THE EFFECT OF CHRONIC NICOTINE ON THE EXPRESSION OF CART PEPTIDES IN THE MESOCORTICOLIMBIC SYSTEM OF THE RAT BRAIN
Project no. 1066 · Status: Kapanmış · 2015
Summary
Cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART) mRNA and peptides are intensely expressed in the brain regions comprising mesocorticolimbic system. In addition to anatomical observations, there is also physiological evidence linking CART peptides with mesocorticolimbic system. Studies suggest that CART peptides have a role in drug abuse. The initiation of nicotine addiction involves mesocorticolimbic system. The aim of the study is to examine the effects of nicotine on CART expression in the mesocorticolimbic system. Three different doses of nicotine (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 mg/kg free base) were injected subcutaneously for 5 days and on the 6. day rats were decapited following a challange dose. CART peptide levels in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), dorsal striatum (DST), amygdala (AMG), lateral hipotalamic area (LHA), ventral tegmental area (VTA) were measured by Western Blot analysis. In the mPFC, 0.4 and 0.6 mg/kg nicotine, in the VTA 0.2 and 0.6 mg/kg nicotine decreased CART peptide levels. Nicotine regulates CART expression in the mPFC, VTA and AMG which are located in the mesocorticolimbic system. Key Words: CART; Nicotine; Mesocorticolimbic system; Reward