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Beane CR, Lewis DG, Bruns Vi N, Pikus KL, Durfee MH, Zegarelli RA, Perry TW, Sandoval O, Radke AK. Cholinergic mu-opioid receptor deletion alters reward preference and aversion-resistance. Neuropharmacology 2024; 255:110019. [PMID: 38810926 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110019] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
The endogenous opioid system has been implicated in alcohol consumption and preference in both humans and animals. The mu opioid receptor (MOR) is expressed on multiple cells in the striatum, however little is known about the contributions of specific MOR populations to alcohol drinking behaviors. The current study used mice with a genetic deletion of MOR in cholinergic cells (ChAT-Cre/Oprm1fl/fl) to examine the role of MORs expressed in cholinergic interneurons (CINs) in home cage self-administration paradigms. Male and female ChAT-Cre/Oprm1fl/fl mice were generated and heterozygous Cre+ (knockout) and Cre- (control) mice were tested for alcohol consumption in two drinking paradigms: limited access "Drinking in the Dark" and intermittent access. Quinine was added to the drinking bottles in the DID experiment to test aversion-resistant, "compulsive" drinking. Nicotine and sucrose drinking were also assessed so comparisons could be made with other rewarding substances. Cholinergic MOR deletion did not influence consumption or preference for ethanol (EtOH) in either drinking task. Differences were observed in aversion-resistance in males with Cre + mice tolerating lower concentrations of quinine than Cre-. In contrast to EtOH, preference for nicotine was reduced following cholinergic MOR deletion while sucrose consumption and preference was increased in Cre+ (vs. Cre-) females. Locomotor activity was also greater in females following the deletion. These results suggest that cholinergic MORs participate in preference for rewarding substances. Further, while they are not required for consumption of alcohol alone, cholinergic MORs may influence the tendency to drink despite negative consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cambria R Beane
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Delainey G Lewis
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Nicolaus Bruns Vi
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Kat L Pikus
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Mary H Durfee
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Roman A Zegarelli
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Thomas W Perry
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Oscar Sandoval
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Anna K Radke
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA.
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Hauser SR, Waeiss RA, Deehan GA, Engleman EA, Bell RL, Rodd ZA. Adolescent alcohol and nicotine exposure alters the adult response to alcohol use. ADVANCES IN DRUG AND ALCOHOL RESEARCH 2023; 3:11880. [PMID: 38389816 PMCID: PMC10880795 DOI: 10.3389/adar.2023.11880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Adolescence through young adulthood is a unique period of neuronal development and maturation. Numerous agents can alter this process, resulting in long-term neurological and biological consequences. In the clinical literature, it is frequently reported that adolescent alcohol consumption increases the propensity to develop addictions, including alcohol use disorder (AUD), during adulthood. A general limitation of both clinical and human pre-clinical adolescent alcohol research is the high rate of co-using/abusing more than one drug during adolescence, such as co-using/abusing alcohol with nicotine. A primary goal of basic research is elucidating neuroadaptations produced by adolescent alcohol exposure/consumption that promote alcohol and other drug self-administration in adulthood. The long-term goal is to develop pharmacotherapeutics for the prevention or amelioration of these neuroadaptations. This review will focus on studies that have examined the effects of adolescent alcohol and nicotine exposure on adult alcohol consumption, the hypersensitivity of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system, and enhanced responses not only to alcohol but also to nicotine during adulthood. Again, the long-term goal is to identify potential cholinergic agents to prevent or ameliorate the consequences of, peri-adolescent alcohol abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheketha R Hauser
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Robert A Waeiss
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Gerald A Deehan
- Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States
| | - Eric A Engleman
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Richard L Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Zachary A Rodd
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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Zhu M, Rogers NG, Jahad JV, Herman MA. Sex Differences in the Impact of Electronic Nicotine Vapor on Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptor 1 Neurons in the Mouse Ventral Tegmental Area. J Neurosci 2023; 43:3081-3093. [PMID: 37001989 PMCID: PMC10146490 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2087-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Nicotine engages dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to encode reward and drive the development of nicotine addiction, however how nicotine alters a stress associated VTA population remains unclear. Here, we used male and female CRF1-GFP mice and nicotine vapor exposure to examine the effects of nicotine in VTA corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 (CRF1) neurons. We use immunohistochemistry and electrophysiology to examine neuronal activity, excitability, and inhibitory signaling. We found that VTA CRF1 neurons are mainly dopaminergic and project to the nucleus accumbens (NAc; VTA-NAcCRF1 neurons). VTA-NAcCRF1 neurons show greater phasic inhibition in naive females and greater focal nicotine-induced increases in firing in naive males. Following acute nicotine vapor exposure, phasic inhibition was not altered, but focal nicotine-induced tonic inhibition was enhanced in females and diminished in males. Acute nicotine vapor exposure did not affect firing in VTA-NAcCRF1 neurons, but females showed lower baseline firing and higher focal nicotine-induced firing. Activity (cFos) was increased in the CRF1 dopaminergic VTA population in both sexes, but with greater increases in females. Following chronic nicotine vapor exposure, both sexes displayed reduced basal phasic inhibition and the sex difference in tonic inhibition following acute vapor exposure was no longer observed. Additionally, activity of the CRF1 dopaminergic VTA population was no longer elevated in either sex. These findings reveal sex-dependent and exposure-dependent changes in mesolimbic VTA-NAc CRF1 neuronal activity, inhibitory signaling, and nicotine sensitivity following nicotine vapor exposure. These changes potentially contribute to nicotine-dependent behaviors and the intersection between stress, anxiety, and addiction.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Nicotine is known to engage reward systems in the brain historically centering the neurotransmitter dopamine however, how nicotine impacts other neurons in the reward pathway is less clear. The current study investigates the impact of acute and chronic electronic nicotine vapor exposure in a genetically-defined cell population containing the stress receptor corticotropin-releasing factor 1 (CRF1) that is located in the reward circuitry. This study employs functional measures of neuronal activity and identifies important sex differences in nicotine's effects across time and exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- ManHua Zhu
- Neuroscience Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Neil G Rogers
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Jasmine V Jahad
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Melissa A Herman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
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Sneddon EA, Masters BM, Ream KD, Fennell KA, DeMedio JN, Cash MM, Hollingsworth BP, Pandrangi S, Thach CM, Shi H, Radke AK. Sex chromosome and gonadal hormone contributions to binge-like and aversion-resistant ethanol drinking behaviors in Four Core Genotypes mice. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1098387. [PMID: 36960454 PMCID: PMC10027717 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1098387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction While substantial research has focused on the contribution of sex hormones to driving elevated levels of alcohol drinking in female rodents, fewer studies have investigated how genetic influences may underlie sex differences in this behavior. Methods We used the Four Core Genotypes (FCG) mouse model to explore the contribution of sex chromosome complement (XX/XY) and gonad type [ovaries (Sry-)/testes (Sry+)] to ethanol (EtOH) consumption and quinine-resistant drinking across two voluntary self-administration tasks: limited access consumption in the home cage and an operant response task. Results For limited access drinking in the dark, XY/Sry + (vs. XX/Sry +) mice consumed more 15% EtOH across sessions while preference for 15% EtOH vs. water was higher in XY vs. XX mice regardless of gonad type. XY chromosomes promoted quinine-resistant drinking in mice with ovaries (Sry-) and the estrous cycle did not affect the results. In the operant response task, responding for EtOH was concentration dependent in all genotypes except XX/Sry + mice, which maintained consistent response levels across all concentrations (5-20%) of EtOH. When increasing concentrations of quinine (100-500 μM) were added to the solution, FCG mice were insensitive to quinine-punished EtOH responding, regardless of sex chromosome complement. Sry + mice were further found to be insensitive to quinine when presented in water. Importantly, these effects were not influenced by sensitivity to EtOH's sedative effect, as no differences were observed in the time to lose the righting reflex or the time to regain the righting reflex between genotypes. Additionally, no differences in EtOH concentration in the blood were observed between any of the genotypes once the righting reflex was regained. Discussion These results provide evidence that sex chromosome complement regulates EtOH consumption, preference, and aversion resistance and add to a growing body of literature suggesting that chromosomal sex may be an important contributor to alcohol drinking behaviors. Examination of sex-specific genetic differences may uncover promising new therapeutic targets for high-risk drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Sneddon
- Department of Psychology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
- Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
| | - Brianna M. Masters
- Department of Psychology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
- Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
| | - Kiara D. Ream
- Department of Psychology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
- Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
| | - Kaila A. Fennell
- Department of Psychology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
- Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
| | - Jenelle N. DeMedio
- Department of Psychology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
- Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
| | - Miranda M. Cash
- Department of Psychology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
- Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
| | - Brynn P. Hollingsworth
- Department of Psychology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
- Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
| | - Sai Pandrangi
- Department of Psychology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
- Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
| | - Chloe M. Thach
- Department of Psychology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
- Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
| | - Haifei Shi
- Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
| | - Anna K. Radke
- Department of Psychology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
- Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH, United States
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5
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Echeveste Sanchez M, Quadir SG, Whindleton CM, Hoffman JL, Faccidomo SP, Guhr Lee TN, Esther CR, Hodge CW, Herman MA. The effects of electronic nicotine vapor on voluntary alcohol consumption in female and male C57BL/6 J mice. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 241:109676. [PMID: 36343590 PMCID: PMC9979979 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Alcohol drinking and nicotine vaping often co-occur and dependence on both substances is common. However, the impact of nicotine vaping on alcohol consumption is not fully understood. METHODS We examined the effects of nicotine vaping on ethanol drinking in female and male C57BL/6 J mice using an electronic nicotine delivery system and intermittent access two-bottle choice (IA-2BC) drinking. Mice were exposed to electronic nicotine vapor (3%) or propylene glycol/vegetable glycerol (PG/VG) control for 3 h sessions daily for 4 weeks and voluntary alcohol consumption was monitored. Nicotine vapor exposure was stopped and voluntary alcohol drinking was measured for a 2 week abstinence period. We also examined the effects of alcohol and nicotine on locomotion, temperature, and nicotine metabolism. RESULTS Following acute nicotine vapor exposure, alcohol drinking was increased in males but not in females. Thermoregulation was disrupted following nicotine vapor exposure and voluntary drinking. Male and female mice displayed increased locomotor activity immediately following chronic nicotine vapor exposure, and an anxiolytic effect was seen in males. In nicotine vapor abstinence, female mice displayed increased alcohol consumption. Locomotor activity and anxiolytic effects remained elevated in male but not female mice. Female mice displayed higher levels of serum nicotine and hydroxycotinine, suggesting impaired metabolism following chronic drinking and nicotine vapor exposure. CONCLUSION Collectively, these results suggest that while both male and female ethanol-drinking mice experience the stimulatory effects of nicotine vapor, only in males is there a parallel increase in ethanol drinking and only females display impairments in nicotine metabolism after drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Echeveste Sanchez
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Curriculum in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - S G Quadir
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Curriculum in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - C M Whindleton
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Curriculum in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - J L Hoffman
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Curriculum in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - S P Faccidomo
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Curriculum in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - T N Guhr Lee
- Curriculum in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Marsico Lung Institute/Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - C R Esther
- Curriculum in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Marsico Lung Institute/Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - C W Hodge
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Curriculum in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - M A Herman
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Curriculum in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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6
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Savarese AM, Metten P, Phillips TJ, Jensen BE, Crabbe JC, Ozburn AR. Midazolam, methamphetamine, morphine and nicotine intake in high‐drinking‐in‐the‐dark mice. Addict Biol 2022; 27:e13212. [PMID: 36001437 PMCID: PMC9677807 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The high-drinking-in-the-dark (HDID) lines of mice were selectively bred for achieving high blood alcohol levels in the drinking-in-the-dark (DID) task and have served as a unique genetic risk model for binge-like alcohol intake. However, little is known about their willingness to consume other addictive drugs. Here, we examined (a) whether the HDID-1 and HDID-2 lines of mice would voluntarily consume midazolam, methamphetamine, morphine and nicotine in a DID test and (b) whether the HDID lines differ from their founders, heterogeneous stock/Northport (HS/NPT), in consumption levels of these drugs at the concentrations tested. Separate groups of HDID-1, HDID-2 and HS/NPT mice were given 4 days of access to each drug, using the single-bottle, limited-access DID paradigm. Male and female mice of both HDID lines consumed all four offered drugs. We observed no genotype differences in 40 μg/ml methamphetamine intake, but significant differences in nicotine, midazolam and morphine intake. Both HDID lines drank significantly more (150 μg/ml) midazolam than their founders, providing strong support for a shared genetic contribution to binge ethanol and midazolam intake. HDID-2 mice, but not HDID-1 mice, consumed more morphine (700 μg/ml) and more nicotine across a range of concentrations than HS/NPT mice. These results demonstrate that the HDID mice can be utilized for tests of voluntary drug consumption other than ethanol and highlight potentially important differences between HDID lines in risk for elevated drug intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia M. Savarese
- Portland Alcohol Research Center, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience Oregon Health & Science University Portland USA
| | - Pamela Metten
- Portland Alcohol Research Center, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience Oregon Health & Science University Portland USA
- VA Portland Health Care System Portland USA
| | - Tamara J. Phillips
- Portland Alcohol Research Center, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience Oregon Health & Science University Portland USA
- VA Portland Health Care System Portland USA
| | - Bryan E. Jensen
- Portland Alcohol Research Center, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience Oregon Health & Science University Portland USA
- VA Portland Health Care System Portland USA
| | - John C. Crabbe
- Portland Alcohol Research Center, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience Oregon Health & Science University Portland USA
- VA Portland Health Care System Portland USA
| | - Angela R. Ozburn
- Portland Alcohol Research Center, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience Oregon Health & Science University Portland USA
- VA Portland Health Care System Portland USA
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7
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Banna FKE, Otto JM, Mulloy SM, Tsai W, McElroy SM, Wong AL, Cutts G, Vrieze SI, Lee AM. Back-translating GWAS findings to animal models reveals a role for Hgfac and Slc39a8 in alcohol and nicotine consumption. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9336. [PMID: 35661789 PMCID: PMC9167284 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13283-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol and tobacco are the most commonly used addictive substances, with high comorbidity rates between alcohol use disorder and tobacco use disorder. Risk for alcohol and nicotine addiction is highly heritable, and they share common genetic factors. A GWAS in over 1 million individuals has revealed 566 genetic variants in 406 loci associated with multiple stages of alcohol and tobacco use. Three novel genes-SLC39A8, GRK4 and HGFAC-within loci associated with altered alcoholic drinks per week (ADW) or cigarettes per day (CPD) were selected to further study their role in alcohol and tobacco use disorder. The role of these genes was assessed using the two-bottle choice addiction paradigm in transgenic mice for each of the genes. We found significant decreases in chronic alcohol consumption and preference in female Hgfac knockout (KO) mice, and decreased nicotine preference in male Hgfac KO compared with wild-type (WT) mice. Additionally, male Slc39a8 hypomorph mice showed greater overall nicotine preference compared with WT mice, while no differences were detected for Grk4 KO mice in alcohol or nicotine consumption and preference in either sex. Thus, this study implicates Hgfac and Slc39a8 in alcohol and tobacco use in a sex-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- F K El Banna
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - J M Otto
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - S M Mulloy
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - W Tsai
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - S M McElroy
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - A L Wong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - G Cutts
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - S I Vrieze
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - A M Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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8
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Poisson CL, Engel L, Saunders BT. Dopamine Circuit Mechanisms of Addiction-Like Behaviors. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:752420. [PMID: 34858143 PMCID: PMC8631198 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.752420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Addiction is a complex disease that impacts millions of people around the world. Clinically, addiction is formalized as substance use disorder (SUD), with three primary symptom categories: exaggerated substance use, social or lifestyle impairment, and risky substance use. Considerable efforts have been made to model features of these criteria in non-human animal research subjects, for insight into the underlying neurobiological mechanisms. Here we review evidence from rodent models of SUD-inspired criteria, focusing on the role of the striatal dopamine system. We identify distinct mesostriatal and nigrostriatal dopamine circuit functions in behavioral outcomes that are relevant to addictions and SUDs. This work suggests that striatal dopamine is essential for not only positive symptom features of SUDs, such as elevated intake and craving, but also for impairments in decision making that underlie compulsive behavior, reduced sociality, and risk taking. Understanding the functional heterogeneity of the dopamine system and related networks can offer insight into this complex symptomatology and may lead to more targeted treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carli L. Poisson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Liv Engel
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Benjamin T. Saunders
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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9
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Moen JK, Lee AM. Sex Differences in the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor System of Rodents: Impacts on Nicotine and Alcohol Reward Behaviors. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:745783. [PMID: 34621155 PMCID: PMC8490611 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.745783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol and nicotine are the two most widely used and misused drugs around the world, and co-consumption of both substances is highly prevalent. Multiple lines of evidence show a profound effect of sex in many aspects of alcohol and nicotine reward, with women having more difficulty quitting smoking and showing a faster progression toward developing alcohol use disorder compared with men. Both alcohol and nicotine require neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) to elicit rewarding effects within the mesolimbic system, representing a shared molecular pathway that likely contributes to the frequent comorbidity of alcohol and nicotine dependence. However, the majority of preclinical studies on the mechanisms of alcohol and nicotine reward behaviors utilize only male rodents, and thus our understanding of alcohol and nicotine neuropharmacology relies heavily on male data. As preclinical research informs the development and refinement of therapies to help patients reduce drug consumption, it is critical to understand the way biological sex and sex hormones influence the rewarding properties of alcohol and nicotine. In this review, we summarize what is known about sex differences in rodent models of alcohol and nicotine reward behaviors with a focus on neuronal nAChRs, highlighting exciting areas for future research. Additionally, we discuss the way circulating sex hormones may interact with neuronal nAChRs to influence reward-related behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna K Moen
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Anna M Lee
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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10
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Wong AL, McElroy SM, Robinson JM, Mulloy SM, El Banna FK, Harris AC, LeSage MG, Lee AM. Flavor-specific enhancement of electronic cigarette liquid consumption and preference in mice. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 211:107995. [PMID: 32354580 PMCID: PMC7328293 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of electronic cigarettes has increased over the past decade. To determine how the abuse liability of electronic cigarette liquids (e-liquids) differs from nicotine alone, and to determine the impact of flavor, we compared nicotine-containing fruit- and tobacco-flavored e-liquids, and their nicotine-free versions, to nicotine alone in mouse models of oral consumption, reward and aversion. METHODS Adult male C57BL/6 J mice voluntarily consumed oral nicotine, equivalent nicotine concentrations of fruit- and tobacco-flavored e-liquid, and equivalent dilutions of the nicotine-free versions in 2-bottle choice tests. Conditioned place preference and place aversion were assessed with peripherally administered e-liquids or nicotine. Serum nicotine and cotinine levels were measured after subcutaneous injections of e-liquid or nicotine. RESULTS Mice showed higher consumption and preference for the fruit-flavored e-liquid compared with nicotine alone. This increase was not due to the flavor itself as consumption of the nicotine-free fruit-flavored e-liquid was not elevated until the highest concentration tested. The increased consumption and preference were not observed with the tobacco-flavored e-liquid. The conditioned place preference, place aversion and nicotine pharmacokinetics of the fruit-flavored e-liquid were not significantly different from nicotine alone. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that fruit, but not tobacco flavor, increased the oral consumption of e-liquid compared with nicotine alone. Moreover, this enhancement was not due to increased consumption of the flavor itself, altered rewarding or aversive properties after peripheral administration, or altered pharmacokinetics. This flavor-specific enhancement suggests that some flavors may lead to higher nicotine intake and increased use of e-liquids compared with nicotine alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Wong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - S M McElroy
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - J M Robinson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - S M Mulloy
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - F K El Banna
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - A C Harris
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Department of Medicine, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - M G LeSage
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Department of Medicine, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - A M Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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Unequal interactions between alcohol and nicotine co-consumption: suppression and enhancement of concurrent drug intake. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:967-978. [PMID: 31858160 PMCID: PMC7124972 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05426-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Alcohol and nicotine addiction are prevalent conditions that co-occur. Despite the prevalence of co-use, factors that influence the suppression and enhancement of concurrent alcohol and nicotine intake are largely unknown. OBJECTIVES Our goals were to assess how nicotine abstinence and availability influenced concurrent alcohol consumption and to determine the impact of quinine adulteration of alcohol on aversion-resistant alcohol consumption and concurrent nicotine consumption. METHODS Male and female C57BL/6J mice voluntarily consumed unsweetened alcohol, nicotine, and water in a chronic 3-bottle choice procedure. In experiment 1, nicotine access was removed for 1 week and re-introduced the following week, while the alcohol and water bottles remained available at all times. In experiment 2, quinine (100-1000 μM) was added to the 20% alcohol bottle, while the nicotine and water bottles remained unaltered. RESULTS In experiment 1, we found that alcohol consumption and preference were unaffected by the presence or absence of nicotine access in both male and female mice. In experiment 2a, we found that quinine temporarily suppressed alcohol intake and enhanced concurrent nicotine, but not water, preference in both male and female mice. In experiment 2b, chronic quinine suppression of alcohol intake increased nicotine consumption and preference in female mice without affecting water preference, whereas it increased water and nicotine preference in male mice. CONCLUSIONS Quinine suppression of alcohol consumption enhanced the preference for concurrent nicotine preference in male and female mice, suggesting that mice compensate for the quinine adulteration of alcohol by increasing their nicotine preference.
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