Evaluation of CAM kinase inhibition on anxiety-like behavior, neuronal activity and protein expression of c-fos in the amygdala in male and female offspring of addicted parentsin Wistar rat

In this study, the inhibitory effect of CaM Kinase II on anxiety-like behaviors, neuron activity, and the expression level of the c-Fos transcription factor, in the amygdala of offspring with parents who had the experience of morphine use were investigated. All animals were received morphine in adulthood for 21 following days and let them be free of drug for ten days. As morphine was used orally, sucrose was added to omit bitter taste of morphine. Then; the control group also received oral sucrose for 21 days. In the following step, children of these rats have classified into 8 groups based on the morphine exposure of one and/or two parent(s). The cannula was placed in each group by the stereotaxy device in the lateral ventricle. Four groups of rats were received saline, and 4 other groups were received CamKinase II inhibitor (KN-93). The EPM test was used for measurement of anxiety-like behaviors; an electrical recorder device (in vivo single unit recording approach) was used to investigate neuronal firing. Using western blotting technique the level of c-Fos was evaluated in the amygdala. Inhibition of CamKinase II in the offspring of one and/or two morphine-abstinent parent(s), caused to increase anxiety-like behavior in comparison to the groups which received saline. Also, the level of c-Fos was decreased in the offspring of morphine-abstinent parents (both maternal and paternal) due to CaM Kinase II inhibition. The neuronal activity also has increased in test group in comparison to the control (saline received) group.Regarding the little alteration in the c-Fos level, and its correlation with neuronal activity, and also increased the activity of neurons, CaM Kinase II inhibition resulted in increasing the anxiety-like behavior in offspring. However, other transcriptional factors involved in this phenomenon and might be altered in the amygdala during CaM KinaseII inhibition.

Keywords:

Morphine , Addicted parents , CamKinase II , Anxiety , Neuronal activity