Centrally administered vasopressin cross-sensitizes rats to amphetamine and drinking hypertonic NaCl

Abstract

Prior sodium restriction cross-sensitizes rats to the psychomotor effects of amphetamines and vice versa. Repeated central injections of vasopressin (VP) induce a psychomotor sensitization similar to amphetamine sensitization and repeated sodium deficiency. Thus brain VP signaling may be a common mechanism involved in mediating these two motivational systems. In experiment 1, we tested the hypothesis that rats previously sensitized to central VP would show enhanced psychomotor responses to amphetamine. Rats were administered saline, VP (50 ng), or amphetamine (1 mg/kg or 3 mg/kg) on days 1 and 2, and given saline or amphetamine on day 3. Amphetamine produced psychomotor arousal in all groups. However, amphetamine on day 3 elicited a significantly greater psychomotor response in rats that had prior injections of amphetamine or VP than in rats previously treated with saline. In experiment 2, the hypothesis that prior experience with central VP would cross-sensitize rats to drinking hypertonic sodium (NaCl) solutions was tested. Rats were administered VP (50 ng) or saline for 3 days. On the fourth day, nondeprived rats were given access to 0.3 M NaCl and water for 1 h. Control and saline-treated rats only drank 1 ml of 0.3 M NaCl, but rats previously exposed to central VP drank significantly more hypertonic saline (4 ml). These results show that prior experience with central VP cross-sensitizes rats to the psychomotor stimulant effects of amphetamine and the ingestion of concentrated NaCl solutions. This pattern of cross-sensitization links central VP signaling, amphetamine, and sodium deficiency, and therefore it may play a role in the cross-sensitization between sodium appetite and amphetamines.

Effects of alcohol and psychostimulants on the vasopressin system: Behavioural implications

“…Subcutaneous pretreatment with AVP completely antagonised the increase in locomotor activity induced by acute cocaine or AMPH injection . On the other hand, microinjections of AVP in the lateral ventricles produced an increase in locomotor activity, and animals treated with AVP had a higher psychomotor response to AMPH, indicating cross‐sensitisation between AVP and AMPH . Regarding METH, in a conditioned place preference model with a priming injection reinstatement phase, systemic treatment with a V1b antagonist during the extinction phase diminished METH‐seeking reinstatement behaviour .…”

The Role of Oxytocin and Vasopressin in Drug-Induced Reward—Implications for Social and Non-Social Factors

“…Interestingly, administration of SR49059 (AVPV 1A Rs antagonist) in zebrafish led to a decrease in the MDMA-induced anxiolytic effect [ 98 ], which further supports the hypothesis of the bidirectional effects of AVPV 1A Rs and AVPV 1B Rs antagonists. In terms of AVP effects on animals’ locomotion, it has been shown that AVP treatment leads to cross-sensitization to amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion [ 100 ] and that SSR149415 is able to decrease the expression of nicotine-induced locomotor sensitization [ 101 ]. The impact of AVP and AVPRs ligands on depressive-like behavior and memory performance is yet to be discovered.…”

Short-term cross-sensitizion of need-free sugar intake by combining sodium depletion and hypertonic NaCl intake

“…We do not know if such protocol would cross-sensitize with the effects of sodium depletion. Second, the drugs of abuse which cross-sensitize their effects with that of sodium depletion have the potential to influence both energetic and water metabolism as well as interact with hormones that produce neuroplasticity (Acerbo & Johnson, 2011;Grell, Christensen, & Fjalland, 1985;Han, Kelly, Fellingham, & Conlee, 1996;Marchand, 1970;McBride & Flynn, 2007;Mello & Mendelson, 1997;Nencini, Valeri, & Morrone, 1990). Thus, another possible level of difference in the rules of crosssensitization, not mutually exclusive to that dependent on sensory afference to the brain, could reside in physiological or metabolic, and hormonal alterations.…”