Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate Alleviated Anxiety in Diabetic Mice

Diabetes is often associated with psychological complications such as anxiety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate on anxiety of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse using the open field and the elevated plus maze tests. Confirmed diabetic mice (>16.7 mM/l of blood glucose) were treated with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate or 0.9% saline for 10 w. After pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate treatment, mice showed a higher percent of time retention and entries in open arms than the diabetic group in the elevated plus maze. However, there were no differences between total distance and average speed in both groups in the open field test. In conclusion, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate treatment in diabetic mice exerted anxiolytic-like effects. The present study might be suggestive of a novel treatment approach to diabetic anxiety.