Function specific supersensitivity of m-chlorophenyl piperazine-induced serotonergic neurotransmission in female compared to male rats.
Administration of various doses of m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP), a 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) agonist, to rats increased plasma levels of corticosterone and decreased locomotor activity in a dose dependent manner. The increases of plasma corticosterone but not the decreases of locomotor activity were greater in female than male rats. Hypophagic effects of m-CPP not different in freely feeding male and female rats were greater in females when food deprived animals used. The findings along with our previous report show a functional supersensitivity of 5-HT neurotransmission involved in the regulation of hypothalamo-pituitary adrenocortical axis and appetite suppression in female sex, and suggest a possible basis for the greater occurrence of depression and anorexia in women than men.
Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Pakistan.
D J
DJ
Haleem
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012016:Reference Values; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D010879:Piperazines; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; C015068:1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine; D003345:Corticosterone