The effect of metformin on the motor activity and hippocampal dopamine metabolism in rats subjected to repeated immobilization stress

The present study investigates the impact of metformin treatment on motor activity and hippocampal dopamine metabolism in rats subjected to recurring immobilization stress. The experiment was conducted on male Albino Wistar rats, which have been exposed to repeated immobilization stress (2hrs; for 6 days) and administered with metformin on the dose of 50mg/kg. Motor activities were assessed in open field, dopamine and its metabolites were estimated in the hippocampal samples by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC). Biochemical parameters were monitored in serum (serum leptin, serum tryptophan, serum glucose, serum corticosterone, serum cholesterol) and brain samples (hippocampal tryptophan). The results revealed that metformin management mitigated the deleterious consequences of repeated immobilization stress on motor activities of the rats. Furthermore, metformin treatment was associated with alterations in dopamine metabolites in the hippocampus, suggesting possible modulatory role of dopaminergic neurotransmission in response to immobilization stress. These findings contribute to the knowledge of neurobiological mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of metformin in stress-associated situations, underscoring its capability as a pharmacological intervention for stress-triggered alterations in motor function and dopaminergic neurotransmission.