Abstract
Codergocrine mesylate (dihydroergotoxine; DHET), which is an ergot derivative, has been reported to counteract some age-induced impairments in brain function, but the mechanism of these effects is not known. We examined the effect of chronic DHET administration on the somatostatinergic system in the brains of aged rats. Intraperitoneal injections of DHET (1 mg/kg per day) or of vehicle were given to aged rats for 14 days, and resulted in a significant increase in somatostatin (SOM) receptor binding in all six brain regions examined except the hindbrain. DHET had no effect on SOM receptor binding in the brains of young-adult rats. However, the SOM concentration in aged rats was nearly identical to that in young-adult rats and the SOM concentration in different brain areas did not change after chronic administration of DHET. Thus, the present results suggest that chronic administration of DHET can ameliorate at least one of the age-induced impairments of brain somatostatinergic function.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 133-139 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 1 1992 |
Keywords
- Aged-rat brain
- Codergocrine mesylate (dihydroergotoxine)
- Receptors
- Somatostatin
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health(social science)
- Ageing
- Gerontology
- Geriatrics and Gerontology