Effects of nor-binaltorphimine on the development of analgesic tolerance to and physical dependence on morphine

A review of the kappa opioid receptor system in opioid use

The kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system is implicated in dysphoria and as an "anti-reward system" during withdrawal from opioids. However, no clear consensus has been made in the field, as mixed findings have been reported regarding the relationship between the KOR system and opioid use. This review summarizes the studies to date on the KOR system and opioids. A systematic scoping review was reported following PRISMA guidelines and conducted based on the published protocol. Comprehensive searches of several databases were done in the following databases: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane. We included preclinical and clinical studies that tested the administration of KOR agonists/antagonists or dynorphin and/or measured dynorphin levels or KOR expression during opioid intoxication or withdrawal from opioids. One hundred studies were included in the final analysis. Preclinical administration of KOR agonists decreased drug-seeking/taking behaviors and opioid withdrawal symptoms. KOR antagonists showed mixed findings, depending on the agent and/or type of withdrawal symptom. Administration of dynorphins attenuated opioid withdrawal symptoms both in preclinical and clinical studies. In the limited number of available studies, dynorphin levels were found to increase in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of opioid use disorder subjects (OUD). In animals, dynorphin levels and/or KOR expression showed mixed findings during opioid use. The KOR/dynorphin system appears to have a multifaceted and complex nature rather than simply functioning as an anti-reward system. Future research in well-controlled study settings is necessary to better understand the clinical role of the KOR system in opioid use.

Neuropeptide and cytokine regulation of pain in the context of substance use disorders

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are frequently accompanied by affective symptoms that promote negative reinforcement mechanisms contributing to SUD maintenance or progression. Despite their widespread use as analgesics, chronic or excessive exposure to alcohol, opioids, and nicotine produces heightened nociceptive sensitivity, termed hyperalgesia. This review focuses on the contributions of neuropeptide (CRF, melanocortin, opioid peptide) and cytokine (IL-1β, TNF-α, chemokine) systems in the development and maintenance of substance-induced hyperalgesia. Few effective therapies exist for either chronic pain or SUD, and the common interaction of these disease states likely complicates their effective treatment. Here we highlight promising new discoveries as well as identify gaps in research that could lead to more effective and even simultaneous treatment of SUDs and co-morbid hyperalgesia symptoms.

The kappa-opioid receptor antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI), decreases morphine withdrawal and the consequent conditioned place aversion in rats

Much data suggest that the binding of dynorphin-like peptides to kappa-opioid receptors (KORs) during the administration of and withdrawal from a variety of addictive drugs is aversive and serves to limit the reinforcing properties of those drugs and to enhance tolerance, withdrawal, and the probability of stress-induced relapse. In this study, we examined the role of KORs in mediating opioid withdrawal and its aversive consequences in rats. We found that selective blockade of KORs by i.p. administration of 20mg/kg nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI) 5h prior to naltrexone-precipitated withdrawal in morphine-dependent rats decreased feces excreted during a 30-min withdrawal session. More critically, this injection of nor-BNI decreased the subsequent conditioned place aversion (CPA) for the withdrawal chamber 2 days later. The subsequent finding that administration of nor-BNI 2h following withdrawal did not affect the CPA 2 days later suggested that nor-BNI reduced the CPA in the prior experiment because it reduced the aversive effects of withdrawal, not because it reduced the aversive/anxiogenic effects of the withdrawal chamber at the time of CPA testing. These data indicate that the binding of dynorphin-like peptides to KORs during opioid withdrawal serves to enhance withdrawal and its aversive consequences and suggest that selective KOR antagonists may be useful in reducing these aversive effects and consequent relapse.

Isobolographic analysis of the opioid-opioid interactions in a tonic and a phasic mouse model of induced nociceptive pain

Background

Opioids have been used for the management of pain and coadministration of two opioids may induce synergism. In a model of tonic pain, the acetic acid writhing test and in a phasic model, the hot plate, the antinociceptive interaction between fentanyl, methadone, morphine, and tramadol was evaluated.

Results

The potency of opioids in the writhing test compared to the hot plate assay was from 2.5 (fentanyl) to 15.5 (morphine) times, respectively. The ED₅₀ was used in a fixed ratio for each of the six pairs of opioid combinations, which, resulted in a synergistic antinociception except for methadone/tramadol and fentanyl/tramadol which were additive, in the hot plate. The opioid antagonists naltrexone, naltrindole and nor-binaltorphimine, suggests that the synergism of morphine combinations are due to the activation of MOR subtypes with partially contribution of DOR and KOR, however fentanyl and methadone combinations are partially due to the activation of MOR and DOR subtypes and KOR lack of participation. The antinociceptive effects of tramadol combinations, are partially due to the activation of MOR, DOR and KOR opioid subtypes.

Conclusion

These results suggets that effectiveness and magnitude of the interactions between opioids are dependent on pain stimulus intensity.

Long-term antagonism of κ opioid receptors prevents escalation of and increased motivation for heroin intake

The abuse of opioid drugs, both illicit and prescription, is a persistent problem in the United States, accounting for >1.2 million users who require treatment each year. Current treatments rely on suppressing immediate withdrawal symptoms and replacing illicit drug use with long-acting opiate drugs. However, the mechanisms that lead to preventing opiate dependence are still poorly understood. We hypothesized that κ opioid receptor (KOR) activation during chronic opioid intake contributes to negative affective states associated with withdrawal and the motivation to take increasing amounts of heroin. Using a 12 h long-access model of heroin self-administration, rats showed escalation of heroin intake over several weeks. This was prevented by a single high dose (30 mg/kg) of the long-acting KOR antagonist norbinaltorphimine (nor-BNI), paralleled by reduced motivation to respond for heroin on a progressive-ratio schedule of reinforcement, a measure of compulsive-like responding. Systemic nor-BNI also significantly decreased heroin withdrawal-associated anxiety-like behavior. Immunohistochemical analysis showed prodynorphin content increased in the nucleus accumbens core in all heroin-exposed rats, but selectively increased in the nucleus accumbens shell in long-access rats. Local infusion of nor-BNI (4 μg/side) into accumbens core altered the initial intake of heroin but not the rate of escalation, while local injection into accumbens shell selectively suppressed increases in heroin intake over time without altering initial intake. These data suggest that dynorphin activity in the nucleus accumbens mediates the increasing motivation for heroin taking and compulsive-like responding for heroin, suggesting that KOR antagonists may be promising targets for the treatment of opioid addiction.

Epistatic effects between variants of kappa-opioid receptor gene and A118G of mu-opioid receptor gene increase susceptibility to addiction in Indian population

OBJECTIVE

Unequivocal evidence suggests contribution of κ-opioid receptor (KOR) in addiction to drugs of abuse. A study was undertaken to identify the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) at selective areas of kappa opioid receptor 1 (OPRK1) gene in heroin as well as in alcohol addicts and to compare them with that in control population. The potential interaction of the identified KOR SNPs with A118G of μ opioid receptor was also investigated.

METHODS

Two hundred control subjects, one hundred thirty heroin and one hundred ten alcohol addicts, all male and residing in Kolkata, a city in eastern India, volunteered for the study. Exons 3 and 4 of OPRK1 and the SNP, A118G of mu opioid receptor 1 (OPRM1) in the DNA samples were genotyped by sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism respectively. The SNPs identified in the population were analyzed by odds ratio and its corresponding 95% confidence interval was estimated using logistic regression models. SNP-SNP interactions were also investigated.

RESULTS

Three SNPs of OPRK1, rs16918875, rs702764 and rs963549, were identified in the population, none of which showed significant association with addiction. On the other hand, significant association was observed for A118G with heroin addiction (χ²=7.268, P=0.0264) as well as with alcoholic addition (χ²=6.626, P=0.0364). A potential SNP-SNP interaction showed that the odds of being addicted was 2.51 fold in heroin subjects [CI (95%)=1.1524 to 5.4947, P=0.0206] and 2.31 fold in alcoholics [CI (95%)=1.025 to 5.24, P=0.0433] with the OPRK1 (rs16918875) and A118G risk alleles than without either. A significant interaction was also identified between GG/AG of A118G and GG of rs702764 [O.R (95%)=2.04 (1.279 to 3.287), P=0.0029] in case of opioid population.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that set associations of polymorphisms may be important in determining the risk profile for complex diseases such as addiction.

Involvement of kappa opioid receptors in the formalin-induced inhibition of analgesic tolerance to morphine via suppression of conventional protein kinase C activation

OBJECTIVES

Repeated morphine treatment results in a decreased analgesic effect or the development of analgesic tolerance. However, we reported that some inflammatory chronic pain may inhibit morphine tolerance via kappa opioid receptor (KOR) activation. In this study, we further investigated the role of KOR in the inhibition of morphine tolerance in a chronic pain condition with a focus on the regulation of protein kinase C (PKC) activity.

METHODS

Chronic pain was induced by formalin treatment into the dorsal part of the left hind paws of mice. The analgesic effect of morphine was measured by the tail flick method. We analysed the protein expression of PKC and its activity, and G-protein activity of mu opioid receptor (MOR) under repeated morphine treatment with or without formalin treatment.

KEY FINDINGS

We found that conventional subtypes of PKC (cPKC) were up-regulated by repeated morphine treatment. Also, antisense oligonucleotide (AS-ODN) targeting cPKC completely suppressed the development of morphine tolerance. The disappearance of the repeated morphine-induced up-regulation of cPKC was completely reversed by treatment with AS-ODN targeting KOR. In addition, AS-ODN targeting KOR significantly reversed the chronic pain-induced down-regulation of PKC activity or up-regulation of MOR [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding activity after repeated morphine treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that KOR plays an important role in the inhibition of repeated morphine-induced cPKC up-regulation under chronic pain condition. Furthermore, this may result in the increase of MOR activity and in the inhibition of morphine tolerance under chronic pain condition.

The OPRD1 and OPRK1 loci in alcohol or drug dependence: OPRD1 variation modulates substance dependence risk

Eleven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning OPRD1 were examined in 1063 European Americans (EAs) (620 cases with substance dependence (SD), including 557 with alcohol dependence (AD), 225 with cocaine dependence (CD) and 111 with opioid dependence (OD), and 443 controls). Nominally significant associations (P<0.05) of five SNPs with SD were observed; only the association of the non-synonymous variant G80T with OD remained significant after correction for multiple testing using SNPSpD. Haplotype analyses with six tag SNPs indicated that a specific haplotype GCAACT, which harbors G80T G-allele and C921T C-allele, was significantly associated with AD (chi(2)=14.82, degrees of freedom (d.f.)=1, P<0.001), CD (chi(2)=9.19, d.f.=1, P=0.002) and OD (chi(2)=20.68, d.f.=1, P<0.001). Logistic regression analyses, with sex and age being considered, demonstrated that this haplotype had a risk effect on AD (P=0.03, beta=1.86, odds ratio (OR)=6.43) and especially on OD (P<0.001, beta=3.92, OR=50.57). Moreover, seven SNPs covering OPRK1 were examined in the majority of the above subjects (390 cases, including 327 AD, 177 CD and 97 OD subjects, and 358 controls). Although no significant differences in allele, genotype or haplotype frequency distributions were seen between cases and controls, a specific OPRK1 haplotype, GGCTTCT, was significantly associated with AD (chi(2)=8.12, d.f.=1, P=0.004). Logistic regression analyses also revealed its risk effect on AD (P=0.009, beta=1.06, OR=2.90). Population stratification artifact was not observed in the sample. Taken together, our findings supported a positive association between OPRD1 variants and SD, and a positive haplotypic association between OPRK1 and AD in EAs.

LPK-26, a novel kappa-opioid receptor agonist with potent antinociceptive effects and low dependence potential

Analgesics such as morphine cause many side effects including addiction, but kappa-opioid receptor agonist can produce antinociception without morphine-like side effects. With the aim of developing new and potent analgesics with lower abuse potential, we studied the antinociceptive and physical dependent properties of a derivate of ICI-199441, an analogue of (-)U50,488H, named (2-(3,4-dichloro)-phenyl)-N-methyl-N-[(1S)-1-(2-isopropyl)-2-(1-(3-pyrrolinyl))ethyl] acetamides (LPK-26). LPK-26 showed a high affinity to kappa-opioid receptor with the Ki value of 0.64 nM and the low affinities to micro-opioid receptor and delta-opioid receptor with the Ki values of 1170 nM and >10,000 nM, respectively. It stimulated [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding to G-proteins with an EC50 value of 0.0094 nM. In vivo, LPK-26 was more potent than (-)U50,488H and morphine in analgesia, with the ED50 values of 0.049 mg/kg and 0.0084 mg/kg in hot plat and acetic acid writhing tests, respectively. Moreover, LPK-26 failed to induce physical dependence, but it could suppress naloxone-precipitated jumping in mice when given simultaneously with morphine. Taken together, our results show that LPK-26 is a novel selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist with highly potent antinociception effects and low physical dependence potential. It may be valuable for the development of analgesic and drug that can be used to reduce morphine-induced physical dependence.

Acute and chronic heroin dependence in mice: contribution of opioid and excitatory amino acid receptors

Opioid and excitatory amino acid receptors contribute to morphine dependence, but there are no studies of their role in heroin dependence. Thus, mice injected with acute or chronic heroin doses in the present study were pretreated with one of the following selective antagonists: 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX), naltriben (NTB), nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI; delta1, delta2, and kappa opioid receptors, respectively), MK-801, or LY293558 (NMDA and AMPA excitatory amino acid receptors, respectively). Naloxone-precipitated withdrawal jumping frequency, shown here to be a reliable index of heroin dependence magnitude, was reduced by BNTX or NTB in mice injected with both acute and chronic heroin doses. In contrast, nor-BNI did not alter jumping frequencies in mice injected with an acute heroin dose but significantly increased them in mice receiving chronic heroin injections. Continuous MK-801 or LY293558 infusion, but not injection, reduced jumping frequencies during withdrawal from acute heroin treatment. Their delivery by injection was nonetheless effective against chronic heroin dependence, suggesting mechanisms not simply attributable to NMDA or AMPA blockade. These data indicate that whereas delta1, delta2, NMDA, and AMPA receptors enable acute and chronic heroin dependence, kappa receptor activity limits the dependence liability of chronic heroin. With the exception of delta1 receptors, the apparent role of these receptors to heroin dependence is consistent with their contribution to morphine dependence, indicating that there is substantial physiological commonality underlying dependence to both heroin and morphine. The ability of kappa receptor blockade to differentially alter acute and chronic dependence supports previous assertions from studies with other opioids that acute and chronic opioid dependence are, at least in part, mechanistically distinct. Elucidating the substrates contributing to heroin dependence, and identifying their similarities and differences with those of other opioids such as morphine, may yield effective treatment strategies to the problem of heroin dependency.

Involvement of kappa opioid receptors in formalin-induced inhibition of analgesic tolerance to morphine in mice

This study examined the role of kappa opioid receptors (KOR) in the mechanism underlying tolerance to the analgesic effects of morphine induced by chronic pain. The analgesic effect of morphine (10 mg kg(-1)), estimated by the tail-flick test in mice, gradually decreased during repeated daily morphine treatment. A significant decrease in the analgesic effect of morphine was seen on the fifth day of repeated morphine treatment compared with the first day. Chronic pain was induced by subcutaneous administration of 2% formalin into the dorsal part of the left hind paw, which significantly inhibited development of tolerance to morphine analgesia. The effect of formalin-induced pain on inhibition of morphine tolerance was reversed by the KOR antagonist nor-binaltorphimine. Furthermore, an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide, but not a missense oligodeoxynucleotide, against KOR completely suppressed the inhibitory effect of formalin-induced pain on morphine tolerance. Naltrindole, an antagonist of delta opioid receptor, did not affect chronic-pain-induced tolerance to morphine. Our findings show that the inhibitory effect of chronic pain on analgesic tolerance to morphine is mediated by KOR rather than delta opioid receptors.

An essential role for DeltaFosB in the nucleus accumbens in morphine action

The transcription factor DeltaFosB is induced in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and dorsal striatum by the repeated administration of drugs of abuse. Here, we investigated the role of DeltaFosB in the NAc in behavioral responses to opiates. We achieved overexpression of DeltaFosB by using a bitransgenic mouse line that inducibly expresses the protein in the NAc and dorsal striatum and by using viral-mediated gene transfer to specifically express the protein in the NAc. DeltaFosB overexpression in the NAc increased the sensitivity of the mice to the rewarding effects of morphine and led to exacerbated physical dependence, but also reduced their sensitivity to the analgesic effects of morphine and led to faster development of analgesic tolerance. The opioid peptide dynorphin seemed to be one target through which DeltaFosB produced this behavioral phenotype. Together, these experiments demonstrated that DeltaFosB in the NAc, partly through the repression of dynorphin expression, mediates several major features of opiate addiction.

Inhibitory Control of the Acute Mu-Withdrawal Response by Indirectly Activated Adenosine A1 and Kappa-Opioid Systems in the Guinea-Pig Ileum; Reversal by Cholecystokinin

In the isolated guinea-pig ileum (GPI), the acute mu-opioid withdrawal response is inhibited by the kappa-opioid system, indirectly activated by the opioid agonist; yet, other inhibitory mechanisms are probably operating. On the other hand, cholecystokinin (CCK-8) strongly enhances the withdrawal response. In this study, we have shown that the adenosine A1 antagonist 8-cyclopenthyl-1,3-dimethylxantine (CPT) increased the withdrawal response in dermorphin/naloxone (NLX) tests but lacked any effect if the withdrawal tests were carried out in presence of CCK-8. In tissue preparations coming from a same animal both CPT and the kappa-opioid antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine (BNI), increased the intensity of the withdrawal responses; the effects of the two antagonists were additive. The intensity of withdrawal contractile responses in presence of CCK-8 was similar to those obtained in presence of the two antagonists. Tissue preparations tested with dermorphin/CCK-8/NLX and then washed out yielded contractile responses when subsequently challenged with CPT, BNI or BNI+CPT, with a percentage markedly higher than the percentage of the response to NLX challenge. BNI+CPT also increased the intensity of the response to NLX challenge. These data suggest that acute exposure of GPI to dermorphin induces the activation of both the adenosine A1 and kappa-opioid systems, which in turns inhibit the mu-withdrawal response. CCK-8 antagonises the inhibitory effect of the indirectly activated systems.

Involvement of the Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor in the Opioid Inhibition of the Response to Cholecystokinin and Acute Withdrawal Response

Numerous recent studies have reported major functional interactions between cannabinoid and opioid systems. These interactions can be studied in the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle isolated preparations. We had previously shown that in the guinea-pig ileum (GPI), the opioid acute withdrawal response is under the inhibitory control of several systems; mu-opioid agonist exposure indirectly activates the kappa-opioid system; conversely, exposure to a kappa-opioid agonist indirectly activates the mu-system; the indirectly activated opioid system inhibits the withdrawal response. The adenosine A1 system is also indirectly activated by opioids and it inhibits the withdrawal response. We had also shown that indirect activation is prevented or antagonized by cholecystokinin (CCK-8). In GPI preparations briefly exposed to the mu-agonist, dermorphine (DERM) and then challenged with naloxone (NL), the cannabinoid CB1 antagonist, SR141716 (SR), increased the withdrawal responses to NL, but only did so in presence of a kappa-opioid and an adenosine A(1) antagonist. Under similar experimental conditions, SR also enhances the kappa-opioid withdrawal response. In opioid agonist/CCK-8/NL tests, SR antagonized the inhibition of the tissue response to CCK-8 induced by the mu- or kappa-opioid agonist and increased the kappa-withdrawal response, but not the mu-withdrawal response. However, the dose-response curve against dermorphine inhibition of the response to CCK-8 was bell-shaped and the highest SR concentration also significantly decreased the mu-withdrawal response. In preparations exposed to dermorphine or to the kappa-agonist, U-50,488H, the cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 increased the opioid-induced inhibition of the tissue response to CCK-8 and decreased the NL-induced responses. These results show that opioid exposure may also activate the cannabinoid CB1 system, which leads to an inhibition of the opioid acute withdrawal response. This phenomenon and the antagonistic effect of SR on the opioid-induced inhibition of the response to CCK-8 suggest that reciprocal interaction between opioid and cannabinoid systems are operating in the enteric nervous system.

Functional interaction among opioid receptor types: up-regulation of μ- and δ-opioid receptor functions after repeated stimulation of κ-opioid receptors

It has been widely accepted that repeated administration of kappa-opioid receptor agonists leads to the development of antinociceptive tolerance. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of repeated administration of a selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist (1S-trans)-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexyl]-benzeneacetamide hydrochloride ((-)U-50,488H) on the mu- and delta-opioid receptor agonist-induced antinociception and G-protein activation in mice. The mice were injected either subcutaneously (s.c.) or intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) pretreated with saline or (-)U-50,488H once a day for seven consecutive days. Two hours after the last injection, the mice were challenged by either mu- or delta-opioid receptor agonist for the antinociceptive assay. Repeated treatment with (-)U-50,488H (s.c. or i.c.v.) significantly enhanced antinociceptive effect of both mu-opioid receptor agonist (morphine) and delta-opioid receptor agonists ([d-Ala2]deltorphin (DELT) and (+)-4-[(alphaR)-alpha-((2S,5R)-4-allyl-2,5-dime thyl-1-piperazinyl)-3-methoxybenzyl]-N,N-diethylbenzamide (SNC-80) compared to saline-treated groups. Under these conditions, repeated s.c. injection of (-)U-50,488H significantly enhanced both mu- and delta-opioid receptor agonist-stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS binding in the membrane of the thalamus. On the contrary, either repeated administration of morphine (s.c. or i.c.v.) or SNC-80 failed to affect the kappa-opioid receptor agonist-induced antinociception and G-protein activation. Taken together, these results suggest that repeated stimulation of kappa-opioid receptor markedly increases the functional mu- and delta-opioid receptors, whereas repeated stimulation of either mu- or delta-opioid receptor had no direct effect on kappa-opioidergic function in mice.

Direct evidence for the up-regulation of spinal micro-opioid receptor function after repeated stimulation of kappa-opioid receptors in the mouse

The present study was designed to investigate the possible change in spinal micro -opioid receptor function after repeated administration of a selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist (1S-trans)-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl) cyclohexyl]-benzeneacetamide hydrochloride [(-)U-50,488H] in the ICR mouse. A single s.c. or i.t. injection of (-)U-50,488H produced a dose-dependent antinociception. Repeated s.c. or i.t. administration of (-)U-50,488H resulted in the development of tolerance to (-)U-50,488H-induced antinociception. Under these conditions, we demonstrated here that repeated s.c. injection of (-)U-50,488H significantly enhanced the antinociceptive effect induced by the i.t. administration of a selective micro -opioid receptor agonist [d-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol] enkephalin (DAMGO). Using the guanosine-5'-o-(3-[35S]thio) triphosphate ([35S]GTPgammaS) binding assay, we found that (-)U-50,488H was able to produce a dose-dependent increase in [35S]GTPgammaS binding to membranes of the mouse spinal cord. Repeated administration of (-)U-50,488H caused a significant reduction in the (-)U-50,488H-stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS binding in this region, whereas repeated treatment with (-)U-50,488H exhibited an increase in the DAMGO-stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS binding in membranes of the spinal cord. Using a receptor binding assay, repeated treatment with (-)U-50,488H significantly increased the density of [3H]DAMGO binding sites in membranes of the mouse spinal cord. In contrast, the expression of micro -opioid receptor was not affected after repeated treatment with (-)U-50,488H. These results suggest that repeated stimulation of kappa-opioid receptors leads to the up-regulation of micro -opioid receptor functions in the spinal cord, which may be associated with an increase in the number of functional micro -opioid receptors in the mouse spinal cord.

Morphine withdrawal precipitated by specific mu, delta or kappa opioid receptor antagonists: a c-Fos protein study in the rat central nervous system

We have recently shown concurrent changes in behavioural responses and c-Fos protein expression in the central nervous system in both naive and morphine-dependent rats after systemic administration of the opioid antagonist naloxone. However, because naloxone acts on the three major types of opioid receptors, the present study aimed at determining, in the same animals, both changes in behaviour and c-Fos-like immunoreactivity after intravenous injection of selective opioid antagonists, such as mu (beta-funaltrexamine, 10 mg/kg), delta (naltrindole, 4 mg/kg) or kappa (nor-binaltorphimine, 5 mg/kg) opioid receptor antagonists, in naive or morphine-dependent rats. In a first experimental series, only beta-funaltrexamine increased c-Fos expression in the eight central nervous system structures examined, whereas no effect was seen after naltrindole or nor-binaltorphimine administration in naive rats. These results suggest a tonic activity in the endogenous opioid peptides acting on mu opioid receptors in normal rats. A second experimental series in morphine-dependent rats showed that beta-funaltrexamine had the highest potency in the induction of classical signs of morphine withdrawal syndrome, as well as the increase in c-Fos expression in the 22 central nervous system structures studied, suggesting a major role of mu opioid receptors in opioid dependence. However, our results also demonstrated that naltrindole and, to a lesser extent, nor-binaltorphimine were able to induce moderate signs of morphine withdrawal and relatively weak c-Fos protein expression in restricted central nervous system structures. Therefore, delta and kappa opioid receptors may also contribute slightly to opioid dependence.

Heterologous mu-opioid receptor adaptation by repeated stimulation of kappa-opioid receptor: up-regulation of G-protein activation and antinociception

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of repeated administration of a selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist (1S-trans)-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexyl]-benzeneacetamide hydrochloride [(-)U-50,488H] on antinociception and G-protein activation induced by mu-opioid receptor agonists in mice. A single s.c. injection of (-)U-50,488H produced a dose-dependent antinociception, and this effect was reversed by a selective kappa-opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI). Furthermore, a single s.c. pre-treatment with (-)U-50,488H had no effect on the mu-opioid receptor agonist-induced antinociception. In contrast, repeated s.c. administration of (-)U-50,488H resulted in the development of tolerance to (-)U-50,488H-induced antinociception. Under these conditions, we demonstrated here that repeated s.c. injection of (-)U-50,488H significantly enhanced the antinociceptive effect of selective mu-opioid receptor agonists endomorphin-1, endomorphin-2 and [d-Ala2,N-MePhe4,Gly-ol5] enkephalin (DAMGO). Using the guanosine-5'-o-(3-[35S]thio) triphosphate ([35S]GTP gamma S) binding assay, we found that (-)U-50,488H was able to produce a nor-BNI-reversible increase in [35S]GTP gamma S binding to membranes of the mouse thalamus, which has a high level of kappa-opioid receptors. Repeated administration of (-)U-50,488H caused a significant reduction in the (-)U-50,488H-stimulated [35S]GTP gamma S binding in this region, whereas chronic treatment with (-)U-50,488H exhibited the increase in the endomorphin-1-, endomorphin-2- and DAMGO-stimulated [35S]GTP gamma S bindings in membranes of the thalamus and periaqueductal gray. These results suggest that repeated stimulation of kappa-opioid receptors leads to the heterologous up-regulation of mu-opioid receptor functions in the thalamus and periaqueductal gray regions, which may be associated with the supersensitivity of mu-opioid receptor-mediated antinociception.

[Modification of morphine dependence under chronic pain and its mechanism]

Clinical studies have demonstrated that when opiates are used to control cancer pain, psychological dependence and analgesic tolerance are not a major concern. The present study was, therefore, designed to investigate the modulation of rewarding effects of opiates under inflammatory chronic pain in SD rats. Formalin (2.5%, 50 microliters) or carrageenan (1%, 100 microliters) was injected into the plantar surface of the rat paw. Formalin and carrageenan reduced the paw pressure threshold. The hyperalgesia lasted for 9 to 13 days. Rewarding effect of morphine was evaluated by conditioned place preference paradigm. Morphine produced a significant place preference. This effect was significantly attenuated in inflamed groups as compared with the respective non-inflamed groups. Furthermore, the morphine-induced place preference in the inflamed group gradually recovered to the respective control level as the inflammation healed. On the other hand, we found that kappa-opioid receptor agonists markedly inhibit rewarding effect of mu-opioid receptor agonists. Therefore, to elucidate the mechanism of this attenuation, the effects of pretreatment with kappa- and delta-opioid receptor antagonists, nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI) and naltrindole (NTI), on the development of the morphine-induced place preference under inflammation were examined. Nor-BNI, but not NTI, eliminated the suppression of the morphine-induced place preference in inflamed groups. The morphine-induced increase in dopamine turnover in the limbic forebrain was suppressed under inflammation, and the suppression was abolished by the pretreatment with nor-BNI. These results suggest that endogenous kappa-opioid systems may be activated by chronic inflammatory nociception, resulting in the suppression of the development of rewarding effects produced by morphine.

Regulations of opioid dependence by opioid receptor types

Three major types of opioid receptors, designated mu, delta, and kappa, are widely expressed in the CNS. Development of selective receptor ligands and recent cloning of each receptor have contributed greatly to our increasing knowledge of the neuropharmacological profile of each opioid receptor type. It is of interest to note that they include noncompetitive and allosteric interactions among their types. This review focuses on the functional interaction among these opioid receptor types that contribute to opioid dependence. Various studies provide arguments to support substantial roles for mu-opioid receptors and the possible involvement of delta-opioid receptors in the development of physical and psychological dependence on morphine. Noradrenergic transmission originating in the locus coeruleus is most likely to play the primary causal role in the expression of physical dependence on morphine. In contrast, many studies have pointed to the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway projecting from the ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens as a critical site for the initiation of psychological dependence on opioids. It is noteworthy as the broad existence of opposing interactions between mu/delta- and kappa-receptors in the brain. The activation of kappa-receptors leads to the suppression of unpleasant mu/delta-mediated side effects such as the rewarding effect. Considering the functional interaction among opioid receptor types, the co-administration of morphine-like compounds with kappa-receptor agonists may constitute a preferable and superior approach to the treatment of pain with fewer side effects.

Spinal kappa-opioid system plays an important role in suppressing morphine withdrawal syndrome in the rat

To explore the possible involvement of spinal kappa-opioid receptor in modulating morphine withdrawal syndrome, rats were made dependent on morphine by multiple injections of morphine HCl for 5 days. They were then given intrathecal administration (i.t.) of a kappa-opioid receptor agonist trans-3, 4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl]-benzenacetamide hydrochloride (U-50,488H, 2.5-10 microg) or its antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI, 1.25-5 microg), followed by intraperitoneal administration (i.p.) of naloxone (0.5 mg/kg), and the withdrawal syndrome was scored for 60 min. U-50,488H produced a dose-dependent suppression, whereas nor-BNI a dose-dependent potentiation in withdrawal syndrome. The latter result implies that an endogenous kappa receptor agonist, most probably dynorphin, exerts a tonic suppressive effect on morphine syndrome at spinal level.

The role of opioid receptors in morphine withdrawal in the infant rat

Exposure to opiates such as morphine can lead to psychological and physical dependence in both adult and infant humans. Infant rats experience opiate withdrawal behaviors that are qualitatively different from the withdrawal behaviors displayed by adult rats. In the adult, withdrawal is largely mediated by the mu-opioid receptor. We sought to understand more about what role each opioid receptor (mu, kappa, and delta) plays in the display of the physical withdrawal in the infant rat. Beginning on postnatal day 1, infant rats were injected with morphine sulfate twice a day for 6.5 days. On the afternoon of the seventh day the infant rats were given an i.c. injection of a vehicle, the mu-opioid receptor antagonist CTOP, the kappa-opioid receptor antagonist nor-BNI, or the delta-opioid receptor antagonist naltrindole. CTOP precipitated withdrawal behaviors in the 7-day-old rat in a dose-dependent manner. Neither nor-BNI nor naltrindole induced any significant changes in the frequency of the withdrawal behaviors. These data suggest that in the infant rat control of certain behavioral withdrawal signs is modulated primarily by the mu-opioid receptor, as is the case in the adult rat.

A novel kappa-opioid receptor agonist, TRK-820, blocks the development of physical dependence on morphine in mice

The effects of a novel kappa-opioid receptor agonist, TRK-820, on the development of physical dependence on morphine were investigated in mice in comparison with those of U-50,488H. A marked body weight loss and several withdrawal signs were observed following naloxone challenge in morphine-dependent mice. Co-injection of TRK-820 (0.003-0.03 mg/kg, s.c.) but not U-50,488H (1-10 mg/kg, s.c.) during chronic morphine treatment dose-dependently suppressed the naloxone-precipitated body weight loss, jumping, wet dog shakes and diarrhea. These results suggest that TRK-820-sensitive kappa-opioid receptor subtypes may play a significant role in modulating the development of physical dependence on morphine.

The novel kappa-opioid receptor agonist TRK-820 has no affect on the development of antinociceptive tolerance to morphine in mice

The effects of the novel kappa-opioid receptor agonist 17-cyclopropylmethyl-3,14beta-dihydroxy-4, 5alpha-epoxy-6beta-[N-methyl-trans-3-(3-furyl)acrylamido+ ++]morphinan hydrochloride (TRK-820) on the development of antinociceptive tolerance to morphine were investigated in mice and compared with those of trans-3,4-dichloro-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl) benzenacetamide methane sulfonate hydrochloride (U-50,488H), a well-defined exogenous kappa-opioid receptor agonist. Morphine (1. 25-20 mg/kg, s.c.) produced a dose-related antinociceptive effect in the 51 degrees C warm-plate test. Daily treatment with morphine (10 mg/kg, s.c.) resulted in the development of antinociceptive tolerance. The development of antinociceptive tolerance to morphine was dose-dependently suppressed by the co-administration of U-50, 488H (1-10 mg/kg, s.c.) with morphine, but not TRK-820 (0.003-0.03 mg/kg, s.c.). These results suggest that TRK-820-sensitive kappa-opioid receptor subtypes may not be involved in modulating the development of antinociceptive tolerance to morphine.

Chronic exposure to antibodies directed against anti-opiate peptides alter delta-opioid receptor levels

The development of addictive states in response to chronic opioid use may be regulated partially by the release of endogenous peptides. These anti-opiate peptides (AOP) are secreted or released into the CNS and produce diverse actions that counterbalance the effects of prolonged opiate exposure. Though the mechanism(s) by which these peptides exert their physiological properties remain largely unknown, there is some indication that AOP's modulate opioid receptor levels. In this study, we investigated the effects of chronically infused alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), dynorphin(1-8) (DYN(1-8)), dynorphin A (DYNA), and NPFF antibodies on delta-opioid receptor expression in rat brains. Quantitative autoradiographic experiments revealed that antibodies directed against alpha-MSH and DYNA produced significant increases in delta receptor levels in the caudate, claustrum, and cingulate cortex of the rat brain. Conversely, NPFF monoclonal antibodies caused significant decreases in the caudate, nucleus accumbens, olfactory tubercle, and cingulate cortex. These results suggest that the density of delta-opioid receptors is affected by changes in the levels of the anti-opioid peptides in the extracelluar fluid in the rat brain.

Hyperalgesic response to noxious stimulation in genetically polydipsic mice

Inbred mice, STR/N, are known to exhibit extreme polydipsia and polyuria but no abnormality in the response to exogenous vasopressin (AVP) and renal functions. Our previous studies have revealed that the brain opioid system is involved in the polydipsia of these mice. We here report that the STR/N mice show a decrease in the nociceptive threshold and a low, anti-nociceptive sensitivity to opioid receptors agonists. The paw-withdrawal latency (PWL) on a hot-plate in the STR/N mice was significantly shorter than that in their controls (BALB/c and C3H mice). This hyperalgesia was not affected by water restriction. Subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of morphine (5 mg/kg) and a kappa-opioid receptor agonist, U50,488H (16 mg/kg) had no effect on the PWL in the STR/N mice, whereas the control mice prolonged PWL after administration of the opioids. However, the STR/N mice gained the ability to show morphine analgesia after up-regulation of the opioid system by repeated administration of naltrexone (s.c., 5 mg/kg) for 3 consecutive days. The results suggest that the anti-nociceptive function of the opioid system is down-regulated in STR/N mice as is observed in chronic morphine-treated animals.

Sensitization to the conditioned rewarding effects of morphine and cocaine: differential effects of the kappa-opioid receptor agonist U69593

The ability of the kappa-opioid receptor agonist U69593 to attenuate the sensitization and cross-sensitization which develops to the conditioned rewarding effects of morphine and cocaine was examined using an unbiased place-preference conditioning procedure. The influence of U69593 treatment upon sensitization and cross-sensitization to cocaine was also assessed. Doses of morphine (1.0-5.0 mg kg(-1)) which failed to produce a conditioned response in drug-naive rats produced marked preferences for the drug-paired place in animals which had previously received once daily injections of morphine (5.0 mg kg(-1); s.c.) or cocaine (10.0 mg kg(-1); i.p.) for 5 days. Morphine-induced place preferences also occurred in animals which had received morphine in combination with U69593 (0.04-0.32 mg kg(-1); s.c.) on either days 3-5 or 1-5 of the morphine treatment regimen. In contrast, morphine failed to produce significant conditioning in animals which had received U69593 with cocaine for 5 days. Doses of cocaine (1.0-5.0 mg kg(-1)) which did not produce a conditioned response in naive rats produced preferences for the drug-paired place in animals which had received once daily injections of cocaine (10.0 mg kg(-1) day(-1) x 5 days; i.p.) or morphine (5.0 mg kg(-1) day(-1) x 5 days; s.c.). No enhancement of cocaine-induced conditioning occurred in animals which had received U69593 on days 3-5 or on days 1-5 of the five-day cocaine treatment. In animals, however, which had received U69593 with morphine for 5 days, an enhanced response to cocaine was still seen. These findings confirm that sensitization and cross-sensitization develop to the conditioned rewarding effects of cocaine and morphine. They also indicate that the ability of a kappa-opioid receptor agonist to prevent the development of these sensitized responses depends on the sensitizing agent employed. U69593 prevents sensitization and cross-sensitization induced by cocaine, but does not modify morphine-induced sensitization or the cross-sensitization which develops to cocaine after morphine administration.

Differential involvement of opioid receptors in intrathecal butorphanol-induced analgesia: compared to morphine

The present experiments were performed to investigate the differential involvement of the opioid receptor subtypes in the antinociception of intrathecal (IT) butorphanol compared to IT morphine. A single dose (26 nmol) of IT nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI), beta-funaltrexamine (beta-FNA), and naltrindole (NTI) demonstrated a significant attenuation in the overall antinociception of IT butorphanol (52 nmol) or IT morphine (26 nmol). However, IT butorphanol elicits thermal antinociceptive effect through kappa > delta > or = mu, whereas morphine acts on mu >delta >> kappa. These results indicate that the antinociceptive effect of both IT butorphanol and IT morphine are mediated through mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptors in different relative orders.

Blockade of the development of morphine tolerance by U-50,488, an AVP antagonist or MK-801 in the rat hippocampal slice

1. In this study, we investigated the effects of different drugs (a kappa-opioid receptor agonist U-50,488, a vasopressin receptor antagonist dPTyr(Me)AVP or an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK-801) on the development of morphine tolerance in rat hippocampal slices. 2. Hippocampal slices (450 microm) of Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g) were used. Slices were continuously superfused with artificial CSF or drugs at 1 ml min(-1). Nichrome wire electrodes were placed in the Schaffer-collateral pathway and used to deliver biphasic 0.2 ms pulses of 5-30 V (0.033 Hz). A glass microelectrode was placed in the CA1 area to record population spikes. 3. When the slices were superfused with 10 microM morphine, the amplitude of population spikes increased 2-3 fold in 30-40 min. However, this effect of morphine decreased, i.e. tolerance developed after continuous superfusion of morphine for 2-6 h. 4. When either U-50,488 (200 nM) or dPTyr(Me) AVP (500 pM) or MK-801 (500 pM) was co-superfused with morphine (10 microM), it significantly blocked the development of morphine tolerance. Nor-BNI (a kappa-opioid receptor antagonist, 200 nM) significantly reversed the inhibitory effect of U-50,488 but not those of dPTyr(Me)AVP or MK-801 on the development of morphine tolerance. 5. These data indicate that kappa-opioid receptors, AVP receptors and NMDA receptors are all involved in the development of morphine tolerance. The suppression of kappa-opioid receptor activity after chronic morphine may occur before the activation of AVP receptors or NMDA receptors during the development of morphine tolerance.

Regulation of mu binding sites after chronic administration of antibodies directed against specific anti-opiate peptides

There is some indication that anti-opiate peptides (AOP) modulate opioid receptor systems by altering mu-receptor density. To further characterize this phenomenon, we investigated the effects of continuous infusion of anti-AOP IgG on mu binding sites in the brains of rats. Specifically, male Sprague-Dawley rats received intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusions for 13 days of either control (rabbit) IgG or test IgGs: anti-dynorphin A IgG, anti-dynorphin A1-8 IgG, anti-alpha-MSH IgG, or the monoclonal anti-NPFF IgG. Administration of anti-NPFF IgG or the anti-dynorphin1-8 IgG significantly increased mu labeling by 40-70% in several brain regions at the caudate level. Contrary to these findings, anti-alpha-MSH IgG decreased (19-32%) [125I]-DAMGO labeling in several thalamic nuclei. The results suggest that the density of mu-opioid receptors is regulated in part by anti-opiate peptides in the extracellular fluid of the brain.

Effect of isolation on pain threshold and on different effects of morphine

1. The effect of three periods of isolation (8, 15 and 30 days) were studied in mice on the pain threshold and the sensitivity to morphine. 2. The pain threshold was unchanged after 8 and 15 days of isolation but increased after 30 days of isolation. 3. The analgesic effect of morphine was unchanged after 8 and 15 days of isolation but increased after 30 days of isolation. 4. The tolerance to morphine analgesia was unchanged after 8 and 15 days of isolation but increased after 30 days of isolation (morphine-induced analgesia was reduced). 5. The physical dependence on morphine induced by precipitated withdrawal was unchanged after 8 and 15 days of isolation but decreased after 30 days of isolation. 6. It is suggested that isolation may modify the metabolism the metabolism/absorption of morphine in a different way according as the treatment is unique or chronic.

Involvement of delta 1 and delta 2 opioid receptor subtypes in the development of physical dependence on morphine in mice

The effects of the highly selective delta opioid receptor antagonists naltrindole (NTI) for delta 1 and delta 2 naltriben (NTB) and naltrindole 5'-isothiocyanate (5'-NTII) for delta 2 and 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX) for delta 1 on the development of physical dependence on morphine were investigated in mice. Neither NTI (3 mg/kg, sc), NTB (0.5 mg/kg, sc), 5'-NTII (0.5 mg/kg, sc) nor BNTX (0.5 mg/kg, sc) suppressed the antinociception induced by morphine (10 mg/kg, sc). Pretreatment with NTI (3 mg/kg, sc), NTB (0.5, 1.0 mg/kg, sc) or 5'-NTII (0.5, 1.0 mg/kg, sc) during chronic treatment with morphine for 5 days significantly suppressed naloxone-induced body-weight loss in morphine-dependent mice. The incidence of jumping and body shakes in morphine-dependent mice that were pretreated with NTI. NTB or 5'-NTII were significantly lower than with morphine alone. Pretreatment with BNTX (0.5, 1.0 mg/kg, sc) during chronic treatment with morphine also significantly suppressed naloxone-induced body-weight loss in morphine-dependent mice, but this suppression was weaker than that by the antagonists. In contrast to mice that had been pretreated with NTI, NTB or 5'-NTII, the incidence of several withdrawal signs, such a jumping and body shakes, was not significantly affected in morphine-dependent mice that were pretreated with BNTX. These findings suggest that both delta 2 and delta 1 opioid receptors may play important roles in modulating the development of physical dependence on morphine.

Feeding, drug abuse, and the sensitization of reward by metabolic need

The incentive-motivating effects of external stimuli are dependent, in part, upon the internal need state of the organism. The increased rewarding efficacy of food as a function of energy deficit, for example, has obvious adaptive value. The enhancement of food reward extends, however, to drugs of abuse and electrical brain stimulation, probably due to a shared neural substrate. Research reviewed in this paper uses lateral hypothalamic electrical stimulation to probe the sensitivity of the brain reward system and investigate mechanisms through which metabolic need, induced by chronic food restriction and streptozotocin-induced diabetes, sensitizes this system. Results indicate that sensitivity to rewarding brain stimulation varies inversely with declining body weight. The effect is not mimicked by pharmacological glucoprivation or lipoprivation in ad libitum fed animals; sensitization appears to depend on persistent metabolic need or adipose depletion. While the literature suggests elevated plasma corticosterone as a peripheral trigger of reward sensitization, sensitization was not reversed by meal-induced or pharmacological suppression of plasma corticosterone. Centrally, reward sensitization is mediated by opioid receptors, since the effect is reversed by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of naltrexone, TCTAP (mu antagonist) and nor-binaltorphimine (kappa antagonist). The fact that these same treatments, as well as i.c.v. infusion of dynorphin A antiserum, block the feeding response to lateral hypothalamic stimulation suggests that feeding and reward sensitization are mediated by a common opioid mechanism. Using in vitro autoradiography, radioimmunoassays and a solution hybridization mRNA assay, brain regional mu and kappa opioid receptor binding, levels of prodynorphin-derived peptides, and prodynorphin mRNA, respectively, were measured in food-restricted and diabetic rats. Changes that could plausibly be involved in reward sensitization are discussed, with emphasis on the increased dynorphin A1-3 and prodynorphin mRNA levels in lateral hypothalamic neurons that innervate the pontine parabrachial nucleus, where mu binding decreased and kappa binding increased. Finally, the possible linkage between metabolic need and activation of a brain opioid mechanism is discussed, as is evidence supporting the relevance of these findings to drug abuse.

Mu and kappa opioid system interactions in the expression of acute opioid dependence in isolated guinea-pig ileum

In vivo studies have suggested that the kappa opioid system can partially inhibit the development of physical dependence to mu agonists. Vice versa, activation of mu receptors may inhibit the expression of physical dependence to kappa agonists. We studied mu-kappa interactions in the isolated guinea-pig ileum (GPI). In the isolated GPI briefly exposed to mu or kappa agonists the addition of the respective antagonists precipitated a withdrawal contracture. After a first withdrawal response, however, some tissues failed to exhibit subsequent mu or kappa withdrawal contractures. A withdrawal contracture to the selective mu antagonist, cyprodime, after repeated exposures to a selective mu agonist, dermorphin, was restored by nor-binaltorphimine (BNI), a selective kappa antagonist. Vice versa, after repeated exposures to the kappa agonist, U-50,488H, cyprodime restored tissue responsiveness to BNI. Tissues repeatedly exposed to dermorphin and washed after each exposure contracted to the addition of BNI. Tissues repeatedly exposed to U-50,488H contracted on the addition of cyprodime. These findings strongly suggest that exogenous agonist-elicited stimulation of the mu (or kappa) opioid system indirectly activates the endogenous kappa (or mu) system. The indirectly-activated endogenous system inhibits the withdrawal response to the exogenously-stimulated opioid system. In isolated GPI the mu and kappa opioid systems thus appear to interact, regulating each other.

The effect of single and repeated morphine administration on the prodynorphin system activity in the nucleus accumbens and striatum of the rat

Pharmacological data indicate that prodynorphin peptides and exogenous kappa agonists affect opioid tolerance and dependence. In order to elucidate the activity of the endogenous prodynorphin system during opiate tolerance and dependence, we investigated the effect of single and repeated morphine administration on the alpha-neoendorphin tissue level, its in vitro release, and the prodynorphin messenger RNA level in the nucleus accumbens and striatum of the rat. Acute and repeated morphine administration (14 days, increasing doses, 20-100 mg/kg, i.p.) increased the level of alpha-neoendorphin in the nucleus accumbens after 3 h; a similar effect was observed at 24 and 48 h after the last chronic morphine injection. On the other hand, the basal and stimulated (K+, 57 mM) release of alpha-neoendorphin from nucleus accumbens slices were significantly elevated only at 24 h after the last morphine injection. The prodynorphin messenger RNA hybridization signal in the nucleus accumbens was enhanced at 3 h after acute morphine injection, whereas repeated morphine administration decreased the messenger RNA level at that time point. Upon late chronic morphine withdrawal (at 24 and 48 h), the prodynorphin messenger RNA level in that tissue was significantly elevated. In the striatum, single morphine administration had no effect on the alpha-neoendorphin tissue level, release of the peptide, and prodynorphin messenger RNA level. On the other hand, chronic injection of morphine elevated all those parameters. The tissue level of alpha-neoendorphin was elevated at 3 h, and was back to normal at 24 and 48 h after the last drug injection. Both the basal and stimulated alpha-neoendorphin release from striatal slices was significantly increased at all the time points studied. Repeated morphine administration elevated the striatal prodynorphin messenger RNA level at 24 and 48 h after the drug withdrawal. Addition of morphine to the incubation medium reduced the basal release of alpha-neoendorphin in both the nucleus accumbens and striatal slices in naive animals, whereas the stimulated release was attenuated in the latter tissue only. The present study indicates that withdrawal of chronic morphine leads to enhancement of the prodynorphin neurons activity in the nucleus accumbens and striatum of the rat. It is suggested that these effects may participate in the mechanism of aversive reactions during withdrawal.

Opioid antagonist profile of SC nor-binaltorphimine in the formalin paw assay

The antinociceptive effects of mu and kappa agonists were examined after the systemic administration of the opioid antagonists nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI) and naloxone in the late response or tonic nociceptive phase of the mouse formalin assay. Initially, SC morphine (ED50, 0.97 mg/kg), racemic U-50488H (ED50, 0.79 mg/kg), (-)U-50488 (ED50, 0.41 mg/kg), and another agonist PD 117,302 (ED50, 0.28 mg/kg) were found to produce graded increases in the level of antinociception as measured by this procedure; naloxone, administered immediately before morphine and U-50488H, antagonized their antinociceptive actions. The effects of morphine and U-50488H then were evaluated 10 min to 96 h after the administration of nor-BNI. Subcutaneous nor-BNI at 30.0 mg/kg, but not at 3.0 or 10.0 mg/kg, attenuated the antinociceptive effects of morphine and U-50488H when the interval separating nor-BNI and the agonists was kept constant at 1 h. Time-course analysis of the effects of combinations of nor-BNI with morphine led to irregular findings: 10.0 mg/kg of nor-BNI lessened the effects of morphine (2.0 mg/kg) if the dosing interval was 10 min, whereas 30.0 mg/kg of nor-BNI attenuated the effects of morphine (2.0 mg/kg) if the dosing interval was 1 or 4 h; 10.0 mg/kg of nor-BNI also diminished the antinociceptive effects of U-50488H (1.7 mg/kg) only if the interval spacing the two drugs was 24 h. In comparison, a threefold higher dose of nor-BNI (30.0 mg/kg) reduced the effects of U-50488H (1.7 mg/kg) if the interval was 1 h or more. In these latter experiments, the antagonist effects of SC nor-BNI (30.0 mg/kg) were evident up to 96 h posttreatment. These results show that the mu opioid antagonist activity of nor-BNI is variable and that the kappa opioid antagonist selectivity of nor-BNI is a function of dose and treatment interval and is long-lasting even after systemic administration.

Diazepam pretreatment suppresses morphine withdrawal signs in the mouse

The effect of diazepam on the development of physical dependence on morphine and on the naloxone-precipitated increase in cortical NA turnover were investigated in mice. Co-administration of diazepam (1-4 mg/kg, i.p.) during chronic morphine treatment suppressed the expression of naloxone (3 mg/kg, s.c.)-precipitated withdrawal signs (jumping, exploratory rearing and weight loss). However, a single injection of diazepam (4 mg/kg, i.p.) in morphine-dependent mice did not affect the expression of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs. The 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (MHPG) level and noradrenaline (NA) turnover (MHPG/NA) in the cerebral cortex were increased by naloxone (3 mg/kg) challenge. These increases in the cortical MHPG level and NA turnover were significantly prevented by co-administration of diazepam (4 mg/kg, i.p.) during chronic morphine treatment. These findings suggest that the co-administration of diazepam during chronic morphine treatment may prevent some neurochemical changes in the central noradrenergic system during chronic morphine treatment, and may suppress the development of physical dependence on morphine. Therefore, the inhibitory action of GABA via benzodiazepine binding sites may play an important role in the development of physical dependence on morphine.

Pharmacological study of dihydroetorphine in cloned mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors

We investigated the binding characteristics of dihydroetorphine, 7,8-dihydro-7 alpha-[1-(R)-hydroxy-1-methylbutyl]-6, 14-endoethanotetrahydro-oripavine, and its effect on the inhibitory system of cyclic AMP production using cloned mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors expressed on Chinese hamster ovary cells. The Ki values of dihydroetorphine for the mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors were 4.5 x 10(-10). 1.8 x 10(-9) and 5.7 x 10(-10) M, respectively. On the other hand, those of morphine were 1.9 x 10(-9), 1.4 x 10(-6) and 1.3 x 10(-7) M, respectively. Through all of these three types of opioid receptors, dihydroetorphine inhibited forskolin (10 microM)-stimulated cyclic AMP production via pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein(s), and the inhibitory effects were antagonized by co-application with opioid receptor antagonists. The IC50 values of dihydroetorphine for the inhibition of cyclic AMP production through the mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors were 4.2 x 10(-11), 8.6 x 10(-10) and 4.3 x 10(-9) M. respectively. On the other hand, those of morphine were 2.6 x 10(-8), 2.6 x 10(-6) and 1.9 x 10(-6) M, respectively. These results indicate that dihydroetorphine, unlike morphine which preferentially binds the mu-opioid receptor, binds not only mu- but also delta- and kappa-opioid receptors with high affinity and acts as a more potent agonist than morphine for all of the three types of receptors.

Effect of naltrindole on the development of physical dependence on morphine in mice: a behavioral and biochemical study

The effect of pretreatment with a delta opioid receptor antagonist, naltrindole (NTI), on the development of physical dependence on morphine was investigated in mice. Several withdrawal signs, an increase in cortical noradrenaline (NA) turnover and a decrease in dopamine (DA) turnover in the limbic forebrain were observed following naloxone challenge in morphine-dependent mice. Pretreatment with NTI (0.3-5 mg/kg, s.c.) during chronic morphine treatment dose-dependently suppressed the behavioral and biochemical changes after withdrawal. The blocking effects of NTI suggest that delta opioid receptors may play a significant role in modulating the development of physical dependence on morphine.

Modulation of drug-induced sensitization processes by endogenous opioid systems

Behavioural sensitization involves progressive increases in behavioural responses to repeated intermittent administration of drugs of abuse. Behavioural sensitization is observed to the locomotor stimulant, rewarding and discriminative effects of a drug. These are effects which seem to be essential in the initiation, expression and maintenance of a drug-seeking behaviour. Therefore the phenomenon of behavioural sensitization may have important implications for the understanding of addictive processes. Findings given in this review demonstrate the involvement of endogenous opioid systems in the initiation of sensitized responses on the neurochemical level, i.e., within the mesolimbic dopaminergic system, as well as on the behavioural level. Specifically, it is shown that behavioural sensitization to morphine and cocaine is modulated by endogenous kappa-opioid systems.

Effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on prodynorphin-derived peptides in rat brain regions

Pharmacological studies suggest that diabetes produces changes in the brain opioid system, affecting several behavioral functions including analgesia, feeding and self-stimulation. Previous investigations of opioid receptor binding have failed to explain the unusual opioid pharmacology of the diabetic animal. In the present study, the effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on levels of three immunoreactive (ir)-prodynorphin-derived peptides, ir-dynorphin A1-17 (A1-17), ir-dynorphin A1-8 (A1-8) and ir-dynorphin B1-13 (B1-13), were determined in eleven brain regions known to be involved in appetite, taste and reward. Diabetes was found to increase levels of A1-17 in the ventromedial and dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei (+60% and +25%, respectively) and levels of A1-8 in the dorsomedial and lateral hypothalamus (+45% and +35%, respectively). The possible significance of these results is discussed in relation to (i) diabetic hyperphagia, (ii) medial hypothalamic transduction of circulating insulin levels, and (iii) the potentiation of reward by metabolic need states.

Acute withdrawal after bremazocine and the interaction between mu- and kappa-opioid receptors in isolated gut tissues

1. This study was undertaken to investigate whether, after a brief exposure of guinea-pig isolated ileum and rabbit jejunum to bremazocine, a kappa-opioid agonist also possessing antagonist activity at mu-opioid receptors, the addition of opioid antagonists produced withdrawal contractures. Our aim was to verify in these tissues the existence of an interaction between the mu- and kappa-opioid systems. 2. In guinea-pig ileum preparations previously exposed for 5 min to bremazocine at 5.7 x 10(-7) M and 5.7 x 10(-8) M, naloxone (5 x 10(-7) M) elicited no response whereas in tissues exposed to a lower bremazocine concentration (5.7 x 10(-9) M), naloxone (5 x 10(-7) M) and the selective kappa-opioid antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine (3.4 x 10(-8) M) both produced a strong contracture. 3. Bremazocine (5.7 x 10(-7) M) administered to guinea-pig isolated ileum, previously exposed for 5 min to morphine (10(-7) M), induced a withdrawal contracture. In contrast, lower bremazocine concentrations (1.4 and 7.1 x 10(-8) M) did not elicit a withdrawal contracture. 4. Naloxone (5 x 10(-7) M), added to the bath after a 5 min exposure of guinea-pig ileum to morphine (10(-7) M), elicited the characteristic withdrawal contracture. Bremazocine (1.4-7.1 x 10(-8) M) added 1 min before naloxone (5 x 10(-7) M) inhibited the naloxone withdrawal contracture in a dose-related way whereas naloxone 5 x 10(-8) M added 1 min before naloxone 5 x 10(-7) M, did not affect the withdrawal response. 5. In the rabbit jejunum, bremazocine (1.4-7.1 x 10-8 M) caused a decrease in amplitude in the spontaneous tissue activity. In tissues exposed to these bremazocine concentrations, naloxone(5 x 10-7 M) elicited a marked contracture. A similar contracture occurred when nor-binaltorphimine(3.4 x 10-8 M) was added in place of naloxone. These effects were dose-related to the bremazocine concentration. The specific K-agonist, U-50,488H (5 x 10-8 M), elicited the same effects as bremazocine.6. These findings show that stimulation of K-opioid receptors induces a state of dependence that is not prevented by blocking the pi-opioid system. The observation that low bremazocine concentrations inhibit the morphine-induced withdrawal contractures, indicates an interaction between the micro- and K-opioid system in guinea-pig isolated ileum, similar to that observed in the whole animal.

Involvement of mesolimbic kappa-opioid systems in the discriminative stimulus effects of morphine

The neuroanatomical basis of opiate addiction has been studied using a variety of behavioural techniques. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of mesolimbic opioid systems, in particular kappa-opioid systems, in the expression of the discriminative stimulus effects of abused drugs. Rats were trained to discriminate morphine (3.0 mg/kg s.c.) from saline under a fixed ratio schedule of food reinforcement. Once rats had acquired the discrimination, a randomized sequence of different doses of the highly selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist U69593 (0.02-0.16 mg/kg s.c.) was given 20 min prior to a systemic morphine injection. U69593 dose-dependently blocked the morphine discrimination. It is important to note that U69593 at these doses failed to generalize to the systemic morphine cue. The site of action by U69593 (0.02-0.16 microgram) was examined by microinjecting discrete amounts into target brain regions. Intra-nucleus accumbens injections of U69593 dose-dependently blocked the systemic morphine cue, whereas, U69593 failed to generalize to the discriminative stimulus. The same doses did not affect morphine discrimination after intra-ventral tegmental area or striatum injections. Besides the rewarding effects of drugs of abuse, the discriminative stimulus properties of these agents are seen as a major factor in drug seeking behaviours. The present study shows that the discriminative effects of morphine, a measure of the subjective effects of this drug can be blocked by the activation of kappa-opioid receptors located in the nucleus accumbens. In view of these findings which show that the activity of endogenous potassium-opioid systems (dynorphin) may serve as physiological antagonists to counteract the effects of morphine, potassium-agonists therefore may be useful in the treatment of opioid addictions.

Evidence that nor-binaltorphimine can function as an antagonist at multiple opioid receptor subtypes

This study examined the influence of acute and repeated administration of the kappa-opioid receptor antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine, upon opioid-induced antinociception as measured by the tail-pressure test. A single intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of nor-binaltorphimine (30 micrograms) administered 1, 10 or 30 days prior to algesiometric testing prevented the analgesic effect of the kappa-opioid receptor agonist, (5 alpha, 7 alpha, 8 beta)-(-)-N- methyl-N-(7-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-oxaspiro(4,5)dec-8-yl)benzenacet amide (U69593). The analgesic effect of the mu-opioid receptor agonist, [D-Ala2,N-methyl-Phe4,Gly5-ol]enkephalin (DAMGO), and the delta-opioid receptor agonist, [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE), was not modified. In contrast, when nor-binaltorphimine was administered repeatedly (twice daily i.c.v. administration of 30 micrograms nor-binaltorphimine for 10 days), the analgesic effect of DAMGO, DPDPE as well as U69593 was abolished. In the case of mu- and delta-opioid receptor agonists, this abolition was apparent when testing occurred 1 or 2, but not 5 days after termination of nor-binaltorphimine treatment. This treatment regimen also resulted in a long-lasting antagonism (e.g. 20 days) of U69593-induced analgesia. These data show that, depending on the treatment regimen employed, nor-binaltorphimine can function as a selective kappa-opioid receptor antagonist, or as an antagonist at multiple opioid receptor subtypes. Further, they demonstrate that nor-binaltorphimine functions as a long-lasting kappa-opioid receptor antagonist in vivo.

Blockade of delta-opioid receptors prevents morphine-induced place preference in mice

Effects of highly selective delta-opioid receptor antagonists on the morphine-induced place preference in ddY and mu 1-opioid receptor deficient CXBK mice were investigated. Pretreatment with naltrindole (NTI: a non-selective delta-opioid receptor antagonist), 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX: a selective delta 1-opioid receptor antagonist) or naltriben (NTB: a selective delta 2-opioid receptor antagonist) abolished the morphine-induced place preference in ddY mice in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that the morphine-induced place preference may be mediated by both delta 1- and delta 2-opioid receptors. On the other hand, in mu 1-opioid receptor deficient CXBK mice, pretreatment with these selective delta-opioid receptor antagonists did not affect the morphine-induced place preference, although pretreatment with beta-funaltrexamine (beta-FNA: a selective mu-opioid receptor antagonist) significantly inhibited the morphine-induced place preference. [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE: a delta 1-opioid receptor agonist) and [D-Ala2,Glu4]deltorphin (deltorphin II: a delta 2-opioid receptor agonist) induced a significant place preference in ddY mice, but not in CXBK mice. These results suggest that delta 1- and delta 2-opioid receptors in the nucleus accumbens that are related to the DPDPE- and deltorphin II-induced place preference may be dysfunctional and/or poor in CXBK mice. These findings also indicate that delta 1- and delta 2-opioid receptors may be involved in the modulation of the reinforcing effect of morphine.