Effects of the adipokinetic hormone/red pigment‐concentrating hormone (AKH/RPCH) family of peptides on MK‐801‐induced schizophrenia models

Abstract The adipokinetic and red pigment‐concentrating hormone ( AKH / RPCH ) family of peptides controls fat, carbohydrate, and protein metabolism in insects. In our previous study, we showed that AKH possesses antidepressant, anxiolytic, and analgesic effects, causes hyperlocomotion, and exerts neuroprotective effects and increased brain neurotrophic factors in mice. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Anax imperator AKH (Ani‐ AKH ), Libellula auripennis AKH (Lia‐ AKH ), and Phormia‐Terra hypertrehalosemic hormone (Pht‐Hr TH ) on MK ‐801‐induced memory deterioration in the active allothetic place avoidance test ( AAPA ) and MK ‐801‐induced sensorimotor gating deficit in the prepulse inhibition test ( PPI ). In the AAPA task, Long–Evans rats were treated with Ani‐ AKH (2 mg/kg), Lia‐ AKH (2 mg/kg), Pht‐Hr TH (2 mg/kg), MK ‐801 (0.15 mg/kg), and the combination of MK ‐801 with the hormones subchronically. In the prepulse inhibition test, Wistar albino rats were treated with Ani‐ AKH (1 mg/kg), Lia‐ AKH (1 mg/kg), Pht‐Hr TH (1 mg/kg), MK ‐801 (0.1 mg/kg), or the combination of MK ‐801 with hormones acutely before the test. In our study, Ani‐ AKH (2 mg/kg), Lia‐ AKH (2 mg/kg), and Pht‐Hr TH (2 mg/kg) reversed MK ‐801 (0.15 mg/kg)‐induced cognitive memory impairment effects in the AAPA task. Lia‐ AKH (1 mg/kg) significantly potentiated the MK ‐801‐induced PPI disruption, while Ani‐ AKH (1 mg/kg) partially potentiated the impairment caused by MK ‐801, and Pht‐Hr TH did not modify the effect of MK ‐801. In conclusion, AKH had no effect in sensorimotor gating deficits in the PPI test in schizophrenia model while AKH improved memory in the schizophrenia model of MK ‐801.