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Elevated mu-opioid receptor expression in the nucleus of the solitary tract accompanies attenuated withdrawal signs after chronic low dose naltrexone in opiate-dependent rats.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Van Bockstaele, EJ; Rudoy, C; Mannelli, P; Oropeza, V; Qian, Y
Published in: J Neurosci Res
February 15, 2006

We previously described a decrease in withdrawal behaviors in opiate-dependent rats that were chronically treated with very low doses of naltrexone in their drinking water. Attenuated expression of withdrawal behaviors correlated with decreased c-Fos expression and intracellular signal transduction elements [protein kinase A regulatory subunit II (PKA) and phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein (pCREB)] in brainstem noradrenergic nuclei. In this study, to determine whether similar cellular changes occurred in forebrain nuclei associated with drug reward, expressions of PKA and pCREB were analyzed in the ventral tegmental area, frontal cortex, striatum, and amygdala of opiate-treated rats that received low doses of naltrexone in their drinking water. No significant difference in PKA or pCREB was detected in these regions following drug treatment. To examine further the cellular mechanisms in noradrenergic nuclei that could underlie attenuated withdrawal behaviors following low dose naltrexone administration, the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and locus coeruleus (LC) were examined for opioid receptor (OR) protein expression. Results showed a significant increase in muOR expression in the NTS of morphine-dependent rats that received low doses of naltrexone in their drinking water, and increases in muOR expression were also found to be dose dependent. Protein expression of muOR in the LC and deltaOR in either brain region remained unchanged. In conclusion, our previously reported decreases in c-Fos and PKA expression in the NTS following pretreatment with low doses of naltrexone may be partially explained by a greater inhibition of NTS neurons resulting from increased muOR expression in this region.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Neurosci Res

DOI

ISSN

0360-4012

Publication Date

February 15, 2006

Volume

83

Issue

3

Start / End Page

508 / 514

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Time Factors
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome
  • Solitary Nucleus
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Rats
  • Prosencephalon
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Narcotics
  • Narcotic Antagonists
 

Citation

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Van Bockstaele, E. J., Rudoy, C., Mannelli, P., Oropeza, V., & Qian, Y. (2006). Elevated mu-opioid receptor expression in the nucleus of the solitary tract accompanies attenuated withdrawal signs after chronic low dose naltrexone in opiate-dependent rats. J Neurosci Res, 83(3), 508–514. https://doi.org/10.1002/jnr.20738
Van Bockstaele, E. J., C. Rudoy, P. Mannelli, V. Oropeza, and Y. Qian. “Elevated mu-opioid receptor expression in the nucleus of the solitary tract accompanies attenuated withdrawal signs after chronic low dose naltrexone in opiate-dependent rats.J Neurosci Res 83, no. 3 (February 15, 2006): 508–14. https://doi.org/10.1002/jnr.20738.
Van Bockstaele, E. J., et al. “Elevated mu-opioid receptor expression in the nucleus of the solitary tract accompanies attenuated withdrawal signs after chronic low dose naltrexone in opiate-dependent rats.J Neurosci Res, vol. 83, no. 3, Feb. 2006, pp. 508–14. Pubmed, doi:10.1002/jnr.20738.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Neurosci Res

DOI

ISSN

0360-4012

Publication Date

February 15, 2006

Volume

83

Issue

3

Start / End Page

508 / 514

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Time Factors
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome
  • Solitary Nucleus
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Rats
  • Prosencephalon
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Narcotics
  • Narcotic Antagonists