Environmental chemical compounds could induce sensitization to drugs of abuse.
Chemical environment should be considered as an additional factor that influences drugs of abuse. Besides, maternal exposure to environmental chemicals has increased, and fetuses as well as neonates may be at greater risk than adults. Studies from our laboratory have described a permanent effect of the worldwide use of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on serotonin and dopamine content in total brain and specific brain areas of adult rats born of mothers treated during lactation and fed with 2,4-D-treated diet after weaning. These animals show a modified neurotransmitter-related behavioral pattern in their developmental young and in adult age. Drugs that could be used to challenge the dopaminergic or serotoninergic systems include amphetamine or haloperidol, a postsynaptic dopamine receptor blocker. 2,4-D-exposed animals showed exacerbated response to challenges. Postnatal alterations in central dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems due to environmental chemical exposure may contribute to the enhanced/reduced behavioral sensitization to drugs of abuse.
Duffard
Ricardo
R
Experimental Toxicology Laboratory, Faculty of Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNR, Suipacha 531, Rosario, Argentina. rduffard@fbioyf.unr.edu.ar
Evangelista de Duffard
Ana Mariá
AM
D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006540:Herbicides / Q000633:toxicity; D007114:Immunization; D051381:Rats; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000276:immunology*
D006540:Herbicides; D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid