title: The effect of repeated desipramine administration on water intake in rats.
abstract: Rats were maintained on a regimen of restricted access to water. Desipramine (DMI) IP 1 h prior to the access period dose-dependently reduced water intake. Following completion of the dose-response determination for the effect of desipramine or water intake, rats were divided into three groups for repeated administration. Rats in each group were injected both 1 h before and 15 min after the access period. The SAL-SAL group received saline both before and after the session, the DMI-SAL group received 10 mg/kg DMI before and saline after the session, and the SAL-DMI group received saline before and 10 mg/kg DMI after the session. Average water intake for rats in the DMI-SAL group decreased progressively during the first 5 days of repeated administration and then began to return toward baseline levels. Average water intake for rats in the SAL-DMI group decreased progressively from days 4-18 of repeated administration and then began to increase toward baseline levels. Rats repeatedly administered DMI (DMI-SAL and SAL-DMI groups) became tolerant to its effect on water intake, as indicated by a diminution of the DMI effect during repeated treatment and by a shift to the right in the DMI dose-response function after discontinuation of repeated DMI administration. Both groups of rats administered DMI repeatedly were less sensitive to amitriptyline-induced reduction of water intake than controls, thereby indicating the development of cross-tolerance to amitriptyline. Cross-tolerance to scopolamine did not develop. These findings demonstrate a behavioral effect of DMI that results in the development of tolerance. The lack of cross-tolerance to scopolamine suggests that tolerance development is not due to altered central cholinergic function.
mesh_terms: D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D003891:Desipramine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004327:Drinking Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000639:Amitriptyline; D012601:Scopolamine; D003891:Desipramine