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Vlachou S. A Brief History and the Significance of the GABA B Receptor. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2021; 52:1-17. [PMID: 34595739 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2021_264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA type B (GABAB) receptors (GABABRs) are the only metabotropic G protein-coupled receptors for GABA and can be found distributed not only in the central nervous system, but also in the periphery. This chapter introduces important, fundamental knowledge related to GABABR function and the various potential therapeutic applications of the development of novel GABABR-active compounds, as documented through extensive studies presented in subsequent chapters of this Current Topic in Behavioral Neurosciences volume on the role of the neurobiology of GABABR function. The compounds that have received increased attention in the last few years compared to GABABR agonists and antagonists - the positive allosteric modulators - exhibit better pharmacological profiles and fewer side effects. As we continue to unveil the mystery of GABABRs at the molecular and cellular levels, we further understand the significance of these receptors. Future directions should aim for developing highly selective GABABR compounds for treating neuropsychiatric disorders and their symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Styliani Vlachou
- Neuropsychopharmacology Division, Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, School of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Health, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.
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2
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Varani AP, Pedrón VT, Aon AJ, Canero EM, Balerio GN. GABA B receptors blockage modulates somatic and aversive manifestations induced by nicotine withdrawal. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 140:111786. [PMID: 34144406 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111786] [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: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
There is substantial evidence that GABAB agonist, baclofen, prevents somatic and motivational responses induced by nicotine withdrawal and may target drug cue vulnerabilities in humans. In this context, we explored different aspects associated with the possible mechanisms whereby the GABAB receptors might influence nicotine withdrawal. Male mice received nicotine (2.5 mg/kg, s.c.) 4 times daily, for 7 consecutive days. Nicotine-treated mice received the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, mecamylamine (MEC, 2 or 3.5 mg/kg, s.c.), to precipitate the withdrawal state. A second group of dependent mice received 2-hydroxysaclofen (GABAB receptor antagonist, 1 mg/kg, s.c.) before MEC-precipitated abstinence. Somatic signs of nicotine withdrawal were measured for 30 min. Anxiogenic-like response associated to nicotine withdrawal was assessed by the elevated plus maze test. The dysphoric/aversive effect induced by nicotine withdrawal was evaluated using conditioned place aversion paradigm. Dopamine, serotonin and its metabolites concentrations were determined by HPLC in the striatum, cortex and hippocampus. Finally, α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor density was determined in several brain regions using autoradiography assays. The results showed that MEC-precipitated nicotine withdrawal induced somatic manifestations, anxiogenic-like response and dysphoric/aversive effect, and 2-hydroxysaclofen potentiated these behavioral responses. Additionally, 2-hydroxysaclofen was able to change striatal dopamine levels and α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor density, both altered by MEC-precipitated nicotine withdrawal. These findings provide important contributions to elucidate neurobiological mechanisms implicated in nicotine withdrawal. We suggest that GABAB receptor activity is necessary to control alterations induced by nicotine withdrawal, which supports the idea of targeting GABAB receptors to treat tobacco addiction in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P Varani
- CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (ININFA-UBA-CONICET), Junín 956, 5° Piso, Buenos Aires C1113AAD, Argentina
| | - V T Pedrón
- CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (ININFA-UBA-CONICET), Junín 956, 5° Piso, Buenos Aires C1113AAD, Argentina
| | - A J Aon
- CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (ININFA-UBA-CONICET), Junín 956, 5° Piso, Buenos Aires C1113AAD, Argentina
| | - E M Canero
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica (FFYB), Cátedra de Farmacología, Junín 956, 5° Piso, Buenos Aires C1113AAD, Argentina; CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (ININFA-UBA-CONICET), Junín 956, 5° Piso, Buenos Aires C1113AAD, Argentina
| | - G N Balerio
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica (FFYB), Cátedra de Farmacología, Junín 956, 5° Piso, Buenos Aires C1113AAD, Argentina; CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (ININFA-UBA-CONICET), Junín 956, 5° Piso, Buenos Aires C1113AAD, Argentina.
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Lee EJ. Factors Predicting 6-Month Smoking Cessation in Korean Adults. Psychiatr Q 2020; 91:703-714. [PMID: 32157547 DOI: 10.1007/s11126-020-09730-9] [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] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify factors predicting 6-month smoking cessation in Korean adult smokers. This descriptive correlation study assessed levels of urine cotinine, serum cotinine, serum serotonin, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid; tobacco withdrawal symptoms; and resilience among 164 Korean adult smokers. Serum cotinine levels were negatively related to resilience at six months (r = -.42, p = .019), but were positively related to the amount of smoking (r = .32, p = .008) and with the Week 6 tobacco withdrawal symptoms score (r = .48, p = .001, n = 41). Higher resilience was associated with a higher 5-HIAA concentration. Greater therapy attendance, resilience, and withdrawal symptoms explained 35.3% of the variance in 6-month smoking cessation (Nagelkerke R2 = .35, p < .001, n = 76). Efforts to increase counseling attendance rates and resilience and decrease withdrawal symptoms could be useful ways to improve smoking cessation rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Jin Lee
- Nursing Department, Inha University, Inharo100, Michuholgu, Incheon, 22212, South Korea.
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Li X, Slesinger PA. GABA B Receptors and Drug Addiction: Psychostimulants and Other Drugs of Abuse. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2020; 52:119-155. [PMID: 33442842 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2020_187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Metabotropic GABAB receptors (GABABRs) mediate slow inhibition and modulate synaptic plasticity throughout the brain. Dysfunction of GABABRs has been associated with psychiatric illnesses and addiction. Drugs of abuse alter GABAB receptor (GABABR) signaling in multiple brain regions, which partly contributes to the development of drug addiction. Recently, GABABR ligands and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) have been shown to attenuate the initial rewarding effect of addictive substances, inhibit seeking and taking of these drugs, and in some cases, ameliorate drug withdrawal symptoms. The majority of the anti-addiction effects seen with GABABR modulation can be localized to ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons, which receive complex inhibitory and excitatory inputs that are modified by drugs of abuse. Preclinical research suggests that GABABR PAMs are emerging as promising candidates for the treatment of drug addiction. Clinical studies on drug dependence have shown positive results with GABABR ligands but more are needed, and compounds with better pharmacokinetics and fewer side effects are critically needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofan Li
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Paul A Slesinger
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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Pedrón VT, Varani AP, Bettler B, Balerio GN. GABA B receptors modulate morphine antinociception: Pharmacological and genetic approaches. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2019; 180:11-21. [PMID: 30851293 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Revised: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies in our laboratory showed an interaction between the GABAergic and opioid systems involved in the analgesic effect of baclofen (BAC). Furthermore, it is known that sex differences exist regarding various pharmacological responses of morphine (MOR) and they are related to an increased sensitivity to MOR effects in males. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the possible involvement of the GABAB receptors in the antinociceptive responses induced by MOR (1, 3 and 9 mg/kg, s.c.) administration using both pharmacological (BAC 2 mg/kg, i.p.; and 2-OH-saclofen, SAC 0.3 mg/kg, intra cisterna magna) and genetic approaches (GABAB1 knockout mice; GABAB1 KO) in mice of both sexes. In addition, we explored the alterations in c-Fos expression of different brain areas involved in the antinociceptive effect of MOR using both approaches. The pharmacological approach showed a higher dose-dependent antinociceptive effect of MOR in male mice compared to female mice. BAC and SAC pretreatment potentiated and attenuated the antinociceptive effect of MOR, respectively, in both sexes. The genetic approach revealed a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect of MOR in the wild type mice, but not in the GABAB1 KO mice and no sex differences were observed. Additionally, BAC and SAC pretreatment and the lack of GABAB1 subunit of the GABAB receptor prevented the changes observed in c-Fos expression in the cingulate cortex and nucleus accumbens of male mice. Our results suggest that the GABAB receptors are involved in the MOR antinociceptive effect of both male and female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria T Pedrón
- CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (ININFA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrés P Varani
- CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (ININFA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Bernhard Bettler
- Department of Biomedicine, Institute of Physiology, Pharmazentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Graciela N Balerio
- CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (ININFA), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Cátedra de Farmacología, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Wang C, Hou J, Du H, Yan S, Yang J, Wang Y, Zhang X, Zhu L, Zhao H. Anti-depressive effect of Shuangxinfang on rats with acute myocardial infarction: Promoting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells mobilization and alleviating inflammatory response. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 111:19-30. [PMID: 30553131 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.11.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are recruited to injured site for cardiac self-repairing in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but the spontaneous mobilization of BM-MSCs is insufficient for self-repairing. Inflammation initiated by necrosis cardiomyocytes induced cardiac remodeling and depression. Given the anti-inflammatory effects of BM-MSCs and the inextricably relationship among inflammation, ventricular remodeling and depression following AMI, methods focused on enhancing BM-MSCs mobilization are promising. Shuangxinfang (Psycho-cardiology Formula, PCF) is a classical traditional Chinese medicine prescription. In this study, we explored its psycho-cardiology effects in rats with AMI and explore its potential mechanism. Our results showed PCF inhibited inflammation caused by injured myocardium, improved heart function and depression developed from myocardial infarction, and these might partly attribute to the higher BM-MSCs mobilization efficiency promoted by PCF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijng 100078, China
| | - Jiqiu Hou
- Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijng 100029, China
| | - Hongsen Du
- Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijng 100029, China
| | - Shasha Yan
- Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijng 100029, China
| | - Jingjing Yang
- Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijng 100029, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijng 100029, China
| | - Xiujing Zhang
- The Third Affiliate Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Lili Zhu
- Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijng 100029, China
| | - Haibin Zhao
- The Third Affiliate Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
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Chaihulonggumulitang Shows Psycho-cardiology Therapeutic Effects on Acute Myocardial Infarction by Enhancing Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Mobilization. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3724. [PMID: 29487305 PMCID: PMC5829256 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21789-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic myocardium initiates the mobilization and homing of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) to promote myocardial regeneration after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Inflammation caused by necrotic cardiomyocytes induce major pathological changes (cardiac remodeling and myocardial apoptosis) as well as anxiety disorder. This process may be inhibited by the differentiation and paracrine effects of BM-MSCs. However, the spontaneous mobilization of BMSCs is insufficient to prevent this effect. Given the anti-inflammatory effects of BM-MSCs, ventricular remodeling and anxiety following AMI, methods focused on enhancing BMSCs mobilization are promising. BFG is a classical traditional Chinese prescription medicine and has been proved effective in treating AMI and reducing anxiety, but the potential mechanism of its function remains unknown. In the present study, we explored the effects of Chaihulonggumulitang (BFG) on AMI and anxiety in vivo and in vitro. We also tested its effects in promoting BMSCs mobilization and alleviating inflammation. Our data showed that the classical Chinese prescription BFG promoted BM-MSCs mobilization, inhibited inflammatory response, and improved heart damage and anxiety developed from AMI. Thus, we provided an underlying mechanism of BFG function in psycho-cardiology conditions such as AMI.
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Dong MX, Li CM, Shen P, Hu QC, Wei YD, Ren YF, Yu J, Gui SW, Liu YY, Pan JX, Xie P. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator induces long-term anxiety-like behaviors via the ERK1/2-GAD1-GABA cascade in the hippocampus of a rat model. Neuropharmacology 2018; 128:119-131. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Varani AP, Pedrón VT, Aon AJ, Höcht C, Acosta GB, Bettler B, Balerio GN. Nicotine-induced molecular alterations are modulated by GABA B receptor activity. Addict Biol 2018; 23:230-246. [PMID: 28419642 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
It has been demonstrated that GABAB receptors modulate nicotine (NIC) reward effect; nevertheless, the mechanism implicated is not well known. In this regard, we evaluated the involvement of GABAB receptors on the behavioral, neurochemical, biochemical and molecular alterations associated with the rewarding effects induced by NIC in mice, from a pharmacological and genetic approach. NIC-induced rewarding properties (0.5 mg/kg, subcutaneously, sc) were evaluated by conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. CPP has three phases: preconditioning, conditioning and postconditioning. GABAB receptor antagonist 2-hydroxysaclofen (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg; intraperitoneally, ip) or the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen (3 mg/kg; ip) was injected before NIC during the conditioning phase. GABAB1 knockout (GABAB1 KO) mice received NIC during the conditioning phase. Vehicle and wild-type controls were employed. Neurochemical (dopamine, serotonin and their metabolites), biochemical (nicotinic receptor α4β2, α4β2nAChRs) and molecular (c-Fos) alterations induced by NIC were analyzed after the postconditioning phase by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), receptor-ligand binding assays and immunohistochemistry, respectively, in nucleus accumbens (Acb), prefrontal cortex (PFC) and ventral tegmental area (VTA). NIC induced rewarding effects in the CPP paradigm and increased dopamine levels in Acb and PFC, α4β2nAChRs density in VTA and c-Fos expression in Acb shell (AcbSh), VTA and PFC. We showed that behavioral, neurochemical, biochemical and molecular alterations induced by NIC were prevented by baclofen. However, in 2-hydroxysaclofen pretreated and GABAB1 KO mice, these alterations were potentiated, suggesting that GABAB receptor activity is necessary to control alterations induced by NIC-induced rewarding effects. Therefore, the present findings provided important contributions to the mechanisms implicated in NIC-induced rewarding effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres P Varani
- CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (ININFA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Valeria T Pedrón
- CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (ININFA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Amira J Aon
- CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (ININFA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Christian Höcht
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Cátedra de Farmacología, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriela B Acosta
- CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (ININFA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Bernhard Bettler
- Department of Biomedicine, Institute of Physiology, Pharmazentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Graciela N Balerio
- CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (ININFA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Cátedra de Farmacología, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Rosa SG, Quines CB, Stangherlin EC, Nogueira CW. Diphenyl diselenide ameliorates monosodium glutamate induced anxiety-like behavior in rats by modulating hippocampal BDNF-Akt pathway and uptake of GABA and serotonin neurotransmitters. Physiol Behav 2016; 155:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.11.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Revised: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Pedrón VT, Varani AP, Balerio GN. Baclofen prevents the elevated plus maze behavior and BDNF expression during naloxone precipitated morphine withdrawal in male and female mice. Synapse 2016; 70:187-97. [DOI: 10.1002/syn.21886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Revised: 12/26/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Valeria T. Pedrón
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (UBA-CONICET); Junín 956, 5° piso (C1113AAD) Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - André P. Varani
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (UBA-CONICET); Junín 956, 5° piso (C1113AAD) Buenos Aires Argentina
- Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires; Junín 956, 5° piso (C1113AAD) Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Graciela N. Balerio
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (UBA-CONICET); Junín 956, 5° piso (C1113AAD) Buenos Aires Argentina
- Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires; Junín 956, 5° piso (C1113AAD) Buenos Aires Argentina
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Varani AP, Pedrón VT, Machado LM, Antonelli MC, Bettler B, Balerio GN. Lack of GABAB receptors modifies behavioural and biochemical alterations induced by precipitated nicotine withdrawal. Neuropharmacology 2014; 90:90-101. [PMID: 25479464 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2014] [Revised: 11/19/2014] [Accepted: 11/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The nicotine (NIC) withdrawal syndrome is considered to be a major cause of the high relapse rate among individuals undergoing smoking cessation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a possible role of GABAB receptors in NIC withdrawal, by comparing GABAB1 knockout mice and their wild-type littermates. We analysed the time course of the global withdrawal score, the anxiety-like effects, monoamine concentrations, the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, the corticosterone plasmatic levels and [(3)H]epibatidine binding sites during NIC withdrawal precipitated by mecamylamine, a nicotinic receptor antagonist (MEC). In NIC withdrawn wild-type mice, we observed a global withdrawal score, an anxiety-like effect in the elevated plus maze, a decrease of the striatal dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid concentrations, an increase of corticosterone plasma levels, a reduction of BDNF expression in several brain areas and an increase of [(3)H]epibatidine binding sites in specific brain regions. Interestingly, the effects found in NIC withdrawn wild-type mice were absent in GABAB1 knockout mice, suggesting that GABAB1 subunit of the GABAB receptor is involved in the regulation of the behavioural and biochemical alterations induced by NIC withdrawal in mice. These results reveal an interaction between the GABAB receptors and the neurochemical systems through which NIC exerts its long-term effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés P Varani
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (CONICET), Junín 956, 5° Piso, Buenos Aires C1113AAD, Argentina
| | - Valeria T Pedrón
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (CONICET), Junín 956, 5° Piso, Buenos Aires C1113AAD, Argentina
| | - Lirane Moutinho Machado
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (CONICET), Junín 956, 5° Piso, Buenos Aires C1113AAD, Argentina
| | - Marta C Antonelli
- Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Bernhard Bettler
- Department of Biomedicine, Institute of Physiology, Pharmazentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Graciela N Balerio
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (CONICET), Junín 956, 5° Piso, Buenos Aires C1113AAD, Argentina; Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junín 956, 5° Piso, Buenos Aires C1113AAD, Argentina.
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