MOTION SICKNESS INDUCES PHYSIOLOGICAL AND NEURONAL ALTERATIONS IN MOUSE MODEL

Motion sickness (MS) is a conflict between visual and vestibular system leading to nausea and vomiting. The present study aimed to standardize a method to induce MS in Balb/c mice model. Conditioned taste aversion (CTA) utilizing saccharin solution (SS) was used as MS index. Mice were divided into three groups (n=6); group 1 (G1), group 2 (G2) and group 3 (G3). Two bottle test [TBT, both bottles consists of either drinking water (DW) or SS] and two bottle choice test (TBCT, one bottle comprises of DW and other SS) were performed. G2 and G3 experienced rotation for 15, 30 and 45 min using a dancing shaker whereas G1 received no rotation. The consumption of SS before and after MS induction was recorded. Acetylcholine esterase and cortisol levels were detected in mice brain, and HPLC-ECD detected plasma samples and neurotransmitters. It was found that the rotation of 30 min resulted in a significant reduction in the SS consumption in the G3 group when compared to G1, thus indicating that the sickness is induced. Acetylcholine esterase (0.033 µmol/min/mg), histamine, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP, 3089.38 ng/g tissue) and cortisol (62.81 pg/ml) levels were increased in G2 and G3 groups when compared to G1. HPLC results show that levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine increase, whereas serotonin decreases in the G2, G3. Hence, this study validates the use of this MS model for further mechanistic studies related to motion sickness to develop anti-motion sickness food supplements.