Changes of mRNA expression of enkephalin and prodynorphin in hippocampus of rats with chronic immobilization stress

World J Gastroenterol. 2004 Sep 1;10(17):2547-9. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i17.2547.

Abstract

Aim: To observe the changes of enkephalin mRNA and prodynorphin mRNA in hippocampus of rats induced by chronic immobilization stress.

Methods: Thirty rats were randomly divided into three groups of 10 each: the normal control group (group A), the group induced by chronic immobilization stress for 7 d (group B) and the group induced by chronic immobilization stress for 21 d (group C). The changes of the enkephalin mRNA and prodynorphin mRNA in the rat hippocampus were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results: Expression levels of enkephalin mRNA and prodynorphin mRNA in rat hippocampus were significantly increased under chronic immobilization stress, and the expression of prodynorphin mRNA in the rat hippocampus in group C was remarkably higher than that in group B (0.624 +/- 0.026; n = 5; P<0.01).

Conclusion: The increased enkephalin mRNA and prodynorphin mRNA gene expressions in rat hippocampus were involved in chronic stress.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chronic Disease
  • Enkephalins / genetics*
  • Gene Expression
  • Hippocampus / physiology*
  • Male
  • Protein Precursors / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Restraint, Physical
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Stress, Physiological / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Enkephalins
  • Protein Precursors
  • RNA, Messenger
  • preproenkephalin