Open AccessApomorphine‐Induced Aggressive Behaviour in para‐Chlorophenylalanine‐Treated Male Rats: Implications to Brain [ 3 H]Ketanserin Binding and Monoamine Content
Author(s) -
Matto Vallo,
Vaarmann Annika,
Allikmets Lembit
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
pharmacology & toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1600-0773
pISSN - 0901-9928
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0773.2001.d01-96.x
Subject(s) - ketanserin , apomorphine , monoamine neurotransmitter , serotonin , serotonergic , medicine , endocrinology , chemistry , pharmacology , 5 ht receptor , dopamine , receptor , dopaminergic
The aim of this study was to investigate the role of serotoninergic neurotransmission and the effect of acute para‐chlorophenylalanine (350 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) treatment on apomorphine‐induced aggressive behaviour in adult male Wistar rats. In addition, [ 3 H]ketanserin binding and monoamine content were studied. Repeated administration of apomorphine (1.0 mg/kg, subcutaneously, once daily for two weeks) gradually induced aggressive behaviour. Acute p‐chlorophenylalanine treatment down‐regulated the [ 3 H]ketanserin binding and reduced over 90 per cent the content of serotonin and 5‐hydroxyindolacetic acid. In a half of the p‐chlorophenylalanine‐treated animals, the aggressive behaviour was suppressed, while there was no difference in [ 3 H]ketanserin binding or monoamine content between the p‐chlorophenylalanine treated aggressive and non‐aggressive animals. In conclusion, the acute p‐chlorophenylalanine treatment attenuates the aggressiveness only in half of the animals, while the latter phenomenon is independent on the CNS monoamine content or [ 3 H]ketanserin binding.