Eating high fat chow enhances the locomotor-stimulating effects of cocaine in adolescent and adult female rats

Michelle G. Baladi, Wouter Koek, Megan Aumann, Fortino Velasco, Charles P. France

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rationale Dopamine systems vary through development in a manner that can impact drugs acting on those systems. Dietary factors can also impact the effects of drugs acting on dopamine systems. Objectives This study examined whether eating high fat chow alters locomotor effects of cocaine (1-56 mg/kg) in adolescent and adult female rats. Methods Cocaine was studied in rats (n06/group) with free access to standard (5.7% fat) or high fat (34.3%) chow or restricted access to high fat chow (body weight matched to rats eating standard chow). Results After 1 week of eating high fat chow (free or restricted access), sensitivity to cocaine was significantly increased in adolescent and adult rats, compared with rats eating standard chow. Sensitivity to cocaine was also increased in adolescent rats with restricted, but not free, access to high fat chow for 4 weeks. When adolescent and adult rats that previously ate high fat chow ate standard chow, sensitivity to cocaine returned to normal. In adolescent and adult female rats eating high fat chow, but not those eating standard chow, sensitivity to cocaine increased progressively over once weekly tests with cocaine (i.e., sensitization) in a manner that was not statistically different between adolescents and adults. Conclusions These results show that eating high fat chow alters sensitivity of female rats to acutely administered cocaine and also facilitates the development of sensitization to cocaine. That the type of food consumed can increase drug effects might have relevance to vulnerability to abuse cocaine in the female population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)447-457
Number of pages11
JournalPsychopharmacology
Volume222
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2012

Keywords

  • Adolescents
  • Adults
  • Cocaine
  • Females
  • High fat chow
  • Locomo tor activity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology

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