Vitamin A's uncertain impact on anxietyAcute and long-term effects of adolescence stress exposure on rodent adult hippocampal neurogenesis, cognition, and behaviour.
Limited evidence for isolated effect
This study explored the effects of anxiety treatments, specifically focusing on the role of vitamin A. We discovered that while vitamin A was mentioned among other potential therapies, its isolated effect on anxiety was not clearly defined. Out of several treatments tested on stressed adolescent rodents, vitamin A showed promise but was grouped with other interventions, limiting our ability to pinpoint its direct impact.
Interestingly, prior findings suggest that a healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin A, along with antidepressants and other treatments, could prevent or reverse the negative consequences of stress. However, the current data doesn't provide strong evidence that vitamin A alone can effectively reduce anxiety or improve cognitive functions related to stress exposure.
Overall, the relationship between vitamin A and anxiety needs further exploration. We remain hopeful that future studies will clarify its specific benefits and allow us to better understand how dietary factors can influence mental health during critical developmental periods.
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We explored how vitamin A, more specifically its active form retinoic acid (RA), impacts anxiety levels. In this study, researchers discovered that a specific protein, cellular RA binding protein 1 (Crabp1), plays a crucial role in regulating responses to stress. Mice lacking Crabp1 showed significantly lower levels of anxiety and less stress-induced hormone release, indicating that Crabp1 dampens the body's stress response.
By examining the interactions between Crabp1 and another protein called FKBP5, we observed that reducing Crabp1 levels led to decreased FKBP5 expression. This is important because lower FKBP5 levels lessened feedback inhibition in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which in turn helped reduce anxiety-like behaviors. It was noted that stress and RA can actually increase Crabp1 levels, which may heighten FKBP5 expression and possibly raise the risk of anxiety disorders.
Essentially, this study sheds light on the complex relationship between vitamin A, Crabp1, and anxiety, suggesting that while Crabp1 modulates stress responses beneficially, an overabundance can potentially increase anxiety risks.
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Retinoic acid mitigates anxiety effectsModulation of Benzo[a]Pyrene Induced Anxiolytic-Like Behavior by Retinoic Acid in Zebrafish: Involvement of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defense System.
Moderately tied to vitamin A's effects
We explored the effects of retinoic acid (RA), a form of vitamin A, on anxiety-like behaviors in zebrafish. Our study aimed to understand how RA could help alleviate the anxiety induced by exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), a common environmental contaminant known to cause oxidative stress and neurotoxicity.
Through careful observation, we found that B[a]P exposure did indeed lead to increased anxiety-like behaviors in zebrafish. However, co-supplementing with RA appeared to reduce these anxiety responses. We noticed that the antioxidant activities were also positively influenced by RA, suggesting that it plays a protective role against the neurotoxic effects of B[a]P.
Yet, it's important to note that excessive or insufficient levels of RA could also induce oxidative stress, highlighting the delicate balance needed for this vitamin to be effective. Our study indicated that a careful administration of RA could provide therapeutic benefits, particularly in mitigating the neurotoxic effects caused by environmental contaminants like B[a]P.
In summary, we found that while RA can help counteract anxiety-like behaviors associated with B[a]P toxicity in zebrafish, caution is necessary regarding its concentration. The findings shed light on the potential of RA as an essential nutrient for maintaining mental health, particularly in polluted environments.
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Vitamin A influences anxiety behaviorAll-trans Retinoic Acid-induced Abnormal Hippocampal Expression of Synaptic Genes and is Correlated with Anxiety or Depression-Like Behavior in Mice.
Study relevance moderate-strong
We explored the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), a form of vitamin A, on anxiety and depression-like behaviors in young mice. By administering different doses of ATRA, we found that a specific dose of 10 mg/kg led to noticeable changes in behavior typically associated with depression and anxiety. This suggests that ATRA may significantly influence these emotional states.
In our investigation, we took a closer look at certain genes involved in synaptic functions within the hippocampus, which is a critical area for mood regulation. We observed that ATRA administration decreased the expression of one key gene and increased another, both of which correlated with specific anxiety and depression behaviors in the mice during various tests. For instance, higher expression levels of one gene appeared to connect with more anxiety-like behaviors, while the opposite was true for the other gene.
Overall, the findings suggest a compelling link between ATRA and mood-related behaviors, highlighting the need for further exploration in understanding how vitamin A derivatives like ATRA can affect our emotional well-being. Our study underscores a potential target for future research on depression and anxiety treatments.
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Vitamin A reduces anxiety effectsVitamin A status regulates glucocorticoid availability in Wistar rats: consequences on cognitive functions and hippocampal neurogenesis?
Relevance score indicates moderate impact
We examined how vitamin A affects anxiety by investigating Wistar rats on a vitamin A-deficient diet and then testing the effects of vitamin A supplementation. Our focus was on understanding the relationship between vitamin A levels and glucocorticoids, particularly how they influence anxiety behaviors and cognitive functions.
Throughout the study, we found that vitamin A deficiency led to higher levels of corticosterone (CORT), which is linked to stress and anxiety. The rats that initially lacked vitamin A showed increased anxiety-like behaviors. However, when we supplemented these rats with vitamin A, we observed a remarkable improvement in their anxiety levels.
This suggests that maintaining adequate vitamin A could be crucial for reducing anxiety and enhancing overall cognitive function by modulating CORT levels. Our findings highlight the significance of vitamin A status in managing anxiety, especially in the context of aging and memory decline.
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