Behavioral Analysis of the Stress-reducing Effects of Coffee Volatiles in Mice

The effects of fipronil on emotional and cognitive behaviors in mammals

Fipronil is a phenylpyrazole insecticide that is widely used as a pesticide and a veterinary drug, although studies suggest that it could be toxic to mammals. The objectives of this study were to examine the pharmacokinetic profile of fipronil in mice, dogs, and cats, and to evaluate its effects on emotional and cognitive behaviors of dogs and cats using the data obtained from mice. The assessment of in vivo kinetics of fipronil was conducted in mice and dogs. We also performed behavioral tests (elevated plus-maze and Y-maze) and measured the levels of neurotransmitters in mice exposed to fipronil. In addition, the in vitro metabolism of fipronil were evaluated using liver microsomes of rats, mice, dogs, and cats. The results revealed that fipronil is distributed throughout the body (blood, brain, adipose tissue, and liver) of mice after dermal application. It was metabolized to fipronil sulfone primarily in the liver. The data on kinetics show that both fipronil and fipronil sulfone have a longer half-life in dogs and cats than in mice. The behavioral tests indicated that fipronil and fipronil sulfone could affect emotional and cognitive behaviors and alter the levels of neurotransmitters (dopamine in the striatum and serotonin in the hippocampus) in mice. Furthermore, we found that dogs and cats have a low ability to metabolize fipronil than mice and rats. However, further comprehensive studies are needed to determine whether fipronil affects the emotional and cognitive behaviors when administered to dogs and cats. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the pharmacokinetic data and verify the effects of fipronil on emotional and cognitive behaviors of dogs and cats using the data obtained from mice.

[Effects of strolling on the mind and autonomic activities of elderly people in the 2018 Yamaguchi Yume Flower Expo Well-being Garden based on the heart rate, blood pressure, low frequency/high frequency and mood]

AIM

In recent years in Japan, forest therapies have been implemented in various places. While the effects of such therapies have been reported in previous research papers, those of artificial gardens have not been clarified. At the 2018 Yamaguchi Yume Flower Expo, the Yamaguchi University Faculty of Medicine had the opportunity to provide a "Well-being Garden" in collaboration with the Japan Landscape Contractors Association Yamaguchi Prefecture Branch. We examined the physical and mental responses of older people who strolled in the Well-being Garden.

METHODS

Participants were 158 people ≥ 65 years old. Pre-and post-stroll interviews were conducted, and the heart rate, blood pressure, and autonomic nervous activities were measured.

RESULTS

After strolling in the garden, the heart rate significantly decreased from 76.1±12.9 to 73.9±11.8/min (p<0.01), and both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased from 142.5±24.4 to 139.4±24.1 mmHg and from 83.7±12.0 to 81.5±11.9 mmHg, respectively (p<0.01). The ralue of low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) after strolling in the garden came closer to the standard one than before, both in the participants with much tension and with less tension. In the post-stroll interview, 74 reported feeling very good, and 84 felt good.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that strolling in the Well-being Garden positively influenced the physical and mental condition of the participants.