Motor and behavioral changes in rats with adenine-induced chronic renal failure: influence of acacia gum treatment

Chronic renal failure (CRF) either occurring naturally in humans or induced surgically in rats causes alterations in behavior and motor functions. However, the effect of chemically induced CRF in rats on behavior is not known. We induced CRF in rats by feeding adenine (0.75% w/w, four weeks) and investigated the effect of the ensuing CRF on a depression model (forced swimming test, FST), analgesia (mechanical nociception), neuromuscular coordination (Rota-rod test) and motor activity (activity meter test). Further, we investigated the effect of giving acacia gum (AG, 10% w/v) in the drinking water concomitantly with adenine using the above models. AG has been previously shown to ameliorate the severity of CRF in humans and rats. Adenine-induced CRF significantly increased the plasma concentrations of urea and creatinine, and reduced creatinine clearance. Additionally, it significantly reduced motor activity and increased immobility time in the FST, suggesting a depressant-like effect. Both of these actions were significantly antagonized by AG treatment. Adenine insignificantly reduced the mechanical nociceptive threshold by 15%. The results of the tests for neuromuscular coordination were inconclusive. In conclusion, adenine-induced CRF caused motor and behavioral alterations, and these were significantly mitigated by administration of AG.