Abstract

Objective: This experiment is to determine if selenium yeast modulates behavioural changes in male Wistar rats subjected to restraint stress. Methods: The experiment was carried out with 15 male Wistar rats, randomly divided into three groups; Group I-normal control, Group II-stress control group, Group III- selenium yeast (0.1mg/kg) + restrained stress. Restraint stress was induced using restraint meshes for 6 hours (between 9.00-15.00 h) for 15 days. Behavioural changes were assessed, using open-field apparatus and elevated plus maze. Results: In open-field test; stress control group showed increased value of line c ross, neck stretch and rearing, administrations of selenium yeast shows decrease activity in open field. In e levated plus maze, time spent in open arms, number of entries in open arms and number of entries in closed arms were significantly higher in stress control group when compared to normal control group. Selenium yeast group shows a significant decrease in entries and time spent in open arms but increase time spent and entries in close arms. Stress control shows increase catalase and malondialdehyde activities when compared to normal control and selenium yeast groups. That of super oxidase and glutathione peroxidase concentration in selenium yeast group was significant (P ˂ 0.05) higher when compared to stress control. Conclusion: restraint stress decreased anxiety-like behaviour and induces oxidative stress. Antioxidants selenium yeast ameliorates oxidative s tress, but did not exert modulatory effect on anxiety-like behaviours in restraint Wistar rats.