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Long-term treatment with haloperidol affects neuropeptide S and NPSR mRNA levels in the rat brain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 October 2015

Artur Palasz*
Affiliation:
Department of Histology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
Ewa Rojczyk
Affiliation:
Department of Histology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
Milosz Golyszny
Affiliation:
Student Scientific Society, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
Lukasz Filipczyk
Affiliation:
Department of Histology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
John J. Worthington
Affiliation:
Manchester Immunology Group, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Ryszard Wiaderkiewicz
Affiliation:
Department of Histology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
*
Artur Palasz, Department of Histology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 18 Medykow Street, 40-752 Katowice, Poland. Tel: +48 32 2088363; Fax: +48 32 2526574; E-mail: apalasz@sum.edu.pl
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Abstract

Objective

The brainstem-derived neuropeptide S (NPS) has a multidirectional regulatory activity, especially as a potent anxiolytic factor. Accumulating data suggests that neuroleptics affect peptidergic signalling in various brain structures. However, there is no information regarding the influence of haloperidol on NPS and NPS receptor (NPSR) expression.

Methods

We assessed NPS and NPSR mRNA levels in brains of rats treated with haloperidol using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Chronic haloperidol treatment (4 weeks) led to a striking upregulation of NPS and NPSR expression in the rat brainstem. Conversely, the NPSR mRNA expression was decreased in the hippocampus and striatum.

Conclusions

This stark increase of NPS in response to haloperidol treatment supports the hypothesis that this neuropeptide is involved in the dopamine-dependent anxiolytic actions of neuroleptics and possibly also in the pathophysiology of mental disorders. Furthermore, our findings underline the complex nature of potential interactions between dopamine receptors and brain peptidergic pathways, which has potential clinical applications.

Information

Type
Short Communications
Copyright
© Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology 2015 
Figure 0

Fig. 1 Quantitative PCR results of relative neuropeptide S mRNA expression levels in the rat hypothalamus and brainstem (n=4). Data are presented as mean±SEM. Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test. Differences were considered significant at p≤0.05 (asterisk).

Figure 1

Fig. 2 Quantitative PCR results of relative NPSR mRNA expression levels in the selected rat brain regions (n=4). Data are presented as mean±SEM. Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test. Differences were considered significant at p≤0.05 (asterisks).