Neurovascular unit alteration in somatosensory cortex and enhancement of thermal nociception induced by amphetamine involves central AT 1 receptor activation

OCCHIEPPO, VICTORIA BELÉN; MARCHESE, NATALIA ANDREA; RODRÍGUEZ, IARA DIAMELA; BASMADJIAN, OSVALDO MARTÍN; BAIARDI, GUSTAVO; BREGONZIO, CLAUDIA

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Año: 2017

0953-816X

he use of psychostimulants, such as amphetamine (Amph), is associated with inflammatory processes, involving glia and vasculature alterations. Brain Angiotensin II (Ang II), through AT1 -receptors (AT1 -R), modulates neurotransmission and plays a crucial role in inflammatory responses in brain vasculature and glia. Our aim for the present work was to evaluate the role of AT1 -R in long-term alterations induced by repeated exposure to Amph. Astrocyte reactivity, neuronal survival and brain microvascular network were analyzed at the somatosensory cortex. Thermal nociception was evaluated as a physiological outcome of this brain area. Male Wistar rats (250-320g) were administered with AT1 -R antagonist Candesartan/vehicle (3mg/kg p.o., days 1-5) and Amph/saline (2.5mg/kg i.p., days 6-10). The four experimental groups were: Veh-Sal, CV-Sal, Veh-Amph, CV-Amph. On day 17, the animals were sacrificed and their brains were processed for Nissl staining and immunohistochemistry against glial fi