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Palombo P, Maeda R, Riberti Zaniboni C, Antonagi Engi S, Yokoyama T, Bonetti Bertagna N, Anesio A, Cristina Bianchi P, Righi T, Emily Boaventura Tavares G, Souccar C, da Silva FBR, Cardoso Cruz F. Unlocking the role of dorsal hippocampal α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in Ethanol-Induced conditioned place preference in mice. Neurosci Lett 2024; 824:137666. [PMID: 38331019 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) presents a significant and challenging public health concern, marked by a dearth of effective pharmacological treatments. Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of AUD is of paramount importance for the development of efficacious interventions. The process of addiction entails the acquisition of associative behaviors, prominently engaging the dorsal region of the hippocampus for encoding these associative memories. Nicotinic receptor systems have been implicated in mediating the rewarding effects of ethanol, as well as memory and learning processes. In our current investigation, we delved into the role of α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) within the dorsal hippocampus in the context of ethanol-induced conditioned place preference (CPP), a robust model for scrutinizing the rewarding properties and drug-associated behaviors. To establish CPP, ethanol (2 g/kg) was administered intraperitoneally during a 8-day conditioning phase. Fos immunohistochemistry was employed to assess the involvement of discrete subregions within the dorsal hippocampus in ethanol-induced CPP. Additionally, we probed the influence of α4β2 nAChRs on CPP via microinjections of a selective nAChR antagonist, dihydro-β-erythroidine (DHBE, at dosages of 6, 12, and 18 µg/0.5 µL per hemisphere) within the hippocampus. Our results unveiled that ethanol-induced CPP was associated with an increase Fos -positive cells in various subregions of the dorsal hippocampus, including CA1, CA2, CA3, and the dentate gyrus. Intrahippocampal administration of DHBE (at doses of 6 and 18 µg/0.50 µL per hemisphere) effectively blocked ethanol-induced CPP, while leaving locomotor activity unaffected. These findings underscore the critical involvement of the dorsal hippocampus and α4β2 nAChRs in the acquisition of ethanol-associated learning and reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Palombo
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Roberta Maeda
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Caroline Riberti Zaniboni
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sheila Antonagi Engi
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thais Yokoyama
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Natalia Bonetti Bertagna
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Augusto Anesio
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paula Cristina Bianchi
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thamires Righi
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Caden Souccar
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Fabio Cardoso Cruz
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Khan MAS, Chang SL. Alcohol and the Brain-Gut Axis: The Involvement of Microglia and Enteric Glia in the Process of Neuro-Enteric Inflammation. Cells 2023; 12:2475. [PMID: 37887319 PMCID: PMC10605902 DOI: 10.3390/cells12202475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Binge or chronic alcohol consumption causes neuroinflammation and leads to alcohol use disorder (AUD). AUD not only affects the central nervous system (CNS) but also leads to pathologies in the peripheral and enteric nervous systems (ENS). Thus, understanding the mechanism of the immune signaling to target the effector molecules in the signaling pathway is necessary to alleviate AUD. Growing evidence shows that excessive alcohol consumption can activate neuroimmune cells, including microglia, and change the status of neurotransmitters, affecting the neuroimmune system. Microglia, like peripheral macrophages, are an integral part of the immune defense and represent the reticuloendothelial system in the CNS. Microglia constantly survey the CNS to scavenge the neuronal debris. These cells also protect parenchymal cells in the brain and spinal cord by repairing nerve circuits to keep the nervous system healthy against infectious and stress-derived agents. In an activated state, they become highly dynamic and mobile and can modulate the levels of neurotransmitters in the CNS. In several ways, microglia, enteric glial cells, and macrophages are similar in terms of causing inflammation. Microglia also express most of the receptors that are constitutively present in macrophages. Several receptors on microglia respond to the inflammatory signals that arise from danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), endotoxins (e.g., lipopolysaccharides), and stress-causing molecules (e.g., alcohol). Therefore, this review article presents the latest findings, describing the roles of microglia and enteric glial cells in the brain and gut, respectively, and their association with neurotransmitters, neurotrophic factors, and receptors under the influence of binge and chronic alcohol use, and AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A. S. Khan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham Hospital for Children, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Sulie L. Chang
- Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ 07079, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ 07079, USA
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Kamens HM, Flarend G, Horton WJ. The role of nicotinic receptors in alcohol consumption. Pharmacol Res 2023; 190:106705. [PMID: 36813094 PMCID: PMC10083870 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
The use of alcohol causes significant morbidity and mortality across the globe. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is defined by the excessive use of this drug despite a negative impact on the individual's life. While there are currently medications available to treat AUD, they have limited efficacy and several side effects. As such, it is essential to continue to look for novel therapeutics. One target for novel therapeutics is nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Here we systematically review the literature on the involvement of nAChRs in alcohol consumption. Data from both genetic and pharmacology studies provide evidence that nAChRs modulate alcohol intake. Interestingly, pharmacological modulation of all nAChR subtypes examined can decrease alcohol consumption. The reviewed literature demonstrates that nAChRs should continue to be investigated as novel therapeutics for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M Kamens
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States.
| | - Geneva Flarend
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | - William J Horton
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
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Watson WH, Ritzenthaler JD, Torres-Gonzalez E, Arteel GE, Roman J. Mice lacking α4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are protected against alcohol-associated liver injury. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2022; 46:1371-1383. [PMID: 35723023 PMCID: PMC9427714 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic heavy alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for the development of liver steatosis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, but the mechanisms by which alcohol causes liver damage remain incompletely elucidated. This group has reported that α4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α4 nAChRs) act as sensors for alcohol in lung cells. This study tested the hypothesis that α4 nAChRs mediate the effects of alcohol in the liver. METHODS Expression of acetylcholine receptor subunits in mouse liver was determined by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). α4 nAChR knockout (α4 KO) mice were generated in C57BL/6J mice by introducing a mutation encoding an early stop codon in exon 4 of Chrna4, the gene encoding the α4 subunit of the nAChR. The presence of the inactivating mutation was established by polymerase chain reaction and genomic sequencing, and the lack of α4 nAChR function was confirmed in primary fibroblasts isolated from the α4 KO mice. Wild-type (WT) and α4 KO mice were fed the Lieber-DeCarli diet (with 36% of calories from alcohol) or pair fed an isocaloric maltose-dextrin control diet for a 6-week period that included a ramping up phase of increasing dietary alcohol. RESULTS Chrna4 was the most abundantly expressed nAChR subunit gene in mouse livers. After 6 weeks of alcohol exposure, WT mice had elevated serum transaminases and their livers showed increased fat accumulation, decreased Sirt1 protein levels, and accumulation of markers of oxidative stress and inflammation including Cyp2E1, Nos2, Sod1, Slc7a11, TNFα, and PAI1. All these responses to alcohol were either absent or significantly attenuated in α4 KO animals. CONCLUSION Together, these observations support the conclusion that activation of α4 nAChRs by alcohol or one of its metabolites is one of the initial events promoting the accumulation of excess fat and expression of inflammatory mediators. Thus, α4 nAChRs may represent viable targets for intervention in chronic alcohol-related liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter H. Watson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
| | - Jeffrey D. Ritzenthaler
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine and Jane & Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Edilson Torres-Gonzalez
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine and Jane & Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Gavin E. Arteel
- Department of Medicine, Division Gastroenterology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Jesse Roman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine and Jane & Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
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UFR2709, an Antagonist of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors, Delays the Acquisition and Reduces Long-Term Ethanol Intake in Alcohol-Preferring UChB Bibulous Rats. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071482. [PMID: 35884787 PMCID: PMC9312520 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcoholism is a worldwide public health problem with high economic cost and which affects health and social behavior. It is estimated that alcoholism kills 3 million people globally, while in Chile it is responsible for around 9 thousand deaths per year. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ligand-gated ion channels expressed in the central nervous system, and they were suggested to modulate the ethanol mechanism involved in abuse and dependence. Previous work demonstrated a short-term treatment with UFR2709, a nAChRs antagonist, which reduced ethanol intake using a two-bottle free-choice paradigm in University of Chile bibulous (UChB) rats. Here, we present evidence of the UFR2709 efficacy in reducing the acquisition and long-term ethanol consumption. Our results show that UFR2709 (2.5 mg/kg i.p.) reduces the seek behavior and ethanol intake, even when the drug administration was stopped, and induced a reduction in the overall ethanol intake by around 55%. Using naïve UChB bibulous rats, we demonstrate that UFR2709 could delay and reduce the genetically adaptive impulse to seek and drink ethanol and prevent its excessive intake.
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Hauser SR, Rodd ZA, Deehan GA, Liang T, Rahman S, Bell RL. Effects of adolescent substance use disorders on central cholinergic function. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 160:175-221. [PMID: 34696873 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2021.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Adolescence is a transitional period between childhood and adulthood, in which the individual undergoes significant cognitive, behavioral, physical, emotional, and social developmental changes. During this period, adolescents engage in experimentation and risky behaviors such as licit and illicit drug use. Adolescents' high vulnerability to abuse drugs and natural reinforcers leads to greater risk for developing substance use disorders (SUDs) during adulthood. Accumulating evidence indicates that the use and abuse of licit and illicit drugs during adolescence and emerging adulthood can disrupt the cholinergic system and its processes. This review will focus on the effects of peri-adolescent nicotine and/or alcohol use, or exposure, on the cholinergic system during adulthood from preclinical and clinical studies. This review further explores potential cholinergic agents and pharmacological manipulations to counteract peri-adolescent nicotine and/or alcohol abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Hauser
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
| | - Z A Rodd
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - G A Deehan
- Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States
| | - T Liang
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Shafiqur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, United States
| | - Richard L Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
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Miller CN, Kamens HM. The role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in alcohol-related behaviors. Brain Res Bull 2020; 163:135-142. [PMID: 32707263 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2020.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) causes an alarming economic and health burden in the United States. Unfortunately, this disease does not exist in isolation; AUD is highly comorbid with nicotine use. Results from both human and animal models demonstrate a genetic correlation between alcohol and nicotine behaviors. These data support the idea of shared genetic and neural mechanisms underlying these behaviors. Nicotine acts directly at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) to have its pharmacological effect. Interestingly, alcohol also acts both directly and indirectly at these receptors. Research utilizing genetically engineered rodents and pharmacological manipulations suggest a role for nAChR in several ethanol behaviors. The current manuscript collates this literature and discusses findings that implicate specific nAChR subunits in ethanol phenotypes. These data suggest future directions for targeting nAChR as novel therapeutics for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- C N Miller
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, United States
| | - H M Kamens
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, United States.
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Ozturk B, Pogun S, Kanit L. Increased alcohol preference and intake in nicotine-preferring rats. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2020; 46:408-420. [PMID: 31860364 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2019.1695808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol and tobacco are among the leading substances that are misused together and shared genetic vulnerability is likely. Increased susceptibility to nicotine self-administration has been shown in alcohol-preferring rat-lines. However, a nicotine-preferring (nP) rat-line has not been studied for alcohol preference. OBJECTIVES To evaluate alcohol preference and intake in male and female nP rats. We hypothesized that nP rats and females would drink more ethanol than control rats and males, respectively. METHODS nP rats are being selectively outbred for high oral nicotine intake at Ege University. Seventeen nP (18th generation) and 20 naïve female and male SD rats, not previously exposed to alcohol or nicotine, were used. Twelve-week-old rats were given intermittent access to 20% ethanol in a 2-bottle-choice-procedure for six weeks. After one week withdrawal, six weeks of oral nicotine self-administration was applied. RESULTS nP rats drank significantly more ethanol than controls and their preference for ethanol over water was higher. Female rats' ethanol intake was higher than males'. The nP rats' nicotine preference and intake were higher than controls, and they gained less weight. CONCLUSION We have shown for the first time that nP rats also have high alcohol intake. Our results support the hypothesis that shared genetic factors may underlie concurrent addiction to nicotine and alcohol and have translational value in understanding their misuse. Considering the increased vulnerability for alcohol use disorder in smokers and sex differences observed, early preventive measures in families with a history of tobacco addiction, specifically targeting female members, could have public health benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baran Ozturk
- Center for Brain Research and School of Medicine Department of Physiology, Ege University , Izmir, Turkey
| | - Sakire Pogun
- Center for Brain Research and School of Medicine Department of Physiology, Ege University , Izmir, Turkey
| | - Lutfiye Kanit
- Center for Brain Research and School of Medicine Department of Physiology, Ege University , Izmir, Turkey
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Unequal interactions between alcohol and nicotine co-consumption: suppression and enhancement of concurrent drug intake. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:967-978. [PMID: 31858160 PMCID: PMC7124972 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05426-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Alcohol and nicotine addiction are prevalent conditions that co-occur. Despite the prevalence of co-use, factors that influence the suppression and enhancement of concurrent alcohol and nicotine intake are largely unknown. OBJECTIVES Our goals were to assess how nicotine abstinence and availability influenced concurrent alcohol consumption and to determine the impact of quinine adulteration of alcohol on aversion-resistant alcohol consumption and concurrent nicotine consumption. METHODS Male and female C57BL/6J mice voluntarily consumed unsweetened alcohol, nicotine, and water in a chronic 3-bottle choice procedure. In experiment 1, nicotine access was removed for 1 week and re-introduced the following week, while the alcohol and water bottles remained available at all times. In experiment 2, quinine (100-1000 μM) was added to the 20% alcohol bottle, while the nicotine and water bottles remained unaltered. RESULTS In experiment 1, we found that alcohol consumption and preference were unaffected by the presence or absence of nicotine access in both male and female mice. In experiment 2a, we found that quinine temporarily suppressed alcohol intake and enhanced concurrent nicotine, but not water, preference in both male and female mice. In experiment 2b, chronic quinine suppression of alcohol intake increased nicotine consumption and preference in female mice without affecting water preference, whereas it increased water and nicotine preference in male mice. CONCLUSIONS Quinine suppression of alcohol consumption enhanced the preference for concurrent nicotine preference in male and female mice, suggesting that mice compensate for the quinine adulteration of alcohol by increasing their nicotine preference.
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Wang J, Blasio A, Chapman HL, Doebelin C, Liaw V, Kuryatov A, Giovanetti SM, Lindstrom J, Lin L, Cameron MD, Kamenecka TM, Pomrenze MB, Messing RO. Promoting activity of (α4) 3(β2) 2 nicotinic cholinergic receptors reduces ethanol consumption. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:301-308. [PMID: 31394567 PMCID: PMC6901472 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-019-0475-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing interest in developing drugs that act at α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) to treat alcohol use disorder. The smoking cessation agent varenicline, a partial agonist of α4β2 nAChRs, reduces alcohol intake, but its use can be limited by side effects at high therapeutic doses. There are two stoichiometric forms of α4β2 nAChRs, (α4)3(β2)2 and (α4)2(β2)3. Here we investigated the hypothesis that NS9283, a positive allosteric modulator selective for the (α4)3(β2)2 form, reduces ethanol consumption. NS9283 increased the potency of varenicline to activate and desensitize (α4)3(β2)2 nAChRs in vitro without affecting other known targets of varenicline. In male and female C57BL/6J mice, NS9283 (10 mg/kg) reduced ethanol intake in a two-bottle choice, intermittent drinking procedure without affecting saccharin intake, ethanol-induced incoordination or ethanol-induced loss of the righting reflex. Subthreshold doses of NS9283 (2.5 mg/kg) plus varenicline (0.1 mg/kg) synergistically reduced ethanol intake in both sexes. Finally, despite having no aversive valence of its own, NS9283 enhanced ethanol-conditioned place aversion. We conclude that compounds targeting the (α4)3(β2)2 subtype of nAChRs can reduce alcohol consumption, and when administered in combination with varenicline, may allow use of lower varenicline doses to decrease varenicline side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Wang
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
| | - Angelo Blasio
- 0000 0004 1936 9924grid.89336.37Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX USA
| | - Holly L. Chapman
- 0000 0004 1936 9924grid.89336.37Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX USA
| | - Christelle Doebelin
- 0000000122199231grid.214007.0Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL USA
| | - Victor Liaw
- 0000 0004 1936 9924grid.89336.37Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX USA
| | - Alexander Kuryatov
- 0000 0004 1936 8972grid.25879.31Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Simone M. Giovanetti
- 0000 0004 1936 9924grid.89336.37Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX USA
| | - Jon Lindstrom
- 0000 0004 1936 8972grid.25879.31Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Li Lin
- 0000000122199231grid.214007.0DMPK core, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL USA
| | - Michael D. Cameron
- 0000000122199231grid.214007.0DMPK core, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL USA
| | - Theodore M. Kamenecka
- 0000000122199231grid.214007.0Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL USA
| | - Matthew B. Pomrenze
- 0000 0004 1936 9924grid.89336.37Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX USA
| | - Robert O. Messing
- 0000 0004 1936 9924grid.89336.37Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX USA
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Quiroz G, Sotomayor-Zárate R, González-Gutierrez JP, Vizcarra F, Moraga F, Bermudez I, Reyes-Parada M, Quintanilla ME, Lagos D, Rivera-Meza M, Iturriaga-Vásquez P. UFR2709, a Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Antagonist, Decreases Ethanol Intake in Alcohol-Preferring Rats. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1429. [PMID: 31849674 PMCID: PMC6901503 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), a heterogeneous family of pentameric acetylcholine-gated cation channels, have been suggested as molecular targets for the treatment of alcohol abuse and dependence. Here, we examined the effect of the competitive nAChR antagonist UFR2709 on the alcohol consumption of high-alcohol-drinking UChB rats. UChB rats were given free access to ethanol for 24-h periods in a two-bottle free choice paradigm and their ethanol and water intake were measured. The animals were i.p. injected daily for 17 days with a 10, 5, 2.5, or 1 mg/kg dose of UFR2709. Potential confounding motor effects of UFR2709 were assessed by examining the locomotor activity of animals administered the highest dose of UR2709 tested (10 mg/kg i.p.). UFR2709 reduced ethanol consumption and ethanol preference and increased water consumption in a dose-dependent manner. The most effective dose of UFR2709 was 2.5 mg/kg, which induced a 56% reduction in alcohol consumption. Administration of UFR2709 did not affect the weight or locomotor activity of the rats, suggesting that its effects on alcohol consumption and preference were mediated by specific nAChRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Quiroz
- Programa de Doctorado en Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ramón Sotomayor-Zárate
- Laboratorio de Neuroquímica y Neurofarmacología, Centro de Neurobiología y Fisiopatología Integrativa (CENFI), Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | | | - Franco Vizcarra
- Laboratorio de Síntesis Orgánica y Farmacología Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Felipe Moraga
- Laboratorio de Síntesis Orgánica y Farmacología Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Isabel Bermudez
- Deptartment of Biological & Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Miguel Reyes-Parada
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - María Elena Quintanilla
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Diego Lagos
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mario Rivera-Meza
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Patricio Iturriaga-Vásquez
- Laboratorio de Síntesis Orgánica y Farmacología Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile.,Center of Excellence in Biotechnology Research Applied to the Environment, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
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Miller CN, Ruggery C, Kamens HM. The α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist 18-Methoxycoronaridine decreases binge-like ethanol consumption in adult C57BL/6J mice. Alcohol 2019; 79:1-6. [PMID: 30496781 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Binge alcohol drinking is a health burden in the United States, which has an alarming economic impact. Unfortunately, medications available for alcohol abuse have low efficacy or adverse side effects, creating a need to evaluate novel therapies. Growing research suggests that 18-Methoxycoronaridine (18-MC), an α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) antagonist, may be effective at reducing ethanol consumption. However, its effects on binge-like ethanol consumption and other ethanol behaviors have not been examined. The present study examined the effect of α3β4 nAChRs antagonism on basal locomotor activity in male and female C57BL/6J mice. Next we tested the effect of 18-MC on binge-like ethanol consumption, ethanol-induced sedation, and ethanol metabolism. Finally, we tested the effect of α3β4 nAChRs on saccharin consumption to ensure effects were specific for ethanol. We observed that 18-MC decreased binge-like ethanol consumption without altering saccharin consumption, the sedative effects of ethanol, or ethanol metabolism. High doses of 18-MC caused locomotor sedation in C57BL/6J mice, but the effects were brief and likely did not contribute to differences in ethanol consumption. Our results support the involvement of the α3β4 nAChRs in binge-like ethanol intake, and further work should explore the use of 18-MC for treatment of alcohol use disorders.
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13
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Erickson EK, Blednov YA, Harris RA, Mayfield RD. Glial gene networks associated with alcohol dependence. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10949. [PMID: 31358844 PMCID: PMC6662804 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47454-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic alcohol abuse alters the molecular structure and function of brain cells. Recent work suggests adaptations made by glial cells, such as astrocytes and microglia, regulate physiological and behavioral changes associated with addiction. Defining how alcohol dependence alters the transcriptome of different cell types is critical for developing the mechanistic hypotheses necessary for a nuanced understanding of cellular signaling in the alcohol-dependent brain. We performed RNA-sequencing on total homogenate and glial cell populations isolated from mouse prefrontal cortex (PFC) following chronic intermittent ethanol vapor exposure (CIE). Compared with total homogenate, we observed unique and robust gene expression changes in astrocytes and microglia in response to CIE. Gene co-expression network analysis revealed biological pathways and hub genes associated with CIE in astrocytes and microglia that may regulate alcohol-dependent phenotypes. Astrocyte identity and synaptic calcium signaling genes were enriched in alcohol-associated astrocyte networks, while TGF-β signaling and inflammatory response genes were disrupted by CIE treatment in microglia gene networks. Genes related to innate immune signaling, specifically interferon pathways, were consistently up-regulated across CIE-exposed astrocytes, microglia, and total homogenate PFC tissue. This study illuminates the cell-specific effects of chronic alcohol exposure and provides novel molecular targets for studying alcohol dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma K Erickson
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712-01095, USA.
| | - Yuri A Blednov
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712-01095, USA
| | - R Adron Harris
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712-01095, USA
| | - R Dayne Mayfield
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712-01095, USA
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14
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Miller CN, Caruso MJ, Kamens HM. Early-adolescent male C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice display reduced sensitivity to acute nicotine administration. Neurosci Lett 2018; 690:151-157. [PMID: 30315851 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The initial response to nicotine is an important predictor of subsequent use. Multiple factors may alter this response including genetics and age of first use. Here we investigated the influence of age, genetics, and their interaction on nicotine sensitivity. We then examined whether these factors influence the relationship between initial behavioral responses and voluntary nicotine consumption in adulthood. METHODS We measured initial nicotine responses, including nicotine-induced locomotor depression and hypothermia following an acute intraperitoneal injection (0, 0.5, or 1 mg/kg), during early-adolescence, middle-adolescence, late-adolescence, or adulthood. Thirty-five days after the initial testing, mice were assessed for voluntary oral nicotine consumption. RESULTS Early-adolescent mice were more resistant to nicotine-induced hypothermia and locomotor depression than later ages, further hypothermia was influenced by genetics. In the DBA/2J strain, early-adolescent mice were insensitive to nicotine-induced hypothermia, but this response developed at later ages. In contrast, C57BL/6J mice were sensitive at all ages, but sensitivity increased across developmental age. There was little evidence of a relationship between initial behavioral response and choice nicotine consumption. CONCLUSION By understanding how age of exposure and genetics influence initial nicotine behavioral responses, we have a greater understanding of factors that make adolescents differentially sensitive to the effects of this drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- C N Miller
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - M J Caruso
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - H M Kamens
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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15
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Caruso MJ, Seemiller LR, Fetherston TB, Miller CN, Reiss DE, Cavigelli SA, Kamens HM. Adolescent social stress increases anxiety-like behavior and ethanol consumption in adult male and female C57BL/6J mice. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10040. [PMID: 29968802 PMCID: PMC6030218 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28381-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to social stress is an important risk factor for comorbid affective disorders and problem alcohol use. To better understand mechanisms involved in social stress-induced affective disorder and alcohol use co-morbidity, we studied the effects of adolescent social stress on anxiety- and depression-like behaviors and binge-like ethanol consumption. Male and female C57BL/6J mice were exposed to chronic variable social stress (CVSS) or control conditions throughout adolescence (postnatal days, PND, 25-59) and then tested for anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze and a novel open field environment, or depression-like behavior using the forced swim test on PND 64-66. Mice were then tested for binge-like ethanol consumption using the Drinking-in-the-Dark model. Male and female mice exposed to adolescent CVSS had increased adult anxiety-like behavior and increased locomotor adaptation to a novel environment. Further, CVSS mice consumed significantly more ethanol, but not saccharin, than controls. Despite group differences in both anxiety-like behavior and ethanol consumption, there was no relationship between these outcomes within individual mice. These data suggest that exposure to adolescent social stress is an important risk factor for later alcohol use and affective behaviors, but that social stress does not necessarily dictate co-morbidity of these outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Caruso
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.,Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - L R Seemiller
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.,The Huck Institutes for the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - T B Fetherston
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - C N Miller
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - D E Reiss
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - S A Cavigelli
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.,The Huck Institutes for the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - H M Kamens
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
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16
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Dawson A, Wolstenholme JT, Roni MA, Campbell VC, Jackson A, Slater C, Bagdas D, Perez EE, Bettinger JC, De Biasi M, Miles MF, Damaj MI. Knockout of alpha 5 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors subunit alters ethanol-mediated behavioral effects and reward in mice. Neuropharmacology 2018; 138:341-348. [PMID: 29944862 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.06.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that there is an association between polymorphisms in the α5 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit and risk of developing alcohol dependence in humans. The α5 nAChR subunit has also recently been shown to modulate some of the acute response to ethanol in mice. The aim of the current study was to further characterize the role of α5-containing (α5*) nAChRs in acute ethanol responsive behaviors, ethanol consumption and ethanol preference in mice. We conducted a battery of tests in male α5 knockout (KO) mice for a range of ethanol-induced behaviors including hypothermia, hypnosis, and anxiolysis. We also investigated the effects of α5* nAChR on ethanol reward using the Conditioned Place Preference (CPP) assay. Further, we tested the effects of gene deletion on drinking behaviors using the voluntary ethanol consumption in a two-bottle choice assay and Drinking in the Dark (DID, with or without stress) paradigm. We found that deletion of the α5 nAChR subunit enhanced ethanol-induced hypothermia, hypnosis, and an anxiolytic-like response in comparison to wild-type controls. The α5 KO mice showed reduced CPP for ethanol, suggesting that the rewarding properties of ethanol are decreased in mutant mice. Interestingly, Chrna5 gene deletion had no effect on basal ethanol drinking behavior, or ethanol metabolism, but did decrease ethanol intake in the DID paradigm following restraint stress. Taken together, we provide new evidence that α5 nAChRs are involved in some but not all of the behavioral effects of ethanol. Our results highlight the importance of nAChRs as a possible target for the treatment of alcohol dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Dawson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Jennifer T Wolstenholme
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Monzurul A Roni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hampton University School of Pharmacy, Hampton, VA, 23668, USA
| | - Vera C Campbell
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hampton University School of Pharmacy, Hampton, VA, 23668, USA
| | - Asti Jackson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Cassandra Slater
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Deniz Bagdas
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Erika E Perez
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Jill C Bettinger
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Mariella De Biasi
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Michael F Miles
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA.
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17
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Cippitelli A, Brunori G, Schoch J, Armishaw CJ, Wu J, Zaveri NT, Giulianotti MA, Welmaker GS, Toll L. Differential regulation of alcohol taking and seeking by antagonism at α4β2 and α3β4 nAChRs. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:1745-1757. [PMID: 29572652 PMCID: PMC5949259 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-4883-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Alcoholism is a serious public health problem throughout the world. Current pharmacotherapies for the treatment of this disorder are poorly effective. Preclinical and clinical findings point to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) as a promising target for the development of novel and effective medications. Assuage Pharmaceuticals, in collaboration with Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, has discovered a new class of potent and selective α4β2 nAChR antagonists. OBJECTIVE Here, it was hypothesized that α4β2 nAChR antagonism is a viable approach for treatment of alcohol use disorders. RESULTS When tested in rats, one lead compound, AP-202, attenuated both operant alcohol and nicotine self-administration in a paradigm in which the two reinforcers were concurrently available. The conotoxin TP2212-59, a selective α3β4 nAChR antagonist, was only effective in reducing nicotine self-administration. AP-202 also reduced alcohol but not food responding when alcohol was presented as the only reinforcer, whereas the commercially available α4β2 nAChR antagonist dihydro-β-erythroidine failed to alter alcohol self-administration. AP-202 did not block relapse-like behavior induced by previously alcohol-associated stimuli or yohimbine stress. In a reinstatement paradigm, in which alcohol seeking was triggered by a nicotine challenge, a behavior successfully inhibited by the nonselective nAChR antagonist mecamylamine, AP-202 was not effective, while pretreatment with TP2212-59 abolished nicotine-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest differential roles for α4β2 and α3β4 nAChR on alcohol taking and seeking with selective blockade of α4β2 nAChR being more implicated in modulating alcohol taking while selective blockade of α3β4 nAChR is involved in nicotine-induced alcohol seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cippitelli
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL, 34987, USA.
| | - Gloria Brunori
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Jennifer Schoch
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Christopher J. Armishaw
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Jinhua Wu
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA,Assuage Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Nurulain T. Zaveri
- Astraea Therapeutics, LLC, 320 Logue Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
| | - Marc A. Giulianotti
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA,Assuage Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Gregory S. Welmaker
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA,Assuage Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Lawrence Toll
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA,Assuage Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
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18
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Maggio SE, Saunders MA, Baxter TA, Nixon K, Prendergast MA, Zheng G, Crooks P, Dwoskin LP, Slack RD, Newman AH, Bell RL, Bardo MT. Effects of the nicotinic agonist varenicline, nicotinic antagonist r-bPiDI, and DAT inhibitor (R)-modafinil on co-use of ethanol and nicotine in female P rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:1439-1453. [PMID: 29455292 PMCID: PMC6058964 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-4853-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Co-users of alcohol and nicotine are the largest group of polysubstance users worldwide. Commonalities in mechanisms of action for ethanol (EtOH) and nicotine proposes the possibility of developing a single pharmacotherapeutic to treat co-use. OBJECTIVES Toward developing a preclinical model of co-use, female alcohol-preferring (P) rats were trained for voluntary EtOH drinking and i.v. nicotine self-administration in three phases: (1) EtOH alone (0 vs. 15%, two-bottle choice), (2) nicotine alone (0.03 mg/kg/infusion, active vs. inactive lever), and (3) concurrent access to both EtOH and nicotine. Using this model, we examined the effects of (1) varenicline, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) partial agonist with high affinity for the α4β2* subtype; (2) r-bPiDI, a subtype-selective antagonist at α6β2* nAChRs; and (3) (R)-modafinil, an atypical inhibitor of the dopamine transporter (DAT). RESULTS In phases 1 and 2, pharmacologically relevant intake of EtOH and nicotine was achieved. In the concurrent access phase (phase 3), EtOH consumption decreased while nicotine intake increased relative to phases 1 and 2. For drug pretreatments, in the EtOH access phase (phase 1), (R)-modafinil (100 mg/kg) decreased EtOH consumption, with no effect on water consumption. In the concurrent access phase, varenicline (3 mg/kg), r-bPiDI (20 mg/kg), and (R)-modafinil (100 mg/kg) decreased nicotine self-administration but did not alter EtOH consumption, water consumption, or inactive lever pressing. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that therapeutics which may be useful for smoking cessation via selective inhibition of α4β2* or α6β2* nAChRs, or DAT inhibition, may not be sufficient to treat EtOH and nicotine co-use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Maggio
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | | | - Thomas A Baxter
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Kimberly Nixon
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Mark A Prendergast
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Guangrong Zheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Peter Crooks
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Linda P Dwoskin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Rachel D Slack
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse-Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Amy H Newman
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse-Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Richard L Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Michael T Bardo
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
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19
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Touchette JC, Maertens JJ, Mason MM, O'Rourke KY, Lee AM. The nicotinic receptor drug sazetidine-A reduces alcohol consumption in mice without affecting concurrent nicotine consumption. Neuropharmacology 2018; 133:63-74. [PMID: 29355641 PMCID: PMC5858984 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol and nicotine addiction are frequently co-morbid. The nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are critical for both alcohol and nicotine addiction mechanisms, since nAChR drugs that reduce nicotine consumption have been shown to also reduce alcohol consumption. Sazetidine-A, a pre-clinical nAChR drug with agonist and desensitizing effects at α4β2 and α7 nAChRs, has been reported to reduce alcohol consumption and nicotine self-administration in rats when administered at high doses. However, this effect has not been replicated in mice. In this study, we examined the effect of sazetidine-A on alcohol and nicotine consumption in male and female mice utilizing voluntary oral consumption procedures previously developed in our lab. We found that sazetidine-A (1 mg/kg, i.p) reduced overnight alcohol consumption, but did not affect nicotine consumption when presented either alone or concurrently with alcohol. Sazetidine-A did not reduce water or saccharin consumption at any dose tested. In a chronic co-consumption experiment in which either alcohol or nicotine was re-introduced after one week of forced abstinence, sazetidine-A attenuated post-abstinence consumption of alcohol but not nicotine. Sazetidine-A also significantly reduced alcohol consumption in an acute, binge drinking-in-the-dark procedure. Finally, we tested the effect of sazetidine-A on alcohol withdrawal, and found that sazetidine-A significantly reduced handling-induced convulsions during alcohol withdrawal. Collectively, these data suggest a novel role for the nAChR targets of sazetidine-A in specifically mediating alcohol consumption, separate from the involvement of nAChRs in mediating nicotine consumption. Delineation of this pathway may provide insight into novel therapies for the treatment of alcohol use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jamie J Maertens
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Margaret M Mason
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Kyu Y O'Rourke
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Anna M Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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20
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Grigson PS. Addiction: A multi-determined chronic disease. Brain Res Bull 2018; 138:1-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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21
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O’Malley SS, Zweben A, Fucito LM, Wu R, Piepmeier ME, Ockert DM, Bold KW, Petrakis I, Muvvala S, Jatlow P, Gueorguieva R. Effect of Varenicline Combined With Medical Management on Alcohol Use Disorder With Comorbid Cigarette Smoking: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry 2018; 75:129-138. [PMID: 29261824 PMCID: PMC5838706 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.3544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Individuals with alcohol use disorder have high rates of cigarette smoking. Varenicline tartrate, an approved treatment for smoking cessation, may reduce both drinking and smoking. OBJECTIVES To test the efficacy of varenicline with medical management for patients with alcohol use disorder and comorbid smoking seeking alcohol treatment, and to evaluate the secondary effects on smoking abstinence. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This phase 2, randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at 2 outpatient clinics from September 19, 2012, to August 31, 2015. Eligible participants met alcohol-dependence criteria and reported heavy drinking (≥5 drinks for men and ≥4 drinks for women) 2 or more times per week and smoking 2 or more times per week; 131 participants were randomized to either varenicline or placebo stratified by sex and site. All analyses were of the intention-to-treat type. Data analysis was conducted from February 5, 2016, to September 29, 2017. INTERVENTIONS Varenicline tartrate, 1 mg twice daily, and matching placebo pills for 16 weeks. Medical management emphasized medication adherence for 4 weeks followed by support for changing drinking. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Percentage of heavy drinking days (PHDD) weeks 9 to 16, no heavy drinking days (NHDD) weeks 9 to 16, and prolonged smoking abstinence weeks 13 to 16. RESULTS Of 131 participants, 39 (29.8%) were women and 92 (70.2%) were men, the mean (SD) age was 42.7 (11.7) years, and the race/ethnicity self-identified by most respondents was black (69 [52.7%]). Sixty-four participants were randomized to receive varenicline, and 67 to receive placebo. Mean change in PHDD between varenicline and placebo across sex and site was not significantly different. However, a significant treatment by sex by time interaction for PHDD (F1,106 = 4.66; P = .03) revealed that varenicline compared with placebo resulted in a larger decrease in log-transformed PHDD in men (least square [LS] mean difference in change from baseline, 0.54; 95% CI, -0.09 to 1.18; P = .09; Cohen d = 0.45) but a smaller decrease in women (LS mean difference, -0.69; 95% CI, -1.63 to 0.25; P = .15; Cohen d = -0.53). Thirteen of 45 men (29%) had NHDD taking varenicline compared with 3 of 47 men (6%) taking placebo (Cohen h = 0.64; 95% CI, 0.22-1.03), whereas 1 of 19 women (5%) had NHDD compared with 5 of 20 women (25%) taking placebo (Cohen h = -0.60; 95% CI, -1.21 to 0.04). Taking varenicline, 8 of 64 participants (13%) achieved prolonged smoking abstinence; no one (0 of 67) quit smoking taking placebo (P = .003; Cohen h = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.38-1.07). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Varenicline with medical management resulted in decreased heavy drinking among men and increased smoking abstinence in the overall sample. Varenicline could be considered to promote improvements in men with these dual behavioral health risks. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01553136.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Allen Zweben
- School of Social Work, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Lisa M. Fucito
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Ran Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | | | | | - Krysten W. Bold
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Ismene Petrakis
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Srinivas Muvvala
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Peter Jatlow
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Ralitza Gueorguieva
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut,Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
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22
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Kamens HM, Silva C, Peck C, Miller CN. Varenicline modulates ethanol and saccharin consumption in adolescent male and female C57BL/6J mice. Brain Res Bull 2017; 138:20-25. [PMID: 28778837 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is a critical period in brain development that coincides with the initiation of alcohol use. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) have been shown to modulate ethanol behaviors in adult humans and in animal models; however, the role of these receptors in adolescent ethanol behaviors has not been explored. Throughout adolescence, nAChR expression undergoes large-scale developmental changes which may alter behavioral responses to ethanol. Here we examined the effect of varenicline, a nAChR partial agonist, on ethanol consumption, ataxia, sedation, and metabolism in adolescent male and female C57BL/6J mice. The effect of varenicline on ethanol consumption was tested through the Drinking-in-the-Dark (DID) paradigm that models binge-like ethanol consumption. To ensure that results were specific for ethanol, we also tested the effect of varenicline on saccharin consumption. Additionally, varenicline was administered 30min prior to an acute injection of ethanol before being tested for ataxia on the balance beam, sedation using the loss of righting reflex, or ethanol metabolism. Varenicline dose dependently decreased ethanol consumption, but also influenced saccharin intake. Varenicline showed no significant effect on ethanol metabolism, ataxia, or sedation. Unlike its effects in adult animals, varenicline is able to reduce ethanol consumption without increasing the ataxic and sedative effects of ethanol. This work suggests that the neurobiological mechanisms of ethanol behaviors may change across the lifespan and highlights the need for more research on the role of nAChRs in ethanol behaviors throughout development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M Kamens
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, United States.
| | - Constanza Silva
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, United States
| | - Colette Peck
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, United States
| | - Carley N Miller
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, United States
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α6β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors influence locomotor activity and ethanol consumption. Alcohol 2017; 61:43-49. [PMID: 28457669 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2017.02.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the mesolimbic dopamine system have been implicated in ethanol behaviors. In particular, work in genetically engineered mice has demonstrated that α6-containing nAChRs are involved in ethanol consumption and sedation. A limitation of these studies is that the alteration in the receptor was present throughout development. The recently described α6β2 antagonist, N,N-decane-1,10-diyl-bis-3-picolinium diiodide (bPiDI), now makes it possible to test for the involvement of these receptors using a pharmacological approach. The aim of this study was to examine the role of α6β2 nAChRs in ethanol behaviors using a pharmacological approach. Adolescent C57BL/6J mice were treated with bPiDI 30 min prior to testing the mice for binge-like ethanol consumption in the drinking-in-the-dark (DID) test, ethanol-induced motor incoordination using the balance beam, and ethanol-induced sedation using the Loss of Righting Reflex (LORR) paradigm. Adolescent animals were chosen because they express a high amount of α6 mRNA relative to adult animals. Control studies were also performed to determine the effect of bPiDI on locomotor activity and ethanol metabolism. Female mice treated with 20 mg/kg bPiDI had reduced locomotor activity compared to saline-treated animals during the first 30 min following an acute injection. Pretreatment with the α6β2 antagonist reduced adolescent ethanol consumption but also reduced saccharin consumption. No significant effects were observed on ethanol-induced ataxia, sedation, or metabolism. This study provides evidence that α6β2 nAChRs are involved in locomotor activity as well as ethanol and saccharin consumption in adolescent animals.
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24
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Przulj D, Hajek P, Snuggs S, McRobbie H. Changes in Alcohol Consumption During a Stop-Smoking Attempt and Differences Between Smokers Using Nicotine Replacement and Smokers Using Varenicline. Nicotine Tob Res 2017; 20:583-588. [DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntx105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dunja Przulj
- Health and Lifestyle Research Unit, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Hajek
- Health and Lifestyle Research Unit, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Snuggs
- Health and Lifestyle Research Unit, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hayden McRobbie
- Health and Lifestyle Research Unit, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
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25
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Kamens HM, Silva C, McCarthy R, Cox RJ, Ehringer MA. No evidence of a role of the β4 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in alcohol-related behaviors. BMC Res Notes 2017; 10:151. [PMID: 28381286 PMCID: PMC5382442 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-2470-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors have gained attention in the last several years as mediators of alcohol-related behaviors. The genes that code for the α5, α3, and β4 subunits (Chrna5, Chrna3, and Chrnb4, respectively) map adjacent to each other on human chromosome 15/mouse chromosome 9. Genetic variants in this region have been associated with alcohol phenotypes and mice that overexpress these three subunits have reduced ethanol intake. In the present experiments, we examined the role of the Chrnb4 gene in three ethanol behaviors: consumption, ataxia, and sedation. Wildtype, heterozygous, and knockout mice were tested for ethanol consumption with a 2-bottle choice procedure and the drinking-in-the-dark paradigm. Ethanol-induced ataxia was measured with the balance beam and dowel test. Finally, the sedative effects of ethanol were measured with the loss of righting reflex paradigm. Results We observed no significant genotypic effects on any of the ethanol behaviors examined, suggesting that the β4 subunit is not involved in mediating these responses. Conclusions While we found no evidence for the involvement of the β4 subunit in ethanol responses, it is possible that this subunit modulates other behaviors not tested and further work should address this before completely ruling out its involvement. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-017-2470-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M Kamens
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA. .,Center for Brain, Behavior, and Cognition, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| | - Constanza Silva
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Riley McCarthy
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Ryan J Cox
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Marissa A Ehringer
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.,Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
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26
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Tolu S, Marti F, Morel C, Perrier C, Torquet N, Pons S, de Beaurepaire R, Faure P. Nicotine enhances alcohol intake and dopaminergic responses through β2* and β4* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Sci Rep 2017; 7:45116. [PMID: 28332590 PMCID: PMC5362818 DOI: 10.1038/srep45116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol and nicotine are the most widely co-abused drugs. Both modify the activity of dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) and lead to an increase in DA release in the Nucleus Accumbens, thereby affecting the reward system. Evidences support the hypothesis that distinct nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), the molecular target of acetylcholine (ACh) and exogenous nicotine, are also in addition implicated in the response to alcohol. The precise molecular and neuronal substrates of this interaction are however not well understood. Here we used in vivo electrophysiology in the VTA to characterise acute and chronic interactions between nicotine and alcohol. Simultaneous injections of the two drugs enhanced their responses on VTA DA neuron firing and chronic exposure to nicotine increased alcohol-induced DA responses and alcohol intake. Then, we assessed the role of β4 * nAChRs, but not β2 * nAChRs, in mediating acute responses to alcohol using nAChR subtypes knockout mice (β2-/- and β4-/- mice). Finally, we showed that nicotine-induced modifications of alcohol responses were absent in β2-/- and β4-/- mice, suggesting that nicotine triggers β2* and β4 * nAChR-dependent neuroadaptations that subsequently modify the responses to alcohol and thus indicating these receptors as key mediators in the complex interactions between these two drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Tolu
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
| | - Fabio Marti
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
| | - Carole Morel
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
| | - Carole Perrier
- Groupe Hospitalier Paul Guiraud, BP 20065, F-94806, Villejuif, France
| | - Nicolas Torquet
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
| | - Stephanie Pons
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, Département de Neuroscience, F-75724, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 3571, F-75724, Paris, France
| | | | - Philippe Faure
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
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27
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Zuo L, Tan Y, Li CSR, Wang Z, Wang K, Zhang X, Lin X, Chen X, Zhong C, Wang X, Guo X, Wang J, Lu L, Luo X. Associations of rare nicotinic cholinergic receptor gene variants to nicotine and alcohol dependence. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2016; 171:1057-1071. [PMID: 27473937 PMCID: PMC5587505 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Nicotine's rewarding effects are mediated through distinct subunits of nAChRs, encoded by different nicotinic cholinergic receptor (CHRN) genes and expressed in discrete regions in the brain. In the present study, we aimed to test the associations between rare variants at CHRN genes and nicotine dependence (ND), and alcohol dependence (AD). A total of 26,498 subjects with nine different neuropsychiatric disorders in 15 independent cohorts, which were genotyped on Illumina, Affymetrix, or PERLEGEN microarray platforms, were analyzed. Associations between rare variants (minor allele frequency (MAF) <0.05) at CHRN genes and nicotine dependence, and alcohol dependence were tested. The mRNA expression of all Chrn genes in whole mouse brain and 10 specific brain areas was investigated. All CHRN genes except the muscle-type CHRNB1, including eight genomic regions containing 11 neuronal CHRN genes and three genomic regions containing four muscle-type CHRN genes, were significantly associated with ND, and/or AD. All of these genes were expressed in the mouse brain. We conclude that CHRNs are associated with ND (mainly) and AD, supporting the hypothesis that the full catalog of ND/AD risk genes may contain most neuronal nAChRs-encoding genes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingjun Zuo
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yunlong Tan
- Biological Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chiang-Shan R. Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Zhiren Wang
- Biological Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Kesheng Wang
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Xiangyang Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiandong Lin
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xiangning Chen
- Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine and Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Chunlong Zhong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoping Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai First People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyun Guo
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of EEG & Neuroimaging, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Jijun Wang
- Department of EEG & Neuroimaging, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Lu
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Medical College of Nantong University, China
- Departments of Genetics, Genomics, Informatics, Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Xingguang Luo
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Biological Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, Beijing, China
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28
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Cross SJ, Lotfipour S, Leslie FM. Mechanisms and genetic factors underlying co-use of nicotine and alcohol or other drugs of abuse. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2016; 43:171-185. [PMID: 27532746 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2016.1209512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Concurrent use of tobacco and alcohol or psychostimulants represents a major public health concern, with use of one substance influencing consumption of the other. Co-abuse of these drugs leads to substantial negative health outcomes, reduced cessation, and high economic costs, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Epidemiological data suggest that tobacco use during adolescence plays a particularly significant role. Adolescence is a sensitive period of development marked by major neurobiological maturation of brain regions critical for reward processing, learning and memory, and executive function. Nicotine exposure during this time produces a unique and long-lasting vulnerability to subsequent substance use, likely via actions at cholinergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic systems. In this review, we discuss recent clinical and preclinical data examining the genetic factors and mechanisms underlying co-use of nicotine and alcohol or cocaine and amphetamines. We evaluate the critical role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors throughout, and emphasize the dearth of preclinical studies assessing concurrent drug exposure. We stress important age and sex differences in drug responses, and highlight a brief, low-dose nicotine exposure paradigm that may better model early use of tobacco products. The escalating use of e-cigarettes among youth necessitates a closer look at the consequences of early adolescent nicotine exposure on subsequent alcohol and drug abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Cross
- a Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology , School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine , CA , USA
| | - Shahrdad Lotfipour
- b Department of Emergency Medicine , School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine , CA , USA.,c Department of Pharmacology , School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine , CA , USA
| | - Frances M Leslie
- a Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology , School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine , CA , USA.,c Department of Pharmacology , School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine , CA , USA
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29
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Obsada N, Zalewska-Kaszubska J. Wareniklina – częściowy agonista receptorów nikotynowych w terapii zespołu uzależnienia od alkoholu. ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ADDICTION 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.alkona.2016.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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30
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Verplaetse TL, Pittman BP, Shi JM, Tetrault JM, Coppola S, McKee SA. Effect of Varenicline Combined with High-Dose Alcohol on Craving, Subjective Intoxication, Perceptual Motor Response, and Executive Cognitive Function in Adults with Alcohol Use Disorders: Preliminary Findings. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2016; 40:1567-76. [PMID: 27246567 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Varenicline has been found to decrease alcohol-motivated behaviors. Recent warnings regarding aversive events associated with varenicline used in conjunction with alcohol warrant further investigation into the safety of the drug when combined with alcohol. The purpose of this preliminary investigation was to examine the effect of combining varenicline with a high, fixed dose of alcohol on subjective reactivity and cognitive function in adults with alcohol use disorders (AUDs). METHODS This double-blind, placebo-controlled preliminary investigation examined the effects of varenicline (0, 1, 2 mg/d) on subjective reactivity, cognition, perceptual motor function, and physiologic reactivity to a fixed dose of alcohol (vs. nonalcohol control beverage) using an established laboratory paradigm in smokers and nonsmokers meeting criteria for AUDs (n = 44). All participants had completed a parent varenicline study evaluating alcohol self-administration. Each subject completed 2 fixed-dose laboratory sessions assessing reactivity to a high-dose alcohol (0.08 g/dl) or a nonalcoholic control beverage, order counterbalanced. RESULTS Varenicline attenuated alcohol-related increases in subjective intoxication and alcohol-related decreases in executive cognitive function. At baseline, varenicline reduced alcohol craving and diastolic blood pressure, and increased associative learning, working memory, and perceptual motor function. Varenicline produced nonspecific effects on diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. Overall, there were few differences in effects between 1 and 2 mg/d varenicline versus placebo. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary results continue to support the safety and use of varenicline in combination with alcohol in individuals meeting criteria for AUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terril L Verplaetse
- Department of Psychiatry , Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Brian P Pittman
- Department of Psychiatry , Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Julia M Shi
- Department of Internal Medicine , Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Jeanette M Tetrault
- Department of Internal Medicine , Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Sabrina Coppola
- Department of Psychiatry , Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Sherry A McKee
- Department of Psychiatry , Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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31
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Nuutinen S, Panula P, Salminen O. Different Hypothalamic Nicotinic α7 Receptor Expression and Response to Low Nicotine Dose in Alcohol-Preferring and Alcohol-Avoiding Rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2016; 40:329-34. [PMID: 26842251 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to examine possible differences in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and responses in rats with genetic preference or avoidance for alcohol. This was done by using 2 rat lines with high alcohol preference (Alko Alcohol [AA]) or alcohol avoidance (Alko Non-Alcohol [ANA]). METHODS Locomotor activity was measured following nicotine and histamine H3 receptor (H3R) antagonist treatment. In situ hybridization and receptor ligand binding experiments were used in drug-naïve animals to examine the expression of different α nicotinic receptor subunits. RESULTS The AA rats were found to be more sensitive to the stimulatory effect of a low dose of nicotine than ANA rats, which were not significantly activated. Combination of histamine H3R antagonist, JNJ-39220675, and nicotine resulted to similar locomotor activation as nicotine alone. To further understand the mechanism underlying the difference in nicotine response in AA and ANA rats, we studied the expression of α5, α6, and α7 nicotinic receptor subunits in specific brain areas of AA and ANA rats. We found no differences in the expression of α5 nicotinic receptor subunits in the medial habenula and hippocampus or in α6 subunit in the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra. However, the level of α7 nicotinic receptor subunit mRNA was significantly lower in the tuberomamillary nucleus of posterior hypothalamus of alcohol-preferring AA rats than in alcohol-avoiding ANA rats. Also the hypothalamic [125I-α-bungarotoxin binding was lower in AA rats indicating lower levels of α7 nicotinic receptors. CONCLUSIONS The lower expression and receptor binding of α7 nicotinic receptors in the tuberomamillary nucleus of AA rats suggest a difference in the regulation of brain histamine neurons between the rat lines since the α7 nicotinic receptors are located in histaminergic neurons. Stronger nicotine-induced locomotor response, mediated partially via α7 receptors, and previously described high alcohol consumption in AA rats could be explained by the found difference in tuberomamillary α7 receptor levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saara Nuutinen
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pertti Panula
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Outi Salminen
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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32
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Van Skike CE, Maggio SE, Reynolds AR, Casey EM, Bardo MT, Dwoskin LP, Prendergast MA, Nixon K. Critical needs in drug discovery for cessation of alcohol and nicotine polysubstance abuse. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2016; 65:269-87. [PMID: 26582145 PMCID: PMC4679525 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Polysubstance abuse of alcohol and nicotine has been overlooked in our understanding of the neurobiology of addiction and especially in the development of novel therapeutics for its treatment. Estimates show that as many as 92% of people with alcohol use disorders also smoke tobacco. The health risks associated with both excessive alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking create an urgent biomedical need for the discovery of effective cessation treatments, as opposed to current approaches that attempt to independently treat each abused agent. The lack of treatment approaches for alcohol and nicotine abuse/dependence mirrors a similar lack of research in the neurobiology of polysubstance abuse. This review discusses three critical needs in medications development for alcohol and nicotine co-abuse: (1) the need for a better understanding of the clinical condition (i.e. alcohol and nicotine polysubstance abuse), (2) the need to better understand how these drugs interact in order to identify new targets for therapeutic development and (3) the need for animal models that better mimic this human condition. Current and emerging treatments available for the cessation of each drug and their mechanisms of action are discussed within this context followed by what is known about the pharmacological interactions of alcohol and nicotine. Much has been and will continue to be gained from studying comorbid alcohol and nicotine exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- C E Van Skike
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
| | - S E Maggio
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
| | - A R Reynolds
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
| | - E M Casey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
| | - M T Bardo
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States; Center for Drug Abuse and Research Translation, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States; Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
| | - L P Dwoskin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States; Center for Drug Abuse and Research Translation, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
| | - M A Prendergast
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States; Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
| | - K Nixon
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States; Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States.
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33
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Mayfield J, Arends MA, Harris RA, Blednov YA. Genes and Alcohol Consumption: Studies with Mutant Mice. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2016; 126:293-355. [PMID: 27055617 PMCID: PMC5302130 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2016.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In this chapter, we review the effects of global null mutant and overexpressing transgenic mouse lines on voluntary self-administration of alcohol. We examine approximately 200 publications pertaining to the effects of 155 mouse genes on alcohol consumption in different drinking models. The targeted genes vary in function and include neurotransmitter, ion channel, neuroimmune, and neuropeptide signaling systems. The alcohol self-administration models include operant conditioning, two- and four-bottle choice continuous and intermittent access, drinking in the dark limited access, chronic intermittent ethanol, and scheduled high alcohol consumption tests. Comparisons of different drinking models using the same mutant mice are potentially the most informative, and we will highlight those examples. More mutants have been tested for continuous two-bottle choice consumption than any other test; of the 137 mouse genes examined using this model, 97 (72%) altered drinking in at least one sex. Overall, the effects of genetic manipulations on alcohol drinking often depend on the sex of the mice, alcohol concentration and time of access, genetic background, as well as the drinking test.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Mayfield
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - M A Arends
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - R A Harris
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States.
| | - Y A Blednov
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
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34
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Pittenger ST, Barrett ST, Chou S, Bevins RA. The effects of varenicline on methamphetamine self-administration and drug-primed reinstatement in female rats. Behav Brain Res 2015; 300:150-9. [PMID: 26638833 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Revised: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
While research has revealed heightened vulnerability to meth addiction in women, preclinical models rarely use female subjects when investigating meth seeking and relapse. The goal of the present study was to examine the effects of varenicline (Chantix(®)), a partial α4β2 and full α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, on meth self-administration and reinstatement in female rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were surgically implanted with an indwelling jugular catheter. Half of the rats were then trained to self-administer meth (0.056 mg/kg/infusion) on a variable ratio 3 schedule of reinforcement; the other half earned intravenous saline during daily, 2h sessions. When responding stabilized, varenicline (0.0, 0.3, 1.0, 3.0mg/kg) was tested to determine how it altered meth taking. Varenicline was probed on 4 test days; each test separated by 2 standard self-administration sessions to assure responding remained stable. Following this testing was 15 extinction sessions. Twenty-four hours after the last extinction session were four consecutive days of meth-primed reinstatement. The same 4 doses of varenicline were examined to determine how it altered reinstatement triggered by 0.3mg/kg meth (IP). Rats readily self-administered meth. The higher doses of varenicline did not affect meth-taking in a specific fashion as active lever pressing was also slightly reduced in rats that has access to saline in the self-administration phase. Female rats displayed robust meth-primed reinstatement. Notably, the lower doses of varenicline increased meth-primed reinstatement. This amplified susceptibility to reinstatement (i.e., relapse) may be an impediment for the use of varenicline as a therapeutic to treat meth use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven T Pittenger
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Psychology, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, USA
| | - Scott T Barrett
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Psychology, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, USA
| | - Shinnyi Chou
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Psychology, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, USA
| | - Rick A Bevins
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Psychology, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, USA.
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Rahman S, Engleman EA, Bell RL. Recent Advances in Nicotinic Receptor Signaling in Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2015; 137:183-201. [PMID: 26810002 PMCID: PMC4754113 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2015.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol is the most commonly abused legal substance and alcoholism is a serious public health problem. It is a leading cause of preventable death in the world. The cellular and molecular mechanisms of alcohol reward and addiction are still not well understood. Emerging evidence indicates that unlike other drugs of abuse, such as nicotine, cocaine, or opioids, alcohol targets numerous channel proteins, receptor molecules, and signaling pathways in the brain. Previously, research has identified brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), a heterogeneous family of pentameric ligand-gated cation channels expressed in the mammalian brain, as critical molecular targets for alcohol abuse and dependence. Genetic variations encoding nAChR subunits have been shown to increase the vulnerability to develop alcohol dependence. Here, we review recent insights into the rewarding effects of alcohol, as they pertain to different nAChR subtypes, associated signaling molecules, and pathways that contribute to the molecular mechanisms of alcoholism and/or comorbid brain disorders. Understanding these cellular changes and molecular underpinnings may be useful for the advancement of brain nicotinic-cholinergic mechanisms, and will lead to a better translational and therapeutic outcome for alcoholism and/or comorbid conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafiqur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, USA.
| | - Eric A Engleman
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Richard L Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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Scuppa G, Cippitelli A, Toll L, Ciccocioppo R, Ubaldi M. Varenicline decreases nicotine but not alcohol self-administration in genetically selected Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring (msP) rats. Drug Alcohol Depend 2015; 156:126-132. [PMID: 26383997 PMCID: PMC4633345 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2015] [Revised: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol and nicotine are largely co-abused. Here, we investigated whether concurrent exposure to both addictive drugs influences each other's consumption and whether varenicline attenuates alcohol consumption in the presence of nicotine. METHODS Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring (msP) rats trained to simultaneously self-administer oral alcohol (10% v/v) and intravenous nicotine (30μg/kg/inf) were used. Additional groups of rats were trained to self-administer either alcohol or nicotine. Further, msP rats were also trained to self-administer nicotine followed by 22-h/day access to alcohol and water in a two bottle free choice paradigm or water alone. The effects of varenicline (0.0, 0.3, 1.0, 3.0mg/kg, p.o.) on alcohol and nicotine consumption were tested. RESULTS In a self-administration paradigm, msP rats showed a significantly high level of alcohol and nicotine intake when the drugs were administered alone. However, when access to both drugs occurred concomitantly, the number of nicotine infusions self-administered was significantly decreased. Nicotine self-administration was markedly reduced by varenicline regardless of whether it was self-administered alone or concurrently with alcohol. In a two bottle choice test, varenicline significantly decreased nicotine self-administration but had no influence on alcohol consumption. CONCLUSION Varenicline is highly efficacious in decreasing nicotine self-administration either alone or in combination with alcohol. However, varenicline failed to influence both operant responding for alcohol and home-cage alcohol drinking in msP animals. Taken together, our findings suggest that the effects of varenicline could be specific to nicotine under conditions where excessive alcohol drinking is facilitated by genetic factors as in msP rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Scuppa
- University of Camerino, School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, Camerino, Italy
| | - Andrea Cippitelli
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Department of Neuropharmacology, Port St. Lucie, FL, USA
| | - Lawrence Toll
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Department of Neuropharmacology, Port St. Lucie, FL, USA
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- University of Camerino, School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, Camerino, Italy
| | - Massimo Ubaldi
- University of Camerino, School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, Camerino, Italy.
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PET imaging evaluation of [(18)F]DBT-10, a novel radioligand specific to α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, in nonhuman primates. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2015; 43:537-47. [PMID: 26455500 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-015-3209-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Positron emission tomography (PET) radioligands specific to α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) afford in vivo imaging of this receptor for neuropathologies such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and substance abuse. This work aims to characterize the kinetic properties of an α7-nAChR-specific radioligand, 7-(1,4-diazabicyclo[3.2.2]nonan-4-yl)-2-[(18)F]-fluorodibenzo[b,d]thiophene 5,5-dioxide ([(18)F]DBT-10), in nonhuman primates. METHODS [(18)F]DBT-10 was produced via nucleophilic substitution of the nitro-precursor. Four Macaca mulatta subjects were imaged with [(18)F]DBT-10 PET, with measurement of [(18)F]DBT-10 parent concentrations and metabolism in arterial plasma. Baseline PET scans were acquired for all subjects. Following one scan, ex vivo analysis of brain tissue was performed to inspect for radiolabeled metabolites in brain. Three blocking scans with 0.69 and 1.24 mg/kg of the α7-nAChR-specific ligand ASEM were also acquired to assess dose-dependent blockade of [(18)F]DBT-10 binding. Kinetic analysis of PET data was performed using the metabolite-corrected input function to calculate the parent fraction corrected total distribution volume (V T/f P). RESULTS [(18)F]DBT-10 was produced within 90 min at high specific activities of 428 ± 436 GBq/μmol at end of synthesis. Metabolism of [(18)F]DBT-10 varied across subjects, stabilizing by 120 min post-injection at parent fractions of 15-55%. Uptake of [(18)F]DBT-10 in brain occurred rapidly, reaching peak standardized uptake values (SUVs) of 2.9-3.7 within 30 min. The plasma-free fraction was 18.8 ± 3.4%. No evidence for radiolabeled [(18)F]DBT-10 metabolites was found in ex vivo brain tissue samples. Kinetic analysis of PET data was best described by the two-tissue compartment model. Estimated V T/f P values were 193-376 ml/cm(3) across regions, with regional rank order of thalamus > frontal cortex > striatum > hippocampus > occipital cortex > cerebellum > pons. Dose-dependent blockade of [(18)F]DBT-10 binding by structural analog ASEM was observed throughout the brain, and occupancy plots yielded a V ND/f P estimate of 20 ± 16 ml/cm(3). CONCLUSION These results demonstrate suitable kinetic properties of [(18)F]DBT-10 for in vivo quantification of α7-nAChR binding in nonhuman primates.
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Perez E, Quijano-Cardé N, De Biasi M. Nicotinic Mechanisms Modulate Ethanol Withdrawal and Modify Time Course and Symptoms Severity of Simultaneous Withdrawal from Alcohol and Nicotine. Neuropsychopharmacology 2015; 40:2327-36. [PMID: 25790020 PMCID: PMC4538347 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2015.80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Revised: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol and nicotine are among the top causes of preventable death in the United States. Unfortunately, people who are dependent on alcohol are more likely to smoke than individuals in the general population. Similarly, smokers are more likely to abuse alcohol. Alcohol and nicotine codependence affects health in many ways and leads to poorer treatment outcomes in subjects who want to quit. This study examined the interaction of alcohol and nicotine during withdrawal and compared abstinence symptoms during withdrawal from one of the two drugs only vs both. Our results indicate that simultaneous withdrawal from alcohol and nicotine produces physical symptoms that are more severe and last longer than those experienced during withdrawal from one of the two drugs alone. In animals experiencing withdrawal after chronic ethanol treatment, acute nicotine exposure was sufficient to prevent abstinence symptoms. Similarly, symptoms were prevented when alcohol was injected acutely in mice undergoing nicotine withdrawal. These experiments provide evidence for the involvement of the nicotinic cholinergic system in alcohol withdrawal. Furthermore, the outcomes of intracranial microinfusions of mecamylamine, a nonselective nicotinic receptor antagonist, highlight a major role for the nicotinic receptors expressed in medial habenula and interpeduncular nucleus during withdrawal. Overall, the data support the notion that modulating the nicotinic cholinergic system might help to maintain long-term abstinence from alcohol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Perez
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Mariella De Biasi
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 415 Curie Boulevard, CRB-217, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA, Tel: +1 215 898 9579, Fax: +1 215 573 0833, E-mail:
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Kamens HM, Miyamoto J, Powers MS, Ro K, Soto M, Cox R, Stitzel JA, Ehringer MA. The β3 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor: Modulation of gene expression and nicotine consumption. Neuropharmacology 2015; 99:639-49. [PMID: 26318101 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2015] [Revised: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Genetic factors explain approximately half of the variance in smoking behaviors, but the molecular mechanism by which genetic variation influences behavior is poorly understood. SNPs in the putative promoter region of CHRNB3, the gene that encodes the β3 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), have been repeatedly associated with nicotine behaviors. In this work we sought to identify putative function of three SNPs in the promoter region of CHRNB3 on in vitro gene expression. Additionally, we used β3 null mutant mice as a model of reduced gene expression to assess the effects on nicotine behaviors. The effect of rs13277254, rs6474413, and rs4950 on reporter gene expression was examined using a luciferase reporter assay. A major and minor parent haplotype served as the background on which alleles at the three SNPs were flipped onto different backgrounds (e.g. minor allele on major haplotype background). Constructs were tested in three human cell lines: BE(2)-C, SH-SY5Y and HEK293T. In all cell types the major haplotype led to greater reporter gene expression compared to the minor haplotype, and results indicate that this effect is driven by rs6474413. Moreover, mice lacking the β3 subunit showed reduced voluntary nicotine consumption compared that of wildtype animals. These data provide evidence that the protective genetic variant at rs6474413 identified in human genetic studies reduces gene expression and that decreased β3 gene expression in mice reduces nicotine intake. This work contributes to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the human genetic associations of tobacco behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M Kamens
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Jill Miyamoto
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Matthew S Powers
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Kasey Ro
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Marissa Soto
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Ryan Cox
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Jerry A Stitzel
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303, USA; Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Marissa A Ehringer
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303, USA; Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
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Garbusow M, Sebold M, Beck A, Heinz A. Too difficult to stop: mechanisms facilitating relapse in alcohol dependence. Neuropsychobiology 2015; 70:103-10. [PMID: 25359490 DOI: 10.1159/000362838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2013] [Accepted: 04/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In alcohol and other substance dependencies, patients often suffer relapse despite better knowledge and their intention to remain abstinent. A variety of neurotransmitter systems and their respective alterations due to the chronic drug intake are involved in mechanisms that facilitate relapse. It has been postulated that these neurotransmitter systems are related to changes in motivational and learning mechanisms, and engender a shift from goal-directed to habitual behavior in dependent patients that facilitates drug-seeking behavior. METHODS We review learning mechanisms facilitating relapse, as identified and tested to date. We focus on studies examining the interaction between alcohol-related changes in monoaminergic neurotransmission and their respective effects on pavlovian and operant learning mechanisms in alcohol dependence. RESULTS Animal experiments and first human studies suggest that chronic alcohol intake impairs goal-directed behavior and facilitates habitual drug intake. Key symptoms of alcohol dependence such as tolerance development, withdrawal, craving and reduced control of alcohol intake can be explained by alcohol-induced alteration of dopaminergic neurotransmission and its GABAergic and glutamatergic modulation and their respective effects on pavlovian and operant conditioning as well as pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer. CONCLUSION Chronic alcohol intake impairs neurotransmitter systems that regulate prefrontal-striatal circuits and interfere with goal-directed decision-making and the acquisition of new, non-drug-related behavior patterns. Alcohol craving induced by pavlovian conditioned cues can facilitate habitual drug intake. Such learning mechanisms and their alterations by chronic alcohol intake might be targeted by specific interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Garbusow
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Horton WJ, Gissel HJ, Saboy JE, Wright KP, Stitzel JA. Melatonin administration alters nicotine preference consumption via signaling through high-affinity melatonin receptors. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:2519-30. [PMID: 25704105 PMCID: PMC4482784 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-3886-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 02/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE While it is known that tobacco use varies across the 24-h day, the time-of-day effects are poorly understood. Findings from several previous studies indicate a potential role for melatonin in these time-of-day effects; however, the specific underlying mechanisms have not been well characterized. Understanding of these mechanisms may lead to potential novel smoking cessation treatments. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is examine the role of melatonin and melatonin receptors in nicotine free-choice consumption METHODS A two-bottle oral nicotine choice paradigm was utilized with melatonin supplementation in melatonin-deficient mice (C57BL/6J) or without melatonin supplementation in mice proficient at melatonin synthesis (C3H/Ibg) compared to melatonin-proficient mice lacking both or one of the high-affinity melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2; double-null mutant DM, or MT1 or MT2). Preference for bitter and sweet tastants also was assessed in wild-type and MT1 and MT2 DM mice. Finally, home cage locomotor monitoring was performed to determine the effect of melatonin administration on activity patterns. RESULTS Supplemental melatonin in drinking water significantly reduced free-choice nicotine consumption in C57BL/6J mice, which do not produce endogenous melatonin, while not altering activity patterns. Independently, genetic deletion of both MT1 and MT2 receptors in a melatonin-proficient mouse strain (C3H) resulted in significantly more nicotine consumption than controls. However, single genetic deletion of either the MT1 or MT2 receptor alone did not result in increased nicotine consumption. Deletion of MT1 and MT2 did not impact taste preference. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that nicotine consumption can be affected by exogenous or endogenous melatonin and requires at least one of the high-affinity melatonin receptors. The fact that expression of either the MT1 or MT2 melatonin receptor is sufficient to maintain lower nicotine consumption suggests functional overlap and potential mechanistic explanations.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J. Horton
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80303,Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80303
| | - Hannah J. Gissel
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80303
| | - Jennifer E. Saboy
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80303
| | - Kenneth P. Wright
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80303
| | - Jerry A. Stitzel
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80303,Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80303
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Feduccia AA, Simms JA, Mill D, Yi HY, Bartlett SE. Varenicline decreases ethanol intake and increases dopamine release via neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the nucleus accumbens. Br J Pharmacol 2015; 171:3420-31. [PMID: 24628360 PMCID: PMC4105930 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Revised: 03/08/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Varenicline, a neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) modulator, decreases ethanol consumption in rodents and humans. The proposed mechanism of action for varenicline to reduce ethanol consumption has been through modulation of dopamine (DA) release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) via α4*-containing nAChRs in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). However, presynaptic nAChRs on dopaminergic terminals in the NAc have been shown to directly modulate dopaminergic signalling independently of neuronal activity from the VTA. In this study, we determined whether nAChRs in the NAc play a role in varenicline's effects on ethanol consumption. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Rats were trained to consume ethanol using the intermittent-access two-bottle choice protocol for 10 weeks. Ethanol intake was measured after varenicline or vehicle was microinfused into the NAc (core, shell or core-shell border) or the VTA (anterior or posterior). The effect of varenicline treatment on DA release in the NAc was measured using both in vivo microdialysis and in vitro fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV). KEY RESULTS Microinfusion of varenicline into the NAc core and core-shell border, but not into the NAc shell or VTA, reduced ethanol intake following long-term ethanol consumption. During microdialysis, a significant enhancement in accumbal DA release occurred following systemic administration of varenicline and FSCV showed that varenicline also altered the evoked release of DA in the NAc. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Following long-term ethanol consumption, varenicline in the NAc reduces ethanol intake, suggesting that presynaptic nAChRs in the NAc are important for mediating varenicline's effects on ethanol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Feduccia
- Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center, University of California San Francisco, Emeryville, CA, USA
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Rahman S, Engleman EA, Bell RL. Nicotinic receptor modulation to treat alcohol and drug dependence. Front Neurosci 2015; 8:426. [PMID: 25642160 PMCID: PMC4295535 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol and drug dependence are serious public health problems worldwide. The prevalence of alcohol and drug dependence in the United States and other parts of the world is significant. Given the limitations in the efficacy of current pharmacotherapies to treat these disorders, research in developing alternative pharmacotherapies continues. Preclinical and clinical evidence thus far has indicated that brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are important pharmacological targets for the development of medications to treat alcohol and drug dependence. The nAChRs are a super family of ligand gated ion channels, and are expressed throughout the brain with twelve neuronal nAChR subunits (α2–α10 and β2–β4) identified. Here, we review preclinical and clinical evidence involving a number of nAChR ligands that target different nAChR subtypes in alcohol and nicotine addiction. The important ligands include cytisine, lobeline, mecamylamine, varenicline, sazetidine A and others that target α4β2* nAChR subtypes as small molecule modulators of the brain nicotinic cholinergic system are also discussed. Taken together, both preclinical and clinical data exist that support nAChR–based ligands as promising therapeutic agents for the treatment of alcohol and drug dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafiqur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, South Dakota State University Brookings, SD, USA
| | - Eric A Engleman
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Richard L Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Rahman S, Engleman EA, Bell RL. Nicotinic receptor modulation to treat alcohol and drug dependence. Front Neurosci 2015. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2014.00426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Gubner NR, McKinnon CS, Phillips TJ. Effects of varenicline on ethanol-induced conditioned place preference, locomotor stimulation, and sensitization. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2014; 38:3033-42. [PMID: 25581658 PMCID: PMC4293040 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Varenicline, a partial nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist, is a promising new drug for the treatment of alcohol (ethanol [EtOH]) dependence. Varenicline has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a smoking cessation therapeutic and has also been found to reduce EtOH consumption in humans and animal models of alcohol use. These studies examined the hypotheses that varenicline attenuates the stimulant and sensitizing effects of EtOH and reduces the motivational effects of EtOH-associated cues. The goal was to determine whether these effects of varenicline contribute to its pharmacotherapeutic effects for alcohol dependence. In addition, effects of varenicline on acute stimulation and/or on the acquisition of sensitization would suggest a role for nAChR involvement in these effects of EtOH. METHODS Dose-dependent effects of varenicline on the expression of EtOH-induced conditioned place preference (CPP), locomotor activation, and behavioral sensitization were examined. These measures model motivational effects of EtOH-associated cues, euphoric or stimulatory effects of EtOH, and EtOH-induced neuroadaptation. All studies used DBA/2J mice, an inbred strain with high sensitivity to these EtOH-related effects. RESULTS Varenicline did not significantly attenuate the expression of EtOH-induced CPP. Varenicline reduced locomotor activity and had the most pronounced effect in the presence of EtOH, with the largest effect on acute EtOH-induced locomotor stimulation and a trend for varenicline to attenuate the expression of EtOH-induced sensitization. CONCLUSIONS Because varenicline did not attenuate the expression of EtOH-induced CPP, it may not be effective at reducing the motivational effects of EtOH-associated cues. This outcome suggests that reductions in the motivational effects of EtOH-associated cues may not be involved in how varenicline reduces EtOH consumption. However, varenicline did have effects on locomotor behavior and significantly attenuated acute EtOH-induced locomotor stimulation. In humans who drink while taking varenicline, it might similarly reduce stimulant responses and have an impact on continued drinking. General sedative effects in such individuals should be carefully considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah R. Gubner
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Portland Alcohol Research Center,
Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Carrie S. McKinnon
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Portland Alcohol Research Center,
Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Tamara J. Phillips
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Portland Alcohol Research Center,
Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- VA Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA
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Naito A, Muchhala KH, Asatryan L, Trudell JR, Homanics GE, Perkins DI, Davies DL, Alkana RL. Glycine and GABA(A) ultra-sensitive ethanol receptors as novel tools for alcohol and brain research. Mol Pharmacol 2014; 86:635-46. [PMID: 25245406 DOI: 10.1124/mol.114.093773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A critical obstacle to developing effective medications to prevent and/or treat alcohol use disorders is the lack of specific knowledge regarding the plethora of molecular targets and mechanisms underlying alcohol (ethanol) action in the brain. To identify the role of individual receptor subunits in ethanol-induced behaviors, we developed a novel class of ultra-sensitive ethanol receptors (USERs) that allow activation of a single receptor subunit population sensitized to extremely low ethanol concentrations. USERs were created by mutating as few as four residues in the extracellular loop 2 region of glycine receptors (GlyRs) or γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABA(A)Rs), which are implicated in causing many behavioral effects linked to ethanol abuse. USERs, expressed in Xenopus oocytes and tested using two-electrode voltage clamp, demonstrated an increase in ethanol sensitivity of 100-fold over wild-type receptors by significantly decreasing the threshold and increasing the magnitude of ethanol response, without altering general receptor properties including sensitivity to the neurosteroid, allopregnanolone. These profound changes in ethanol sensitivity were observed across multiple subunits of GlyRs and GABA(A)Rs. Collectively, our studies set the stage for using USER technology in genetically engineered animals as a unique tool to increase understanding of the neurobiological basis of the behavioral effects of ethanol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Naito
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (A.N., K.H.M., R.L.A.) and Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy (L.A., D.L.D.), University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, California; Department of Anesthesia, Beckman Program for Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California (J.R.T.); Departments of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (G.E.H.); and Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California (D.I.P.)
| | - Karan H Muchhala
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (A.N., K.H.M., R.L.A.) and Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy (L.A., D.L.D.), University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, California; Department of Anesthesia, Beckman Program for Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California (J.R.T.); Departments of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (G.E.H.); and Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California (D.I.P.)
| | - Liana Asatryan
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (A.N., K.H.M., R.L.A.) and Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy (L.A., D.L.D.), University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, California; Department of Anesthesia, Beckman Program for Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California (J.R.T.); Departments of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (G.E.H.); and Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California (D.I.P.)
| | - James R Trudell
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (A.N., K.H.M., R.L.A.) and Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy (L.A., D.L.D.), University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, California; Department of Anesthesia, Beckman Program for Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California (J.R.T.); Departments of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (G.E.H.); and Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California (D.I.P.)
| | - Gregg E Homanics
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (A.N., K.H.M., R.L.A.) and Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy (L.A., D.L.D.), University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, California; Department of Anesthesia, Beckman Program for Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California (J.R.T.); Departments of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (G.E.H.); and Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California (D.I.P.)
| | - Daya I Perkins
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (A.N., K.H.M., R.L.A.) and Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy (L.A., D.L.D.), University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, California; Department of Anesthesia, Beckman Program for Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California (J.R.T.); Departments of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (G.E.H.); and Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California (D.I.P.)
| | - Daryl L Davies
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (A.N., K.H.M., R.L.A.) and Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy (L.A., D.L.D.), University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, California; Department of Anesthesia, Beckman Program for Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California (J.R.T.); Departments of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (G.E.H.); and Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California (D.I.P.)
| | - Ronald L Alkana
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (A.N., K.H.M., R.L.A.) and Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy (L.A., D.L.D.), University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, California; Department of Anesthesia, Beckman Program for Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California (J.R.T.); Departments of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (G.E.H.); and Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California (D.I.P.)
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Varenicline effects on drinking, craving and neural reward processing among non-treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent individuals. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:3799-807. [PMID: 24647921 PMCID: PMC4146648 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3518-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 02/20/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist varenicline has been reported to reduce drinking among both heavy-drinking smokers and primary alcoholics, and this effect may be related to varenicline-mediated reduction of alcohol craving. Among smokers, varenicline has been reported to modulate cigarette cue-elicited brain activation in several reward-related areas. OBJECTIVES This pilot study tested varenicline's effects on drinking, alcohol craving, and alcohol cue-elicited activation of reward-related brain areas among non-treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent individuals. METHODS Thirty-five such individuals (mean age = 30, 57 % male, 76 % heavy drinking days in the past month, 15 smokers) were randomized to either varenicline (titrated to 2 mg) or placebo for 14 days, and were administered an alcohol cue reactivity fMRI task on day 14. A priori regions of interest (ROIs) were bilateral and medial orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), right ventral striatum (VS), and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). RESULTS Despite good medication adherence, varenicline did not reduce heavy drinking days or other drinking parameters. It did, however, increase self-reported control over alcohol-related thoughts and reduced cue-elicited activation bilaterally in the OFC, but not in other brain areas. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that varenicline reduces alcohol craving and some of the neural substrates of alcohol cue reactivity. However, varenicline effects on drinking mediated by cue-elicited brain activation and craving might be best observed among treatment-seekers motivated to reduce their alcohol consumption.
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Knapp CM, Ciraulo DA, Datta S. Mechanisms underlying sleep-wake disturbances in alcoholism: focus on the cholinergic pedunculopontine tegmentum. Behav Brain Res 2014; 274:291-301. [PMID: 25151622 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Revised: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 08/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Sleep-wake (S-W) disturbances are frequently associated with alcohol use disorders (AUD), occurring during periods of active drinking, withdrawal, and abstinence. These S-W disturbances can persist after months or even years of abstinence, suggesting that chronic alcohol consumption may have enduring negative effects on both homeostatic and circadian sleep processes. It is now generally accepted that S-W disturbances in alcohol-dependent individuals are a significant cause of relapse in drinking. Although significant progress has been made in identifying the socio-economic burden and health risks of alcohol addiction, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms that lead to S-W disorders in AUD are poorly understood. Marked progress has been made in understanding the basic neurobiological mechanisms of how different sleep stages are normally regulated. This review article in seeking to explain the neurobiological mechanisms underlying S-W disturbances associated with AUD, describes an evidence-based, easily testable, novel hypothesis that chronic alcohol consumption induces neuroadaptive changes in the cholinergic cell compartment of the pedunculopontine tegmentum (CCC-PPT). These changes include increases in N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and kainate receptor sensitivity and a decrease in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAB)-receptor sensitivity in the CCC-PPT. Together these changes are the primary pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie S-W disturbances in AUD. This review is targeted for both basic neuroscientists in alcohol addiction research and clinicians who are in search of new and more effective therapeutic interventions to treat and/or eliminate sleep disorders associated with AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clifford M Knapp
- Laboratory of Sleep and Cognitive Neuroscience, Boston University Psychiatry Associates Clinical Studies Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, 85 East Newton Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Domenic A Ciraulo
- Laboratory of Sleep and Cognitive Neuroscience, Boston University Psychiatry Associates Clinical Studies Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, 85 East Newton Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Subimal Datta
- Laboratory of Sleep and Cognitive Neuroscience, Boston University Psychiatry Associates Clinical Studies Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, 85 East Newton Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
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Wu J, Gao M, Taylor DH. Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are important targets for alcohol reward and dependence. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2014; 35:311-5. [PMID: 24464050 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2013.181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2013] [Accepted: 12/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are important targets for alcohol reward and dependence. Alcoholism is a serious public health problem and has been identified as the third major cause of preventable mortality in the world. Worldwide, about 2 billion people consume alcohol, with 76.3 million having diagnosable alcohol use disorders. Alcohol is currently responsible for the death of 4% of adults worldwide (about 2.5 million deaths each year), and this number will be significantly increased by 2020 unless effective action is taken. Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance by humans. Ethanol (EtOH) is the intoxicating agent in alcoholic drinks that can lead to abuse and dependence. Although it has been extensively studied, the mechanisms of alcohol reward and dependence are still poorly understood. The major reason is that, unlike other addictive drugs (eg, morphine, cocaine or nicotine) that have specific molecular targets, EtOH affects much wider neuronal functions. These functions include phospholipid membranes, various ion channels and receptors, synaptic and network functions, and intracellular signaling molecules. The major targets in the brain that mediate EtOH's effects remain unclear. This knowledge gap results in a therapeutic barrier in the treatment of alcoholism. Interestingly, alcohol and nicotine are often co-abused, which suggests that neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), the molecular targets for nicotine, may also contribute to alcohol's abusive properties. Here, we briefly summarize recent lines of evidence showing how EtOH modulates nAChRs in the mesolimbic pathway, which provides a perspective that nAChRs are important targets mediating alcohol abuse.
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50
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Ginsburg BC, Lamb RJ. Relative potency of varenicline or fluvoxamine to reduce responding for ethanol versus food depends on the presence or absence of concurrently earned food. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2014; 38:860-70. [PMID: 25396255 PMCID: PMC4487861 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Varenicline, a nicotinic partial agonist, selectively reduces ethanol (EtOH)- versus sucrose-maintained behavior when tested in separate groups, yet like the indirect agonist fluvoxamine, this selectively inverts when EtOH and food are concurrently available. METHODS Here, we extend these findings by examining varenicline and fluvoxamine effects under a multiple concurrent schedule where food and EtOH are concurrently available in different components: Component 1 where the food fixed-ratio was 25 and Component 2 where the food fixed-ratio was 75. The EtOH fixed-ratio was always 5. Food-maintained responding predominated in Component 1, while EtOH-maintained responding predominated in Component 2. In a second experiment, varenicline effects were assessed under a multiple schedule where food, then EtOH, then again food were available in separate 5-minute components with fixed-ratios of 5 for each reinforcement. RESULTS In the multiple concurrent schedule, varenicline was more potent at reducing food- versus EtOH-maintained responding in both components and reduced EtOH-maintained responding more potently during Component 1 (when food was almost never earned) than in Component 2 (where food was often earned). Fluvoxamine was similarly potent at reducing food- and EtOH-maintained responding. Under the multiple schedule, varenicline, like fluvoxamine, more potently decreases EtOH- versus food maintained responding when only food or EtOH is available in separate components. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that selective effects on drug- versus alternative-maintained behavior depend on the schedule arrangement, and assays in which EtOH or an alternative is the only programmed reinforcement may overestimate the selectivity of treatments to decrease EtOH self-administration. Thus selective effects obtained under one assay may not generalize to another. Better understanding the behavioral mechanisms responsible for these results may help to guide pharmaco-therapeutic development for substance use disorders.
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