RESUMEN
Using quantitative in situ hybridization, a significant decrease in expression of proenkephalin (27.1%) and of protachykinin mRNAs (20.0%) is observed in the rat caudate-putamen 14 days after daily intraperitoneal administration of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist MK-801, 2 mg/kg.
Asunto(s)
Maleato de Dizocilpina/farmacología , Encefalinas/biosíntesis , Antagonistas de Aminoácidos Excitadores/farmacología , Neostriado/metabolismo , Precursores de Proteínas/biosíntesis , ARN Mensajero/biosíntesis , Receptores de N-Metil-D-Aspartato/antagonistas & inhibidores , Taquicininas/biosíntesis , Animales , Autorradiografía , Maleato de Dizocilpina/administración & dosificación , Regulación hacia Abajo/efectos de los fármacos , Antagonistas de Aminoácidos Excitadores/administración & dosificación , Hibridación in Situ , Inyecciones Intraperitoneales , Masculino , Neostriado/efectos de los fármacos , Ratas , Ratas WistarRESUMEN
delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a major psychoactive component of cannabis. We have recently localized a receptor for THC in the forebrain and found in the caudate-putamen that its gene expression is modulated by glucocorticoids, dopamine and glutamate. Here, we report for the first time, using quantitative in situ hybridization, that acute THC (5 mg kg-1, i.p.) regulates the mRNA levels of multiple immediate early genes in the adult rat forebrain. Twenty minutes after a single THC injection, significant increases in concentration of the mRNAs for C-FOS, C-JUN and ZIF-268 were observed in the cingulate cortex (75, 45 and 37%) and for C-FOS and ZIF-268 in the fronto-parietal cortex (60 and 64%) and caudate-putamen (81 and 32%) while JUN-D mRNA levels were not changed. These transcription factor genes might mediate putative THC modulation of neurotransmitter gene expression.