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Age-related cholinergic drug effects on analgesia in two inbred strains of mice
S Fagioli1, D Consorti, F Pavone
1Dipartimento di Genetica e Biologia Molecolare, Università La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Abstract:
The two inbred strains of mice C57BL/6 and DBA/2 are characterized by a different behavioral reactivity to cholinergic agents during development. The present experiment revealed that the strain-dependent differences in cholinergic-mediated analgesia during development disappeared during adult life. In fact, oxotremorine administration (0.0025 and 0.005 mg/kg) exerted the same analgesic effect in both strains at 6 months of age, in contrast with the finding of the lack of any effect of the drug in C57 mice at two months of age in comparison with DBA.
Insights
Strain-dependent differences in cholinergic-mediated analgesia observed during development in mice disappear in adulthood. Oxotremorine showed similar pain relief effects in adult C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice, unlike in younger mice.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Inbred mouse strains C57BL/6 and DBA/2 exhibit distinct developmental responses to cholinergic agents.
- Previous research indicates strain-specific behavioral reactivity to cholinergic drugs during early life stages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental trajectory of cholinergic-mediated analgesia in C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice.
- To determine if strain-dependent differences in analgesic responses persist into adulthood.
Main Methods:
- Administration of oxotremorine at specific dosages (0.0025 and 0.005 mg/kg).
- Assessment of analgesic effects in C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice at different ages (2 and 6 months).
- Comparative analysis of drug effects between the two strains at distinct developmental time points.
Main Results:
- At 2 months of age, oxotremorine lacked analgesic effect in C57BL/6 mice compared to DBA/2 mice.
- At 6 months of age, oxotremorine demonstrated comparable analgesic effects in both C57BL/6 and DBA/2 strains.
- Developmental differences in cholinergic-mediated analgesia between the strains diminished in adult mice.
Conclusions:
- Strain-specific differences in cholinergic-mediated analgesia during development are transient.
- Adult C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice exhibit similar behavioral reactivity to oxotremorine, indicating a loss of developmental divergence.
- These findings highlight the plasticity of neurochemical systems and their responses over the lifespan.