Sex differences in the modulation by baclofen of anxiety-like behaviour associated to nicotine withdrawal syndrome

CALVO MARIELA; VARANI ANDRES; INDUNI ANDREA S; BALERIO GRACIELA

Rosario. Santa Fe.

Congreso; XLI Reunion anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Farmacologia Experimental; 2009

Sociedad Argentina de Farmacologia Experimental

Increased anxiety is one of the motivational aspects of NIC withdrawal. We have previously demonstrated that baclofen (BAC), GABAB receptor agonist, was able to decreased somatic expression of NIC and morphine withdrawal syndrome. The aims of the present study were: a) to analyze if the anxiogenic effect associated to NIC withdrawal is influenced by sex, b) to evaluate the effect of BAC on the anxiety-like behavior, in NIC abstinent mice of either sex. Swiss Webster albino mice received NIC (2.5 mg/kg; sc) 4 times daily, for 7 consecutive days. On day 8th, dependent mice received the nicotinic receptor antagonist mecamylamine (MEC; 2 mg/kg; sc) 1h after the last dose of NIC. A second group of dependent mice received BAC (2 mg/kg; ip) 45 min before MEC precipitated abstinence. Immediately the anxiety-like behavior was measured for 15 min in the elevated plus maze test. NIC withdrawal significantly decreased the percentage of time spent and the percentage of entries in the open arms (p