Cocaine administration increases angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) expression and activity in the rat striatum and frontal cortex

Author(s)

Visniauskas, Bruna ^[1] ; Perry, Juliana C. ^[1] ; Oliveira, Vitor ^[2] ; Dalio, Fernanda M. ^[2] ; Andersen, Monica L. ^[1] ; Tufik, Sergio ^[1] ; Chagas, Jair R. ^{[1, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psicobiol, BR-04024002 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Biofis, BR-04039032 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Ciencias Saude, BR-11060001 Santos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Neuroscience Letters; v. 506, n. 1, p. 84-88, JAN 6 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

Some central effects of cocaine administration seem to be related to angiotensin II (Ang II) or its metabolites. Nonetheless, it is still an open question whether or not the levels of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE), the main Ang II generating enzyme, are modified by cocaine administration. To evaluate the effect of acute and subchronic cocaine administration on ACE activity and mRNA expression, male rats were randomly assigned to saline or cocaine group. Acute and subchronic cocaine administration induced a significant increase in ACE activity and mRNA expression in the frontal cortex and striatum but not in the hippocampus. These results suggest that some of the Ang II related effects of cocaine upon the central nervous system can be mediated by changes on the expression and activity of ACE in the striatum and frontal cortex. Crown Copyright (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 98/14303-3 - Center for Sleep Studies
• Grantee: Sergio Tufik
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC