Streptozotocin-induced diabetes produces a naltrexone-reversible lowering of self-stimulation threshold.
Stimulation frequency thresholds for lateral hypothalamic self-stimulation were monitored for 3 weeks following the induction of diabetes with streptozotocin (STZ). In each of the 3 weeks following STZ treatment, thresholds of diabetic rats were significantly lower than their pre-STZ baseline while thresholds of control animals did not change. Naltrexone (5.0 mg/kg, s.c.) increased thresholds of diabetic rats while having no effect on thresholds of control rats. These results suggest that STZ-induced diabetes is associated with an opioid-mediated lowering of self-stimulation threshold. The possible relationship between this finding and similar findings obtained in food-restricted animals is discussed.
Carr
K D
KD
Millhauser Laboratories, Department of Psychiatry, New York University Medical Center, NY 10016.
D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012201:Reward; D012653:Self Stimulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013311:Streptozocin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D009271:Naltrexone; D013311:Streptozocin