Synergistic interaction between an adenosine antagonist and a D1 dopamine agonist on rotational behavior and striatal c-Fos induction in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats.

The interaction between adenosine and D1 dopamine systems in regulating motor behavior and striatal c-Fos expression was examined in rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions. These results were compared to the synergistic interaction between D1 and D2 dopamine systems in 6-OHDA rats. Coadministration of the adenosine antagonist 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (DMPX: 10 mg/kg) and the D1 dopamine agonist SKF38393 (0.5 mg/kg) to 6-OHDA-lesioned rats produced significant contralateral rotation and c-Fos expression in the ipsilateral striatum compared to 6-OHDA rats treated with either drug alone. However, the regional pattern of striatal c-Fos activation following treatment of 6-OHDA rats with SKF38393 and DMPX was different from the dorsolateral pattern of striatal c-Fos induction observed after coadministration of D1 and D2 dopamine agonists (SKF38393: 0.5 mg/kg + quinpirole: 0.05 mg/kg). These data are consistent with a functional interaction between D1 dopamine and adenosine systems in the striatum, but suggest that activation of different subsets of striatal neurons underlie the behavioral synergy observed following combined adenosine antagonist-D1 dopamine agonist and combined D1 dopamine agonist-D2 dopamine agonist treatment.