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Enkephalin receptor changes in rat brain during aging.

V V Petkov, V D Petkov, T Grahovska

    General Pharmacology
    |January 1, 1984
    PubMed
    Summary
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    Brain enkephalin (Enk) receptors decrease with aging, impacting adaptive capacity. Studies suggest interactions between opiate and dopaminergic systems in aged rats.

    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Aging Research
    • Pharmacology

    Background:

    • Aging is associated with a decline in various physiological functions.
    • Opiate receptors, including enkephalin receptors, are crucial in regulating numerous brain functions.
    • Changes in neurotransmitter systems are implicated in age-related functional decline.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the impact of aging on the number and sensitivity of brain enkephalin receptors in rats.
    • To explore the potential interaction between the opiate and dopaminergic systems in the context of aging.

    Main Methods:

    • Experiments were conducted on rats of different ages (2, 10, and 22 months).
    • Quantification of enkephalin receptor density (Bmax) and sensitivity (Kd) in brain regions like the cortex, striatum, and hypothalamus.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Administration of L-dopa or haloperidol to assess drug interactions with opiate and dopaminergic systems.

    • Main Results:

    • A significant decrease in enkephalin receptor number (Bmax) was observed with aging across brain regions.
    • Specifically, 22-month-old rats showed a 57% decrease in the cortex, 33% in the striatum, and 84% in the hypothalamus compared to 2-month-old rats.
    • Enkephalin receptor sensitivity (Kd) also decreased in aged rats, indicating reduced receptor function.
    • Repeated administration of L-dopa or haloperidol provided evidence for interplay between opiate and dopaminergic systems.

    Conclusions:

    • Aging leads to a substantial reduction in brain enkephalin receptor density and sensitivity.
    • These age-related changes in opiate receptors may contribute to the diminished adaptive capacity observed in older organisms.
    • The findings highlight the complex interactions between opiate and dopaminergic systems, which are relevant to understanding aging processes.