Ethanol-induced changes in proenkephalin mRNA expression in the rat nigrostriatal pathway.

J Mol Neurosci

Departamento de Neuroquímica, Calzada México Xochimilco 101, Col. San Lorenzo Huipulco, 14370, México D.F., México.

Published: March 2008

Endogenous opioid systems have been suggested to play a key role in ethanol reinforcement mechanisms and alcohol-drinking behavior. Ethanol induces differential alterations in opioid peptide expression in brain areas of the reward circuits, which may be linked to the reinforcing effects of ethanol. In addition, ethanol-induced alterations in opioidergic nigrostriatal transmission could be involved in brain sensitivity to ethanol and play a role in addictive processes. The aim of this work was to study the effects of acute ethanol administration on proenkephalin (proenk) mRNA expression in the rat substantia nigra and caudate-putamen (CP) for up to 24 h post treatment. Male Wistar rats received ethanol (2.5 g/kg) or distilled water by intragastric administration, and proenk mRNA expression was studied by in situ hybridization and densitometry. Ethanol transiently increased proenk mRNA expression in the CP 1 h after drug administration. Proenk mRNA levels remained elevated 2 h post treatment in the anterior-medial and medial-posterior regions of the CP. In contrast, ethanol decreased proenk mRNA expression in the substantia nigra pars compacta and pars reticulata 2 h after drug exposure. Alterations in enkephalin expression in the substantia nigra and CP in response to ethanol exposure could be involved in the mechanisms underlying brain sensitivity to the drug.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12031-008-9039-9DOI Listing

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