Acetylcholine nicotinic receptors play a central role in the modulation of rewarding behaviors by interacting with dopamine transmission: evidence from male rat sexual behavior.
Ana Evelia Hernández-Colín, Ana Canseco-Alba, Gabriela Rodríguez-Manzo
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Rationale: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nACh) are involved in the regulation of dopamine (DA) transmission at the mesolimbic (MSL) system, which regulates naturally rewarding behaviors like sexual behavior. Acetylcholine (ACh) and DA maintain a balance in the MSL system, which alteration impacts motivated behaviors. Copulation to satiety produces a sustained activation of the MSL system that triggers the instatement of a long-lasting sexual inhibitory period associated with a decreased sexual motivation.
Objective: To determine if ACh contributes to the establishment and maintenance of the sexual inhibitory period of sexually satiated male rats through the activation of nAChRs.
Methods: Animals copulated to satiety in the presence of different doses of the nAChR antagonist mecamylamine (MEC), systemically administered, to determine nAChR involvement in the establishment of the sexual inhibitory state. The effect of different MEC doses on satiated rats was investigated to determine the role of nAChRs in maintaining the sexual inhibitory state. Combined treatments of MEC with a DA receptor agonist or antagonist were used to determine the possible interaction between DA and ACh.
Results: nAChRs blockade during copulation to satiety interfered with the emergence of the sexual inhibitory state. In sexually satiated rats, nAChR antagonism reversed the sexual inhibition, an effect that was cancelled by a DA receptor antagonist.
Conclusions: ACh is released during copulation to satiety and contributes to the instatement and maintenance of the sexual inhibitory state of sexually satiated rats through the activation of nAChR. DA is involved in the MEC-induced reversal of sexual satiety.
期刊介绍：
Official Journal of the European Behavioural Pharmacology Society (EBPS)
Psychopharmacology is an international journal that covers the broad topic of elucidating mechanisms by which drugs affect behavior. The scope of the journal encompasses the following fields:
Human Psychopharmacology: Experimental
This section includes manuscripts describing the effects of drugs on mood, behavior, cognition and physiology in humans. The journal encourages submissions that involve brain imaging, genetics, neuroendocrinology, and developmental topics. Usually manuscripts in this section describe studies conducted under controlled conditions, but occasionally descriptive or observational studies are also considered.
Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Translational
This section comprises studies addressing the broad intersection of drugs and psychiatric illness. This includes not only clinical trials and studies of drug usage and metabolism, drug surveillance, and pharmacoepidemiology, but also work utilizing the entire range of clinically relevant methodologies, including neuroimaging, pharmacogenetics, cognitive science, biomarkers, and others. Work directed toward the translation of preclinical to clinical knowledge is especially encouraged. The key feature of submissions to this section is that they involve a focus on clinical aspects.
Preclinical psychopharmacology: Behavioral and Neural
This section considers reports on the effects of compounds with defined chemical structures on any aspect of behavior, in particular when correlated with neurochemical effects, in species other than humans. Manuscripts containing neuroscientific techniques in combination with behavior are welcome. We encourage reports of studies that provide insight into the mechanisms of drug action, at the behavioral and molecular levels.
Preclinical Psychopharmacology: Translational
This section considers manuscripts that enhance the confidence in a central mechanism that could be of therapeutic value for psychiatric or neurological patients, using disease-relevant preclinical models and tests, or that report on preclinical manipulations and challenges that have the potential to be translated to the clinic. Studies aiming at the refinement of preclinical models based upon clinical findings (back-translation) will also be considered. The journal particularly encourages submissions that integrate measures of target tissue exposure, activity on the molecular target and/or modulation of the targeted biochemical pathways.
Preclinical Psychopharmacology: Molecular, Genetic and Epigenetic
This section focuses on the molecular and cellular actions of neuropharmacological agents / drugs, and the identification / validation of drug targets affecting the CNS in health and disease. We particularly encourage studies that provide insight into the mechanisms of drug action at the molecular level. Manuscripts containing evidence for genetic or epigenetic effects on neurochemistry or behavior are welcome.
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