Bupropion-induced climbing through D-1 and D-2 dopamine receptor activation

ABSTRACT

Intraperitoneal [IP] injection of bupropion [3,6,12 mg kg] and also amphetamine [4,16 mg kg] induced dose-dependent climbing in mice. The climbing response induced by both drugs were decreased in animals pretreated either with the D- 1 antagonist SCH 23390 or the D-2 antagonist sulpiride. The alpha-adrenoceptor blocker phenoxybenzarnine decreased the climbing induced by both bupropion and amphetamine, but the Beta-adrenergic blocker propranolol and the antimuscarinic agent atropine had no effect. Reserpine pretreatment abolished the climbing induced by bupropion but not that of amphetamine. However, alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine combined with reserpine treatment reduced the amphetamine-induced climbing. It is concluded that both bupropion and amphetamine-induced climbing through release of dopamine and subsequent activation of D-1/D-2 receptors; however, the mechanisms by which dopamine is released by these drugs may differ