Chronic intermittent intake of caffeine and cocaine in mice induced differential effects on locomotor sensitization and glutamatergic gene expression in mPF

J.A. MUÑIZ; B. GONZALEZ; C. RIVERO ECHETO; J. L. CADET; E. GARCIA-RILL; F. J. URBANO; V. BISAGNO

Huerta Grande

Congreso; XXIX Annual Meeting and SAN-ISN Small Conference and Course; 2014

Sociedad Argentina de Investigacion en Neurociencias

Caffeine (Caf) is a psychoactive drug commonly used as a regular component of many drinks, foods and medications. Concomitant consumption of caffeine with recreational psychostimulant drugs of abuse, such as cocaine (Coc), can provoke severe reactions and long-term consequences. In this study we explored the effects of Coc, Caf, and their combination (Coc+Caf). Male C57/BL-6 mice were treated with a Coc (10mg/kg), Caf (5mg/kg), their combination (CC5) (10mg/kg Coc+5mg/kg Caf) or vehicle (Veh) in a intermittent binge protocol. We investigated the effects of both psychostimulants in locomotion at day 1 and day 13th post treatments. On day 1 Caf and Coc administration induced hyperlocomotion and the CC5 exhibited higher locomotor activity compared to the Caf group but not Coc group. At day 13 Coc, Caf and CC5 groups showed increased locomotor activity compared to day 1 and CC5 group showed a higher value than others. 24h after treatments, animals were sacrificed and mPFC were used for RT-PCR. We found that the drugs decreased expression of Gria1 and Psd95. For Grin1 Coc showed increased mRNA, Caf decreased it and was able to block Coc effects. Mecp2 and HDAC2 mRNA decreased following all drug treatments. Our results show that the combination of Coc and Caf exerts differential effects on locomotor activity, sensitization and glutamatergic gene expression in mPFC. Caf by itself induced a marked sensitization and potentiated some effects of Coc.