Involvement of mesolimbic structures in short-term sodium depletion: In situ hybridization and ligand-binding analyses

Acute treatment with the diuretic furosemide (Lasix) produces a reduction in plasma Na+ and volume as well as increased thirst and salt appetite. The resulting hypovolemia stimulates the well-known counter-regulatory physiological response from the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. However, the neurochemical players underpinning the behavioral responses of thirst and salt appetite are less clear. Previously, we have reported that salt-replete deoxycorticosterone (DOCA) treatment activates mesolimbic structures associated with reward and goal-seeking behavior. The present study was designed to test whether the same brain regions are affected in a salt-depleted state. In experiment 1, two groups of adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were injected with Lasix (10 mg/rat, s.c.) and 18 h later were allowed access either to 2% NaCl solution ('Lasix+salt') or only to tap water ('Lasixnosalt') for 2 h. For comparison purposes, a third group received an isotonic saline injection instead of Lasix and was allowed access to the 2% salt solution (Vehicle). All groups were permitted 24 h access to tap water. We found no differences in dynorphin-mRNA levels in any striatal and accumbal regions among any of the treatment groups. However, as found previously in DOCA-treated rats, there were increased enkephalin (ENK)-mRNA and decreased dopamine transporter (DAT) binding levels throughout the striatum in La-six+salt and decreased ENK-mRNA in Lasixnosalt rats versus Vehicle. In experiment 2, the involvement of the ENKergic and/or dopaminergic system was tested in rats divided into the same three groups described in experiment 1. However, before access to salt or water, the Lasix+salt and the vehicle groups were administered either a delta-opioid, naltrindole or a dopamine D-2 antagonist, raclopride. Only the naltrindole-treated rats showed a blunted intake of salt solution. Thus, these findings along with our neurochemical results suggest that mesolimbic enkephalin might impact salt intake through dopaminergic systems. Copyright (C) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel.