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Chiu CH, Ma KH, Huang EYK, Chang HW, Weng SJ, Yu TH, Farn SS, Kuo YY, Huang WS, Cheng CY, Tao PL, Yeh SHH. Dextromethorphan moderates reward deficiency associated with central serotonin transporter availability in 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine-treated animals. J Chin Med Assoc 2024; 87:538-549. [PMID: 38587377 DOI: 10.1097/jcma.0000000000001087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neurotoxicity of 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) to the serotonergic system is well-documented. Dextromethorphan (DM), an antitussive drug, decreased morphine- or methamphetamine (MA)-induced reward in rats and may prevent MDMA-induced serotonergic deficiency in primates, as indicated by increased serotonin transporter (SERT) availability. We aimed to investigate the effects of DM on reward, behavioral sensitization, and neurotoxicity associated with loss of SERT induced by chronic MDMA administration in rats. METHODS Conditioned place preference (CPP) and locomotor activity tests were used to evaluate drug-induced reward and behavioral sensitization; 4-[ 18 F]-ADAM/animal-PET and immunohistochemistry were used to explore the effects of DM on MDMA-induced loss of SERT. RESULTS MDMA significantly reduced SERT binding in the rat brain; however, co-administration of DM significantly restored SERT, enhancing the recovery rate at day 14 by an average of ~23% compared to the MDMA group. In confirmation of the PET findings, immunochemistry revealed MDMA reduced SERT immunoactivity in all brain regions, whereas DM markedly increased the serotonergic fiber density after MDMA induction. CONCLUSION Behavioral tests and in vivo longitudinal PET imaging demonstrated the CPP indexes and locomotor activities of the reward system correlate negatively with PET 4-[ 18 F]ADAM SERT activity in the reward system. Our findings suggest MDMA induces functional abnormalities in a network of brain regions important to decision-making processes and the motivation circuit. DM may exert neuroprotective effects to reverse MDMA-induced neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuang-Hsin Chiu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Kuo-Hsing Ma
- Department of Biology and Anatomy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | | | - Hsien-Wen Chang
- School of Pharmacy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shao-Ju Weng
- Department of Biology and Anatomy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tsung-Hsun Yu
- Brain Research Center, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shiou-Shiow Farn
- Isotope Application Division, Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yu-Yeh Kuo
- Department of Nursing, Hsin-Sheng College of Medical Care and Management, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Sheng Huang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cheng-Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Cheng-Yi Cheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Pao-Luh Tao
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Skye Hsin-Hsien Yeh
- Brain Research Center, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
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Ghasemzadeh Z, Seddighfar M, Alijanpour S, Rezayof A. Ventral tegmental area serotonin 5-HT 1A receptors and corticolimbic cFos/BDNF/GFAP signaling pathways mediate dextromethorphan/morphine anti-allodynia. Physiol Behav 2021; 239:113522. [PMID: 34242672 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The present study examined the role of ventral tegmental area (VTA) serotonergic 5HT1A receptors in dextromethorphan/morphine-induced anti-allodynia and the possible changes of corticolimbic cFos, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) following the treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS The VTA cannulation and the chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve were performed in male Wistar rats. Flexion withdrawal thresholds to mechanical stimulation in the hind-limb were determined using von Frey hairs. The expressions of cFos, BDNF, and GFAP were evaluated using the Western blotting technique. KEY FINDINGS BDNF (in the hippocampus), and GFAP (in the targeted sites) levels were increased following neuropathic pain. Morphine administration induced an anti-allodynic effect with a decrease in the amygdala BDNF level. Dextromethorphan/morphine-induced anti-allodynia was accompanied by the decrease of hippocampus/amygdala/PFC GFAP and amygdala cFos expressions. The PFC BDNF expression level was increased in dextromethorphan/morphine-treated rats. Intra-VTA microinjection of (S)-WAY100135 (1 µg/rat), a selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, inhibited the anti-allodynic effect of dextromethorphan/morphine. This treatment increased the cFos level in the hippocampus and the amygdala while decreased the PFC level of cFos. The hippocampal BDNF expression was significantly increased, while the amygdala and the PFC expressions of BDNF were decreased under treatment. (S)-WAY100135 plus dextromethorphan/morphine increased the hippocampal/amygdala and PFC levels of GFAP. SIGNIFICANCE These findings indicate that dextromethorphan could potentiate the analgesic effect of morphine via the implication of the VTA serotonin 5-HT1A receptors. It seems that the changes in the corticolimbic cFos/BDNF/GFAP signaling pathway may be involved in the observed anti-allodynic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Ghasemzadeh
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Seddighfar
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sakineh Alijanpour
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran
| | - Ameneh Rezayof
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
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Dextromethorphan Suppresses Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Epigenetic Histone Regulation in the Tumor Necrosis Factor- α Expression in Primary Rat Microglia. Mediators Inflamm 2020; 2020:9694012. [PMID: 33376453 PMCID: PMC7738791 DOI: 10.1155/2020/9694012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The activation of microglial cells plays an important role in the cascade of events leading to inflammation-mediated neurodegenerative disorders. Precision therapeutics require that adjunctively feasible drugs be found to prevent microglial cell activation and prevent inflammation-mediated neuronal injury. Dextromethorphan (DM) has been reported to possess neuroprotective effects in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated animals; however, it remains unclear whether epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in microglial cells are involved in such DM-mediated neuroprotective effects. In this study, DM simultaneously suppressed LPS-induced activation of tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α expression and subsequent caspase-3 signaling in primary microglial cells associated with notable morphological changes. Furthermore, therapeutic action sites of DM involved differential enhanced trimethylation of H3K4 modifications in the promoter region of tnf-α gene locus in primary microglial cells. In summary, DM may exert neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects through differential epigenetic histone modifications of TNF-α expression in microglial cells and might therefore raise the possibility of providing an adjunctively beneficial role for a tentative therapeutic strategy in neurodegenerative diseases resulting from inflammation.
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Zhu S, Chen P, Chen M, Ruan J, Ren W, Zhang X, Gao Y, Li Y. Alcohol inhibits morphine/cocaine reward memory acquisition and reconsolidation in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:1043-1053. [PMID: 31912191 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05433-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE Alcohol is a recreational substance that is generally socially acceptable and legal in most areas worldwide. An alcohol overdose will produce an inhibitory effect on the brain and impair cognition and memory. In this study, we examined the effect of alcohol on the acquisition, consolidation, and reconsolidation of drug reward memory induced by morphine and cocaine in rats. METHODS Rats were trained to acquire morphine sulfate (10 mg/kg, s.c.) and cocaine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) conditioned place preference (CPP) via an unbiased CPP paradigm. Vehicle or alcohol (0.25, 0.75, 1.5 g/kg, i.p.) was administered at various time-points, including 30 min before each CPP conditioning session (acquisition), immediately after each CPP conditioning session (consolidation), immediately after the reactivation of CPP (reconsolidation with re-exposure), or without reactivation to the drug-paired context (reconsolidation without re-exposure). Conditioning scores were recorded before or after each conditioning session or memory reactivation. RESULTS Alcohol at a dose of 1.5 g/kg but not 0.25 g/kg or 0.75 g/kg significantly inhibited the acquisition and reconsolidation of morphine- and cocaine-associated memory. In contrast, alcohol had no effect on the consolidation of morphine- or cocaine-induced CPP. CONCLUSIONS The results suggested that pre-exposure alcohol dose-dependently attenuated morphine- or cocaine-induced place preference and prevented drug reinstatement in rats by disrupting memory reconsolidation, which may be explained by the inhibitory effect of alcohol on dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Pingping Chen
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Mingzhu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Jiawei Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Wanying Ren
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Yanqin Li
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China.
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A Nonrewarding NMDA Receptor Antagonist Impairs the Acquisition, Consolidation, and Expression of Morphine Conditioned Place Preference in Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:710-721. [PMID: 26768427 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9678-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists block morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP). Although polyamines are endogenous modulators of the NMDA receptor, it is not known whether polyaminergic agents induce CPP or modulate morphine-induced CPP. Here, we examined whether polyamine ligands modify morphine CPP acquisition, consolidation, and expression. Adult male albino Swiss mice received saline (0.9 % NaCl, intraperitoneally (i.p.)) or morphine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) and were respectively confined to a black or a white compartment for 30 min for four consecutive days for CPP induction. The effect of arcaine (3 mg/kg, i.p.) or spermidine (30 mg/kg, i.p.), respectively, an antagonist and an agonist of the polyamine-binding site at the NMDA receptor, on the acquisition, consolidation, and expression of morphine CPP was studied. In those experiments designed to investigate whether spermidine prevented or reversed the effect of arcaine, spermidine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 15 min before or 15 min after arcaine, respectively. Arcaine and spermidine did not induce CPP or aversion per se. Arcaine (3 mg/kg, i.p.) impaired the acquisition, consolidation, and expression of morphine CPP. Spermidine prevented the impairing effect of arcaine on the acquisition of morphine CPP but not the impairing effect of arcaine on consolidation or expression of morphine CPP. These results suggest that arcaine may impair morphine CPP acquisition by modulating the polyamine-binding site at the NMDA receptor. However, the arcaine-induced impairment of consolidation and expression of morphine CPP seems to involve other mechanisms.
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Effects of dextromethorphan and oxycodone on treatment of neuropathic pain in mice. J Biomed Sci 2015; 22:81. [PMID: 26391752 PMCID: PMC4578273 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-015-0186-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Neuropathic pain is a very troublesome and difficult pain to treat. Although opioids are the best analgesics for cancer and surgical pain in clinic, only oxycodone among opioids shows better efficacy to alleviate neuropathic pain. However, many side effects associated with the use of oxycodone render the continued use of it in neuropathic pain treatment undesirable. Hence, we explored whether dextromethorphan (DM, a known N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist with neuroprotective properties) could potentiate the anti-allodynic effect of oxycodone and underlying mechanisms regarding to glial cells (astrocytes and microglia) activation and proinflammatory cytokines release in a spinal nerve injury (SNL) mice model. Results Oxycodone produced a dose-dependent anti-allodynic effect. Co-administration of DM at a dose of 10 mg/kg (i.p.) (DM10) which had no anti-allodynic effect by itself enhanced the acute oxycodone (1 mg/kg, s.c.) effect. When the chronic anti-allodynic effects were examined, co-administration of DM10 also significantly enhanced the oxycodone effect at 3 mg/kg. Furthermore, oxycodone decreased SNL-induced activation of glial cells (astrocytes and microglia) and plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α). Co-administration of DM10 potentiated these effects of oxycodone. Conclusion The combined use of DM with oxycodone may have therapeutic potential for decreasing the effective dose of oxycodone on the treatment of neuropathic pain. Attenuation of the glial activation and proinflammatory cytokines in the spinal cord may be important mechanisms for these effects of DM.
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Chiang YC, Ye LC, Hsu KY, Liao CW, Hung TW, Lo WJ, Ho IK, Tao PL. Beneficial effects of co-treatment with dextromethorphan on prenatally methadone-exposed offspring. J Biomed Sci 2015; 22:19. [PMID: 25890152 PMCID: PMC4376496 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-015-0126-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Heroin use among young women of reproductive age has drawn much attention around the world. Although methadone is widely used in maintenance therapy for heroin/morphine addiction, the long-term effects of prenatal exposure to methadone and preventative therapy remain unclear. For revealing this question, female pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were sub-grouped to receive (1) vehicle, (2) methadone 5 mg/kg at embryonic day 3 (E3) and then 7 mg/kg from E4 to E20, (3) dextromethorphan (DM) 3 mg/kg, and (4) methadone + DM (the rats received methadone followed by DM treatment), subcutaneously, twice a day from E3 to E20. The body weight, natural withdrawal, pain sensitivity, ED50, conditioned place preference and water maze were conducted at different postnatal stages (P1 to P79) of offspring. The quantitative real-time RT-PCR and electrophysiology were also used to measure the gene expression of opioid receptors in the spinal cord and changes of LTP/LTD in the hippocampus, separately. Results Prenatal exposure to methadone or DM did not affect survival rate, body weight, water maze and LTP or LTD of offspring. However, prenatal methadone significantly increased the withdrawal symptoms, pain sensitivity, addiction liability and decreased the mRNA expression of pain related opioid receptors. Co-administration of DM with methadone in the maternal rats effectively prevented these abnormalities of offspring induced by methadone. Conclusions Our study clearly showed that co-administration of dextromethorphan with methadone in the maternal rats prevented the adverse effects induced by prenatal methadone exposure. It implies that dextromethorphan may have a potential to be used in combination with methadone for maintenance treatment in pregnant heroin-addicted women to prevent the adverse effects induced by methadone on offspring. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12929-015-0126-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Chang Chiang
- Center for Drug Abuse and Addiction, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Li-Ci Ye
- Department of Pharmacology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Kuei-Ying Hsu
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan.
| | - Chien-Wei Liao
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan.
| | - Tsai-Wei Hung
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan.
| | - Wan-Jou Lo
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan.
| | - Ing-Kang Ho
- Center for Drug Abuse and Addiction, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Pao-Luh Tao
- Department of Pharmacology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan.
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AMPA receptor endocytosis in the amygdala is involved in the disrupted reconsolidation of Methamphetamine-associated contextual memory. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2013; 103:72-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2013.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2012] [Revised: 03/27/2013] [Accepted: 04/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Chen SL, Lee SY, Tao PL, Chang YH, Chen SH, Chu CH, Chen PS, Lee IH, Yeh TL, Yang YK, Hong JS, Lu RB. Dextromethorphan Attenuated Inflammation and Combined Opioid Use in Humans Undergoing Methadone Maintenance Treatment. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2012; 7:1025-33. [DOI: 10.1007/s11481-012-9400-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2011] [Accepted: 09/03/2012] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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Yang PP, Huang EYK, Fu YY, Ho TS, Tao PL. Post-treatment of dextromethorphan on methamphetamine-induced drug-seeking and behavioral sensitization in rats. Synapse 2012; 66:858-69. [DOI: 10.1002/syn.21576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2012] [Accepted: 06/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Kao JH, Huang EYK, Tao PL. NR2B subunit of NMDA receptor at nucleus accumbens is involved in morphine rewarding effect by siRNA study. Drug Alcohol Depend 2011; 118:366-74. [PMID: 21601998 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2010] [Revised: 04/19/2011] [Accepted: 04/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic use of morphine causes rewarding effects and behavioral sensitization, which may lead to the development of craving for morphine. A number of studies indicate that the NMDA receptors may be involved in these effects, especially the NR2B-containing NMDA receptors. It is also well recognized that the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are involved in drug addiction, including morphine addiction. AIMS In this study, we further investigate the role of the NR2B subunit of NMDA receptors at NAc or VTA in morphine rewarding effects and behavioral sensitization. METHODS AND RESULTS The siRNA against the NR2B subunit of NMDA receptors was locally injected to decrease the expression of NR2B at NAc or posterior VTA in male Sprague-Dawley (S.D.) rats in the present study. The rats were then treated with morphine chronically. A conditioned place preference (CPP) test was used to examine the rewarding effect, and locomotor activity was measured to determine the behavioral sensitization induced by chronic morphine treatment. Results showed that morphine-induced rewarding behavior but not behavioral sensitization was abolished when the NR2B subunit of NMDA receptors at the NAc were significantly decreased. The dopamine turnover rate was not altered by the decrease of NR2B subunit at NAc. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that the NR2B subunit of NMDA receptors at the NAc is involved in morphine-induced rewarding effect and may not be through directly interacting with dopamine neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Hsin Kao
- Department of Pharmacology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
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Chen SL, Hsu KY, Huang EYK, Lu RB, Tao PL. Low doses of dextromethorphan attenuate morphine-induced rewarding via the sigma-1 receptor at ventral tegmental area in rats. Drug Alcohol Depend 2011; 117:164-9. [PMID: 21320758 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2010] [Revised: 01/04/2011] [Accepted: 01/16/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Chronic use of morphine causes rewarding and behavioral sensitization, which may lead to the development of psychological craving. In our previous study, we found that a widely used antitussive dextromethorphan (known as a low affinity NMDA receptor antagonist), at doses of 10-20 mg/kg (i.p.), effectively decreased morphine rewarding in rats. In this study, we further investigated the effects and mechanisms of low doses of DM (μg/kg range) on morphine rewarding and behavioral sensitization. A conditioned place preference test was used to determine the rewarding and a locomotor activity test was used to determine the behavioral sensitization induced by the drug(s) in rats. When a low dose of DM (3 or 10 μg/kg, i.p.) was co-administered with morphine (5 mg/kg, s.c.), the rewarding effect, but not behavioral sensitization, induced by morphine was inhibited. The inhibiting effect of DM could be blocked by systemically administering a sigma-1 receptor antagonist, BD1047 (3 mg/kg, i.p.). When BD1047 (5 nmole/site) was locally given at the VTA, it also blocked the effects of a low dose of DM in inhibiting morphine rewarding. Our findings suggest that the activation of the sigma-1 receptor at the VTA may be involved in the mechanism of low doses of DM in inhibiting the morphine rewarding effect and the possibility of using extremely low doses of DM in treatment of opioid addiction in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiou-Lan Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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Abstract
This paper is the thirtieth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2007 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior, and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia; stress and social status; tolerance and dependence; learning and memory; eating and drinking; alcohol and drugs of abuse; sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology; mental illness and mood; seizures and neurologic disorders; electrical-related activity and neurophysiology; general activity and locomotion; gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions; cardiovascular responses; respiration and thermoregulation; and immunological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd.,Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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Gass JT, Olive MF. Glutamatergic substrates of drug addiction and alcoholism. Biochem Pharmacol 2008; 75:218-65. [PMID: 17706608 PMCID: PMC2239014 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2007.06.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 355] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2007] [Revised: 06/22/2007] [Accepted: 06/26/2007] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The past two decades have witnessed a dramatic accumulation of evidence indicating that the excitatory amino acid glutamate plays an important role in drug addiction and alcoholism. The purpose of this review is to summarize findings on glutamatergic substrates of addiction, surveying data from both human and animal studies. The effects of various drugs of abuse on glutamatergic neurotransmission are discussed, as are the effects of pharmacological or genetic manipulation of various components of glutamate transmission on drug reinforcement, conditioned reward, extinction, and relapse-like behavior. In addition, glutamatergic agents that are currently in use or are undergoing testing in clinical trials for the treatment of addiction are discussed, including acamprosate, N-acetylcysteine, modafinil, topiramate, lamotrigine, gabapentin and memantine. All drugs of abuse appear to modulate glutamatergic transmission, albeit by different mechanisms, and this modulation of glutamate transmission is believed to result in long-lasting neuroplastic changes in the brain that may contribute to the perseveration of drug-seeking behavior and drug-associated memories. In general, attenuation of glutamatergic transmission reduces drug reward, reinforcement, and relapse-like behavior. On the other hand, potentiation of glutamatergic transmission appears to facilitate the extinction of drug-seeking behavior. However, attempts at identifying genetic polymorphisms in components of glutamate transmission in humans have yielded only a limited number of candidate genes that may serve as risk factors for the development of addiction. Nonetheless, manipulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission appears to be a promising avenue of research in developing improved therapeutic agents for the treatment of drug addiction and alcoholism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin T Gass
- Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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