Angiotensin II AT1 Receptors Are Involved in Neuronal Activation Induced by Amphetamine in a Two-Injection Protocol Maria

PAZ, M.C.; MARCHESE, N.A.; CANCELA, L.M.; BREGONZIO, C.

BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL

HINDAWI PUBLISHING CORPORATION

Año: 2013 p. 1 - 1

2314-6133

t was already found that Ang II AT1 receptors are involved in the neuroadaptative changes induced by a single exposure to amphetamine, and such changes are related to the development of behavioral and neurochemical sensitization. The induction of the immediately early gene c-fos has been used to define brain activated areas by amphetamine. Our aim was to evaluate the participation of AT1 receptors in the neuronal activation induced by amphetamine sensitization. The study examined the c-fos expression in mesocorticolimbic areas induced by amphetamine challenge (0.5 mg kg i.p) in animals pretreated with candesartan, a selective AT1 receptor blocker (3 mg kg p.o for 5 days), and amphetamine (5 mg kg i.p) 3 weeks before the challenge. Increased c-fos immunoreactivity was found in response to the amphetamine challenge in the dorsomedial caudate-putamen and nucleus accumbens, and both responses were blunted by the AT1 receptor blocker pretreatment