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- Title
Sex differences in activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis by methamphetamine.
- Authors
Zuloaga, Damian G.; Johnson, Lance A.; Agam, Maayan; Raber, Jacob
- Abstract
Dysregulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal ( HPA) axis activation is associated with changes in addiction-related behaviors. In this study, we tested whether sex differences in the acute effects of methamphetamine ( MA) exposure involve differential activation of the HPA axis. Male and female mice were injected with MA (1 mg/kg) or saline for comparison of plasma corticosterone and analysis of the immediate early gene c-Fos in brain. There was a prolonged elevation in corticosterone levels in female compared to male mice. C-Fos was elevated in both sexes following MA in HPA axis-associated regions, including the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus ( PVN), central amygdala, cingulate, and CA3 hippocampal region. MA increased the number of c-Fos and c-Fos/glucocorticoid receptor ( GR) dual-labeled cells to a greater extent in males than females in the cingulate and CA3 regions. MA also increased the number of c-fos/vasopressin dual-labeled cells in the PVN as well as the number and percentage of c-Fos/ GR dual-labeled cells in the PVN and central amygdala, although no sex differences in dual labeling were found in these regions. Thus, sex differences in MA-induced plasma corticosterone levels and activation of distinct brain regions and proteins involved in HPA axis regulation may contribute to sex differences in acute effects of MA on the brain.
- Subjects
HYPOTHALAMIC-pituitary-adrenal axis; PARAVENTRICULAR nucleus; FOS oncogenes; GLUCOCORTICOID receptors; VASOPRESSIN; METHAMPHETAMINE; LABORATORY mice; SEXUAL dimorphism; THERAPEUTICS; MAMMALS
- Publication
Journal of Neurochemistry, 2014, Vol 129, Issue 3, p495
- ISSN
0022-3042
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/jnc.12651