Effects of cocaine self-administration on plasma corticosterone and prolactin in rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2000 Jul;294(1):239-47
Date
06/28/2000Pubmed ID
10871318Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0033917937 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 53 CitationsAbstract
The effects of i.v. cocaine self-administration under "naturalistic" conditions on plasma corticosterone (CORT) and prolactin (PRL) were investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats. After the determination of plasma CORT and PRL levels under basal conditions before access to cocaine for self-administration, rats were allowed to self-administer cocaine (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mg/kg/infusion i.v.) by pressing a response lever under a continuous schedule of cocaine reinforcement during five daily consecutive 10-h sessions. Plasma CORT was significantly increased and plasma PRL was significantly reduced after each of the five self-administration sessions. The effects of cocaine on plasma CORT were intake-dependent, as demonstrated by significant positive correlations between postsession plasma CORT and total cocaine intake within the preceding sessions. The effects of cocaine on PRL were also intake-dependent but only on the first day of self-administration, on which a significant negative correlation was observed between cocaine intake and postsession PRL. In contrast, significant correlations between PRL and cocaine intake were not observed during any subsequent session, apparently reflecting adaptations to cocaine-induced PRL release. Alterations in neuroendocrine homeostasis emerged over time. Reductions in presession CORT values, as well as a persistent blunting of the diurnal CORT peak, were observed. Similarly, there was a modest but significant attenuation of plasma PRL when measured 4 days after the termination of cocaine self-administration. Alterations in neuroendocrine function associated with self-administration may be related to the development of cocaine dependence and could contribute to relapse in abstinent users.
Author List
Mantsch JR, Schlussman SD, Ho A, Kreek MJAuthor
John Mantsch PhD Chair, Professor in the Pharmacology and Toxicology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AnimalsCocaine
Corticosterone
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Male
Prolactin
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Self Administration
