Prolonged exposure of rats to varenicline: evaluation of the behavior, cerebral neurotransmitters, hematology, biochemistry and pathology

• Grant number: 15/05049-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2015
• End date: December 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Pathology
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Helenice de Souza Spinosa
• Grantee: Julia Zaccarelli Magalhães
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Varenicline is a synthetic chemical used to treat tobacco addiction. The mechanism of action occurs through binding to nicotinic cholinergic receptors as a ±4²2 and ±3²4 receptors partial agonist and ±7 receptor full agonist. Considering that there is a tendency to expand the clinical use of varenicline for the treatment of addiction to various abusive pattern of substances and there are few studies related to the effects on behavior, cognition and motor system, its necessary more studies on this substance. This project aims to study the effects of exposure of rats to varenicline, for 28 days, evaluating animal behavior, through open field tests, high beam, elevated plus maze, Barnes maze, passive avoidance and stereotyped behavior, besides the assessment of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system and hematological, biochemical and pathological studies. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ZACCARELLI-MAGALHAES, JULIA; SANDINI, THAISA MEIRA; DE ABREU, GABRIEL RAMOS; PETROCELLI, BIANCA MARIA; MOREIRA, NATALIA; REIS-SILVA, THIAGO MOIRINHO; LEBRUN, IVO; FLORIO, JORGE CAMILO; RICCI, ESTHER LOPES; FUKUSHIMA, ANDRE RINALDI; et al. Prolonged exposure of rats to varenicline increases anxiety and alters serotonergic system, but has no effect on memory. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, v. 181, p. 1-8, JUN 2019. (15/05049-3)

ZACCARELLI-MAGALHAES, JULIA; MOREIRA, NATALIA; SANDINI, THAISA MEIRA; DE ABREU, GABRIEL RAMOS; SANCHEZ-SARMIENTO, ANGELICA MARIA; RICCI, ESTHER LOPES; FUKUSHIMA, ANDRE RINALDI; SPINOSA, HELENICE DE SOUZA. Evaluation of Prolonged Exposure to Varenicline in Adult Rats: Haematological, Biochemical and Anatomopathological Studies. BASIC & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY, v. 122, n. 3, p. 305-309, MAR 2018. (15/05049-3)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

MAGALHÃES, Julia Zaccarelli. Varenicline prolonged exposure in rats: behavioral evaluation, central neurotransmitter levels, biochemical and histopathologic studies. 2016. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD) São Paulo.