Yia-Ping Liu1, Che-Se Tung, Pai-Jone Lin, Fang-Jung Wan. 1. Department of Physiology and Biophysics, National Defense Medical Center, 161 Minchuan East Rd., Sec. 6, Taipei, Taiwan 114, Republic of China. yiaping@ms75.hinet.net
Abstract
RATIONALE: Repeated injections of amphetamine (AMPH) can progressively augment behavioral responses, a phenomenon known as behavioral sensitization. AMPH-induced behavioral sensitization can be demonstrated in a rat model of schedule-induced polydipsia (SIP). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a nonspecific nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro arginine methyl ester (L: -NAME), on the AMPH sensitization effects in SIP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were trained to establish SIP. The induction of AMPH sensitization in SIP was tested in either the home cage or a test cage. L: -NAME (50 mg/kg, i.p.) was co-administered with AMPH for five consecutive days, and its effect on induction was examined 3 and 14 days after withdrawal. The effect of L: -NAME on expression was examined on the final testing day by co-administration with AMPH in previously sensitized SIP rats. RESULTS: AMPH-induced behavioral sensitization in SIP rats only occurred when AMPH was injected in the home cage. Pretreatment with L: -NAME successfully blocked the induction of this sensitization following both short and long-term withdrawal. Once sensitization had been established, L: -NAME had no further influence. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that SIP behavior observed after repeated AMPH treatment is mediated by an NO-associated mechanism.
RATIONALE: Repeated injections of amphetamine (AMPH) can progressively augment behavioral responses, a phenomenon known as behavioral sensitization. AMPH-induced behavioral sensitization can be demonstrated in a rat model of schedule-induced polydipsia (SIP). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a nonspecific nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro arginine methyl ester (L: -NAME), on the AMPH sensitization effects in SIP. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Rats were trained to establish SIP. The induction of AMPH sensitization in SIP was tested in either the home cage or a test cage. L: -NAME (50 mg/kg, i.p.) was co-administered with AMPH for five consecutive days, and its effect on induction was examined 3 and 14 days after withdrawal. The effect of L: -NAME on expression was examined on the final testing day by co-administration with AMPH in previously sensitized SIP rats. RESULTS:AMPH-induced behavioral sensitization in SIP rats only occurred when AMPH was injected in the home cage. Pretreatment with L: -NAME successfully blocked the induction of this sensitization following both short and long-term withdrawal. Once sensitization had been established, L: -NAME had no further influence. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that SIP behavior observed after repeated AMPH treatment is mediated by an NO-associated mechanism.
Authors: Taavi Vanaveski; Jane Narvik; Jürgen Innos; Mari-Anne Philips; Aigar Ottas; Mario Plaas; Liina Haring; Mihkel Zilmer; Eero Vasar Journal: Front Neurosci Date: 2018-06-12 Impact factor: 4.677