Abstract
Oxytocin, a hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal neuropeptide was found to attenuate the development of tolerance to the analgesic action of morphine, heroin, β-endorphin or D-Pro 2-Met 5-enkephalinamide. The effect of oxytocin on morphine tolerance was prevented by Nα-acetyl-(2-0-methylty-rosine)-oxytocin or penicillamine 1-(2-0-methyltyrosine)-lysine 8-vasopressin, which are antagonists of oxytocin receptors. Oxytocin dose-dependently attenuated various signs of precipitated morphine withdrawal (e.g., stereotyped jumpings, hypothermia, body weight loss). The neuropeptide diminished intravenous self-administration of heroin in heroin-tolerant rats. It is concluded that brain oxytocin interferes with adaptive components of experimental drug addiction.
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