1
|
St. Onge C, Pagare PP, Zheng Y, Arriaga M, Stevens DL, Mendez RE, Poklis JL, Halquist MS, Selley DE, Dewey WL, Banks ML, Zhang Y. Systematic Structure-Activity Relationship Study of Nalfurafine Analogues toward Development of Potentially Nonaddictive Pain Management Treatments. J Med Chem 2024; 67:9552-9574. [PMID: 38814086 PMCID: PMC11181328 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Despite the availability of numerous pain medications, the current array of Food and Drug Administration-approved options falls short in adequately addressing pain states for numerous patients and consequently worsens the opioid crisis. Thus, it is imperative for basic research to develop novel and nonaddictive pain medications. Toward addressing this clinical goal, nalfurafine (NLF) was chosen as a lead and its structure-activity relationship (SAR) systematically studied through design, syntheses, and in vivo characterization of 24 analogues. Two analogues, 21 and 23, showed longer durations of action than NLF in a warm-water tail immersion assay, produced in vivo effects primarily mediated by KOR and DOR, penetrated the blood-brain barrier, and did not function as reinforcers. Additionally, 21 produced fewer sedative effects than NLF. Taken together, these results aid the understanding of NLF SAR and provide insights for future endeavors in developing novel nonaddictive therapeutics to treat pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Celsey
M. St. Onge
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth
University, 800 E. Leigh
Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, United States
| | - Piyusha P. Pagare
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth
University, 800 E. Leigh
Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, United States
| | - Yi Zheng
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth
University, 800 E. Leigh
Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, United States
| | - Michelle Arriaga
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia
Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - David L. Stevens
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia
Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Rolando E. Mendez
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia
Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Justin L. Poklis
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, Virginia Commonwealth
University, 410 North
12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Matthew S. Halquist
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, Virginia Commonwealth
University, 410 North
12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Dana E. Selley
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia
Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - William L. Dewey
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia
Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Matthew L. Banks
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia
Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth
University, 800 E. Leigh
Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, United States
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia
Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
- Institute
for Drug and Alcohol Studies, 203 East Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Beacher NJ, Kuo JY, Targum M, Wang M, Washington KA, Barbera G, Lin DT. A modular, cost-effective, versatile, open-source operant box solution for long-term miniscope imaging, 3D tracking, and deep learning behavioral analysis. MethodsX 2024; 12:102721. [PMID: 38660044 PMCID: PMC11041912 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2024.102721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In this procedure we have included an open-source method for a customized operant chamber optimized for long-term miniature microscope (miniscope) recordings. •The miniscope box is designed to function with custom or typical med-associates style accessories (e.g., houselights, levers, etc.).•The majority of parts can be directly purchased which minimizes the need for skilled and time-consuming labor.•We include designs and estimated pricing for a single box but it is recommended to build these in larger batches to efficiently utilize bulk ordering of certain components.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J. Beacher
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Jessica Y. Kuo
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Miranda Targum
- Penn Memory Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michael Wang
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Kayden A. Washington
- The Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Giovanna Barbera
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Da-Ting Lin
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
St Onge CM, Canfield JR, Ortiz A, Sprague JE, Banks ML. Xylazine does not enhance fentanyl reinforcement in rats: A behavioral economic analysis. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 258:111282. [PMID: 38593731 PMCID: PMC11146009 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
The adulteration of illicit fentanyl with the alpha-2 agonist xylazine has been designated an emerging public health threat. The clinical rationale for combining fentanyl with xylazine is currently unclear, and the inability to study fentanyl/xylazine interactions in humans warrants the need for preclinical research. We studied fentanyl and xylazine pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions in male and female rats using drug self-administration behavioral economic methods. Fentanyl, but not xylazine, functioned as a reinforcer under both fixed-ratio and progressive-ratio drug self-administration procedures. Xylazine combined with fentanyl at three fixed dose-proportion mixtures did not significantly alter fentanyl reinforcement as measured using behavioral economic analyses. Xylazine produced a proportion-dependent decrease in the behavioral economic Q0 endpoint compared to fentanyl alone. However, xylazine did not significantly alter fentanyl self-administration at FR1. Fentanyl and xylazine co-administration did not result in changes to pharmacokinetic endpoints. The present results demonstrate that xylazine does not enhance the addictive effects of fentanyl or alter fentanyl plasma concentrations. The premise for why illicitly manufacture fentanyl has been adulterated with xylazine remains to be determined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Celsey M St Onge
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Jeremy R Canfield
- The Ohio Attorney General's Center for the Future of Forensic Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA
| | - Allison Ortiz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Jon E Sprague
- The Ohio Attorney General's Center for the Future of Forensic Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA.
| | - Matthew L Banks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chow JJ, Pitts KM, Chabot JM, Ito R, Shaham Y. A rat model of operant negative reinforcement in opioid-dependent males and females. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00213-024-06594-w. [PMID: 38642101 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06594-w] [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: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE Avoidance of opioid withdrawal plays a key role in human opioid addiction. Here, we present a procedure for studying operant negative reinforcement in rats that was inspired by primate procedures where opioid-dependent subjects lever-press to prevent naloxone infusions. METHODS In Experiment 1, we trained rats (n = 30, 15 females) to lever-press to escape and then avoid mild footshocks (0.13-0.27 mA) for 35 days (30 trials/d). Next, we catheterized them and implanted minipumps containing methadone (10 mg/kg/day) or saline. We then paired (4 times, single session) a light cue (20-s) with a naloxone infusion (20 µg/kg, i.v) that precipitated opioid withdrawal. Next, we trained the rats to escape naloxone injections for 10 days (30 trials/d). Each trial started with the onset of the opioid-withdrawal cue. After 20-s, the lever extended, and an infusion of naloxone (1 to 2.2 µg/kg/infusion) began; a lever-press during an 11-s window terminated the withdrawal-paired cue and the infusion. In Experiment 2, we trained rats (n = 34, 17 females) on the same procedure but decreased the footshock escape/avoidance training to 20 days. RESULTS All rats learned to lever-press to escape or avoid mild footshocks. In both experiments, a subset, 56% (10/18) and 33% (8/24) of methadone-dependent rats learned to lever-press to escape naloxone infusions. CONCLUSIONS We introduce an operant negative reinforcement procedure where a subset of opioid-dependent rats learned to lever-press to escape withdrawal-inducing naloxone infusions. The procedure can be used to study mechanisms of individual differences in opioid negative reinforcement-related behaviors in opioid-dependent rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kayla M Pitts
- Intramural Research Program, NIDA, NIH, Baltimore, USA
| | | | - Rutsuko Ito
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yavin Shaham
- Intramural Research Program, NIDA, NIH, Baltimore, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ingabire D, Qin C, Meng T, Raynold AAM, Sudarjat H, Townsend EA, Pangeni R, Poudel S, Arriaga M, Zhao L, Chow WN, Banks M, Xu Q. Nor-LAAM loaded PLGA Microparticles for Treating Opioid Use Disorder. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.08.588574. [PMID: 38645066 PMCID: PMC11030377 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.08.588574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The treatment landscape for opioid use disorder (OUD) faces challenges stemming from the limited efficacy of existing medications, poor adherence to prescribed regimens, and a heightened risk of fatal overdose post-treatment cessation. Therefore, there is a pressing need for innovative therapeutic strategies that enhance the effectiveness of interventions and the overall well-being of individuals with OUD. This study explored the therapeutic potential of nor-Levo-α-acetylmethadol (nor-LAAM) to treat OUD. We developed sustained release nor-LAAM-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles (MP) using a hydrophobic ion pairing (HIP) approach. The nor-LAAM-MP prepared using HIP with pamoic acid had high drug loading and exhibited minimal initial burst release and sustained release. The nor-LAAM-MP was further optimized for desirable particle size, drug loading, and release kinetics. The lead nor-LAAM-MP (F4) had a relatively high drug loading (11 wt.%) and an average diameter (19 µm) and maintained a sustained drug release for 4 weeks. A single subcutaneous injection of nor-LAAM-MP (F4) provided detectable nor-LAAM levels in rabbit plasma for at least 15 days. We further evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of nor-LAAM-MP (F4) in a well-established fentanyl-addiction rat model, and revealed a marked reduction in fentanyl choice and withdrawal symptoms in fentanyl-dependent rats. These findings provide insights into further developing long-acting nor-LAAM-MP for treating OUD. It has the potential to offer a new effective medication to the existing sparse armamentarium of products available to treat OUD.
Collapse
|
6
|
Beasley MM, Amantini S, Gunawan T, Silberberg A, Kearns DN. Cocaine and heroin interact differently with nondrug reinforcers in a choice situation. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2024; 32:158-172. [PMID: 37535523 PMCID: PMC10837314 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
The present study used a rat choice model to test how cocaine or heroin economically interacted with two different nondrug reinforcers along the substitute-to-complement continuum. In Experiment 1, the nondrug alternative was the negative reinforcer timeout-from-avoidance (TOA)-that is, rats could press a lever to obtain a period of safety from footshock. One group of rats chose between cocaine and TOA and another group chose between heroin and TOA. The relative prices of the reinforcers were manipulated across phases while controlling for potential income effects. When cocaine was the reinforcer, rats reacted to price changes by increasing their allocation of behavior to the more expensive option, thereby maintaining relatively proportional intake of cocaine and TOA reinforcers across prices, suggesting these reinforcers were complements here. In contrast, when heroin became relatively cheap, rats increased allocation of income to heroin and decreased allocation of income to TOA, suggesting that heroin substituted for safety. Additionally, rats were willing to accept more footshocks when heroin was easily available. In Experiment 2, the nondrug alternative was saccharin, a positive reinforcer. Heroin and saccharin were complements, but there was no consistent effect of price changes on the allocation of behavior between cocaine and saccharin. As a model of the processes that could be involved in human drug use, these results show that drug-taking behavior depends on the type of drug, the type of nondrug alternative available, and the prices of both. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Amantini
- Psychology Department, American University, Washington, DC
| | - Tommy Gunawan
- Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory, NIAAA/NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Huang P, Ho CK, Cao D, Inan S, Rawls SM, Li M, Huang B, Pagare PP, Townsend EA, Poklis JL, Halquist MS, Banks M, Zhang Y, Liu-Chen LY. NCP, a dual kappa and mu opioid receptor agonist, is a potent analgesic against inflammatory pain without reinforcing or aversive properties. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 389:JPET-AR-2023-001870. [PMID: 38409113 PMCID: PMC10949162 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
While agonists of mu (MOR) and kappa (KOR) opioid receptors have analgesic effects, they produce euphoria and dysphoria, respectively. Other side effects include respiratory depression and addiction for MOR agonists and sedation for KOR agonists. We reported that 17-cyclopropylmethyl-3,14β-dihydroxy-4,5α-epoxy-6β-{[4'-(2'-cyanopyridyl)]carboxamido}cmorphinan (NCP) displayed potent KOR full agonist and MOR partial agonist activities (58%) with 6.5x KOR-over-MOR selectivity in vitro Herein, we characterized pharmacological effects of NCP in rodents. In mice, NCP exerted analgesic effects against inflammatory pain in both the formalin test and the acetic acid writhing test, with A50 values of 47.6 and 14.4 microg/kg (s.c.), respectively. The analgesic effects in the acetic acid writhing test were mediated by the KOR. NCP at doses much higher than those effective in reducing inflammatory pain did not produce antinociception in the hot plate and tail flick tests, inhibit compound 48/80-induced scratching, cause conditioned place aversion (CPA) or preference, impair rotarod performance, inhibit locomotor activity, cause respiratory depression, or precipitate morphine withdrawal. However, NCP (10~100 microg/kg) inhibited gastrointestinal transit with a maximum of ~40% inhibition. In MOR knockout mice, NCP caused CPA, demonstrating that its lack of CPA is due to combined actions on the MOR and KOR. Following s.c. injection, NCP penetrated into the mouse brain. In rats trained to self-administer heroin, NCP (1~320 microg/kg/infusion) did not function as a reinforcer. Thus, NCP produces potent analgesic effects via KOR without side effects except constipation. Therefore, dual full KOR/partial MOR agonists with moderate KOR-over-MOR selectivity may be promising as non-addictive analgesics for inflammatory pain. Significance Statement Developing non-addictive analgesics is crucial for reducing opioid overdose deaths, minimizing drug misuse, and promoting safer pain management practices. Herein, pharmacology of a potential non-addictive analgesic, NCP, is reported. NCP has full KOR agonist / partial MOR agonist activities with a 6.5 x selectivity for KOR over MOR. Unlike MOR agonists, analgesic doses of NCP do not lead to self-administration or respiratory depression. Furthermore, NCP does not produce aversion, hypolocomotion, or motor incoordination, side effects typically associated with KOR activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Huang
- Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, United States
| | - Conrad K Ho
- Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, United States
| | - Danni Cao
- Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, United States
| | - Saadet Inan
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, United States
| | - Scott M Rawls
- Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, United States
| | - Mengchu Li
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, United States
| | - Boshi Huang
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, United States
| | - Piyusha P Pagare
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, United States
| | | | | | | | - Matthew Banks
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, United States
| | - Yan Zhang
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, United States
| | - Lee-Yuan Liu-Chen
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
McCann DJ, Chen HH, Devine EG, Gyaw S, Ramey T. Results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of lorcaserin in cocaine use disorder. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 255:111063. [PMID: 38163425 PMCID: PMC10872513 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.111063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a major public health problem for which there is no approved pharmacotherapy. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of lorcaserin, a 5-hydroxytryptamine2 C (5-HT2 C) receptor agonist, to facilitate abstinence in individuals seeking treatment for CUD. METHODS This was a 12-site, randomized, parallel arm study with a 13-week Treatment Phase that included a 1-week, single-blind run-in period when all participants received twice daily 15mg acetazolamide capsules (a medication adherence marker), followed by randomization to either twice daily 10mg lorcaserin or placebo capsules for the remaining 12 weeks. Pre-randomization data were utilized in an enrichment strategy aimed at achieving high levels of medication adherence and low placebo response rates in a subgroup of participants that qualified for the "efficacy population." For lorcaserin vs. placebo, the primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of participants in the efficacy population achieving abstinence during the last three weeks of treatment, as evidenced by self-report of no cocaine use, confirmed by urine testing. RESULTS Within the efficacy population, 1.1% of 91 participants receiving lorcaserin and 4.3% of 92 receiving placebo achieved abstinence during the last 3 weeks of treatment. Among all randomized participants, 2.5% of 118 receiving lorcaserin and 5.6% of 124 receiving placebo achieved similar abstinence. Study participants receiving lorcaserin exhibited significantly greater reductions in body weight and BMI, indicating that medication adherence was sufficient to produce a pharmacological effect. CONCLUSIONS Twice daily 10mg lorcaserin failed to demonstrate efficacy in the treatment of CUD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David J McCann
- Division of Therapeutics and Medical Consequences, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Hegang H Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Eric G Devine
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Shwe Gyaw
- Division of Therapeutics and Medical Consequences, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Tatiana Ramey
- Division of Therapeutics and Medical Consequences, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Robinson HL, Moerke MJ, Banks ML, Negus SS. Effects of naltrexone on amphetamine choice in rhesus monkeys and rats. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2023; 31:1080-1091. [PMID: 37184942 PMCID: PMC10788965 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Clinical amphetamine use is constrained by high abuse potential, and amphetamine use disorder is a persistent clinical problem with no approved medications for its treatment. The opioid antagonist naltrexone has been reported to reduce some abuse-related effects of amphetamine. This study used an amphetamine-versus-food choice procedure in rhesus monkeys and rats to test the hypothesis that naltrexone might serve as either (a) a maintenance medication for amphetamine use disorder treatment or (b) an "abuse-deterrent" adjunct to clinical amphetamine formulations. Male rhesus monkeys and male and female rats were trained to choose between increasing unit doses of intravenous amphetamine and an alternative food reinforcer during daily behavioral sessions. Experiment 1 evaluated effectiveness of continuous naltrexone maintenance to reduce amphetamine-versus-food choice in both monkeys and rats. Experiment 2 combined naltrexone with amphetamine in fixed-proportion amphetamine + naltrexone mixtures to evaluate the effectiveness of naltrexone in both species to reduce mixture choice relative to amphetamine-alone choice. Amphetamine maintained a dose-dependent increase in amphetamine choice in both monkeys and rats. Naltrexone maintenance did not significantly decrease amphetamine choice in either species. Addition of naltrexone to amphetamine reduced amphetamine choices per session in monkeys, but behavior was not reallocated to food choice, and in rats, the addition of naltrexone only decreased food choice without significantly affecting amphetamine choice. These results argue against the use of naltrexone as either (a) a maintenance medication for treatment of amphetamine use disorder or (b) an "abuse-deterrent" adjunct to amphetamine for clinical applications. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matthew L. Banks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA 23298
| | - S. Stevens Negus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA 23298
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Marcus MM, Banks ML. Effects of environmental and pharmacological manipulations on cocaine-vs-negative reinforcer choice in male and female rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:1677-1689. [PMID: 37340053 PMCID: PMC11162248 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06404-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The adverse consequences of human addictive drug use could be the result of either addictive drug consumption resulting in punishment (e.g., incarceration) or failure to engage in negative-reinforced behaviors that might compete with drug-maintained behaviors (e.g., contingency management strategies that reset payment amounts for drug free urines). OBJECTIVE The goal of the present study was to establish a discrete-trial cocaine-vs-negative reinforcer (SNR) choice procedure where rats were presented with a simplified model of this conflict: choose negative reinforcement (i.e., escape or avoid foot shock) or choose an intravenous (IV) cocaine infusion followed by an inescapable shock. METHODS Responding was maintained in male and female rats by IV cocaine infusions (0.32-1.8 mg/kg/inf) and a SNR (0.1-0.7 mA shock) under a discrete-trial concurrent "choice" schedule during daily sessions. Following parametric reinforcer magnitude and response requirement experiments, the effects of 12 h extended access cocaine self-administration and acute diazepam (0.32-10 mg/kg, IP) pretreatment were determined on cocaine-vs-SNR choice. RESULTS Negative reinforcement was chosen over all cocaine doses. Lowering shock magnitude or increasing SNR response requirement failed to promote behavioral reallocation towards cocaine. Extended access cocaine self-administration sessions resulted in high daily cocaine intakes but failed to significantly increase cocaine choice in all (19) but one rat. Acute diazepam pretreatment also did not alter choice behavior up to doses that produced behavioral depression. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that SNRs may be a source of reinforcement that effectively compete with and mitigate maladaptive addictive drug-maintained behaviors in the general population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madison M Marcus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Matthew L Banks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Doyle WS, Freeman KB, Woods J, Huskinson SL. Choice between food and cocaine or fentanyl reinforcers under fixed and variable schedules in female and male rhesus monkeys. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:1573-1585. [PMID: 37266685 PMCID: PMC10581032 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06391-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Illicit drugs may be unpredictable in terms of the time and effort required to obtain them, and this can be modeled with variable- (VR) vs. fixed-ratio (FR) schedules. In a recent experiment (Zamarripa et al. 2023), the potency of cocaine to maintain choice was greatest under a VR (compared with a FR) when food was available under a FR schedule. OBJECTIVES The goal of the current study was to extend prior choice results with VR vs. FR schedules to a more efficient procedure with cocaine or fentanyl vs. food. Furthermore, the FR schedule of food delivery was manipulated to determine whether increased drug choice under a VR (compared with a FR) schedule depends on the size of the schedule of nondrug reinforcement. METHODS Adult female (n = 2) and male (n = 4) monkeys chose between cocaine (0-30 µg/kg/injection) or fentanyl (0-1.0 µg/kg/injection) and food (2 pellets/delivery) under a 5-component procedure. In different conditions, food was available under a FR 25, 50, or 100 and cocaine or fentanyl were available under FR or VR 100 schedules. RESULTS Cocaine's potency to maintain choice was greatest under a VR 100 (compared with FR 100) when food was available under a FR 50 or 100, and fentanyl's potency to maintain choice was generally greatest under a VR 100 (compared with FR 100) when food was available under a FR 25 or 100. However, outcomes between FR and VR schedules with fentanyl were less robust compared with cocaine. CONCLUSION Variability in the time and effort required to obtain illicit drugs could contribute to excessive allocation of behavior toward drug use at the expense of more predictable nondrug alternatives, supporting treatment or policies aimed at making drug access more predictable through agonist medications or a safe supply. The impact of variable requirements on drug choice may be reduced if nondrug reinforcers are relatively less costly, supporting the use of low-cost reinforcers in behavioral therapies like contingency management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W S Doyle
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - K B Freeman
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - J Woods
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - S L Huskinson
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Marcus MM, Banks ML. A concurrently available negative reinforcer robustly decreases cocaine self-administration in male and female rats. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.29.534800. [PMID: 37034754 PMCID: PMC10081230 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.29.534800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Continued drug-taking despite adverse consequences is hypothesized to be an insidious behavioral hallmark of drug addiction. Although most preclinical research has focused on drug self-administration in the presence of positive punishment, another source of potential adverse consequences is behavioral allocation away from negative reinforcers (i.e., escape/avoid electric shock) and towards drug reinforcers. The goals of the present study were to establish a discrete-trial cocaine-vs-negative reinforcer choice procedure in male and female rats and determine sensitivity of choice behavior to environmental and pharmacological manipulations. Rats could make up to nine discrete choices between an intravenous cocaine infusion (0.32 - 1.8 mg/kg/inf) under a fixed-ratio (FR) 3 schedule and a negative reinforcer (escape or avoidance of electric shock, 0.1 - 0.7 mA) under an FR1 schedule. The negative reinforcer was consistently chosen over all cocaine doses. Lowering shock magnitude decreased negative reinforcer trials, increased omitted trials, and failed to promote behavioral reallocation towards cocaine. Increasing the negative reinforcement response requirement between sessions only increased omitted trials. Introduction of 12-hr extended access cocaine self-administration sessions across two weeks resulted in high daily cocaine intakes but failed to significantly increase cocaine choice. Acute diazepam pretreatment also did not impact choice behavior up to doses that produced behavioral depression. Overall, the lack of behavioral allocation between cocaine infusions and a negative reinforcer suggests these two reinforcers may be economic independents. Additionally, the failure of extended cocaine access to increase cocaine choice highlights the importance of alternative reinforcers and environmental context in preclinical models of drug addiction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madison M. Marcus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA 23298
| | - Matthew L. Banks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA 23298
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bodnar RJ. Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2021. Peptides 2023; 164:171004. [PMID: 36990387 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
This paper is the forty-fourth consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2021 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonizts and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (1), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (2) and humans (3), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (4), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (5), stress and social status (6), learning and memory (7), eating and drinking (8), drug abuse and alcohol (9), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (10), mental illness and mood (11), seizures and neurologic disorders (12), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (13), general activity and locomotion (14), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (15), cardiovascular responses (16), respiration and thermoregulation (17), and immunological responses (18).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, CUNY, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Chang VN, Peters J. Neural circuits controlling choice behavior in opioid addiction. Neuropharmacology 2023; 226:109407. [PMID: 36592884 PMCID: PMC9898219 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109407] [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: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
As the opioid epidemic presents an ever-expanding public health threat, there is a growing need to identify effective new treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD). OUD is characterized by a behavioral misallocation in choice behavior between opioids and other rewards, as opioid use leads to negative consequences, such as job loss, family neglect, and potential overdose. Preclinical models of addiction that incorporate choice behavior, as opposed to self-administration of a single drug reward, are needed to understand the neural circuits governing opioid choice. These choice models recapitulate scenarios that humans suffering from OUD encounter in their daily lives. Indeed, patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) exhibit a propensity to choose drug under certain conditions. While most preclinical addiction models have focused on relapse as the outcome measure, our data suggest that choice is an independent metric of addiction severity, perhaps relating to loss of cognitive control over choice, as opposed to excessive motivational drive to seek drugs during relapse. In this review, we examine both preclinical and clinical literature on choice behavior for drugs, with a focus on opioids, and the neural circuits that mediate drug choice versus relapse. We argue that preclinical models of opioid choice are needed to identify promising new avenues for OUD therapy that are translationally relevant. Both forward and reverse translation will be necessary to identify novel treatment interventions. This article is part of the Special Issue on "Opioid-induced changes in addiction and pain circuits".
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria N Chang
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Jamie Peters
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Amirali AS, Hecker JC, Figueroa HM, Effinger DP, Montoro RA, Jedema HP, Vogt CD, Newman AH, Schindler CW, Bradberry CW. Effects of buprenorphine, methadone, and cariprazine on economic choice between remifentanil and food in squirrel monkeys. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2023; 5:100065. [PMID: 36873095 PMCID: PMC9979865 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2023.100065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We recently reported an economic choice task in which squirrel monkeys chose between differing amounts of remifentanil, a fast-acting opioid, or a food reward to develop a preclinical screen for evaluating potential pharmacotherapies for opioid dependence. Herein, two known opioid addiction treatments are evaluated using this task, as well as a potential new agent, cariprazine, a dopamine D2/D3 receptor partial agonist currently used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Preclinical rodent studies suggest this class of compounds may reduce opiate self-administration. Squirrel monkeys were pretreated daily with clinically relevant doses of each compound during the five days of treatment evaluation using the economic choice task. Shifts in drug preference were measured as changes in subjects' indifference values, where the probability of drug and milk choice are equivalent. Buprenorphine produced a significant shift in indifference value between baseline and treatment weeks, indicating a decrease in drug preference. Subjects treated with methadone and cariprazine did not show any significant shift in drug preference. Differences between the buprenorphine and methadone results likely reflect a lack of opioid dependence in the subjects. The cariprazine results suggest that it does not alter opioid reward in non-dependent primates over a five day period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alishan S. Amirali
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jacquelin C. Hecker
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hector M. Figueroa
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Devin P. Effinger
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Rodrigo A. Montoro
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program (MTSP) at UW-Madison, Madison, WI
| | - Hank P. Jedema
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Caleb D. Vogt
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amy Hauck Newman
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Charles W. Schindler
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Charles W. Bradberry
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Li M, Stevens DL, Arriaga M, Townsend EA, Mendez RE, Blajkevch NA, Selley DE, Banks ML, Negus SS, Dewey WL, Zhang Y. Characterization of a Potential KOR/DOR Dual Agonist with No Apparent Abuse Liability via a Complementary Structure-Activity Relationship Study on Nalfurafine Analogues. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:3608-3628. [PMID: 36449691 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Discovery of analgesics void of abuse liability is critical to battle the opioid crisis in the United States. Among many strategies to achieve this goal, targeting more than one opioid receptor seems promising to minimize this unwanted side effect while achieving a reasonable therapeutic profile. In the process of understanding the structure-activity relationship of nalfurafine, we identified a potential analgesic agent, NMF, as a dual kappa opioid receptor/delta opioid receptor agonist with minimum abuse liability. Further characterizations, including primary in vitro ADMET studies (hERG toxicity, plasma protein binding, permeability, and hepatic metabolism), and in vivo pharmacodynamic and toxicity profiling (time course, abuse liability, tolerance, withdrawal, respiratory depression, body weight, and locomotor activity) further confirmed NMF as a promising drug candidate for future development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengchu Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia23298, United States
| | - David L Stevens
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia23298, United States
| | - Michelle Arriaga
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia23298, United States
| | - E Andrew Townsend
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia23298, United States
| | - Rolando E Mendez
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia23298, United States
| | - Nadejda A Blajkevch
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia23298, United States
| | - Dana E Selley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia23298, United States
| | - Matthew L Banks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia23298, United States
| | - S Stevens Negus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia23298, United States
| | - William L Dewey
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia23298, United States
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia23298, United States.,Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, 203 East Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia23298, United States
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Pagare P, Obeng S, Huang B, Marcus MM, Nicholson KL, Townsend AE, Banks ML, Zhang Y. Preclinical Characterization and Development on NAQ as a Mu Opioid Receptor Partial Agonist for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2022; 5:1197-1209. [PMID: 36407950 PMCID: PMC9667545 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Mu opioid receptor (MOR) selective antagonists and partial agonists have clinical utility for the treatment of opioid use disorders (OUDs). However, the development of many has suffered due to their poor pharmacokinetic properties and/or rapid metabolism. Our recent efforts to identify MOR modulators have provided 17-cyclopropylmethyl-3,14β-dihydroxy-4,5α-epoxy-6α-(isoquinoline-3-carboxamido)morphinan (NAQ), a low-efficacy partial agonist, that showed sub-nanomolar binding affinity to the MOR (K i 0.6 nM) with selectivity over the delta opioid receptor (δ/μ 241) and the kappa opioid receptor (κ/μ 48). Its potent inhibition of the analgesic effect of morphine (AD50 0.46 mg/kg) and precipitation of significantly less withdrawal symptoms even at 100-fold greater dose than naloxone represents a promising molecule for further development as a novel OUD therapeutic agent. Therefore, further in vitro and in vivo characterization of its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics properties was conducted to fully understand its pharmaceutical profile. NAQ showed favorable in vitro ADMET properties and no off-target binding to several classes of GPCRs, enzymes, and ion channels. Following intravenous administration, 1 mg/kg dose of NAQ showed a similar in vivo pharmacokinetic profile to naloxone; however, orally administered 10 mg/kg NAQ demonstrated significantly improved oral bioavailability over both naloxone and naltrexone. Abuse liability assessment of NAQ in rats demonstrated that NAQ functioned as a less potent reinforcer than heroin. Chronic 5 day NAQ pretreatment decreased heroin self-administration in a heroin-vs-food choice procedure similar to the clinically used MOR partial agonist buprenorphine. Taken together, these studies provide evidence supporting NAQ as a promising lead to develop novel OUD therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Piyusha
P. Pagare
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia23298-0540, United States
| | - Samuel Obeng
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia23298-0540, United States
| | - Boshi Huang
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia23298-0540, United States
| | - Madison M. Marcus
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia
Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia23298-0613, United States
| | - Katherine L. Nicholson
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia
Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia23298-0613, United States
| | - Andrew E. Townsend
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia
Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia23298-0613, United States
| | - Matthew L. Banks
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia
Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia23298-0613, United States
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia23298-0540, United States
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
St Onge CM, Taylor KM, Marcus MM, Townsend EA. Sensitivity of a fentanyl-vs.-social interaction choice procedure to environmental and pharmacological manipulations. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 221:173473. [PMID: 36228740 PMCID: PMC9729431 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that social interaction can serve as an alternative reinforcer to opioid self-administration under a choice context in rats. However, additional parametric studies are needed to evaluate the sensitivity of opioid-vs.-social interaction procedures relative to more established opioid-vs.-food procedures. The current study evaluated the sensitivity of a novel fentanyl-vs.-social interaction choice procedure to environmental and pharmacological manipulations previously shown to affect fentanyl-vs.-food choice. Male and female rats (responder rats; n = 6/sex) were trained to respond in a discrete-trial choice procedure for either 30-s access to a same-sex "partner" rat or an intravenous fentanyl infusion. Once trained, the effects of fentanyl unit dose (0, 0.32-10 μg/kg/inf), partner rat presence, opioid-dependence status, chronic naltrexone administration (0.032, 0.1 mg/kg/h), and response requirement for fentanyl self-administration (fixed ratio 1-320) were determined across weeks. The fentanyl-vs.-social interaction choice procedure was sensitive to the unit dose of fentanyl, chronic naltrexone treatment, and fentanyl response requirement. However, the magnitude of these effects on fentanyl choice was smaller than those reported in published fentanyl-vs.-food choice studies. Furthermore, fentanyl-vs.-social interaction choice was not sensitive to removal of the partner rat or opioid-dependence status. Minimal sex differences were detected. These results suggest that this fentanyl-vs.-social interaction choice procedure is less sensitive to environmental and pharmacological interventions than previously established opioid-vs.-food choice procedures. The observed discrepancy in sensitivity between the procedures suggests that social interaction may have qualitatively different reinforcing properties compared to more commonly assessed alternative reinforcers such as food (preclinical) or money (human laboratory).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Celsey M St Onge
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Kaia M Taylor
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Madison M Marcus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - E Andrew Townsend
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Division of Therapeutics and Medical Consequences, National Institute on Drug Abuse, North Bethesda, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Townsend EA, Blough BE, Epstein DH, Negus SS, Shaham Y, Banks ML. Effect of TRV130 and methadone on fentanyl-vs.-food choice and somatic withdrawal signs in opioid-dependent and post-opioid-dependent rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:2132-2139. [PMID: 35906489 PMCID: PMC9556538 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01393-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The high efficacy mu-opioid receptor (MOR) agonist methadone is an effective opioid use disorder (OUD) medication used exclusively in opioid-dependent patients. However, methadone has undesirable effects that limit its clinical efficacy. Intermediate efficacy MOR agonists may treat OUD with fewer undesirable effects. We compared the effects of methadone with the intermediate efficacy MOR agonist TRV130 (oliceridine) on fentanyl-vs.-food choice and somatic withdrawal signs in opioid-dependent and post-opioid-dependent rats. Male rats (n = 20) were trained under a fentanyl-vs.-food choice procedure. Rats were then provided extended fentanyl (3.2 µg/kg/infusion) access (6 p.m.-6 a.m.) for 10 days to produce opioid dependence/withdrawal. Rats were treated with vehicle (n = 7), TRV130 (3.2 mg/kg; n = 8), or methadone (3.2 mg/kg; n = 5) three times per day after each extended-access session (8:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m.). Withdrawal sign scoring (1:55 p.m.) and choice tests (2-4 p.m.) were conducted daily. Vehicle, TRV130, and methadone effects on fentanyl choice were redetermined in post-opioid-dependent rats. Vehicle-, TRV130-, and methadone-treated rats had similar fentanyl intakes during extended access. Vehicle-treated rats exhibited increased withdrawal signs and decreased bodyweights. Both methadone and TRV130 decreased these withdrawal signs. TRV130 was less effective than methadone to decrease fentanyl choice and increase food choice in opioid-dependent rats. Neither methadone nor TRV130 decreased fentanyl choice in post-opioid-dependent rats. Results suggest that higher MOR activation is required to reduce fentanyl choice than withdrawal signs in fentanyl-dependent rats. Additionally, given that TRV130 did not precipitate withdrawal in opioid-dependent rats, intermediate efficacy MOR agonists like TRV130 may facilitate the transition of patients with OUD from methadone to lower efficacy treatments like buprenorphine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Andrew Townsend
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Bruce E Blough
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - S Stevens Negus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Yavin Shaham
- Intramural Research Program, NIDA, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Matthew L Banks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Giannotti G, Mottarlini F, Heinsbroek JA, Mandel MR, James MH, Peters J. Oxytocin and orexin systems bidirectionally regulate the ability of opioid cues to bias reward seeking. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:432. [PMID: 36195606 PMCID: PMC9532415 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02161-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
As opioid-related fatalities continue to rise, the need for novel opioid use disorder (OUD) treatments could not be more urgent. Two separate hypothalamic neuropeptide systems have shown promise in preclinical OUD models. The oxytocin system, originating in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), may protect against OUD severity. By contrast, the orexin system, originating in the lateral hypothalamus (LH), may exacerbate OUD severity. Thus, activating the oxytocin system or inhibiting the orexin system are potential therapeutic strategies. The specific role of these systems with regard to specific OUD outcomes, however, is not fully understood. Here, we probed the therapeutic efficacy of pharmacological interventions targeting the orexin or oxytocin system on two distinct metrics of OUD severity in rats-heroin choice (versus choice for natural reward, i.e., food) and cued reward seeking. Using a preclinical model that generates approximately equal choice between heroin and food reward, we examined the impact of exogenously administered oxytocin, an oxytocin receptor antagonist (L-368,899), and a dual orexin receptor antagonist (DORA-12) on opioid choice. Whereas these agents did not alter heroin choice when rewards (heroin and food) were available, oxytocin and DORA-12 each significantly reduced heroin seeking in the presence of competing reward cues when no rewards were available. In addition, the number of LH orexin neurons and PVN oxytocin neurons correlated with specific behavioral economic variables indicative of heroin versus food motivation. These data identify a novel bidirectional role of the oxytocin and orexin systems in the ability of opioid-related cues to bias reward seeking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Giannotti
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
| | - Francesca Mottarlini
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045 USA ,grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Jasper A. Heinsbroek
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
| | - Mitchel R. Mandel
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
| | - Morgan H. James
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
| | - Jamie Peters
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Marcus MM, Negus SS, Banks ML. Effects of environmental manipulations on cocaine-vs-social choice in male and female rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 220:173462. [PMID: 36084838 PMCID: PMC10020861 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine use disorder occurs in an environment where cocaine and other nondrug commodities are concurrently available. Preclinical drug-vs-nondrug choice procedures are one simplified method of modeling this complex clinical environment. The present study established a discrete-trial cocaine-vs-social interaction choice procedure in male and female rats and determined sensitivity of choice behavior to manipulations of reinforcer magnitude and non-contingent "sample" reinforcer presentation. Rats could make up to nine discrete choices between an intravenous cocaine infusion (0.1-1.0 mg/kg/inf) and social interaction with a same-sex social "Partner" rat. Cocaine infusions were available under a progressive-ratio (PR) schedule of reinforcement, and social interaction was available under a fixed-ratio (FR) 3 schedule. Social interaction was chosen over no or small cocaine doses (saline, 0.01 mg/kg/inf) and behavior was reallocated away from social and towards cocaine at larger cocaine doses (1.0 mg/kg/inf). Manipulating social interaction time as one method to alter social reinforcer magnitude did not significantly alter cocaine-vs-social choice. Removing the non-contingent reinforcer presentations before the discrete choice trials also failed to affect cocaine-vs-social choice, suggesting the time interval was sufficient to minimize any potential influence of the non-contingent cocaine infusions on subsequent choice behavior. Overall, the present results were consistent with previous drug-vs-social choice studies and extend our knowledge of environmental factors impacting drug-vs-social choice. Future studies determining the pharmacological sensitivity of cocaine-vs-social choice will be important in expanding the preclinical utility of these procedures for candidate medication drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madison M Marcus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - S Stevens Negus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Matthew L Banks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Chow JJ, Beacher NJ, Chabot JM, Oke M, Venniro M, Lin DT, Shaham Y. Characterization of operant social interaction in rats: effects of access duration, effort, peer familiarity, housing conditions, and choice between social interaction vs. food or remifentanil. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:2093-2108. [PMID: 35230469 PMCID: PMC10724845 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06064-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE Social factors play a critical role in drug addiction. We recently showed that rats will abstain from methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and remifentanil self-administration when given a choice between the addictive drug and operant social interaction. Here, we further characterized operant social interaction by determining the effects of access duration, effort, peer familiarity, and housing conditions. We also determined choice between social interaction vs. palatable food or remifentanil. METHODS We first trained single-housed male and female rats to lever-press for social interaction with a sex- and age-matched peer. Next, we determined effects of access duration (3.75 to 240 s), effort (increasing fixed-ratio schedule requirements or progressive ratio schedule), peer familiarity (familiar vs. unfamiliar), and housing conditions (single vs. paired housing) on social self-administration. We also determined choice between social interaction vs. palatable food pellets or intravenous remifentanil (0, 1, 10 µg/kg/infusion). RESULTS Increasing access duration to a peer decreased social self-administration under fixed ratio but not progressive ratio schedule; the rats showed similar preference for short vs. long access duration. Social self-administration under different fixed ratio requirements was higher in single-housed than in paired-housed rats and higher for a familiar vs. unfamiliar partner in single-housed but not paired-housed rats. Response rates of food-sated rats under increasing fixed-ratio requirements were higher for palatable food than for social interaction. The rats strongly preferred palatable food over social interaction and showed dose-dependent preference for social interaction vs. remifentanil. CONCLUSIONS We identified parameters influencing the reinforcing effects of operant social interaction and introduce a choice procedure sensitive to remifentanil self-administration dose.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jules M Chabot
- Intramural Research Program, NIDA, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marvellous Oke
- Intramural Research Program, NIDA, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marco Venniro
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Da-Ting Lin
- Intramural Research Program, NIDA, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yavin Shaham
- Intramural Research Program, NIDA, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Vandaele Y, Ahmed SH. Choosing between cocaine and sucrose under the influence: testing the effect of cocaine tolerance. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:1053-1063. [PMID: 34596725 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05987-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Cocaine use not only depends on the reinforcing properties of the drug, but also on its pharmacological effects on alternative nondrug activities. In animal models investigating choice between cocaine and alternative sweet rewards, the latter influence can have a dramatic impact on choice outcomes. When choosing under cocaine influence is prevented by imposing sufficiently long intervals between choice trials, animals typically prefer the sweet reward. However, when choosing under the drug influence is permitted, animals shift their preference in favor of cocaine. OBJECTIVES We previously hypothesized that this preference shift is mainly due to a direct suppression of responding for sweet reward by cocaine pharmacological effects. Here we tested this hypothesis by making rats tolerant to this drug-induced behavioral suppression. RESULTS Contrary to our expectation, tolerance did not prevent rats from shifting their preference to cocaine when choosing under the influence. CONCLUSION Thus, other mechanisms must be invoked to explain the influence of cocaine intoxication on choice outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - S H Ahmed
- Institut Des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,Institut Des Maladies Neurodégénératives, CNRS, Bordeaux, France
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Moerke MJ, Negus SS, Banks ML. Lack of effect of the nociceptin opioid peptide agonist Ro 64-6198 on pain-depressed behavior and heroin choice in rats. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 231:109255. [PMID: 34998256 PMCID: PMC8810604 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE One objective of the National Institutes of Health Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) initiative is to accelerate research on safer and more effective medications for both pain and opioid use disorder. Ligands that activate the nociceptin opioid peptide receptor (NOP) constitute one class of candidate drugs for both applications. The present preclinical study determined the effectiveness of the NOP agonist Ro 64-6198 to produce antinociception in a pain-depressed behavior procedure and attenuate opioid self-administration in a heroin-vs-food choice procedure. METHODS In Experiment 1, Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were equipped with microelectrodes and trained to respond for electrical brain stimulation in an intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) procedure. The potency, time course, and receptor mechanism of effects produced by R0 64-6198 alone (0.32-3.2 mg/kg) on ICSS were examined, followed by evaluation of 0.32-1.0 mg/kg Ro 64-6198 effectiveness to block lactic acid-induced depression of ICSS. In Experiment 2, rats self-administered heroin under a heroin-vs-food choice procedure during a regimen of repeated, daily intraperitoneal administration of vehicle or Ro 64-6198 (1-3.2 mg/kg/day). RESULTS Ro 64-6198 produced dose- and time-dependent ICSS depression that was blocked by the selective NOP antagonist SB612111 but not by naltrexone. Ro 64-6198 failed to block acid-induced depression of ICSS. Repeated Ro 64-6198 pretreatment also failed to attenuate heroin-vs-food choice up to doses that significantly decreased operant behavior. CONCLUSIONS These results do not support the utility of Ro 64-6198 as a stand-alone medication for either acute pain or opioid use disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan Jo Moerke
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - S Stevens Negus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Matthew L Banks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Banks ML, Hutsell BA, Negus SS. Contextual extinction of drug-associated discriminative stimuli fails to attenuate drug-vs-food choice in rhesus monkeys. J Exp Anal Behav 2022; 117:505-517. [PMID: 34990015 PMCID: PMC9090942 DOI: 10.1002/jeab.734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Relapse within the context of a substance use disorder can be triggered by cues that function as discriminative stimuli to signal contingencies of drug availability and promote drug-taking behavior. Extinction procedures can weaken this association between drug-associated cues and drug-taking behavior and may reduce the probability of relapse. This study evaluated a regimen of extinction training on cocaine and heroin self-administration in rhesus monkeys under a drug-vs-food choice procedure. Behavior was initially maintained under a concurrent schedule of food (1-g food pellets; fixed-ratio 100 schedule) and cocaine injections (0-0.1 mg/kg/injection; fixed-ratio 10) (n = 4 males) or heroin injections (0-0.01 mg/kg/injection; fixed-ratio 10) (n = 3 females and 1 male) during daily 2-hr choice sessions. Subsequently, choice sessions were supplemented by daily 20-hr saline self-administration sessions for 14 consecutive days. During saline self-administration sessions, only drug-associated discriminative stimuli were presented and responding produced saline injections. Drug continued to be available during choice sessions. Prior to extinction training, both cocaine and heroin maintained dose-dependent increases in drug-vs-food choice. Exposure to 14 saline self-administration sessions failed to significantly decrease drug choice and increase food choice. These preclinical results do not support the effectiveness of extinguishing drug-associated discriminative stimuli as a nonpharmacological treatment strategy for reducing drug choice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L Banks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Blake A Hutsell
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - S Stevens Negus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Hiranita T, Obeng S, Sharma A, Wilkerson JL, McCurdy CR, McMahon LR. In vitro and in vivo pharmacology of kratom. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2021; 93:35-76. [PMID: 35341571 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2021.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Kratom products have been historically and anecdotally used in south Asian countries for centuries to manage pain and opioid withdrawal. The use of kratom products has dramatically increased in the United States. More than 45 kratom alkaloids have been isolated, yet the overall pharmacology of the individual alkaloids is still not well characterized. The purpose of this chapter is to summarize in vitro and in vivo opioid activities of the primary kratom alkaloid mitragynine and its more potent metabolite 7-hydroxymitragynine. Following are experimental procedures described to characterize opioid receptor activity; receptor binding and functional assays, antinociceptive assays, operant conditioning assays, and respiratory plethysmography. The capacity of kratom alkaloids to confer tolerance and physical dependence as well as their pharmacokinetic properties are also summarized. The data reviewed here suggest that kratom products and mitragynine possess low efficacy agonist activity at the mu-opioid receptor in vivo. In addition, kratom products and mitragynine have been demonstrated to antagonize the effects of high efficacy mu-opioid agonists. The data further suggest that 7-hydroxymitragynine formed in vivo by metabolism of mitragynine may be minimally involved in the overall behavioral profile of mitragynine and kratom, whereas 7-hydroxymitragynine itself, at sufficiently high doses administered exogenously, shares many of the same abuse- and dependence-related behavioral effects associated with traditional opioid agonists. The apparent low efficacy of kratom products and mitragynine at mu-opioid receptors supports the development of these ligands as effective and potentially safe medications for opioid use disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takato Hiranita
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Samuel Obeng
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Abhisheak Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States; Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Jenny L Wilkerson
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Christopher R McCurdy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States; Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States; Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Lance R McMahon
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Bossert JM, Townsend EA, Altidor LKP, Fredriksson I, Shekara A, Husbands S, Sulima A, Rice KC, Banks ML, Shaham Y. Sex differences in the effect of chronic delivery of the buprenorphine analogue BU08028 on heroin relapse and choice in a rat model of opioid maintenance. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:227-241. [PMID: 34505281 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Maintenance treatment with opioid agonists (buprenorphine, methadone) decreases opioid use and relapse. We recently modelled maintenance treatment in rats and found that chronic delivery of buprenorphine or the μ opioid receptor partial agonist TRV130 decreased relapse to oxycodone seeking and taking. Here, we tested the buprenorphine analogue BU08028 on different heroin relapse-related measures and heroin versus food choice. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH For relapse assessment, we trained male and female rats to self-administer heroin (6 h·day-1 , 14 days) in Context A and then implanted osmotic minipumps containing BU08028 (0, 0.03 or 0.1 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 ). Effects of chronic BU08028 delivery were tested on (1) incubation of heroin-seeking in a non-drug Context B, (2) extinction responding reinforced by heroin-associated discrete cues in Context B, (3) reinstatement of heroin-seeking induced by re-exposure to Context A and (4) re-acquisition of heroin self-administration in Context A. For choice assessment, we tested the effect of chronic BU08028 delivery on heroin versus food choice. KEY RESULTS Chronic BU08028 delivery decreased incubation of heroin seeking. Unexpectedly, BU08028 increased re-acquisition of heroin self-administration selectively in females. Chronic BU08028 had minimal effects on context-induced reinstatement and heroin versus food choice in both sexes. Finally, exploratory post hoc analyses suggest that BU08028 decreased extinction responding selectively in males. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Chronic BU08028 delivery had both beneficial and detrimental, sex-dependent, effects on different triggers of heroin relapse and minimal effects on heroin choice in both sexes. Results suggest that BU08028 would not be an effective opioid maintenance treatment in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - E Andrew Townsend
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Ida Fredriksson
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, IRP/NIDA/NIH, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Aniruddha Shekara
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, IRP/NIDA/NIH, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Stephen Husbands
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, IRP/NIDA/NIH, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Chemical Biology Research Branch, IRP/NIAAA/NIH, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, IRP/NIDA/NIH, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Chemical Biology Research Branch, IRP/NIAAA/NIH, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Matthew L Banks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Yavin Shaham
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, IRP/NIDA/NIH, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Townsend EA, Kim RK, Robinson HL, Marsh SA, Banks ML, Hamilton PJ. Opioid withdrawal produces sex-specific effects on fentanyl-vs.-food choice and mesolimbic transcription. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 1:112-122. [PMID: 34458885 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2021.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Opioid withdrawal is a key driver of opioid addiction and an obstacle to recovery. However, withdrawal effects on opioid reinforcement and mesolimbic neuroadaptation are understudied and the role of sex is largely unknown. Methods Male (n=13) and female (n=12) rats responded under a fentanyl-vs.-food "choice" procedure during daily 2h sessions. In addition to the daily choice sessions, rats were provided extended access to fentanyl during 12h self-administration sessions. After two weeks of this self-administration regimen, the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) of a subset of rats were subjected to RNA sequencing. In the remaining rats, a third week of this self-administration regimen was conducted, during which methadone effects on fentanyl-vs.-food choice were determined. Results Prior to opioid dependence, male and female rats similarly allocated responding between fentanyl and food. Abstinence from extended fentanyl access elicited similar increases in somatic withdrawal signs in both sexes. Despite similar withdrawal signs and extended access fentanyl intake, opioid withdrawal was accompanied by a maladaptive increase in fentanyl choice in males, but not females. Behavioral sex differences corresponded with a greater number of differentially expressed genes in the NAc and VTA of opioid-withdrawn females relative to males. Methadone blocked withdrawal-associated increases in fentanyl choice in males, but failed to further decrease fentanyl choice in females. Conclusions These results provide foundational evidence of sex-specific neuroadaptations to opioid withdrawal, which may be relevant to the female-specific resilience to withdrawal-associated increases in opioid choice and aid in the identification of novel therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Andrew Townsend
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
| | - R Kijoon Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
| | - Hannah L Robinson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
| | - Samuel A Marsh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
| | - Matthew L Banks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
| | - Peter J Hamilton
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
| |
Collapse
|