EFFECTS OF IMIPRAMINE ADMINISTRATION ON MU-OPIOID RECEPTOR IMMUNOSTAINING IN THE RAT FOREBRAIN

Imipramine hydrochloride (CAS 113-52-0) is a widely used antidepressan t and can interact with opioid receptors. However, complete informatio n concerning possible regional alterations in mu-opioid receptor expre ssion in the rat forebrain after chronic treatment with this substance is still lacking. This being the case, analysis of mu-opioid receptor immunostaining in several regions of the rat brain after imipramine a dministration in vivo was made, and an increase in the density of cell s expressing mu-opioid receptors in the caudatus-putamen, the dentate gyrus and the frontal, parietal and piriform cortices after chronic im ipramine treatment. with respect to controls. was found. These data su ggest that mu-opioid receptor expression in the rat forebrain is alter ed by in vivo chronic imipramine treatment.