Antiaggressive effects of MPEP, a selective antagonist of mGlu5 receptors, in agonistic interactions between male mice.
mGlu5 receptors are highly concentrated in limbic brain structures involved in motivational and emotional behaviours. This study describes the effects of 2-methyl-6-(phenylethylnyl)pyridine (MPEP; 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mg/kg, ip), a selective antagonist of the mGlu5 receptors, on agonistic behaviour elicited by isolation in male mice. Individually housed mice were exposed to anosmic opponents in a neutral area 30 min after drug administration. Besides other behaviours, the aggressive (threat and attack) and exploratory behaviours were evaluated during 10 min using an ethologically based analysis. MPEP produced a behavioural profile characterized by a notable decrement of offensive behaviours, accompanied by a significant increase of exploratory behaviours (nonsocial exploration and social investigation). These findings suggest a role for mGlu5 receptors in aggression modulation.
Navarro
José Francisco
JF
Department of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, Campus de Teatinos s/n, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain. navahuma@uma.es
Postigo
Diana
D
Martín
Mercedes
M
Burón
Estrella
E
D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects; D000378:Agonistic Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D064529:Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5; D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism
D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D011725:Pyridines; D064529:Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5; D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate; C121465:6-methyl-2-(phenylethynyl)pyridine