Cocaine-and-Amphetamine Regulated Transcript (CART) peptide attenuates dopamine- and cocaine-mediated locomotor activity in both male and female rats: lack of sex differences

Neuropeptides. 2014 Apr;48(2):75-81. doi: 10.1016/j.npep.2014.01.002. Epub 2014 Jan 10.

Abstract

Cocaine-and-Amphetamine Regulated Transcript peptide (CART peptide) is known for having an inhibitory effect on dopamine (DA)- and cocaine-mediated actions and is postulated to be a homeostatic, regulatory factor in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Some sex differences in cocaine-mediated locomotor activity (LMA) and in the expression and function of CART peptide have been reported. However, it is not known if the inhibitory effect of CART peptide on cocaine-mediated LMA is sexually dimorphic. In this study, the effects of CART 55-102 on LMA due to intra-NAc DA and i.p. cocaine were determined in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. The results show that CART 55-102 blunted or reduced both the DA- and cocaine-induced LMA in both males and females. In conclusion, CART peptide is effective in blunting DA- and cocaine-mediated LMA in both males and females.

Keywords: CART55-102; Cocaine; Dopamine; Locomotion; Nucleus accumbens; Phrases Cocaine-and-Amphetamine Regulated Transcript peptide; Sex differences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cocaine / pharmacology*
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Estrous Cycle / physiology
  • Female
  • Male
  • Motor Activity / drug effects*
  • Motor Activity / physiology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nucleus Accumbens / drug effects*
  • Nucleus Accumbens / metabolism*
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Sex Characteristics

Substances

  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript protein
  • Cocaine
  • Dopamine