CART peptide 55-102 microinjected into the nucleus accumbens inhibits the expression of behavioral sensitization by amphetamine.
CART peptide has been shown to regulate the actions of psychomotor stimulants. Here we have further investigated the role of the biologically active CART 55-102 peptide in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) in the expression of behavioral sensitization by amphetamine (AMPH). Rats were pre-exposed 5 times to either saline or AMPH (1 mg/kg, i.p.). After 2 weeks of withdrawal, rats were microinjected into the NAcc with saline or CART 55-102 (1.0, or 2.5 microg/0.5 microl/side) followed by AMPH challenge (1 mg/kg, i.p.). The enhanced increase of locomotion and rearing produced by repeated AMPH pre-exposures was dose-dependently inhibited by microinjection into the NAcc of CART 55-102 peptide. These results indicate that CART 55-102 peptide in the NAcc can play a compensatory inhibitory role in the expression of behavioral sensitization by AMPH and further suggest that CART peptide may be a useful target to control the drug addiction by psychomotor stimulants.
Kim
Seungwoo
S
Department of Physiology, Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Yoon
Hyung Shin
HS
Kim
Jeong-Hoon
JH
D000661:Amphetamine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D008845:Microinjections; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D000098882:Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Protein
D000661:Amphetamine; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C428723:cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript protein (55-102); D000098882:Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Protein