Involvement of the brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the neuroadaptive responses induced by amphetamine in a two-injection protocol.

PAZ, M.C.; MARCHESE, N.A.; STROPPA M. MERCEDES; GEREZ DE BURGOS, NM; HANS INBODEN; GUSTAVO BAIARDI; CANCELA, LILIANA MARINA; BREGONZIO, C.

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2014 vol. 272 p. 314 - 314

single or repeated exposure to psychostimulants induces long-lasting neuroadaptative changes. Different neurotransmitter systems are involved in these responses including the neuropeptide angiotensin II. Our study tested the hypothesis that the neuroadaptative changes induced by amphetamine produce alterations in brain RAS components that are involved in the expression of the locomotor sensitization to the psychostimulant drug. Wistar male rats, pretreated with amphetamine were used 7 or 21 days later to study AT1 receptors by immunohistochemistry and western blot and also angiotensinogen mRNA and protein in caudate putamen and nucleus accumbens. A second group of animals was used to explore the possible role of Ang II AT1 receptors in the expression of behavioral sensitization. In these animals treated in the same way, bearing intra-cerebral cannula, the locomotor activity was tested 21 days later, after an amphetamine challenge injection and the animals received an AT1 blocker, los