Effect of Activation of the GLT-1 Transporter by a Beta-Lactam Antibiotic on Serotonin-Induced Scratching Behavior in Mice

Differential Effects of Intrahippocampal Administration of Ceftriaxone on Morphine Dependence and Withdrawal Syndrome in Rats

Glutamate is a key factor in opiate addiction. Glial glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) plays a prominent role in glutamate homeostasis. Therefore, different regimens of ceftriaxone as a GLT-1 activator were prescribed to determine whether modulating GLT-1 prevents morphine dependence or withdrawal syndrome. Rats received 10 mg/kg morphine subcutaneously for ten consecutive days. Intrahippocampal ceftriaxone (0.5 μL of 0.5 mM solution) was injected 30 min before morphine administration to assess its effect on dependence process. In the next experiment, after the animals became dependent, ceftriaxone was injected before or after the last morphine administration, and its effect on withdrawal symptoms was evaluated. The reversibility of developed dependence was evaluated in the conditions when morphine and ceftriaxone were administered simultaneously. Two hours after the last morphine injection, naloxone hydrochloride (1.5 mg/kg) was administered, and morphine withdrawal syndrome was recorded for 25 min. Ceftriaxone administration before each morphine injection caused a decrease in the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms. Single dose of ceftriaxone after or before the last dose of morphine did not change the withdrawal symptoms significantly. Ceftriaxone injection for 5 days after becoming dependent could decrease the occurrence of some withdrawal symptoms. Modulation of glutamate with ceftriaxone during morphine injection may be able to prevent dependence. However, a single dose of ceftriaxone after becoming dependent could not decrease withdrawal syndrome. More prolonged administration of ceftriaxone could alleviate the induced dependence.

β_lactam antibiotics against drug addiction: A novel therapeutic option

Drug addiction as a problem for the health of the individual and the society is the result of a complex process in which there is an interaction between brain nuclei and neurotransmitters (such as glutamate). β-lactam antibiotics, due to their enhancing properties on the glutamate transporter glutamate transporter-1, can affect and counteract the addictive mechanisms of drugs through the regulation of extracellular glutamate. Since glutamate is a key neurotransmitter in the development of drug addiction, it seems that β-lactams can be considered as a promising treatment for addiction. However, more research in this field is necessary to identify other mechanisms involved in their effectiveness. This article is a review of the studies conducted on the effect of β-lactam administration in preventing the development of drug addiction, as well as their possible cellular and molecular mechanisms. This review suggests the clinical use of β-lactam antibiotics that have weak antimicrobial properties (such as clavulanic acid) in the treatment of drug dependence.