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Frohe T, Janssen T, Garner BR, Becker SJ. Examining changes in pain interference via pandemic-induced isolation among patients receiving medication for opioid use disorder: a secondary data analysis. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:2581. [PMID: 39334184 PMCID: PMC11428855 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-20077-9] [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: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early in the pandemic, the United States population experienced a sharp rise in the prevalence rates of opioid use, social isolation, and pain interference. Given the high rates of pain reported by patients on medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), the pandemic presented a unique opportunity to disentangle the relationship between opioid use, pain, and social isolation in this high-risk population. We tested the hypothesis that pandemic-induced isolation would partially mediate change in pain interference levels experienced by patients on MOUD, even when controlling for baseline opioid use. Such work can inform the development of targeted interventions for a vulnerable, underserved population. METHODS Analyses used data from a cluster randomized trial (N = 188) of patients on MOUD across eight opioid treatment programs. As part of the parent trial, participants provided pre-pandemic data on pain interference, opioid use, and socio-demographic variables. Research staff re-contacted participants between May and June 2020 and 133 participants (71% response rate) consented to complete a supplemental survey that assessed pandemic-induced isolation. Participants then completed a follow-up interview during the pandemic that again assessed pain interference and opioid use. A path model assessed whether pre-pandemic pain interference had an indirect effect on pain interference during the pandemic via pandemic-induced isolation. RESULTS Consistent with hypotheses, we found evidence that pandemic-induced isolation partially mediated change in pain interference levels among MOUD patients during the pandemic. Higher levels of pre-pandemic pain interference and opioid use were both significantly associated with higher levels of pandemic-induced isolation. In addition, pre-pandemic pain interference was significantly related to levels of pain interference during the pandemic, and these pain levels were partially explained by the level of pandemic-induced isolation reported. CONCLUSIONS Patients on MOUD with higher use of opioids and higher rates of pain pre-pandemic were more likely to report feeling isolated during COVID-related social distancing and this, in turn, partially explained changes in levels of pain interference. These results highlight social isolation as a key risk factor for patients on MOUD and suggest that interventions promoting social connection could be associated with reduced pain interference, which in turn could improve patient quality of life. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03931174 (Registered 04/30/2019).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Frohe
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific ST, Box 357238, Seattle, WA, 98195-7238, USA
| | - Tim Janssen
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Bryan R Garner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ohio State University, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, 2050 Kenny Road, Columbus, 43221, USA
| | - Sara J Becker
- Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 633 North St Clair, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL, USA.
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2
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He L, Zhou JH, Li H, Zhang WL, Liu TQ, Jiang HF, Zhai RW, Zhang XJ. Characterization of Gut Microbiota in Rats and Rhesus Monkeys After Methamphetamine Self-administration. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04318-x. [PMID: 38922485 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04318-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (MA) is one of the most abused drugs globally, but the mechanism of its addiction remains unclear. Several animal studies have shown that the gut microbiota (GM) influences addictive behaviors, but the pattern of GM changes during addiction in animals of different species remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the association between dynamic changes in GM and MA self-administration acquisition among two classical mammals, rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and rats, MA self-administration models. Male Sprague-Dawley rats and male rhesus monkeys were subjected to classical MA self-administration training, and fecal samples were collected before and after MA self-administration training, respectively. 16S rRNA sequencing was used for GM analyses. We found that GM changes were more pronounced in rats than in rhesus monkeys, as evidenced by more GM taxa producing significant differences before and after MA self-administration training in rats than in monkeys. We also found that the expression of the genus Clostridia_vadinBB60_group significantly decreased after MA self-administration training in both rats and rhesus monkeys. Lactobacillus changes were significantly negatively correlated with total MA uptake in rats (Pearson R = - 0.666, p = 0.035; Spearman R = - 0.721, p = 0.023), whereas its change was also highly negatively correlated with total MA uptake in rhesus monkeys (Pearson R = - 0.882, p = 0.118; Spearman R = - 1.000, p = 0.083), although this was not significant. These findings suggest that MA causes significant alterations in GM in both rhesus monkeys and rats and that the genus Lactobacillus might be a common therapeutic target for MA uptake prevention across the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li He
- Department of Psychiatry and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Jia-Hui Zhou
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huan Li
- Department of Psychiatry and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Wen-Lei Zhang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tie-Qiao Liu
- Department of Psychiatry and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Hai-Feng Jiang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Xiao-Jie Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
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3
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Li H, Watkins LR, Wang X. Microglia in neuroimmunopharmacology and drug addiction. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:1912-1924. [PMID: 38302560 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02443-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Drug addiction is a chronic and debilitating disease that is considered a global health problem. Various cell types in the brain are involved in the progression of drug addiction. Recently, the xenobiotic hypothesis has been proposed, which frames substances of abuse as exogenous molecules that are responded to by the immune system as foreign "invaders", thus triggering protective inflammatory responses. An emerging body of literature reveals that microglia, the primary resident immune cells in the brain, play an important role in the progression of addiction. Repeated cycles of drug administration cause a progressive, persistent induction of neuroinflammation by releasing microglial proinflammatory cytokines and their metabolic products. This contributes to drug addiction via modulation of neuronal function. In this review, we focus on the role of microglia in the etiology of drug addiction. Then, we discuss the dynamic states of microglia and the correlative and causal evidence linking microglia to drug addiction. Finally, possible mechanisms of how microglia sense drug-related stimuli and modulate the addiction state and how microglia-targeted anti-inflammation therapies affect addiction are reviewed. Understanding the role of microglia in drug addiction may help develop new treatment strategies to fight this devastating societal challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyuan Li
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, China
| | - Linda R Watkins
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, China.
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
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Acuña AM, Park C, Leyrer-Jackson JM, Olive MF. Promising immunomodulators for management of substance and alcohol use disorders. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2024; 25:867-884. [PMID: 38803314 PMCID: PMC11216154 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2024.2360653] [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: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The neuroimmune system has emerged as a novel target for the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs), with immunomodulation producing encouraging therapeutic benefits in both preclinical and clinical settings. AREAS COVERED In this review, we describe the mechanism of action and immune response to methamphetamine, opioids, cocaine, and alcohol. We then discuss off-label use of immunomodulators as adjunctive therapeutics in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, demonstrating their potential efficacy in affective and behavioral disorders. We then discuss in detail the mechanism of action and recent findings regarding the use of ibudilast, minocycline, probenecid, dexmedetomidine, pioglitazone, and cannabidiol to treat (SUDs). These immunomodulators are currently being investigated in clinical trials described herein, specifically for their potential to decrease substance use, withdrawal severity, central and peripheral inflammation, comorbid neuropsychiatric disorder symptomology, as well as their ability to improve cognitive outcomes. EXPERT OPINION We argue that although mixed, findings from recent preclinical and clinical studies underscore the potential benefit of immunomodulation in the treatment of the behavioral, cognitive, and inflammatory processes that underlie compulsive substance use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M. Acuña
- Department of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology Area, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Connor Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University School of Medicine – Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Jonna M. Leyrer-Jackson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University School of Medicine – Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - M. Foster Olive
- Department of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology Area, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
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Grodin EN. Neuroimmune modulators as novel pharmacotherapies for substance use disorders. Brain Behav Immun Health 2024; 36:100744. [PMID: 38435721 PMCID: PMC10906159 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
One promising avenue of research is the use of neuroimmune modulators to treat substance use disorders (SUDs). Neuroimmune modulators target the interactions between the nervous system and immune system, which have been found to play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of SUDs. Multiple classes of substances produce alterations to neuroimmune signaling and peripheral immune function, including alcohol, opioids, and psychostimulants Preclinical studies have shown that neuroimmune modulators can reduce drug-seeking behavior and prevent relapse in animal models of SUDs. Additionally, early-phase clinical trials have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of using neuroimmune modulators as a treatment for SUDs in humans. These therapeutics can be used as stand-alone treatments or as adjunctive. This review summarizes the current state of the field and provides future directions with a specific focus on personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica N. Grodin
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Han X, Pinto LG, Vilar B, McNaughton PA. Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia and Tolerance Are Driven by HCN Ion Channels. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1368232023. [PMID: 38124021 PMCID: PMC11059424 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1368-23.2023] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolonged exposure to opioids causes an enhanced sensitivity to painful stimuli (opioid-induced hyperalgesia, OIH) and a need for increased opioid doses to maintain analgesia (opioid-induced tolerance, OIT), but the mechanisms underlying both processes remain obscure. We found that pharmacological block or genetic deletion of HCN2 ion channels in primary nociceptive neurons of male mice completely abolished OIH but had no effect on OIT. Conversely, pharmacological inhibition of central HCN channels alleviated OIT but had no effect on OIH. Expression of C-FOS, a marker of neuronal activity, was increased in second-order neurons of the dorsal spinal cord by induction of OIH, and the increase was prevented by peripheral block or genetic deletion of HCN2, but block of OIT by spinal block of HCN channels had no impact on C-FOS expression in dorsal horn neurons. Collectively, these observations show that OIH is driven by HCN2 ion channels in peripheral nociceptors, while OIT is driven by a member of the HCN family located in the CNS. Induction of OIH increased cAMP in nociceptive neurons, and a consequent shift in the activation curve of HCN2 caused an increase in nociceptor firing. The shift in HCN2 was caused by expression of a constitutively active μ-opioid receptor (MOR) and was reversed by MOR antagonists. We identified the opioid-induced MOR as a six-transmembrane splice variant, and we show that it increases cAMP by coupling constitutively to Gs HCN2 ion channels therefore drive OIH, and likely OIT, and may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Han
- Wolfson Sensory, Pain and Regeneration Centre, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Larissa Garcia Pinto
- Wolfson Sensory, Pain and Regeneration Centre, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Bruno Vilar
- Wolfson Sensory, Pain and Regeneration Centre, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Peter A McNaughton
- Wolfson Sensory, Pain and Regeneration Centre, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
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Kaczmarek KT, Protokowicz K, Kaczmarek L. Matrix metalloproteinase-9: A magic drug target in neuropsychiatry? J Neurochem 2023. [PMID: 37791997 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric conditions represent a major medical and societal challenge. The etiology of these conditions is very complex and combines genetic and environmental factors. The latter, for example, excessive maternal or early postnatal inflammation, as well as various forms of psychotrauma, often act as triggers leading to mental illness after a prolonged latent period (sometimes years). Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is an extracellularly and extrasynaptic operating protease that is markedly activated in response to the aforementioned environmental insults. MMP-9 has also been shown to play a pivotal role in the plasticity of excitatory synapses, which, in its aberrant form, has repeatedly been implicated in the etiology of mental illness. In this conceptual review, we evaluate the experimental and clinical evidence supporting the claim that MMP-9 is uniquely positioned to be considered a drug target for ameliorating the adverse effects of environmental insults on the development of a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, autism spectrum disorders, addiction, and epilepsy. We also identify specific challenges and bottlenecks hampering the translation of knowledge on MMP-9 into new clinical treatments for the conditions above and suggest ways to overcome these barriers.
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Butelman ER, Goldstein RZ, Nwaneshiudu CA, Girdhar K, Roussos P, Russo SJ, Alia-Klein N. Neuroimmune Mechanisms of Opioid Use Disorder and Recovery: Translatability to Human Studies, and Future Research Directions. Neuroscience 2023; 528:102-116. [PMID: 37562536 PMCID: PMC10720374 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.07.031] [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: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a major current cause of morbidity and mortality. Long-term exposure to short-acting opioids (MOP-r agonists such as heroin or fentanyl) results in complex pathophysiological changes to neuroimmune and neuroinflammatory functions, affected in part by peripheral mechanisms (e.g., cytokines in blood), and by neuroendocrine systems such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) stress axis. There are important findings from preclinical models, but their role in the trajectory and outcomes of OUD in humans is not well understood. The goal of this narrative review is to examine available data on immune and inflammatory functions in persons with OUD, and to identify major areas for future research. Peripheral blood biomarker studies revealed a pro-inflammatory state in persons with OUD in withdrawal or early abstinence, consistent with available postmortem brain studies (which show glial activation) and diffusion tensor imaging studies (indicating white matter disruptions), with gradual abstinence-associated recovery. The mechanistic roles of these neuroimmune and neuroinflammatory changes in the trajectory of OUD (including recovery and medication management) cannot be examined practically with postmortem data. Collection of longitudinal data in larger-scale human cohorts would allow examination of these mechanisms associated with OUD stage and progression. Given the heterogeneity in presentation of OUD, a precision medicine approach integrating multi-omic peripheral biomarkers and comprehensive phenotyping, including neuroimaging, can be beneficial in risk stratification, and individually optimized selection of interventions for individuals who will benefit, and assessments under refractory therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo R Butelman
- Neuropsychoimaging of Addictions and Related Conditions Research Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Depts. of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Rita Z Goldstein
- Neuropsychoimaging of Addictions and Related Conditions Research Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Depts. of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chinwe A Nwaneshiudu
- Center for Disease Neurogenomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kiran Girdhar
- Center for Disease Neurogenomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Panos Roussos
- Center for Disease Neurogenomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (VISN 2 South), James J. Peters VA, Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Scott J Russo
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Brain and Body Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nelly Alia-Klein
- Neuropsychoimaging of Addictions and Related Conditions Research Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Depts. of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Frohe T, Janssen T, Garner BR, Becker SJ. Examining Changes in Pain Interference via Pandemic-Induced Isolation Among Patients Receiving Medication for Opioid Use Disorder: A Secondary Data Analysis. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3158420. [PMID: 37609151 PMCID: PMC10441456 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3158420/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Background Early in the pandemic, the United States population experienced a sharp rise in the prevalence rates of opioid use, social isolation, and pain interference. Given the high rates of pain reported by patients on medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), the pandemic presented a unique opportunity to disentangle the relationship between opioid use, pain, and social isolation in this high-risk population. We tested the hypothesis that pandemic-induced isolation would partially mediate change in pain interference levels experienced by patients on MOUD, even when controlling for baseline opioid use. Such work can inform the development of targeted interventions for a vulnerable, underserved population. Methods Analyses used data from a cluster randomized trial (N = 188) of patients on MOUD across eight opioid treatment programs. As part of the parent trial, participants provided pre-pandemic data on pain interference, opioid use, and socio-demographic variables. Research staff re-contacted participants between May and June 2020 and 133 participants (71% response rate) consented to complete a supplemental survey that assessed pandemic-induced isolation. Participants then completed a follow-up interview during the pandemic that again assessed pain interference and opioid use. A path model assessed whether pre-pandemic pain interference had an indirect effect on pain interference during the pandemic via pandemic-induced isolation. Results Consistent with hypotheses, we found evidence that pandemic-induced isolation partially mediated change in pain interference levels among MOUD patients during the pandemic. Higher levels of pre-pandemic pain interference and opioid use were both significantly associated with higher levels of pandemic-induced isolation. In addition, pre-pandemic pain interference was significantly related to levels of pain interference during the pandemic, and these pain levels were partially explained by the level of pandemic-induced isolation reported. Conclusions Patients on MOUD with higher use of opioids and higher rates of pain pre-pandemic were more likely to report feeling isolated during COVID-related social distancing and this, in turn, partially explained changes in levels of pain interference. These results highlight social isolation as a key risk factor for patients on MOUD and suggest that interventions promoting social connection could be associated with reduced pain interference, which in turn could improve patient quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tim Janssen
- Brown University School of Public Health Providence
| | - Bryan R Garner
- Ohio State University, The Ohio State University College of Medicine
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Oliveira D, Fontenele R, Weleff J, Sofuoglu M, De Aquino JP. Developing non-opioid therapeutics to alleviate pain among persons with opioid use disorder: a review of the human evidence. Int Rev Psychiatry 2023; 35:377-396. [PMID: 38299655 PMCID: PMC10835074 DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2023.2229430] [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: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
The opioid crisis remains a major public health concern, causing significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Pain is frequently observed among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD), and the current opioid agonist therapies (OAT) have limited efficacy in addressing the pain needs of this population. We reviewed the most promising non-opioid analgesic therapies for opioid-dependent individuals synthesising data from randomised controlled trials in the Medline database from December 2022 to March 2023. Ketamine, gabapentin, serotoninergic antidepressants, and GABAergic drugs were found to be the most extensively studied non-opioid analgesics with positive results. Additionally, we explored the potential of cannabinoids, glial activation inhibitors, psychedelics, cholecystokinin antagonists, alpha-2 adrenergic agonists, and cholinergic drugs. Methodological improvements are required to advance the development of novel analgesic strategies and establish their safety profile for opioid-dependent populations. We highlight the need for greater integration of experimental pain methods and abuse liability assessments, more granular assessments of prior opioid exposure, greater uniformity of pain types within study samples, and a particular focus on individuals with OUD receiving OAT. Finally, future research should investigate pharmacokinetic interactions between OAT and various non-opioid analgesics and perform reverse translation basic experiments, particularly with methadone and buprenorphine, which remain the standard OUD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Oliveira
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Rodrigo Fontenele
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Jeremy Weleff
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Center for Behavioral Health, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 1950 E 89th St U Bldg, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Mehmet Sofuoglu
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Joao P. De Aquino
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, 34 Park Street, 3 Floor, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
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11
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Panizzutti B, Skvarc D, Lin S, Croce S, Meehan A, Bortolasci CC, Marx W, Walker AJ, Hasebe K, Kavanagh BE, Morris MJ, Mohebbi M, Turner A, Gray L, Berk L, Walder K, Berk M, Dean OM. Minocycline as Treatment for Psychiatric and Neurological Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065250. [PMID: 36982324 PMCID: PMC10049047 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Minocycline has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties that explain the renewed interest in its use as an adjunctive treatment for psychiatric and neurological conditions. Following the completion of several new clinical trials using minocycline, we proposed an up-to-date systematic review and meta-analysis of the data available. The PICO (patient/population, intervention, comparison and outcomes) framework was used to search 5 databases aiming to identify randomized controlled trials that used minocycline as an adjunctive treatment for psychiatric and neurological conditions. Search results, data extraction, and risk of bias were performed by two independent authors for each publication. Quantitative meta-analysis was performed using RevMan software. Literature search and review resulted in 32 studies being included in this review: 10 in schizophrenia, 3 studies in depression, and 7 in stroke, with the benefit of minocycline being used in some of the core symptoms evaluated; 2 in bipolar disorder and 2 in substance use, without demonstrating a benefit for using minocycline; 1 in obsessive-compulsive disorder, 2 in brain and spinal injuries, 2 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, 1 in Alzheimer’s disease, 1 in multiple systems atrophy, and 1 in pain, with mixes results. For most of the conditions included in this review the data is still limited and difficult to interpret, warranting more well-designed and powered studies. On the other hand, the studies available for schizophrenia seem to suggest an overall benefit favoring the use of minocycline as an adjunctive treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Panizzutti
- IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - David Skvarc
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Sylvia Lin
- IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3053, Australia
| | - Sarah Croce
- IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Alcy Meehan
- IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Chiara Cristina Bortolasci
- IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Wolfgang Marx
- IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Adam J. Walker
- IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Kyoko Hasebe
- School of Biomedical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Bianca E. Kavanagh
- IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Margaret J. Morris
- School of Biomedical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Mohammadreza Mohebbi
- IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
- Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
| | - Alyna Turner
- IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Laura Gray
- IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Lesley Berk
- IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Ken Walder
- IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Michael Berk
- IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Olivia M. Dean
- IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-03-4215-3300
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12
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Toloff K, Woodcock EA. Is the Neuroimmune System a Therapeutic Target for Opioid Use Disorder? A Systematic Review. MEDICAL RESEARCH ARCHIVES 2022; 10:2955. [PMID: 37744743 PMCID: PMC10516332 DOI: 10.18103/mra.v10i8.2955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is an epidemic in the United States. In the past 12 months alone, there have been 75,000+ deaths attributed to opioid overdose: more than any other year in American history. Current pharmacotherapies for the treatment of OUD effectively suppress opioid withdrawal symptoms, but long-term relapse rates remain unacceptably high. Novel treatments for OUD are desperately needed to curb this epidemic. One target that has received considerable recent interest is the neuroimmune system. The neuroimmune system is anchored by glial cells, i.e., microglia and astrocytes, but neuroimmune signaling is known to influence neurons, including altering neurotransmission, synapse formation, and ultimately, brain function. Preclinical studies have shown that experimental attenuation of pro-inflammatory neuroimmune signaling modulates opioid addiction processes, including opioid reward, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms, which suggests potential therapeutic benefit in patients. Whereas the peripheral immune system in OUD patients has been studied for decades and is well-understood, little is known about the neuroimmune system in OUD patients or its viability as a treatment target. Herein, we review the literature describing relationships between opioid administration and the neuroimmune system, the influence of neuroimmune signaling on opioid addiction processes, and the therapeutic potential for targeting the neuroimmune system in OUD subjects using glial modulator medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn Toloff
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Eric A. Woodcock
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
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13
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Ortinski PI, Reissner KJ, Turner J, Anderson TA, Scimemi A. Control of complex behavior by astrocytes and microglia. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 137:104651. [PMID: 35367512 PMCID: PMC9119927 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Evidence that glial cells influence behavior has been gaining a steady foothold in scientific literature. Out of the five main subtypes of glial cells in the brain, astrocytes and microglia have received an outsized share of attention with regard to shaping a wide spectrum of behavioral phenomena and there is growing appreciation that the signals intrinsic to these cells as well as their interactions with surrounding neurons reflect behavioral history in a brain region-specific manner. Considerable regional diversity of glial cell phenotypes is beginning to be recognized and may contribute to behavioral outcomes arising from circuit-specific computations within and across discrete brain nuclei. Here, we summarize current knowledge on the impact of astrocyte and microglia activity on behavioral outcomes, with a specific focus on brain areas relevant to higher cognitive control, reward-seeking, and circadian regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- P I Ortinski
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, USA
| | - K J Reissner
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, USA
| | - J Turner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, USA
| | - T A Anderson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, USA
| | - A Scimemi
- Department of Biology, State University of New York at Albany, USA
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14
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Liu X, Liu BL, Yang Q, Zhou X, Tang SJ. Microglial ablation does not affect opioid-induced hyperalgesia in rodents. Pain 2022; 163:508-517. [PMID: 34433775 PMCID: PMC8678393 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Opioids are the frontline analgesics in pain management. However, chronic use of opioid analgesics causes paradoxical pain that contributes to the decrease of their efficacy in pain control and the escalation of dose in long-term management of pain. The underling pathogenic mechanism is not well understood. Microglia have been commonly believed to play a critical role in the expression of opioid-induced hyperalgesia in animal models. We performed microglial ablation experiments using either genetic (CD11b-diphtheria toxin receptor transgenic mouse) or pharmacological (colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor inhibitor PLX5622) approaches. Surprisingly, ablating microglia using these specific and effective approaches did not cause detectable impairment in the expression of hyperalgesia induced by morphine. We confirmed this conclusion with a behavioral test of mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia, in male and female mice, and with different species (mouse and rat). These findings raise caution about the widely assumed contribution of microglia to the development of opioid-induced hyperalgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Bo-Long Liu
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of the Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing Yang
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Xiangfu Zhou
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of the Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shao-Jun Tang
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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15
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Rahman S, Rahman ZI, Ronan PJ, Lutfy K, Bell RL. Adolescent opioid abuse: Role of glial and neuroimmune mechanisms. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 161:147-165. [PMID: 34801168 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Opioids are widely prescribed for pain management, and prescription opioid misuse in adolescents has become a major epidemic in the United States and worldwide. Emerging data indicate that adolescence represents a critical period of brain development, and exposure to opioids during adolescence may increase the risk of addiction in adulthood. There is growing evidence that disruptions in brain glial function may be implicated in numerous chronic neuropathologies. Evidence suggests that glial mechanisms have an important role in the development and maintenance of opioid abuse and the risk for addiction. This review will describe glial and neuroimmune mechanisms involved in opioid use disorders during adolescence, which may increase substance use disorder liability later in life. Moreover, this review will identify some important neuro-glial targets, involved in opioid abuse and addiction, to develop future preventions and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, United States.
| | - Z I Rahman
- University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - P J Ronan
- Department of Psychiatry and Basic Biomedical Sciences, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, United States; Research Service, Sioux Falls VA Healthcare System, Sioux Falls, SD, United States
| | - K Lutfy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States
| | - R L Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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16
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Mogali S, Askalsky P, Madera G, Jones JD, Comer SD. Minocycline attenuates oxycodone-induced positive subjective responses in non-dependent, recreational opioid users. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 209:173241. [PMID: 34298029 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent data suggest that glial cells may be involved in the analgesic effects and abuse liability of opioids. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that mu-opioid-receptor-selective agonists, such as oxycodone, activate glia and increase the release of cytokines, causing a suppression of opioid-induced analgesic effects. Preclinical studies also show that certain medications, such as the broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic minocycline, inhibit opioid-induced glial activation and thereby enhance the analgesic effects of opioids. Importantly, minocycline reduces the rewarding effects of opioids at the same doses that it enhances opioid-induced analgesia. AIMS The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of acute administration of minocycline on the subjective, physiological, and analgesic effects of oxycodone in human research volunteers. DESIGN This study was a within-subject, randomized, double-blind outpatient study. Participants completed five separate sessions in which they received 0, 100, or 200 mg minocycline (MINO) simultaneously with either 0 or 40 mg oxycodone (OXY). The subjective, physiological, and analgesic effects of OXY were measured before and repeatedly after drug administration. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS Participants were between 21 and 45 years of age, non-treatment seeking, non-dependent recreational opioid users (N = 12). This study was conducted between 2013 and 2014 at the New York State Psychiatric Institute in New York, NY. FINDINGS MINO 100 and 200 mg were safe and well-tolerated in combination with OXY 40 mg. MINO 200 mg administered with OXY 40 mg attenuated OXY-induced positive subjective effects such as "Good Effect" and "Liking" compared to OXY alone. MINO did not alter the physiological or analgesic effects of OXY. CONCLUSIONS MINO may attenuate the abuse liability of mu-opioid-receptor-selective agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mogali
- Division on Substance Use Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Dr., Unit 66, New York, NY 10032, United States of America.
| | - P Askalsky
- NYU Langone School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY 10016, United States of America
| | - G Madera
- Weill Cornell Medical College, 515 East 71st Street, New York, NY 10021, United States of America
| | - J D Jones
- Division on Substance Use Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Dr., Unit 66, New York, NY 10032, United States of America
| | - S D Comer
- Division on Substance Use Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Dr., Unit 66, New York, NY 10032, United States of America
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17
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De Aquino JP, Flores JM, Avila-Quintero VJ, Compton P, Sofuoglu M. Pharmacological treatment of pain among persons with opioid addiction: A systematic review and meta-analysis with implications for drug development. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12964. [PMID: 32974993 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The clinical features and neurobiology of pain and opioid use disorder (OUD) are inextricably linked. Despite emerging evidence supporting the negative impact of ongoing pain in the treatment of OUD, the pharmacological management of pain in the presence of OUD has received limited attention. We sought to systematically review the studies investigating pharmacotherapies for pain among persons with OUD. Eligible studies had participants with OUD and outcomes including evoked or spontaneous pain. We searched Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Medline, and Embase. Out of 1,097 studies that met the search criteria, 12 studies provided data relevant to the research question-five laboratory studies and seven clinical trials. Random effects pooled estimates suggested no significant difference between groups at baseline but a response favoring the active treatment group over placebo, with nonsignificant heterogeneity between studies. Findings from these studies provide preliminary evidence for analgesic and antihyperalgesic effects of gabapentin, GABA agonists, and NMDA antagonists among persons with OUD. To establish the tradeoffs between the analgesic effects and abuse liability of these compounds, further well-controlled clinical trials are required among persons with OUD. This review also underscores the need for methodological enhancement in drug development for pain in OUD. Future research should address the clinical and neurobiological overlap between pain- and addiction-related phenomena. Transdisciplinary approaches may identify biomarkers of these shared phenomena and their neural substrates. The development of novel therapeutics for pain in OUD may be accelerated by such integration of pain and addiction research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joao P De Aquino
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - José M Flores
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Peggy Compton
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mehmet Sofuoglu
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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18
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Midavaine É, Côté J, Marchand S, Sarret P. Glial and neuroimmune cell choreography in sexually dimorphic pain signaling. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 125:168-192. [PMID: 33582232 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain is a major global health issue that affects all populations regardless of sex, age, ethnicity/race, or country of origin, leading to persistent physical and emotional distress and to the loss of patients' autonomy and quality of life. Despite tremendous efforts in the elucidation of the mechanisms contributing to the pathogenesis of chronic pain, the identification of new potential pain targets, and the development of novel analgesics, the pharmacological treatment options available for pain management remain limited, and most novel pain medications have failed to achieve advanced clinical development, leaving many patients with unbearable and undermanaged pain. Sex-specific susceptibility to chronic pain conditions as well as sex differences in pain sensitivity, pain tolerance and analgesic efficacy are increasingly recognized in the literature and have thus prompted scientists to seek mechanistic explanations. Hence, recent findings have highlighted that the signaling mechanisms underlying pain hypersensitivity are sexually dimorphic, which sheds light on the importance of conducting preclinical and clinical pain research on both sexes and of developing sex-specific pain medications. This review thus focuses on the clinical and preclinical evidence supporting the existence of sex differences in pain neurobiology. Attention is drawn to the sexually dimorphic role of glial and immune cells, which are both recognized as key players in neuroglial maladaptive plasticity at the origin of the transition from acute pain to chronic pathological pain. Growing evidence notably attributes to microglial cells a pivotal role in the sexually dimorphic pain phenotype and in the sexually dimorphic analgesic efficacy of opioids. This review also summarizes the recent advances in understanding the pathobiology underpinning the development of pain hypersensitivity in both males and females in different types of pain conditions, with particular emphasis on the mechanistic signaling pathways driving sexually dimorphic pain responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Élora Midavaine
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Institut de pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada; Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
| | - Jérôme Côté
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Institut de pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada; Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Serge Marchand
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Institut de pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada; Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Philippe Sarret
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Institut de pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada; Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
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19
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Romero-Miguel D, Lamanna-Rama N, Casquero-Veiga M, Gómez-Rangel V, Desco M, Soto-Montenegro ML. Minocycline in neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases: An update. Eur J Neurol 2020; 28:1056-1081. [PMID: 33180965 DOI: 10.1111/ene.14642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Minocycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, effective as a chronic treatment for recurrent bacterial infections. Beyond its antibiotic action, minocycline also has important anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties. Its efficacy has therefore been evaluated in many neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases that have an inflammatory basis. Our aim was to review preclinical and clinical studies performed in neurological and psychiatric diseases whose treatment involved the use of minocycline and thereby to discern the possible beneficial effect of minocycline in these disorders. METHODS Completed and ongoing preclinical studies and clinical trials of minocycline for both neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders, published from January 1995 to January 2020, were identified through searching relevant databases (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/, https://clinicaltrials.gov/). A total of 74 preclinical studies and 44 clinical trials and open-label studies were selected. RESULTS The results of the nearly 20 years of research identified are diverse. While minocycline mostly proved to be effective in animal models, clinical results showed divergent outcomes, with positive results in some studies counterbalanced by a number of cases with no significant improvements. Specific data for each disease are further individually described in this review. CONCLUSIONS Despite minocycline demonstrating antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, discrepancies between preclinical and clinical data indicate that we should be cautious in analyzing the outcomes. Improving and standardizing protocols and refining animal models could help us to determine if minocycline really is a useful drug in the treatment of these pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marta Casquero-Veiga
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid
| | | | - Manuel Desco
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid.,Departamento de Bioingeniería e Ingeniería Aeroespacial, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain.,Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Luisa Soto-Montenegro
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid
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20
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Wu R, Li JX. Toll-Like Receptor 4 Signaling and Drug Addiction. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:603445. [PMID: 33424612 PMCID: PMC7793839 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.603445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The emphasis of neuronal alterations and adaptations have long been the main focus of the studies of the mechanistic underpinnings of drug addiction. Recent studies have begun to appreciate the role of innate immune system, especially toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling in drug reward-associated behaviors and physiology. Drugs like opioids, alcohol and psychostimulants activate TLR4 signaling and subsequently induce proinflammatory responses, which in turn contributes to the development of drug addiction. Inhibition of TLR4 or its downstream effectors attenuated the reinforcing effects of opioids, alcohol and psychostimulants, and this effect is also involved in the withdrawal and relapse-like behaviors of different drug classes. However, conflicting results also argue that TLR4-related immune response may play a minimal part in drug addiction. This review discussed the preclinical evidence that whether TLR4 signaling is involved in multiple drug classes action and the possible mechanisms underlying this effect. Moreover, clinical studies which examined the potential efficacy of immune-base pharmacotherapies in treating drug addiction are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyan Wu
- School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Jun-Xu Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
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21
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Abstract
The pervasive and devastating nature of substance use disorders underlies the need for the continued development of novel pharmacotherapies. We now know that glia play a much greater role in neuronal processes than once believed. The various types of glial cells (e.g., astrocytes, microglial, oligodendrocytes) participate in numerous functions that are crucial to healthy central nervous system function. Drugs of abuse have been shown to interact with glia in ways that directly contribute to the pharmacodynamic effects responsible for their abuse potential. Through their effect upon glia, drugs of abuse also alter brain function resulting in behavioral changes associated with substance use disorders. Therefore, drug-induced changes in glia and inflammation within the central nervous system (neuroinflammation) have been investigated to treat various aspects of drug abuse and dependence. This article presents a brief overview of the effects of each of the major classes of addictive drugs on glia. Next, the paper reviews the pre-clinical and clinical studies assessing the effects that glial modulators have on abuse-related behavioral effects, such as pleasure, withdrawal, and motivation. There is a strong body of pre-clinical literature demonstrating the general effectiveness of several glia-modulating drugs in models of reward and relapse. Clinical studies have also yielded promising results, though not as robust. There is still much to disentangle regarding the integration between addictive drugs and glial cells. Improved understanding of the relationship between glia and the pathophysiology of drug abuse should allow for more precise exploration in the development and testing of glial-directed treatments for substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jermaine D. Jones
- Division on Substance Use Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
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22
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Dunn JS, Nagi SS, Mahns DA. Minocycline reduces experimental muscle hyperalgesia induced by repeated nerve growth factor injections in humans: A placebo‐controlled double‐blind drug‐crossover study. Eur J Pain 2020; 24:1138-1150. [DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James S. Dunn
- School of Medicine Western Sydney University Penrith NSW Australia
| | - Saad S. Nagi
- School of Medicine Western Sydney University Penrith NSW Australia
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience Linköping University Linköping Sweden
| | - David A. Mahns
- School of Medicine Western Sydney University Penrith NSW Australia
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23
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Glial neuroimmune signaling in opioid reward. Brain Res Bull 2019; 155:102-111. [PMID: 31790721 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2019.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The opioid epidemic is a growing public concern affecting millions of people worldwide. Opioid-induced reward is the initial and key process leading to opioid abuse and addiction. Therefore, a better understanding of opioid reward may be helpful in developing a treatment for opioid addiction. Emerging evidence suggests that glial cells, particularly microglia and astrocytes, play an essential role in modulating opioid reward. Indeed, glial cells and their associated immune signaling actively regulate neural activity and plasticity, and directly modulate opioid-induced rewarding behaviors. In this review, we describe the neuroimmune mechanisms of how glial cells affect synaptic transmission and plasticity as well as how opioids can activate glial cells affecting the glial-neuronal interaction. Last, we summarize current attempts of applying glial modulators in treating opioid reward.
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24
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Targeting neuroinflammation with minocycline in heavy drinkers. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:3013-3021. [PMID: 30919006 PMCID: PMC6764907 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05205-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Alcohol has both acute and chronic effects on neuroimmune signaling, including triggering pro-inflammatory cytokine release by microglia. Minocycline, a second-generation tetracycline antibiotic, inhibits microglial activation and reduces neuroinflammation in preclinical studies. In mice, minocycline also reduces ethanol intake, attenuates ethanol-induced conditioned place preference, and inhibits ethanol-induced microglial activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine release. OBJECTIVE Here, for the first time, we tested the effects of minocycline on subjective response to ethanol and acute ethanol-induced inflammation in humans. METHODS Forty-eight heavy drinkers participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which they were randomized to receive placebo, 100 mg, or 200 mg of minocycline for 10 days. Each subject then underwent two experimental sessions in which they were given a fixed dose of intravenous ethanol using a "clamp" procedure (100 mg%) or placebo (normal saline) on days 8 and 10 of treatment. RESULTS Minocycline was well tolerated, but there was no effect of either dose of minocycline on subjective response to ethanol or ethanol-induced craving; minocycline effects on cognitive function seem to interact with age. Minocycline treatment did not alter serum cytokine levels at baseline or during ethanol-exposure, although certain baseline cytokine levels predict sedative response to ethanol. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that a short-term treatment with minocycline may not alter ethanol-related inflammation or subjective response to ethanol in humans. Further research is needed to identify pharmacological agents with robust effects on ethanol-induced inflammation to determine whether neuroimmune modulation represents a viable treatment strategy for alcohol use disorder.
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