The delta opioid receptor agonist KNT-127 in the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex attenuates veratrine-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice.

The delta opioid receptor agonist KNT-127 in the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex attenuates veratrine-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice. Behav Brain Res. 2017 Aug 29;: Authors: Saitoh A, Suzuki S, Soda A, Ohashi M, Yamada M, Oka JI, Nagase H, Yamada M Abstract We previously reported that systemic administration of the selective delta opioid receptor (DOP) agonist KNT-127 produces potent anxiolytic-like effects in rats. Although a higher distribution pattern of DOPs was reported in the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex (PL-PFC) of rodents, the role of DOPs in PL-PFC and in anxiolytic-like effects have not been well examined. Recently, we demonstrated that activation of PL-PFC with the sodium channel activator veratrine increases glutamatergic neurotransmission and produces anxiety-like behaviors in mice. Therefore, we investigated the effects of co-perfusion with KNT-127 in PL-PFC on veratrine-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice. We also simultaneously measured extracellular glutamate and GABA levels. In addition, we assessed the effect of KNT-127 on the expression of c-Fos in sub-regions of the amygdala. Extracellular glutamate levels were measured in seven-week-old male C57BL/6N mice using an in vivo microdialysis-HPLC/ECD system, and behaviors were assessed simultaneously in an open field test. Basal levels of glutamate were measured by collecting samples every 10min for 60min. The drug-containing medium was perfused fo...
Source: Behavioural Brain Research - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Behav Brain Res Source Type: research