Rewarding Effects of Ethanol Combined with Low Doses of Morphine through Dopamine D1 Receptors

Abstract

This study investigated whether ethanol combined with low doses of morphine produces rewarding effects in rats. Ethanol (0.075-1.2 g/kg, intraperitoneal [i.p.]) alone did not induce place preference. A moderate dose (1 mg/kg, s.c.), but not a low dose (0.1 mg/kg), of morphine induced a significant place preference. The combination of ethanol (0.075-0.6 g/kg, i.p.) and 0.1 mg/kg of morphine, as well as low doses of morphine (0.03-0.1 mg/kg, subcutaneous [s.c.]) combined with ethanol (0.3 g/kg, i.p.), induced a significant place preference. The combined effect of ethanol and morphine was significantly attenuated by naloxone (0.3 mg/kg, s.c.), naltrindole (1.0 mg/kg, s.c.), or long-term administration of the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390 (1.0 mg/kg/day, s.c.). These results suggest that the rewarding effect induced by ethanol and a low dose of morphine is mediated by activation of the central opioidergic and dopaminergic systems through dopamine D1 receptors.