Cannabidiol administration into the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis alters cardiovascular responses induced by acute restraint stress through 5-HT1A receptor

Author(s)

Gomes, Felipe V. ^{[1, 2]} ; Alves, Fernando H. F. ^[2] ; Guimaraes, Francisco S. ^{[1, 2]} ; Correa, Fernando M. A. ^[2] ; Resstel, Leonardo B. M. ^{[1, 2]} ; Crestani, Carlos C. ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Interdisciplinary Res Appl Neurosci NAPNA, BR-05508 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Pharmacol, BR-14090090 Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[3] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Sch Pharmaceut Sci Araraquara, Dept Nat Act Principles & Toxicol, BR-14801902 Araraquara - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology; v. 23, n. 9, p. 1096-1104, SEP 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 15

Abstract

Systemic administration of cannabidiol (CBD) is able to attenuate cardiovascular responses to acute restraint stress through activation of 5-HT1A receptors. Previous results from our group suggest that the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is involved in the antiaversive effects of the CBD. Moreover, it has been proposed that synapses within the BNST influence restraint-evoked cardiovascular changes, in particular by an inhibitory influence on the tachycardiac response associated to restraint stress. Thus, the present work investigated the effects of CBD injected into the BNST on cardiovascular changes induced by acute restraint stress and if these effects would involve the local activation of 5-HT1A receptors. The exposition to restraint stress increased both blood pressure and heart rate (HR). The microinjection of CBD (30 and 60 nmol) into the BNST enhanced the restraint-evoked HR increase, in a dose-dependent manner, without affecting the pressor response. The selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY100635 by itself did not change the cardiovascular responses to restraint stress, but blocked the effects of CBD. These results showed that CBD microinjected into the BNST enhanced the HR increase associated with acute restraint stress without affecting the blood pressure response. Although these results are not in agreement with those observed after systemic administration of CBD, they are similar to effects observed after reversible inactivation of the BNST. Moreover, similar to the effects observed after systemic administration, CBD effects in the BNST seem to depend on activation of 5-HT1A receptors. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. and ECNP. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/07332-3 - Possible role of dorsal hippocampus on behaviour and autonomic responses during defensive responses: involvement of NMDA receptor/nitric oxide and endocanabinoid
• Grantee: Leonardo Resstel Barbosa Moraes
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 07/03685-3 - Typical and atypical neurotransmitters in neuropsychiatric disorders
• Grantee: Francisco Silveira Guimaraes
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 10/16192-8 - Cardiovascular effects of chronic administration of cocaine and testosterone in rats
• Grantee: Carlos Cesar Crestani
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants