Alcohol and Cocaine Exposure Modulates ABCB1 and ABCG2 Transporters in Male Alcohol-Preferring Rats

In this study, we determined the effects of voluntary ethanol consumption following repeated exposure to cocaine or vehicle on the relative mRNA and protein expression ofAbcg2/ABCG2 andAbcb1/ABCB1 in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of male alcohol-preferring (P) rats. Male P rats were allowed free choice access to ethanol (15 and 30%v/v) and water for 5  weeks to establish baseline drinking behavior. The following week, rats were either injected with 20 mg/kg i.p. of cocaine or saline, once a day, for 7 days. The relative mRNA and protein expression ofAbcb1/ABCB1 andAbcg2/ABCG2 in the NAc and mPFC were significantly decreased in ethanol-saline- and ethanol-cocaine-exposed rats compared to control rats that received neither ethanol nor cocaine. Thus, prolonged exposure to commonly abused drugs, ethanol and cocaine, alters the expression ofAbcb1/ABCB1 andAbcg2/ABCG2 mRNA and protein levels in brain areas that play a role in drug dependence.

Source: Molecular Neurobiology - July 6, 2018 Category: Neurology Source Type: research