Oxytocin increases locus coeruleus alpha 2-adrenoreceptor responsiveness in rats.
Oxytocin induces several antistress-like effects in rats. As the central noradrenergic nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) participates in arousal reactions and cardiovascular control, we used extracellular single-cell recording techniques to investigate a potential influence of oxytocin on LC neuronal activity. Oxytocin (1 mg/kg s.c.) given once a day for 5 days to male rats, increased the responsiveness of noradrenergic LC neurons to intravenous (i.v.) administration of clonidine, when compared to controls treated with saline for 5 days (P < 0.01). The spontaneous firing rate was not affected by oxytocin treatment. This study indicates that oxytocin treatment increases the responsiveness of LC alpha 2-adrenoreceptors.
Petersson
M
M
Department of Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Uvnäs-Moberg
K
K
Erhardt
S
S
Engberg
G
G
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004357:Drug Synergism; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008125:Locus Coeruleus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D010121:Oxytocin; D003000:Clonidine