Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior
-
Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. · Apr 2012
The selective metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 allosteric agonist AMN082 prevents reinstatement of extinguished ethanol-induced conditioned place preference in mice.
Alcohol dependence is considered a major public health problem in modern societies. The role for glutamatergic neurotransmission in the reinforcing effects of ethanol is becoming increasingly evident. Our previous findings have shown that in rats, the mGluR7 positive allosteric agonist AMN082, but not its allosteric antagonist MMPIP, prevented ethanol consumption and preference in the two-bottle choice paradigm. ⋯ In contrast, mGluR7 activation using AMN082 reduced ethanol-induced CPP reinstatement, an effect reversed by co-administration of MMPIP. Collectively, these results indicate, for the first time, that activation of the mGluR7 receptor is effective in reducing the reinstatement of conditioned rewarding effects of ethanol. Taken together, the efficacy of AMN082 on the various phases of alcohol-CPP could represent an interesting pharmacological approach and could open a new line of research for the development of therapies to reduce ethanol intake in patients.
-
Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. · Mar 2012
[(35)S]GTPγS binding and opioid tolerance and efficacy in mouse spinal cord.
The present study examined efficacy of a series of opioid agonists and then using chronic in vivo treatment protocols, determined tolerance to opioid agonist stimulated [(35)S]GTPγS (guanosine 5'-O-(3-[(35)S] thio)triphosphate) binding in mouse spinal cord membranes and compared it directly to spinal analgesic tolerance. The [(35)S]GTPγS binding assay was used to estimate efficacy (E(max) and τ; Operational Model of Agonism) of a series of opioid agonists for G-protein activation in mouse spinal cord. The rank order of opioid agonist efficacy determined in the [(35)S]GTPγS assay using the Operational Model and E(max) was similar. ⋯ Spinal analgesic tolerance was observed following all treatment protocols examined (morphine, oxycodone and etorphine). Opioid antagonist treatment that specifically upregulates (chronic naltrexone) or downregulates (clocinnamox) μ-opioid receptor density produced a corresponding change in opioid agonist stimulated [(35)S]GTPγS binding. Although receptor downregulation and G-protein uncoupling are among potential mechanisms of opioid tolerance, the present results suggest that uncoupling in mouse spinal cord plays a minor role and that the [(35)S]GTPγS assay is particularly responsive to changes in μ-opioid receptor density.
-
Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. · Mar 2012
Neurobehavioral toxic effects of perinatal oral exposure to aluminum on the developmental motor reflexes, learning, memory and brain neurotransmitters of mice offspring.
Aluminum (Al) is a known neurotoxicant and circumstantial evidence has linked this metal with several neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease, but no causal relationship has yet been proved. Al-induced behavioral alterations as well as cognitive deficits and rodent brain neurotransmitter level, are well known in adults but the exact mechanism in the offspring of perinatally Al exposed dams is not yet understood properly and needs more attention. In the present study, the perinatal oral exposure of the dams to 300 and 600mg/kg/day Al (aluminum chloride) resulted in significant and deleterious effects in the offspring inflicting a dose-dependent reduction in postnatal body weight gain, delays in opening of the eyes and appearance of body hair fuzz, and deficits in the sensory motor reflexes of the mice pups during weaning period (from the day of birth to postnatal day 21). ⋯ Furthermore, a significant and dose-dependent disturbance in the levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) was also observed in the forebrain region of the offspring at PD 7, PD 14, PD 21, PD 30, and PD 36. Thus, perinatal Al exposure, particularly during pregnancy and lactation period, can affect the in utero developing fetus and postnatal developing sucklings, raising the concerns that during a critical perinatal period of brain development, Al exposure has potential and long lasting neurotoxic hazards and might modify the properties of the dopaminergic system and thus can change the threshold of that system or other related systems at later ages. A reduced use of Al during pregnancy is of crucial importance in preventing Al-induced delayed neurotoxicity in the offspring.
-
Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. · Mar 2012
Ethanol drinking-in-the-dark facilitates behavioral sensitization to ethanol in C57BL/6J, BALB/cByJ, but not in mu-opioid receptor deficient CXBK mice.
Neuroplasticity associated with drug-induced behavioral sensitization has been associated with excessive drug pursuit and consumption characteristic of addiction. Repeated intraperitoneal (ip) injections of ethanol (EtOH) can induce psychomotor sensitization in mice. In terms of its clinical relevance, however, it is important to determine whether this phenomenon can also be produced by voluntary EtOH consumption. ⋯ In summary, here we show that the DID methodology can be used to trigger EtOH-induced neuroplasticity supporting psychomotor sensitization, a process that might require participation of mu-opioid receptors.
-
Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. · Mar 2012
Nitric oxide in the nucleus accumbens is involved in retrieval of inhibitory avoidance memory by nicotine.
In the present study, the possible effect of nitric oxide agents injected into the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in the presence or absence of nicotine on morphine state-dependent memory in adult male Wistar rats was investigated. As a model of memory, a step-through type inhibitory avoidance task was used. Post-training injection of morphine (4 and 6mg/kg) dose dependently induced the impairment of memory retention. ⋯ It is important to note that intra-NAc administration of l-NAME before retention impaired memory retrieval by itself. In contrast, pre-retention administration of l-arginine, a nitric oxide (NO) precursor (0.25 and 0.5μg/rat, intra-NAc), which had no effect alone, prevented the nicotine reversal of morphine effect on memory. The results suggest a possible role for nitric oxide of nucleus accumbens in the improving effect of nicotine on the morphine-induced amnesia and morphine state-dependent memory.