Anxiolytic-like effect induced by the cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist, arachydonilcyclopropylamide (ACPA), in the rat amygdala is mediated through the D1 and D2 dopaminergic systems

J Psychopharmacol. 2011 Jan;25(1):131-40. doi: 10.1177/0269881110376688. Epub 2010 Aug 4.

Abstract

In the present study the influence of the dopaminergic system(s) of the amygdala on the anxiolytic-like effect of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist, arachydonilcyclopropylamide (ACPA), in male Wistar rats was investigated. An elevated plus-maze test of anxiety was used to assess anxiety-like behaviors. The results showed that bilateral intra-amygdala injections of ACPA (0.125, 1.25 and 5 ng/rat) and the mixed dopamine D1/D2 receptor agonist, apomorphine, at different doses (0.001, 0.01 and 0.1 µg/rat) increased percentage open arm time (%OAT) and percentage open arm entries (%OAE), indicating an anxiolytic-like effect for both of the drugs. In contrast, intra-amygdala administration of the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390 (0.5 and 1 µg/rat) and the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist, sulpiride (2 and 3 µg/rat) decreased %OAT and %OAE, suggesting an anxiogenic-like effect for both of the drugs. Interestingly, pretreatment with a sub-effective dose of apomorphine (0.0005 µg/rat) increased, while SCH23390 (0.25 µg/rat) and sulpiride (1.5 µg/rat) decreased the anxiolytic-like effect of ACPA. It can be concluded that the dopaminergic system of the amygdala may be involved, at least partly, in the anxiolytic-like effects induced by ACPA in the rat amygdala.

MeSH terms

  • Amygdala / drug effects*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anxiety / drug therapy
  • Apomorphine / administration & dosage
  • Apomorphine / pharmacology
  • Arachidonic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Benzazepines / administration & dosage
  • Benzazepines / pharmacology
  • Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Hippocampus / drug effects
  • Male
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / agonists*
  • Receptors, Dopamine D1 / agonists
  • Receptors, Dopamine D1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Dopamine D1 / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / agonists
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / metabolism*
  • Sulpiride / administration & dosage
  • Sulpiride / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Arachidonic Acids
  • Benzazepines
  • Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
  • Receptors, Dopamine D1
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2
  • SCH 23390
  • arachidonylcyclopropylamide
  • Sulpiride
  • Apomorphine