Fig. 4: Hif3a siRNA infusion into the central nucleus of amygdala (CeA) blocks ethanol-induced anxiolysis and reduces mRNA levels of Hif3a, but not Slc10a6. Hif3a mRNA is decreased during withdrawal after chronic ethanol exposure.
From: Unraveling the epigenomic and transcriptomic interplay during alcohol-induced anxiolysis

A Schematic representation of the experimental design for the siRNA infusion and behavioral measurement. B Bar diagram showing anxiety-like behaviors following Hif3a siRNA infusion into the CeA with or without acute ethanol treatment (1 g/kg, intraperitoneal) in rats. Hif3a siRNA infusion into CeA (24 h prior) prevented anxiolytic effects of acute ethanol in rats. Values are represented as mean ± SEM (n = 10–11; two-way analysis of variance (Percent open arm entries: treatment effect, F1,37 = 72.397, p < 0.001, group effect F1,37 = 71.445, p < 0.001, treatment × group interaction, F1,37 = 3.078, p = 0.088; Percent time spent in open arms: treatment effect, F1,37 = 97.836, p < 0.001, group effect, F1,37 = 90.159, p < 0.001, treatment × group interaction, F1,37 = 10.175, p < 0.01) followed by post-hoc Tukey’s test: ***p < 0.001). C The mRNA levels of Hif3a and Slc10a6 were also measured in the amygdala of rats infused with control siRNA or Hif3a siRNA into CeA then treated with either saline or ethanol. Values are represented as mean ± SEM [n = 9–10; Two-way analysis of variance (Hif3a: treatment effect, F1,35 = 23.54, p < 0.001; group effect, F1,35 = 19.366, p < 0.001; Slc10a6: group effect, F1,33 = 11.003, p < 0.01) followed by post-hoc Tukey’s test: *p < 0.05; ***p < 0.001]. D Bar diagram showing changes in Hif3a mRNA levels in the amygdala of control, chronic ethanol-treated and ethanol-withdrawn (24 h) rats. Values are represented as mean ± SEM (n = 8; Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis of variance on ranks (H2 = 7.3, p < 0.05) followed by Tukey’s test, *p < 0.05). Individual values are shown on bar diagrams with circle dots for various groups.