Exofocal alterations in opioidergic receptor densities following focal cerebral ischemia in the mouse

In previous studies of our group, we have reported differential alterations in opioidergic receptor subtypes densities in infarcted and periinfarcted brain tissue following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in mice. Oth er studies have also described subcortical alterations consecutive to focal cortical ischemia. For a better understanding of ischemic processes in exo focal areas, we have investigated the evolution of opioidergic receptors fo llowing focal cortical ischemia through the quantification of relative bind ing densities, B-max and K-d values for the mu, delta, and kappa subtypes. Our results demonstrate that opioid receptor subtypes exhibit adaptations a t distance from the ischemic core, mainly in the striatum, the thalamus, an d the substantia nigra. Indeed, mu and delta B-max values were increased in ventral thalamic nuclei, while kappa relative binding densities were trans iently increased in nucleus medialis dorsalis and nucleus lateralis, pars p osterior. Moreover, the B-max of mu and delta receptors were transiently de creased at 6 h post-MCAO in ipsi- and contralateral patches and matrices of the striatum. Conversely, the mu B-max values were increased in ipsi- and contralateral substantia nigra, pars compacta, and pars reticulata, 24 h fo llowing MCAO. In contralateral substantia nigra, pars compacta, kappa B-max was found to be decreased at 24 h post-MCAO. These alterations could refle ct neuronal dysfunction in exofocal brain structures, consecutively to the degeneration of defined neuroanatomical pathways. Our study indicates that opioidergic receptors could be used as markers of the neuronal reorganizati on that take place in subcortical areas following an ischemic insult Of the brain cortex. (C) 2000 Academic Press.