Jpn. J. Pharmacol. 86 (2), 254-257 (2001)


Effects of Adenosine A1- and A2A-Receptor Agonists on Enhancement of Dopamine Release From the Striatum in Methamphetamine-Sensitized Rats

Akiko Yoshimatsu, Takao Shimazoe*, Atsuko Kawashimo, Takahide Shuto, Yukiko Doi, Takako Fukumoto and Shigenori Watanabe

Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University 62, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan

*Corresponding author. FAX: +81-92-642-6632, E-mail: Shimazoe@yakuri.phar.kyushu-u.ac.jp


Abstract: We report here both adenosine A1- and A2A-receptor agonists inhibit the expression of methamphetamine (MAP)-induced behavioral sensitization in rats. Animals were treated with MAP (1.0 mg /kg, i.p.) every 3 days with a total of 5 administrations. The augmentation of dopamine release from the striatum was demonstrated by MAP re-administration (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) after 7-day withdrawal by microdialysis. The augmentation of dopamine release was inhibited by pre-treatment not with N6-cyclohexyladenosine (0.01 mg/kg, i.p.) but by with 2-p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino-5'-N-ethylcarboxy-amide adenosine (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.). These results suggested that adenosine A1 and A2A receptors play an inhibitory role in sensitization via different mechanisms.

Keywords: Sensitization, Dopamine, Adenosine
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