The role of kisspeptin in the regulation of emotional states in modeling acute stress disorder in a vertebrate species

In acute stress disorders, depressive, anxiety-phobic states and sexual dysfunctions are observed, which are poorly amenable to treatment. Neuropeptides of the kisspeptin group have been proposed for the correction of these disorders. We have previously shown the effect of kisspeptin analogs on the activation of sexual behavior in a model of acute stress disorders. The aim of the present work was to determine the role of kisspeptin in the regulation of emotional behavior following the acute stress of predator presentation in a range of vertebrates. The effects of fish presentation of the predator Hypsophrys nicaraguensis to Danio rerio and of tiger python presentation to Wistar rats were investigated. Similarly to the behavior of rodents, fish showed manifestations of negative emotional states: frising on the bottom and decreased motor activity. Administration of phenazepam, paroxetine, or kisspepin 10 ameliorated the effects of predator presentation in Danio rerio: increased movement to the top of the tank; decreased time at the bottom of the tank. Unlike phenazepam, kisspeptin 10 did not reduce anxiety-phobic reactions in the elevated plus maze in modeling of acute stress disorder in rats, while showing disinhibitory and antidepressant effects in the Porsolt test similar to the action of serotonin reuptake inhibitor paroxetine. Data on the unidirectional effects of kisspeptin 10 and paroxetine in Danio rerio and Wistar rats support a role for kisspeptins in modulating serotonin-dependent behavior in a model of acute stress disorder. The data support the hypothesis that kisspeptins are involved in relieving anxiety-phobic states while maintaining emotional aspects of reproductive behavior such as sexual motivation, territorial behavior, and arousal in a range of vertebrates. The work shows promise for the introduction of Danio rerio into preclinical and translational research protocols in the study of acute stress disorders.