Naloxone-precipitated Withdrawal Signs Research Articles

Effect of environmental enrichment on physical and psychological dependence signs and voluntary morphine consumption in morphine-dependent and morphine-withdrawn rats.

This study was designed to examine the effect of environmental enrichment during morphine dependency and withdrawal on the severity of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs, anxiety, and depressive-like behaviors and voluntary morphine consumption in morphine-dependent rats. The rats were injected with bi-daily doses (10 mg/kg, 12 h intervals) of morphine for 14 days following rearing in a standard environment (SE) or enriched environment (EE) during the development of morphine dependence and withdrawal. Then, rats were tested for withdrawal signs after naloxone injection, anxiety (the elevated plus maze) and depression-related behavior (sucrose preference test), and voluntary consumption of morphine using a two-bottle choice paradigm, in morphine-dependent and morphine-withdrawn rats. The results showed that EE decreased naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs, but not anxiety or sucrose preference during dependence on morphine. The EE-withdrawn rats showed an increase in the elevated plus maze open arm time and entries and higher levels of sucrose preference than SE rats. Voluntary consumption of morphine was lower in the EE-withdrawn rats than in the SE groups in the second period of drug intake. Thus, exposure to EE reduced the severity of morphine dependence and voluntary consumption of morphine, alongside reductions in anxiety and depression-related behavior in morphine-withdrawn rats.

Spontaneous withdrawal in intermittent morphine administration in rats and mice: effect of clonidine coadministration and sex-related differences

Treating animals repeatedly with intermittent and increasing morphine doses has been suggested to allow some withdrawal during each dosing interval, which causes repeated stress. The present study aimed to test this hypothesis and assess sex-related differences in withdrawal signs and their suppression by clonidine. Male and female rats and mice were administered with increasing doses of morphine twice daily at different dosing intervals. Rats were given clonidine in drinking water (5 μg/mL). Spontaneous and naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs and novelty-induced grooming were evaluated. Male rats and male and female rats displayed manifestations of morphine withdrawal at the end of 14-h and 24-h dosing intervals, respectively. Clonidine attenuated the severity of the withdrawal signs. Male but not female mice displayed withdrawal signs at the end of 12-h and 17-h dosing intervals. Female mice exhibited less pronounced naloxone-precipitated withdrawal syndrome. Grooming did not reflect a "stress-like state" in morphine-treated animals. These findings indicate intermittent morphine treatment-induced spontaneous withdrawal in rats and mice and sex-related differences in spontaneous and naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs in mice. Since the treatment protocol closely parallels the drug use pattern in opioid addicts, further experiments are needed to clarify the stress associated with the treatment and the efficacy of sedatives.

Ellagic acid enhances morphine analgesia and attenuates the development of morphine tolerance and dependence in mice

According to our previous study, ellagic acid has both dose-related central and peripheral antinociceptive effect through the opioidergic and l-arginine-NO-cGMP-ATP sensitive K+ channel pathways. In the present study, the systemic antinociceptive effects of ellagic acid in animal models of pain, and functional interactions between ellagic acid and morphine in terms of analgesia, tolerance and dependence were investigated. Ellagic acid (1–30mg/kg; i.p.) showed significant and dose-dependent antinociceptive effects in the acetic acid-induced writhing test. Intraperitoneal ellagic acid acutely interacted with morphine analgesia in a synergistic manner in this assay. Ellagic acid (1–10mg/kg; i.p.) also exerted analgesic activity in the hot-plate test. Pre-treatment with naloxone (1mg/kg; i.p.) significantly reversed ellagic acid, morphine as well as ellagic acid-morphine combination-induced antinociceptin in these two tests. More importantly, when co-administered with morphine, ellagic acid (1–10mg/kg) effectively blocked the development of tolerance to morphine analgesia in the hot-plate test. Likewise, ellagic acid dose-dependently prevented naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs including jumping and weight loss. Ellagic acid treatment (1–30mg/kg; i.p.) had no significant effect on the locomotion activity of animals using open-field task. Therefore, these results showed that ellagic acid has notable systemic antinociceptive activity for both tonic and phasic pain models. Altogether, ellagic acid might be used in pain relief alone or in combination with opioid drugs because of enhancing morphine analgesia and preventing morphine-induced tolerance to analgesia and dependence.

Erratum to: Role of low-intensity laser therapy on naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal signs in mice: is nitric oxide a possible candidate mediator?

Erratum to: Role of low-intensity laser therapy on naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal signs in mice: is nitric oxide a possible candidate mediator?

Role of low-intensity laser therapy on naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal signs in mice: is nitric oxide a possible candidate mediator?

In the present study, the potential involvement of nitric oxide (NO) system in attenuating effects of low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) on naloxone-induced morphine withdrawal signs was evaluated. A hundred mice were rendered morphine-dependent using three escalating doses of morphine sulfate during three consecutive days. After the last dose on day 4, animals were given naloxone HCl (2 mg/kg s.c) to induce withdrawal signs. The effects of LILT (12.5 J/cm(2)) and L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (10, 20, 50, and 100 mg/kg) and their coadministration on escape jump count and stool weight as typical withdrawal signs were assessed. LILT and L-NAME (20, 50, and 100 mg/kg) per se significantly decreased escape jump count and stool weight in morphine-dependent naloxone-treated mice (p < 0.01). Coadministration of LILT and L-NAME (20, 50, and 100 mg/kg) also reduced escape jump and stool weight (p < 0.05) but with no synergetic or additive response. Here, LILT at this fluence may show its maximal effects on NO and therefore no noticeable effects appeared during coadministration use. Moreover, LILT and L-NAME follow the same track of changes in escape jump and stool weight. Conceivably, it seems that LILT acts partly via NO system, but the exact path is still obscure and rather intricate. The precise mechanisms need to be clarified.

The effect of perinatal lead exposure on dopamine receptor D2 expression in morphine dependent rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the behavioral and molecular effects of pre- and postnatal lead (Pb) exposure on the expression of morphine withdrawal and tolerance in adult rats. Rats were orally treated with 0.1% (1000ppm) lead acetate from conception, through gestation, up to postnatal day (PND) 28. Subsequently, behavioral experiments were conducted on adult (PND 60) male rats. To assess behavioral effects of morphine dependence in Pb-exposed rats two experimental models were used: naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs and the assessment of morphine tolerance to antinociceptive effect in the tail-immersion test. Morphine withdrawal and tolerance were more expressed in Pb-exposed morphine administered rats than in morphine administered rats. In the case of morphine withdrawal signs the analysis of protein (Western blotting) and mRNA (RT PCR) expression revealed significantly higher dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) expression in prefrontal cortex, but not in striatum and hippocampus, in Pb-exposed morphine administered rats than in morphine administered rats. Differently, in the case of morphine tolerance the significant upregulation of D2R protein and mRNA expression in hippocampus, but not in prefrontal cortex or striatum, was demonstrated in Pb-exposed and morphine administered rats in comparison with morphine administered. These findings suggest that in morphine withdrawal and tolerant rats the perinatal Pb-exposure can affect D2R expression in brain region-specific manner. Immunohistochemical assessment of D2R expression in hippocampus showed translocation of D2R from membrane-cytoplasm in control rats to nucleus in morphine administered rats. Perinatal Pb-exposure did not induce the changes in the localization of D2R irrespective of morphine effect.

Morphine dependence is associated with changes in neuropeptide S receptor expression and function in rat brain

Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a newly identified ligand for the previously discovered G-protein coupled receptor 154 now named NPSR. Recently, it has been found that NPSR gene expression is altered during ethanol withdrawal. In this study we tried to elucidate if NPSR gene expression is modified in response to morphine withdrawal and its protracted abstinence. To induce opioid dependence Wistar rats were treated for 7 days with morphine. Twelve hours and 7 days after the last morphine administration brains were removed and the expression of NPSR mRNA was analyzed by in situ hybridization (ISH). Successful induction of opioid dependence was confirmed by the naloxone-precipitated withdrawal test 2h after the last morphine administration. Moreover, 7 days after the last morphine dose animals were checked for signs of anxiety and for intracerebroventricular (ICV) NPS (0.3 and 1.0nmol) induced anxiolytic effects by elevated plus maze (EPM). Results showed that in morphine treated rats strong somatic signs of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal occurred. ISH data revealed changes in NPSR gene expression in the ventral tegmental area as well as in the basolateral amygdaloid and bed nucleus of stria terminalis at 12h and 7 days into abstinence, respectively. At 7 days into abstinence post dependent animals showed higher levels of anxiety than controls which were significantly attenuated by NPS. These results demonstrated that morphine dependence induction led to (i) changes in NPSR mRNA expression; (ii) increased anxiety; and (iii) more potent anxiolytic-like effect of NPS.

Dual Inhibition of Endocannabinoid Catabolic Enzymes Produces Enhanced Antiwithdrawal Effects in Morphine-Dependent Mice

Inhibition of the endocannabinoid catabolic enzymes, monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) or fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) attenuates naloxone-precipitated opioid withdrawal signs in mice via activation of CB1 receptors. Complete FAAH inhibition blocks only a subset of withdrawal signs, whereas complete MAGL inhibition elicits enhanced antiwithdrawal efficacy, but is accompanied with some cannabimimetic side effects. Thus, the primary objective of the present study was to determine whether combined, full FAAH inhibition and partial MAGL represents an optimal strategy to reduce opioid withdrawal. To test this hypothesis, we examined whether combined administration of high-dose of the FAAH inhibitor PF-3845 and low-dose of the MAGL inhibitor JZL184, as well as the novel dual FAAH-MAGL inhibitor SA-57, which is 100-fold more potent in inhibiting FAAH than MAGL, would prevent spontaneous withdrawal in morphine-dependent mice, a model with greater face validity than precipitating withdrawal with μ-opioid receptor antagonists. Strikingly, a combination of low-dose JZL184 and high-dose PF-3845 as well as the dual inhibitor SA-57 reduced all abrupt withdrawal signs (ie, platform jumping, paw flutters, head shakes, diarrhea, and total body weight loss), but did not elicit any cannabimimetic side effects. In addition, JZL184 or PF-3845 blocked naloxone-precipitated hypersecretion in morphine-dependent small intestinal tissue. Collectively, these results are the first to show that endocannabinoid catabolic enzyme inhibitors reduce abrupt withdrawal in morpine-dependent mice and are effective in a novel in vitro model of opioid withdrawal. More generally, these findings support the idea that joint MAGL and FAAH inhibition represents a promising approach for the treatment of opioid dependence.

Yokukansan inhibits morphine tolerance and physical dependence in mice: The role of α2A-adrenoceptor

Yokukansan (YKS) is a traditional Japanese medicine consisting of seven medicinal herbs that is used for the treatment of neurosis, insomnia, and the behavioral/psychological symptoms of dementia. This study examined the effects of YKS on morphine tolerance and physical dependence in mice. Daily oral administration of YKS (0.5 or 1.0g/kg) for 3weeks significantly attenuated morphine tolerance and naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal signs (jumps and body weight loss) without affecting the analgesic effect of morphine. The inhibitory effect of YKS on withdrawal jumps in morphine-dependent mice was blocked by a single pretreatment with an α2-adrenoceptor antagonist, yohimbine, but not by an α1-adrenoceptor antagonist, prazosin. A similar inhibitory effect on withdrawal jumps was observed by repeated administration of yohimbine. The membrane expression of α2A-adrenoceptors in the pons/medulla was decreased in morphine withdrawn animals; this reduction was prevented by repeated administration of YKS or yohimbine. Competitive radioligand and [35S]guanosine-5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) binding assays revealed that YKS and its constituent herbs, Glycyrrhiza (GR) and Uncaria hook (UH), had specific binding affinity for and antagonist activity against the α2A-adrenoceptor. Certain chemical constituents, including GR -derived glycyrrhizin and its metabolite, 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid, and UH-derived geissoschizine methyl ether (GME), shared such activities. Repeated administration of GR, UH, glycyrrhizin or GME significantly inhibited morphine withdrawal signs. These results suggest that YKS and its active constituents inhibit morphine tolerance and physical dependence, and that the latter is due at least in part to the prevention of the decreased membrane expression of the α2A-adrenoceptor in the brainstem by its prolonged blockade.

Blockade of orexin receptor 1 attenuates the development of morphine tolerance and physical dependence in rats

The goals of this study were to evaluate the effects of pretreatment by orexin receptor-1 antagonist on the development of morphine tolerance and physical dependence in rat. Animals were rendered dependent on morphine by subcutaneous (SC) injection of morphine sulfate (10mg/kg) at set intervals of 12h for 10days. Just before the morphine administration, the animals received SB-334867, a selective orexin receptor 1 (OXR1) antagonist. To assess morphine tolerance, the antinociceptive responses of morphine were measured using the warm-water tail immersion test before and after its administration. On day 11, naloxone was injected 2h after morphine administration and the physical dependence evaluated by quantifying/scoring naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs for 30min. The effect of chronic SB-334867 on locomotion was carried out by calculating the number of grid crossings as a measure of locomotor activity. Our findings demonstrated that although morphine-tolerance tended to develop in response to repeated injections of morphine, pre-treatment of OXR1 antagonist prevented this effect, causing a delay in the development of morphine-tolerance. Moreover, co-administration of orexin receptor 1 antagonist with morphine significantly decreased the somatic signs of withdrawal including diarrhea, teeth chattering, jumping, and defecation. Administration of SB-334867 alone or in a chronic co-administration with morphine failed to change locomotor activity. These results suggest that the activation of OXR1 might be involved in the development of morphine tolerance and dependence.

Mice deficient in endothelin‐converting enzyme‐2 exhibit abnormal responses to morphine and altered peptide levels in the spinal cord

An increasing body of evidence suggests that endothelin-converting enzyme-2 (ECE-2) is a non-classical neuropeptide processing enzyme. Similar to other neuropeptide processing enzymes, ECE-2 exhibits restricted neuroendocrine distribution, intracellular localization, and an acidic pH optimum. However, unlike classical neuropeptide processing enzymes, ECE-2 exhibits a non-classical cleavage site preference for aliphatic and aromatic residues. We previously reported that ECE-2 cleaves a number of neuropeptides at non-classical sites in vitro; however its role in peptide processing in vivo is poorly understood. Given the recognized roles of neuropeptides in pain and opiate responses, we hypothesized that ECE-2 knockout (KO) mice might show altered pain and morphine responses compared with wild-type mice. We find that ECE-2 KO mice show decreased response to a single injection of morphine in hot-plate and tail-flick tests. ECE-2 KO mice also show more rapid development of tolerance with prolonged morphine treatment and fewer signs of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal. Peptidomic analyses revealed changes in the levels of a number of spinal cord peptides in ECE-2 KO as compared to wild-type mice. Taken together, our findings suggest a role for ECE-2 in the non-classical processing of spinal cord peptides and morphine responses; however, the precise mechanisms through which ECE-2 influences morphine tolerance and withdrawal remain unclear.

Chronic Morphine Alters the Presynaptic Protein Profile: Identification of Novel Molecular Targets Using Proteomics and Network Analysis

Opiates produce significant and persistent changes in synaptic transmission; knowledge of the proteins involved in these changes may help to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying opiate dependence. Using an integrated quantitative proteomics and systems biology approach, we explored changes in the presynaptic protein profile following a paradigm of chronic morphine administration that leads to the development of dependence. For this, we isolated presynaptic fractions from the striata of rats treated with saline or escalating doses of morphine, and analyzed the proteins in these fractions using differential isotopic labeling. We identified 30 proteins that were significantly altered by morphine and integrated them into a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network representing potential morphine-regulated protein complexes. Graph theory-based analysis of this network revealed clusters of densely connected and functionally related morphine-regulated clusters of proteins. One of the clusters contained molecular chaperones thought to be involved in regulation of neurotransmission. Within this cluster, cysteine-string protein (CSP) and the heat shock protein Hsc70 were downregulated by morphine. Interestingly, Hsp90, a heat shock protein that normally interacts with CSP and Hsc70, was upregulated by morphine. Moreover, treatment with the selective Hsp90 inhibitor, geldanamycin, decreased the somatic signs of naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal, suggesting that Hsp90 upregulation at the presynapse plays a role in the expression of morphine dependence. Thus, integration of proteomics, network analysis, and behavioral studies has provided a greater understanding of morphine-induced alterations in synaptic composition, and identified a potential novel therapeutic target for opiate dependence.

Examining the effect of the CaMKII inhibitor administration in the locus coeruleus on the naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal signs in rats

Drug addiction is an occurrence with physiological, psychological, and social outcomes. Repeated drug exposure causes neuronal adaptations and dependency. It has been shown that CaMKIIα enzyme contributes to morphine dependency. The locus coeruleus nucleus has been implied in the morphine withdrawal syndrome. This research focuses on the behavioral and molecular adaptations that occur in the locus coeruleus neurons in response to the chronic morphine exposure. Adult male Wistar rats were injected by morphine sulfate (10 mg/kg/s.c.) at an interval of 12 h for a period of nine subsequent days. On the tenth day, naloxone (1 mg/kg/i.p.) was injected 2 h after the morphine administration. Somatic withdrawal signs were investigated for 30 min. We concluded that the inhibition of CaMKIIα by administration of KN-93, the specific inhibitor of this enzyme, significantly attenuated some of the withdrawal signs. In molecular method, the expression of CaMKIIα protein has been enhanced in locus coeruleus of the morphine dependent rats. These findings indicate that CaMKIIα may be involved in the modulation of the naloxone-induced withdrawal syndrome, and treatment with KN-93 may have some effects on this system.

Escalation patterns of varying periods of heroin access

The prevalence of opioid abuse and dependence has been on the rise in just the past few years. Animal studies indicate that extended access to heroin produces escalation of intake over time, whereas stable intake is observed under limited-access conditions. Escalation of drug intake has been suggested to model the transition from controlled drug use to compulsive drug seeking and taking. Here, we directly compared the pattern of heroin intake in animals with varying periods of heroin access. Food intake was also monitored over the course of escalation. Rats were allowed to lever press on a fixed-ratio 1 schedule of reinforcement to receive intravenous infusions of heroin for 1, 6, 12, or 23 h per day for 14 sessions. The results showed that heroin intake in the 12 and 23 h groups markedly increased over time, whereas heroin intake in the 1 h group was stable. The 6 h group showed a significant but modest escalation of intake. Total heroin intake was similar in the 12 and 23 h groups, but the rate of heroin self-administration was two-fold higher in the 12 h group compared with the 23 h group. Food intake decreased over sessions only in the 12 h group. The 12 and 23 h groups showed marked physical signs of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal. These findings suggest that 12 h heroin access per day may be the optimal access time for producing escalation of heroin intake. The advantages of this model and the potential relevance for studying drug addiction are discussed.

A double-blind, double-dummy, randomized controlled study of memantine versus buprenorphine in naloxone-precipitated acute withdrawal in heroin addicts

To compare the efficacy of memantine with buprenorphine in the suppression of naloxone-precipitated acute withdrawal in heroin-dependent male subjects in an inpatient setting. Inpatient unit of tertiary level deaddiction facility. Forty-five treatment-seeking heroin-dependent males. Subjects stabilized on 650 mg of dextropropoxyphene for 5 days were randomly divided into two groups on the sixth day: group A (n=25) received 20 mg of memantine with buprenorphineplacebo, and group B (n=20) received 2 mg of buprenorphine with memantine placebo. Acute withdrawals were precipitated with naloxone (0.4 mg, intravenously) and were assessed using subjective and objective opioid withdrawal scales (SOWS and OOWS) and two separate visual analogue scales (VASs) for pain and dysphoria at baseline prior to test drug administration and again after the precipitation of acute withdrawal. Severity ofprecipitated opioid withdrawals. Baseline opioid withdrawal symptoms in both groups did not differ significantly. After the precipitation of acute withdrawal, there were no significant differences between subjects in both groups on OOWS and both VASs but showed significant difference on SOWS. When changes in ratings from baseline (and after naloxone-precipitated acute withdrawal) were compared between the two groups, a significant difference in the change in SOWS scores was observed with greater decrease in withdrawal scores in the buprenorphine group. Memantine has comparable efficacy to buprenorphine in the suppression of objective signs of naloxone-precipitated acute opioid withdrawal; however, its role in the suppression of subjective symptoms is debatable.

Antagonism of orexin type 1 receptors in the locus coeruleus attenuates signs of naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal in rats

It has been shown that orexin neuropeptides contribute to morphine-induced physical dependence. The locus coeruleus (LC), which receives a dense extra-hypothalamic orexinergic projection, is a key brain region implicated in the expression of somatic signs of morphine withdrawal syndrome. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of LC orexin type 1 receptors (OXR1) on naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal signs in rats. Adult male Wistar rats were rendered dependent on morphine by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of morphine sulfate (10 mg/kg) at an interval of 12 h for 9 days. On day 10, naloxone (1 mg/kg i.p.) was injected 2 h after morphine administration. Somatic signs of withdrawal were then evaluated in a clear Plexiglas test chamber (30 cm diameter, 50 cm height) for 25 min. One group of animals received intra-LC SB-334867-A, a selective OXR1 antagonist, (100 μM, 0.2 μl) immediately before naloxone. In the control group, SB-334867-A vehicle was microinjected into the LC in the same manner. The results showed that intra-LC OXR1 receptor blockade significantly decreased the somatic signs of withdrawal including chewing, diarrhea, scratching, teeth chattering, wet-dog shake and ptosis. These results suggest that activation of OXR1 in the LC might be involved in the expression of withdrawal signs in morphine dependent rats.

Effects of the cell type‐specific ablation of the cAMP‐responsive transcription factor in noradrenergic neurons on locus coeruleus firing and withdrawal behavior after chronic exposure to morphine

Repeated exposure to opiates leads to cellular and molecular changes and behavioral alterations reflecting a state of dependence. In noradrenergic neurons, cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent pathways are activated during opiate withdrawal, but their contribution to the activity of locus coeruleus noradrenergic neurons and behavioral manifestations remains controversial. Here, we test whether the cAMP-dependent transcription factors cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) and cAMP-responsive element modulator (CREM) in noradrenergic neurons control the cellular markers and the physical signs of morphine withdrawal in mice. Using the Cre/loxP system we ablated the Creb1 gene in noradrenergic neurons. To avoid adaptive effects because of compensatory up-regulation of CREM, we crossed the conditional Creb1 mutant mice with a Crem-/- line. We found that the enhanced expression of tyrosine hydroxylase normally observed during withdrawal was attenuated in CREB/CREM mutants. Moreover, the withdrawal-associated cellular hyperactivity and c-fos expression was blunted. In contrast, naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs, such as jumping, paw tremor, tremor and mastication were preserved. We conclude by a specific genetic approach that the withdrawal-associated hyperexcitability of noradrenergic neurons depends on CREB/CREM activity in these neurons, but does not mediate several behavioral signs of morphine withdrawal.

Deletion of the GluR5 subunit of kainate receptors affects cocaine sensitivity and preference

We have demonstrated previously that mice expressing a constitutive deletion of the kainate receptor subunit GluR5 (GluR5 KO) do not differ from wildtype (WT) littermates of a congenic C57BL/6 background with regard to both the development of morphine physical dependence as measured by naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs and to morphine reward as revealed by the expression of conditioned place preference (CPP). However, unlike WT, GluR5 KO mice fail to develop antinociceptive tolerance following repeated systemic morphine administration. In this report, we examined the impact of GluR5 deletion on cocaine-mediated CPP and locomotor sensitization. Expression of CPP was evident in WT mice following repeated daily administration of 20 mg/kg (but not 10 mg/kg) i.p. cocaine. Interestingly, GluR5 KO mice exhibited enhanced cocaine preference as compared with WT mice at both 10 and 20 mg/kg doses. In addition, while GluR5 KO mice did not differ from WT with respect to baseline locomotor activity, mutant mice demonstrated increased locomotor hyperactivity versus WT mice after repeated injection of 15 mg/kg i.p. cocaine. Collectively, these data indicate that GluR5 appears to negatively modulate some psychostimulant and rewarding properties of cocaine, as demonstrated by heightened sensitization and salience in mutant mice.

Anatomically dissociable effects of dopamine D1 receptor agonists on reward and relief of withdrawal in morphine-dependent rats.

Chronic opiate administration induces neuroadaptations within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) that can contribute to dependence. We have shown that morphine dependence shifts the behavioral consequences of D1 dopamine (DA) receptor signaling: systemic administration of a D1 receptor agonist is rewarding and blocks naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs in morphine-dependent rats, but has minimal effects in nondependent rats. These data suggest that D1 receptors acquire the ability to regulate reward and withdrawal in morphine-dependent rats. The brain regions involved in these effects are not known. Studies were designed to test the hypothesis that the nucleus accumbens shell (NASh) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are important sites for mediating the behavioral effects of D1 receptor activation in morphine-dependent rats. The effects of microinjecting the D1 receptor agonist SKF 82958 into the NASh or the VTA on place conditioning and somatic withdrawal signs were studied in morphine-dependent and nondependent rats. Intra-NASh microinjection of SKF 82958 (1 microg/side) established conditioned place preferences in morphine-dependent but not nondependent rats, but had no effect on naloxone-induced place aversions or somatic withdrawal signs. Intra-VTA microinjection of SKF 82958 (2 microg) did not establish place preferences under any conditions, but blocked naloxone-induced place aversions without effects on somatic withdrawal signs. There is an anatomical dissociation between D1 receptor-mediated reward and relief of withdrawal in morphine-dependent rats. When combined, the individual effects of D1 receptor activation in the NASh and VTA on the affective signs of precipitated morphine withdrawal resemble those seen with systemic administration.

Transgene-mediated enkephalin expression attenuates signs of naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal in rats with neuropathic pain

Chronic morphine exposure induces physical dependence and tolerance. Previous studies have shown that there is a decrease in met-enkephalin levels in states of morphine physical dependence, and that increasing enkephalin during opiate physical withdrawal ameliorates the severity of the morphine withdrawal syndrome. In order to investigate the role of spinal opioid peptide in the phenomenon of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal we examined the effect of herpes simplex virus vector-mediated overexpression of proenkephalin in lumbar dorsal root ganglia in rats with neuropathic pain treated with morphine. The morphine physical dependence was induced by chronic administration of intraperitoneal (IP) morphine for 2 weeks. Rats with neuropathic pain inoculated subcutaneously with the vector-mediated overexpression of proenkephalin showed a significant reduction in jumps, ‘wet-dog’ shakes, diarrhea and ptosis precipitated by naloxone after 2 weeks of morphine treatment. The global withdrawal score was also reduced significantly by vector-mediated overexpression of proenkephalin. These studies demonstrate a role for opioid peptide in the spinal cord in mediating some of the withdrawal response.