REDUCED CYCLIC-AMP RESPONSE TO ADRENERGIC-STIMULATION IN BRAIN-SLICESFROM PERINATALLY UNDERNOURISHED RATS

Cyclic AMP generation response to adrenergic stimulation was assayed i n cortical brain slices from adult rats submitted to a protein depriva tion schedule in perinatal age and then recovered ed on balanced chow. Basal cAMP content was similar in deprived and central rats. Higher c oncentrations of NA (50 to 100 mu M) induced a lower cAMP response in deprived animals. Selective alpha adrenergic stimulation (NA + timolol ) induces the same cAMP response in both control and deprived rats, bu t potentiation of the beta response was higher in the latter group. On the other hand selective beta adrenergic stimulation (NA + phentolami ne or Isoproterenol) provoked a lower response in deprived animals. Pr olonged desipramine treatment reduced response to beta stimulation in control rats but was unable to modify cAMP response in deprived animal s, as compared with saline-treated ones. These results stressed long-l asting effects induced by early undernutrition, characterized in this case by the inability to induce neuronal changes to appropriate stimul i.