Acute methamphetamine administration increases tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA levels in the rat locus coeruleus.
Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA levels in the rat substantia nigra (SN), ventral tegmental area (VTA) and locus coeruleus (LC) were measured by in situ hybridization histochemistry 1, 4, 6 and 24 h after a single injection of methamphetamine (MAP, 4 mg/kg, i.p.) or an equivalent volume of saline. TH mRNA levels in LC were transiently increased (130% of control saline group, P < 0.05) at 1 h after MAP injection, and returned to basal levels within 4 h. In contrast, acute MAP administration did not significantly affect TH mRNA levels in SN and VTA. These findings are the first to demonstrate TH mRNA expression in the different responses of catecholaminergic neurons to acute MAP administration.
Shishido
T
T
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Fukushima Medical College, Fukushima City, Japan.
Watanabe
Y
Y
Matsuoka
I
I
Nakanishi
H
H
Niwa
S
S
D000818:Animals; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008125:Locus Coeruleus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics*; D017557:Ventral Tegmental Area / Q000187:drug effects
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D015259:Dopamine Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D008694:Methamphetamine; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase