title: Modification of adenosine A1 and A2A receptor density in the hippocampus of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
abstract: Adenosine A(1) and A(2A) receptors are neuromodulatory systems that can control mnemonic behavior, which is modified by diabetes. Since the density of these adenosine receptors can change upon chronic noxious brain conditions, we now tested if the density of A(1) and A(2A) receptors was modified in the hippocampus of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The binding density of the selective A(1) receptor antagonist, (3)H-DPCPX, was decreased by 36% in total hippocampal membranes 7 days after induction of diabetes and this down-regulation was maintained after 30 and 90 days, which was also confirmed by Western blot analysis of A(1) receptor immunoreactivity. In contrast, the binding density of the selective A(2A) receptor antagonist, (3)H-SCH 58261, was enhanced by 83% in total hippocampal membranes 7 days after induction of diabetes and this up-regulation persisted after 30 and 90 days. These results show that the balance between inhibitory A(1) and facilitatory A(2A) adenosine receptors is modified in the hippocampus of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Thus, the most abundant A(1) receptors are down-regulated and there is an up-regulation of A(2A) receptors, suggesting a gain of function of hippocampal A(2A) receptors compared to A(1) receptors in diabetes, as has been observed in other chronic noxious brain conditions where A(2A) receptor blockade affords robust neuroprotection.
authors.affiliation: Center for Neuroscience of Coimbra, Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: João M N
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Catarina R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: António F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Ambrósio
authors.forename: Rodrigo A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Cunha
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D043682:Receptor, Adenosine A1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D043705:Receptor, Adenosine A2A / Q000378:metabolism*; D013311:Streptozocin
chemical_list: D043682:Receptor, Adenosine A1; D043705:Receptor, Adenosine A2A; D013311:Streptozocin