The AT1 angiotensin II receptor blockade attenuates the development of amphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization in a two-injection protocol.

MARIA CONSTANZA PAZ; MARIA AMPARO ASSIS; RICARDO J. CABRERA; LILIANA M. CANCELA; CLAUDIA BREGONZIO

SYNAPSE

Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Año: 2010 vol. 65 p. 505 - 505

1098-2396

p>It has been shown that a single exposure to amphetamine is sufficient to induce long-term behavioral, neurochemical, and neuroendocrine sensitization in rats. Dopaminergic neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens and the caudate-putamen plays a critical role in the addictive properties of drugs of abuse. Angiotensin (Ang) II receptors are found on the soma and terminals of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons and it has been shown that Ang II acting through its AT1 receptors facilitates dopamine release. The hypothesis was tested that Ang II AT1 receptors are involved in the neuroadaptative changes induced by a single exposure to amphetamine and that such changes are related to the development of behavioral and neurochemical sensitization. For this purpose, the study examined the expression of amphetamine-enhanced (0.5 mg kg  i.p.) locomotor activity in animals pretreated with candesartan, an AT©û blocker, (3 mg kg  p.o. x 5 days), 3 weeks after an amphetamine injection (5 mg