Interaction of GABA (A) system in the nucleus accumbens ahell with ACPA on anxiety-like behaviors in Wistar male rat

Abstract

It has been recently reported that cannabinoid and GABA systems in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) are involved in anxiety-related behaviors. Thus the purpose of the present study is to investigate the involvement of ACPA interaction with GABA-ergic of the NAc shell in anxiolytic-like behaviors in Wistar male rat. The elevated plus maze apparatus has been used to test parameters of anxiety-like behaviors. The data demonstrated that bilateral injection of GABA (A) receptor agonist (Muscimol 0.4 μg/μl) increased % OAT. Furthermore, injection of GABA (A) receptor antagonist (Bicuculline 0.9μg/μl) increased locomotor activity. The data indicated anxiolytic-like behaviors caused by the Muscimol injection into the NAc shell. Moreover, bilateral injection of ACPA (CB1 -selective agonists; 0.025μg/μl) into the NAc shell induced anxiogenic-like behaviors. The final results showed that intra-NAc shell injection of subthreshold dose of Muscimol (0.2 μg/μl) attenuated anxiogenic-like behaviors by higher dose (0.025 μg/μl) of ACPA in the NAc shell. In addition, intra-NAc shell injection of subthreshold dose of Bicuculline (0.6 μg/μl) did not alter anxiogenic response by ACPA administration in the NAc shell. The results suggested that the activation of the NAc shell GABA (A) receptor attenuated the activity of cannabinoid system in the NAc shell.