Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior
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Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. · Jul 2012
Comparative StudyDecision time and perseveration of adolescent rats in the T-maze are affected differentially by buspirone and independent of 5-HT-1A expression.
Disruption of spontaneous alternation behavior (SAB) by the serotonin 1A (5-HT-1A) receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetraline (8-OH-DPAT), results in repetitive behaviors that have been used to model the perseveration and indecisiveness of human obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In the present study, we compared the effects of buspirone to those of 8-OH-DPAT in two strains of adolescent rats and analyzed repetitive choices of arms of the maze and prolonged apparent decision time due to induction of vicarious trial and error (VTE) behavior. In adolescent Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, 8-OH-DPAT induced repetitive choices of arms of the maze (perseveration) and increased the apparent decision time. ⋯ The 5-HT-1A antagonist WAY 100365 blocked the effect 8-OH-DPAT on repetitive choice of arms but not the effect of buspirone on VTE behavior. We conclude that the adolescent LE rat has normal levels of 5-HT-1A receptor and that the effect of buspirone on VTE behavior is not mediated by the 5-HT-1A receptor. The LE strain may provide a useful system for further study of the adolescent brain and potential genetic differences in induction of repetitive behaviors.
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Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. · Jul 2012
κ opioid regulation of anxiety-like behavior during acute ethanol withdrawal.
Withdrawal is one of the defining characteristics of alcohol dependence, and is often characterized by impaired physiological function and enhanced negative affect. Recent evidence suggests that the dynorphin (DYN)/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system may be a key mediator in the negative affect often associated with drugs of abuse. The objective of the present experiments was to determine the role of the DYN/KOR system in the regulation of anxiety-related behavior during acute withdrawal from ethanol. ⋯ Similar decreases in open arm exploration were observed following injections with the KOR agonist, U50,488, an effect also reversed by pretreatment with nor-BNI. These results suggest that similar mechanisms are involved in the regulation of ethanol withdrawal- and KOR agonist-induced changes in behavior. Given the potential role of enhanced negative affect in persistent ethanol drinking, understanding the role of the DYN/KOR system in regulating anxiety associated with withdrawal may be critical in understanding the factors associated with the nature of alcohol dependence.
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Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. · Jul 2012
Intrathecal administration of roscovitine attenuates cancer pain and inhibits the expression of NMDA receptor 2B subunit mRNA.
Cancer pain is one of the most severe chronic pains. The mechanisms underlying cancer pain are still unclear. Because of the pain-relieving effects of Cdk5 (Cyclin-dependent kinase 5) antagonist roscovitine in inflammation pain models, we tested whether roscovitine would induce antihyperalgesia in cancer pain. ⋯ At day 14 after operation, inoculation of Osteosarcoma cells significantly enhanced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, which was attenuated by intrathecal administration of different doses of roscovitine. Correlated with the pain behaviors changes, RT-PCR experiments in our study revealed that there was a marked increase in the expression of NR2B mRNA in spinal cord after operation, which was attenuated by intrathecal administration of roscovitine. These results suggest that roscovitine may be a useful adjunct therapy for bone cancer pain, and NR2B in spinal cord may participate in this effect.
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Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. · Jul 2012
Previous administration of naltrexone did not change synergism between paracetamol and tramadol in mice.
In the treatment of acute and chronic pain the most frequently used drugs are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), e.g., paracetamol; opioids, e.g., tramadol, and a group of drugs called coanalgesics or adjuvants (e.g., antidepressants, anticonvulsants). The aim of this work was to determine the nature of the interaction induced by intraperitoneal or intrathecal coadministration of paracetamol and tramadol. The type of interaction was evaluated by means of isobolographic analysis, using the acetic acid writhing test as an algesiometer in mice. ⋯ The different mechanisms of action of paracetamol and tramadol strongly explain the analgesic synergism between them, in agreement with the general theory of drug interaction. This synergic interaction was not modified by the non selective opioid antagonist, naltrexone. This association could be of clinical significance in the treatment of pain with a reduction of doses and adverse effects.
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Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. · Jul 2012
Role of ATP-sensitive K+ channels in the antinociception induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in streptozotocin-diabetic and non-diabetic rats.
There is evidence that systemic sulfonylureas block diclofenac-induced antinociception in normal rat, suggesting that diclofenac activates ATP-sensitive K(+) channels. However, there is no evidence for the systemic interaction between different non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and sulfonylureas in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. Therefore, this work was undertaken to determine whether two sulfonylureas, glibenclamide and glipizide, have any effect on the systemic antinociception that is induced by diclofenac (30 mg/kg), lumiracoxib (56 mg/kg), meloxicam (30 mg/kg), metamizol (56 mg/kg) and indomethacin (30 mg/kg) using the non-diabetic and STZ-diabetic rat formalin test. ⋯ In contrast, pretreatment with glibenclamide or glipizide did not block lumiracoxib-, meloxicam-, metamizol-, and indomethacin-induced systemic antinociception (P>0.05) in both groups. Results showed that systemic NSAIDs are able to produce antinociception in STZ-diabetic rats. Likewise, data suggest that diclofenac, but not other NSAIDs, activated K(+) channels to induce its systemic antinociceptive effect in the non-diabetic and STZ-diabetic rat formalin test.