Abstract
μ-Opioid receptor (μ-OR) activation with agonist [D-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO) in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) induces sodium (0.3M NaCl) intake in rats. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of pre-injections of losartan (AT1 angiotensin receptor antagonist) into the CeA on 0.3M NaCl and water intake induced by DAMGO injected bilaterally in the same area in rats submitted to water deprivation–partial rehydration (WD–PR) and in rats treated with the diuretic furosemide (FURO) combined with a low dose of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril (CAP) injected subcutaneously (FURO/CAP). Male Sprague–Dawley rats with stainless steel cannulas implanted bilaterally into the CeA were used. In WD–PR rats, bilateral injections of DAMGO (2nmol in 0.5μL) into the CeA induced 0.3M NaCl and water intake, and pre-treatment with losartan (108nmol in 0.5μL) injected into the CeA reduced 0.3M NaCl and water intake induced by DAMGO. In FURO/CAP rats, pre-treatment with losartan (108nmol in 0.5μL) injected into the CeA attenuated the increase in 0.3M NaCl and water intake induced by DAMGO (2nmol in 0.5μL) injected into the same site. The results suggest that the natriorexigenic effect of DAMGO injected into the CeA is facilitated by endogenous angiotensin II acting on AT1 receptors in the CeA, which drives rats to ingest large amounts of hypertonic NaCl.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
