Involvement of dopamine D1 receptors of the central amygdala on the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced place preference in rat

In the present study, the effects of intra-central amygdala (CeA) injection of dopamine D1 receptor agonist and antagonist on morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) were investigated in male Wistar rats. Our data showed that subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of morphine sulphate (0.5-10 mg/kg) significantly increased the time spent in the drug-paired compartment in a dose-dependent manner. Intra-CeA administration of the dopamine D1 receptor agonist, SKF 38393 (2 and 4 micro g/rat) with an ineffective dose of morphine (0.5 mg/kg), elicited a significant conditioned place preference. On the other hand, a single dose of SKF 38393 (2 micro g/rat, intra-CeA) in combination with the lower doses (0.5 and 2.5 mg/kg), but not with the higher doses of morphine potentiated morphine-induced CPP. Furthermore, intra-CeA administration of the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, SCH 23390 (0.5-1 micro g/rat) decreased the acquisition of conditioned place preference induced by morphine (7.5 mg/kg). The response of SKF 38393 was decreased by SCH 23390 (0.75 micro g/rat). SKF 38393 or SCH 23390 by themselves did not elicit any effect on place conditioning. On the other hand, intra-CeA administration of SKF 38393 or SCH 23390 significantly decreased the expression of morphine (7.5 mg/kg)-induced place preference. SKF 38393 or SCH 23390 injections into the CeA had no effects on the locomotor activity on the test sessions. The results indicate that the dopamine D1 receptors in the CeA may be involved in the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced place preference.

Cross-tolerance between morphine- and nicotine-induced conditioned place preference in mice

The acquisition of morphine and nicotine conditioned place preference (CPP) and cross-tolerance between the response of two drugs was studied in mice. A biased CPP paradigm was used to study the effect of the agents. Morphine (5 mg/kg) and nicotine (1 mg/kg) induced CPP. Naloxone (0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg), but not mecamylamine (0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg), induced conditioned place aversion (CPA). Both antagonists reversed CPP induced by morphine and nicotine. Administration of one daily dose of morphine (12.5, 25 or 50 mg/kg) for 3 days or nicotine (0.5, 1 or 2 mg/kg) three times a day for 12 days, in order to develop tolerance to the drugs, reduced the conditioning induced by morphine (5 mg/kg) or nicotine (1 mg/kg). CPA-induced by naloxone was reduced in animals, which were rendered tolerant to morphine (50 mg/kg) or nicotine (2 mg/kg). Mecamylamine, however, which did not induce any response in the nontolerant mice, elicited CPP in the tolerant animals. It is concluded that there may be a cross-tolerance between morphine- and nicotine-induced CPP.

Nitric oxide within the ventral tegmental area is involved in mediating morphine reward

In the present study, the effects of intra-ventral tegmental area injection of L-arginine, a nitric oxide (NO) precursor, and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, on morphine-induced conditioned place preference in male Wistar rats were investigated. Our data showed that subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of morphine sulphate (0.5-10 mg/kg) significantly increased the time spent in the drug-paired compartment in a dose-dependent manner. Intra-ventral tegmental area administration of a low dose of L-arginine (0.05 microg/rat) with an ineffective dose of morphine (0.5 mg/kg) elicited significant conditioned place preference; however, a higher dose of L-arginine (0.1 microg/rat) reduced the morphine response. Intra-ventral tegmental area administration of L-NAME (0.03 and 0.1 microg/rat) decreased the acquisition of morphine (7.5 mg/kg)-induced place preference. The response to different doses of L-arginine was decreased by L-NAME (0.03 microg/rat). L-Arginine and L-NAME by themselves did not elicit any effect on place conditioning; however, intra-ventral tegmental area administration of L-arginine (0.01-0.1 microg/rat) and a higher dose of L-NAME (0.1 microg/rat) significantly decreased the expression of morphine (7.5 mg/kg)-induced place preference. The attenuation of already established morphine-induced place preference on the test day by L-arginine was inhibited by L-NAME (0.03 microg/rat). The results indicate that NO may be involved in the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced place preference.

Involvement of dopamine D2 receptors of the central amygdala on the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced place preference in rat

In the present study, the effects of intra-central amygdala (CeA) injections of dopamine (DA) D2-like receptor agonist and antagonist on the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced place preference in male Wistar rats have been investigated. Subcutaneous administration of different doses of morphine sulphate (0.5-10 mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent conditioned place preference (CPP). Using a 3-day schedule of conditioning, it was found that the DA D2/D3 receptor agonist, quinpirole (0.3-3 microg/rat), or the DA D2 receptor antagonist, sulpiride (0.04-5 microg/rat), did not produce a significant place preference or place aversion. Intra-CeA administration of quinpirole (0.3 and 1 microg/rat) with an ineffective dose of morphine (0.5 mg/kg) elicited a significant CPP. On the other hand, quinpirole (0.3 microg/rat) injection into the CeA induced CPP in combination with the lower doses of morphine (0.5 and 2.5 mg/kg), but decreased the response of higher dose (7.5 mg/kg) of morphine. This response of quinpirole was attenuated by sulpiride (0.2 microg/rat). Sulpiride by itself (0.04-5 microg/rat) reduced the acquisition of morphine (7.5 mg/kg)-induced place preference. The administration of the higher dose of sulpiride (1 and 5 microg/rat) or the higher dose of quinpirole (3 microg/rat) during acquisition decreased the locomotor activity of the animals on the testing days. The injection of the low dose of quinpirole (0.3 microg/rat) on the test day reduced the expression of morphine-induced CPP, but the high dose of quinpirole (3 microg/rat) potentiated this expression. The administration of sulpiride (5 microg/rat) attenuated the quinpirole response. The injection of sulpiride (1 and 5 microg/rat) abolished the expression of morphine-induced CPP. It is concluded that the CeA DA D2-like receptors may play an active role in morphine reward.

Influence of nitric oxide on morphine-induced conditioned place preference in the rat central amygdala

Effects of intra-central amygdala injections of L-arginine, a nitric oxide (NO) precursor, and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor, on morphine-induced conditioned place preference in rats were investigated by using an unbiased 3-day schedule of place conditioning design. Animals receiving once daily injections of morphine (0.5-7.5 mg/kg, subcutaneously, s.c.) or saline (1.0 ml/kg, s.c.) showed a significant place preference in a dose-dependent manner. The maximum response was observed with 5.0 mg/kg of the opioid. Co-administration of morphine (5.0 mg/kg) with L-arginine (0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 microg/rat), but not with L-NAME (0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 microg/rat), during the acquisition of morphine-induced conditioned place preference increased morphine-induced conditioned place preference. The response to L-arginine was blocked by L-NAME preadministration. L-arginine and L-NAME by themselves did not induce conditioned place preference. When L-arginine or L-NAME at 0.3-3.0 microg/rat was administered 1 min before conditioned place preference testing, L-arginine but not L-NAME caused an increase in the expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference, the effect that was blocked by L-NAME preadministration. A dose of L-arginine (0.3 microg/rat), but not L-NAME, during expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference produced an increase in locomotion compared with that in the control group. It may be concluded that an increase in the NO levels in the central amygdala may have an effect on the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference.

Role of nitric oxide in the rat hippocampal CA1 area on morphine-induced conditioned place preference

Effects of intrahippocampal CA1 injections of L-arginine, a nitric oxide (NO) precursor, and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, on morphine-induced conditioned place preference in male Wistar rats were investigated. Animals received subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of saline (1.0 ml/kg) or morphine (0.5-7.5 mg/kg) once daily for 3 days to induce conditioned place preference. The administration of L-arginine (0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 microg/rat), but not L-NAME (0.3, 1.0, and 3.0, microg/rat), prior to administration of morphine (5.0 mg/kg) during acquisition of morphine-induced conditioned place preference increased morphine-induced conditioned place preference, but the interaction between the response to morphine and/or L-arginine was not statistically significant. The response to L-arginine was blocked by L-NAME pre-administration. L-Arginine or L-NAME by itself did not induce conditioned place preference. The administration of L-arginine but not L-NAME, 1 min before conditioned place preference testing, increased the expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference. Pre-administration of L-NAME blocked the L-arginine response. It is concluded that NO in the rat hippocampal CA1 area may be involved in morphine-induced conditioned place preference.

The effects of fruit essential oil of the Pimpinella anisum on acquisition and expression of morphine induced conditioned place preference in mice

The problem of drug dependence still remains unresolved. In the present study the effects of an essential oil of Pimpinella anisum (Umbeliferae) on the expression and acquisition of conditioned place preference (CPP) induced by morphine in mice were investigated. Subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of morphine (2-5 mg/kg) produced place preference in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of the essential oil of P. anisum (0.125-0.5 ml/kg) induced conditioned place aversion (CPA). The mice which have received the essential oil of the P. anisum (0.125-0.5 ml/kg, i.p.) as well as the oil with morphine (5 mg/kg, s.c.) reduced the morphine effect. Administration of the essential oil of P. anisum (0.125-0.5 ml/kg, i.p.) on the test day did not show any effect on morphine action. It appeared that pre-administration with bicuculline (GABA(A) receptor antagonist) (1.5 mg/kg, i.p., 20 min before essential oil) diminished the effect of the essential oil of the P. anisum on morphine which induced CPP, but this result was not found for the GABA(B) receptor antagonist, CGP35348 (200 and 400 mg/kg, i.p., 10 min before essential oil). In conclusion, it appeared that the essential oil of the P. anisum may reduce the morphine effects via a GABAergic mechanism.

Adenosine A(2) receptors inhibit morphine self-administration in rats

In the present study, the effect of adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists on morphine self-administration was investigated. Intravenous administration of morphine (0.3-3 mg/kg/injection) induced dose-dependent self-administration. The adenosine receptor antagonists, theophylline (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg) and 3, 7-Dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (DMPX; 0.25, 0.5, 1 mg/kg), when injected 1 h before the start of the test, reduced the number of self-administered morphine infusions. The adenosine receptor antagonists when administered in the training period (11 days) greatly increased the number of morphine infusions, however, they did not induce any response by themselves. 5'-N-ethylcarboxamido-adenosine (NECA; 0.5, 1 mg/kg) and 4-[2-[[6-Amino-9-(N-ethyl-beta-D-ribofuranuronamidosyl)-9H-purin-2 -yl ]amino] ethyl]benzenepropanoic acid (CGS21680; 0.001, 0.01, 0.025, 0. 05 mg/kg), given 1 h before the start of the test, increased morphine self-administration. Although the adenosine agonists, when injected during training period (11 days), reduced morphine self-administration. Furthermore, NECA, but not CGS21680, induced significant self-administration. The adenosine A(1) receptor agonist, N(6)-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA; 0.01, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg), and the adenosine A(1) receptor antagonist, 8-phenyletheophylline (2, 4, 6, 8 mg/kg), themselves neither altered morphine infusion nor induced any response. These results indicate a role for adenosine A(2) receptors in the expression and/or development of morphine self-administration.