se refiere (AU)

Objective. To determine what qualities patients value most in a Family Doctor and to what extent their doctors meet these expectations. Design. Cross sectional, descriptive study. Setting. Primary care. Toledo. Participants. Patients over 14 years old, selected by a random sampling method. Main measurements. An ad hoc telephone survey with items on the characteristics of a doctor and compliance to them, measured on a scale of 1 to 10. Socio-demographic variables, chronic diseases and use of doctors’ surgeries were also recorded. Results. A total of 161 patients with a mean age of 42.5 years were interviewed. 55.7% were women. 69,7% had a chronic disease. 38,6% had visited their doctor in the last month, whilst 90.4% had done so in the last year. The most valued characteristics were ‘reliability’ and ‘respectful treatment’; the least valued were “participation in making decisions” and “agreeing to tests requested by the patients”. “Respectful treatment” and “reliability” were the characteristics that most met the patients’ expectations. Conclusions. The use of doctors’ surgeries is very high in our area. The patients valued qualities of a “personal nature” more than technical or organizational qualities. Participation in the decision making process was less valued. In general doctors in the Toledo health area met patients’ expectation as regards personal characteristics (AU)