Antioxidant amino acid supplementation reduces anxiety and depressive-like behaviors in rats subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress.

This study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of an antioxidant amino acid supplement (SUP), in rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Adult male rats were distributed in groups: 1) control (CON), 2) CUMS, 3) CUMS treated with fluoxetine, and 4) CUMS treated with SUP. Weight gain was measured once a week. The sucrose preference test was performed once a week to detect anhedonia. The elevated plus maze and locomotor activity tests were performed to detect anxiety-like behaviors. Animals in the CUMS groups showed a decrease in weight gain compared to CON group. Six-week administration of fluoxetine and the supplement in CUMS rats increase sucrose preference and number of entries into open arms, and lower anxiety index than CUMS, similar to CON group. Incorporating supplements with antioxidant activity into the diet improves altered stress suggesting it can prevent mental illness.