2026-10-14T06:08:44Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/34034908 2026-09-30T17:28:54Z category_15 category_734 category_106 category_122 portal_5 item_type_1 month_year_09_2026

Low-dose/high-stress exposure reduces body weight but does not cause anxiety or cognitive impairment in rats. Rashelle Lashley (7302038) Joshua Brian Foster (20175776) Xueqin Wang (350340) Albert John Muhleman (20175779) Samuel Weaver (1344039) Edison Lin (25145140) Liching Lai (25145143) Chien-liang Glenn Lin (16856919) Neuroscience Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified Science Policy Mental Health related chemical agents investigational compound designed including chronic pain improve translational rigor robust behavioral phenotypes like behavioral phenotypes standardize animal models harlan involving exposure experimental conditions evaluated gulf war illness male sd rats experimental conditions behavioral assessments gulf war exposure paradigms animal sources rats using rats may subsequently modified stress levels rat model psychological stress original objective neuropsychiatric symptoms mood problems mild stress initially attempted continued efforts cognitive impairment better interpret Rats were exposed to low doses of chemical agents and a variety of high stressors. Body weight was monitored during and post-GW exposure. At 4 weeks post-exposure, rats received either LH-001 or vehicle. Anxiety-like and cognitive behaviors were assessed starting from 10 weeks post-exposure. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA unless otherwise indicated. (A) Body weight. Body weights were monitored weekly over the first six weeks (n = 24/group). GW-exposed groups showed a significant reduction in body weight during the GW exposure period. (B, C) Open field test. Time spent in the center (B) and total distance traveled (C) were measured (n = 12/group). No significant differences were found between groups. (D) Elevated plus maze test. The percentage of time spent in the open arms was analyzed (n = 12/group). GWI/LH-001 rats spent more time in the open arm when compared to control/LH-001 rats. (E-F) Dark and light test. Latency to enter the dark chamber (E) and percent of time spent in the light chamber (F) were assessed (n = 11–12/group). No significant differences were found between groups. (G-H) Novelty-suppressed feeding test. Amount of food consumed (G) and latency to begin feeding (H) were analyzed (n = 11–12/group). No significant differences were found between groups. (I, J) Recognition memory test. Discrimination index scores for novel object location (I) and novel object recognition (J) were calculated (n = 11–12/group). No significant differences were found between groups. (K-L) Barnes maze test. Latency to find the escape hole (K) and time spent in the target quadrant (L) during the initial training phase were analyzed (n = 12/group). GWI/vehicle rats found the target hole more quickly when compared to control/LH-001 rats. (M-N) Barnes maze re-training. Latency to the new escape hole (M) and time spent in the new target quadrant (N) were analyzed one week later (n = 12/group). No significant differences were found between groups. (O) Barnes maze memory recall. Time spent in the original target quadrant during the re-training phase was analyzed (n = 12/group). Overall, no general trend for anxiety-like phenotypes or cognitive deficits with increasing stress was found. *p < 0.05, ***p < 0.001. 2026-09-30T17:28:43Z Image Figure 10.1371/journal.pone.0337157.g003 https://figshare.com/articles/figure/_p_Low-dose_high-stress_exposure_reduces_body_weight_but_does_not_cause_anxiety_or_cognitive_impairment_in_rats_p_/34034908 CC BY 4.0