Abstract
Sex-dependent differences are frequently observed in the biological and behavioural effects of substances of abuse, including cannabis. We recently demonstrated a modulating effect of sex and oestrous cycle on cannabinoid-taking and seeking behaviours. Here, we investigated the influence of sex and oestrogen in the regulation of cannabinoid CB1 receptor density and function, measured by [3H]CP55940 and CP55940-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding autoradiography, respectively, in the prefrontal cortex (Cg1 and Cg3), caudate- putamen, nucleus accumbens, amygdala and hippocampus of male and cycling female rats, as well as ovariectomised (OVX) rats and OVX rats primed with oestradiol (10 µg/rat) (OVX+E). CB1 receptor density was significantly lower in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala of cycling females than in males and in OVX females, a difference that appeared to be oestradiol-dependent, because it was no more evident in the OVX+E group. CP55940-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding was significantly higher in the Cg3 of OVX rats relative to cycling and OVX+E rats. No difference was observed in CB1 receptor density or function in any of the other brain areas analysed. Finally, sex and oestradiol were also found to affect motor activity, social behaviour and sensorimotor gating in rats tested in locomotor activity boxes, social interaction and prepulse inhibition tasks, respectively. Our findings provide biochemical evidence for sex- and hormone- dependent differences in the density and function of CB1 receptors in selected brain regions, and in behaviours associated with greater vulnerability to drug addiction, revealing a more vulnerable behavioural phenotype in female than in male rats.
Keywords: Sex difference, ovariectomy, oestrogen, CB1 receptor and [35S]GTPγS binding, locomotor activity, social interaction, anxiety, prepulse inhibition.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:Male and Female Rats Differ in Brain Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor Density and Function and in Behavioural Traits Predisposing to Drug Addiction: Effect of Ovarian Hormones
Volume: 20 Issue: 13
Author(s): Maria Paola Castelli, Paola Fadda, Angelo Casu, Maria Sabrina Spano, Alberto Casti, Walter Fratta and Liana Fattore
Affiliation:
Keywords: Sex difference, ovariectomy, oestrogen, CB1 receptor and [35S]GTPγS binding, locomotor activity, social interaction, anxiety, prepulse inhibition.
Abstract: Sex-dependent differences are frequently observed in the biological and behavioural effects of substances of abuse, including cannabis. We recently demonstrated a modulating effect of sex and oestrous cycle on cannabinoid-taking and seeking behaviours. Here, we investigated the influence of sex and oestrogen in the regulation of cannabinoid CB1 receptor density and function, measured by [3H]CP55940 and CP55940-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding autoradiography, respectively, in the prefrontal cortex (Cg1 and Cg3), caudate- putamen, nucleus accumbens, amygdala and hippocampus of male and cycling female rats, as well as ovariectomised (OVX) rats and OVX rats primed with oestradiol (10 µg/rat) (OVX+E). CB1 receptor density was significantly lower in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala of cycling females than in males and in OVX females, a difference that appeared to be oestradiol-dependent, because it was no more evident in the OVX+E group. CP55940-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding was significantly higher in the Cg3 of OVX rats relative to cycling and OVX+E rats. No difference was observed in CB1 receptor density or function in any of the other brain areas analysed. Finally, sex and oestradiol were also found to affect motor activity, social behaviour and sensorimotor gating in rats tested in locomotor activity boxes, social interaction and prepulse inhibition tasks, respectively. Our findings provide biochemical evidence for sex- and hormone- dependent differences in the density and function of CB1 receptors in selected brain regions, and in behaviours associated with greater vulnerability to drug addiction, revealing a more vulnerable behavioural phenotype in female than in male rats.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Castelli Paola Maria, Fadda Paola, Casu Angelo, Spano Sabrina Maria, Casti Alberto, Fratta Walter and Fattore Liana, Male and Female Rats Differ in Brain Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor Density and Function and in Behavioural Traits Predisposing to Drug Addiction: Effect of Ovarian Hormones, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2014; 20 (13) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/13816128113199990430
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/13816128113199990430 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Dual-target Inhibitors Based on BRD4: Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Cancer
Current Medicinal Chemistry Recent Advances in the Discovery of α1-Adrenoceptor Agonists
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacological Neuroprotection in Stroke: Rationale, State-of-the-art and Future Directions
Current Neuropharmacology A Mesenchymal Stem Cell Line Transplantation Improves Neurological Function and Angiogenesis in Intraventricular Amyloid β-Infused Rats
Current Alzheimer Research Protein-Protein Interactions: Recent Progress in the Development of Selective PDZ Inhibitors
Current Chemical Biology The Autism Candidate Gene Neurobeachin Encodes a Scaffolding Protein Implicated in Membrane Trafficking and Signaling
Current Molecular Medicine Cytokine/Antibody Complexes: An Emerging Class of Immunostimulants
Current Pharmaceutical Design Significance of High Levels of Endogenous Melatonin in Mammalian Cerebrospinal Fluid and in the Central Nervous System
Current Neuropharmacology The Contribution of Cerebral Vascular Neuropathology to Mild Stage of Alzheimer’s Dementia Using the NACC Database
Current Alzheimer Research Small Molecule Antagonists of the Chemokine Receptor CCR5
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Amyloid-β Aggregation Inhibitory and Neuroprotective Effects of Xanthohumol and its Derivatives for Alzheimer’s Diseases
Current Alzheimer Research Perspectives on mTOR Inhibitors for Castration-Refractory Prostate Cancer
Current Cancer Drug Targets COVID-19: Could Irisin Become the Handyman Myokine of the 21st Century?
Coronaviruses Commentary
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Causes and Consequences of MicroRNA Dysregulation Following Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Prodrug Design of Phenolic Drugs
Current Pharmaceutical Design Pharmacology and Therapeutics of Gabapentin in the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders; Present and Future Perspectives
Current Neuropharmacology Pentosidine, an Advanced Glycation Endproduct, and Arthritis
Current Rheumatology Reviews Fluoride Interactions: From Molecules to Disease
Current Signal Transduction Therapy Cyclooxygenases Regulation by Estradiol on Endothelium
Current Pharmaceutical Design