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Sardari M, Mohammadpourmir F, Hosseinzadeh Sahafi O, Rezayof A. Neuronal biomarkers as potential therapeutic targets for drug addiction related to sex differences in the brain: Opportunities for personalized treatment approaches. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 134:111068. [PMID: 38944334 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111068] [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: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Biological sex disparities manifest at various stages of drug addiction, including craving, substance abuse, abstinence, and relapse. These discrepancies are underpinned by notable distinctions in neurobiological substrates, encompassing brain structures, functions, and neurotransmitter systems implicated in drug addiction. Neuronal biomarkers, such as neurotransmitters, signaling proteins, and genes may be associated with the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment outcomes in both biological sexes afflicted by drug abuse. Sex differences in the neural reward system, mainly through dopaminergic transmission during drug abuse, can be attributed to modifications in neurotransmitter systems and signaling pathways. This results in distinct patterns of neural activation and responsiveness to addictive substances in males and females. Sex hormones, the estrus/menstrual cycle, and cerebral neurochemistry contribute to the progression of psychological and physiological dependence in both male and female individuals grappling with addiction. Moreover, the alteration of sex hormone balance and neurotransmitter release plays a pivotal role in substance use disorders, subsequently modulating cognitive functions pertinent to reward, including memory formation, decision-making, and locomotor activity. Comparative investigations reveal distinctions in brain region volume, gene expression, neuronal firing, and circuitry in substance use disorders affecting individuals of both biological sexes. This review examines prevalent substance use disorders to elucidate the impact of sex hormones as therapeutic biomarkers on the mesocorticolimbic neurotransmitter systems via diverse mechanisms within the addicted brain. We underscore the imperative necessity of considering these variations to gain a deeper comprehension of addiction mechanisms and potentially discern sex-specific neuronal biomarkers for tailored therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Sardari
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farina Mohammadpourmir
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Oveis Hosseinzadeh Sahafi
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Ameneh Rezayof
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
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2
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Khatri SN, Sadek S, Kendrick PT, Bondy EO, Hong M, Pauss S, Luo D, Prisinzano TE, Dunn KE, Marusich JA, Beckmann JS, Hinds TD, Gipson CD. Xylazine suppresses fentanyl consumption during self-administration and induces a unique sex-specific withdrawal syndrome that is not altered by naloxone in rats. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2024; 32:150-157. [PMID: 37470999 PMCID: PMC10799160 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Prescription and illicit opioid use are a public health crisis, with the landscape shifting to fentanyl use. Since fentanyl is 100-fold more potent than morphine, its use is associated with a higher risk of fatal overdose that can be remediated through naloxone (Narcan) administration. However, recent reports indicate that xylazine, an anesthetic, is increasingly detected in accidental fentanyl overdose deaths. Anecdotal reports suggest that xylazine may prolong the fentanyl "high," alter the onset of fentanyl withdrawal, and increase resistance to naloxone-induced reversal of overdose. To date, no preclinical studies have evaluated the impacts of xylazine on fentanyl self-administration (SA; 2.5 μg/kg/infusion) or withdrawal to our knowledge. We established a rat model of xylazine/fentanyl co-SA and withdrawal and evaluated outcomes as a function of biological sex. When administered alone, chronic xylazine (2.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) induced unique sex-specific withdrawal symptomatology, whereby females showed delayed onset of signs and a possible enhancement of sensitivity to the motor-suppressing effects of xylazine. Xylazine reduced fentanyl consumption in both male and female rats regardless of whether it was experimenter-administered or added to the intravenous fentanyl product (0.05, 0.10, and 0.5 mg/kg/infusion) when compared to fentanyl SA alone. Interestingly, this effect was dose-dependent when self-administered intravenously. Naloxone (0.1 mg/kg, subcutaneous injection) did not increase somatic signs of fentanyl withdrawal, regardless of the inclusion of xylazine in the fentanyl infusion in either sex; however, somatic signs of withdrawal were higher across time points in females after xylazine/fentanyl co-SA regardless of naloxone exposure as compared to females following fentanyl SA alone. Together, these results indicate that xylazine/fentanyl co-SA dose-dependently suppressed fentanyl intake in both sexes and induced a unique withdrawal syndrome in females that was not altered by acute naloxone treatment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailesh N. Khatri
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY
| | - Safiyah Sadek
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY
| | - Percell T. Kendrick
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY
| | - Emma O. Bondy
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY
| | - Mei Hong
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY
| | - Sally Pauss
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY
| | - Dan Luo
- Center for Pharmaceutical Research and Innovation, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Thomas E. Prisinzano
- Center for Pharmaceutical Research and Innovation, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Kelly E. Dunn
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Department, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Julie A. Marusich
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | | | - Terry D. Hinds
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY
| | - Cassandra D. Gipson
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY
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3
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Madurai NK, Jantzie LL, Yen E. Sex differences in neonatal outcomes following prenatal opioid exposure. Front Pediatr 2024; 12:1357970. [PMID: 38577634 PMCID: PMC10991792 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1357970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The impact of the opioid epidemic on pregnant people and children is a growing public health crisis. Understanding how opioids affect the developing brain during pregnancy and postnatally remains a critical area of investigation. Biological sex plays a crucial role in all physiologic processes, with the potential for a significant impact on neonatal outcomes, including those infants with opioid exposure. Here, we aim to explore current literature on the effect of sex on neonatal outcomes following prenatal opioid exposure. Sex differences in adults with opioid use disorder have been well studied, including increased mortality among males and higher rates of psychiatric comorbidities and likelihood of relapse in females. However, such differences are not yet well understood in neonates. Emerging clinical data suggest sex-specific effects in infants with prenatal opioid exposure on the expression of genes related to feeding regulation and reward signaling pathways. Increased susceptibility to white matter injury has also been noted in female infants following prenatal opioid exposure. Understanding the impact of sex as a biological variable on neonatal outcomes following prenatal opioid exposure is paramount to improving the health and well-being of infants, children, and adults impacted by the opioid epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nethra K. Madurai
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lauren L. Jantzie
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurodevelopmental Medicine, Phelps Center for Cerebral Palsy and Neurodevelopmental Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Elizabeth Yen
- Mother Infant Research Institute (MIRI), Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Tufts Medicine Pediatrics-Boston Children's, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
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4
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Matsumura K, Nicot A, Choi IB, Asokan M, Le NN, Natividad LA, Dobbs LK. Endogenous opioid system modulates conditioned cocaine reward in a sex-dependent manner. Addict Biol 2023; 28:e13328. [PMID: 37753570 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13328] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Cocaine predictive cues and contexts exert powerful control over behaviour and can incite cocaine seeking and taking. This type of conditioned behaviour is encoded within striatal circuits, and these circuits and behaviours are, in part, regulated by opioid peptides and receptors expressed in striatal medium spiny neurons. We previously showed that augmenting levels of the opioid peptide enkephalin in the striatum facilitates acquisition of cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP), while opioid receptor antagonists attenuate expression of cocaine CPP. However, whether striatal enkephalin is necessary for acquisition of cocaine CPP and maintenance during extinction remains unknown. To address this, we generated mice with a targeted deletion of enkephalin from dopamine D2-receptor expressing medium spiny neurons and tested them in a cocaine CPP paradigm. Low striatal enkephalin levels did not attenuate acquisition of CPP. However, expression of preference, assessed after acute administration of the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone, was blocked in females, regardless of genotype. When saline was paired with the cocaine context during extinction sessions, females, regardless of genotype, extinguished preference faster than males, and this was prevented by naloxone when paired with the cocaine context. We conclude that while striatal enkephalin is not necessary for acquisition, expression, or extinction of cocaine CPP, expression and extinction of cocaine preference in females is mediated by an opioid peptide other than striatal enkephalin. The unique sensitivity of females to opioid antagonists suggests sex should be a consideration when using these compounds in the treatment of cocaine use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanako Matsumura
- Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol & Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Amélia Nicot
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - In Bae Choi
- Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Meera Asokan
- College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology & Toxicology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Nathan N Le
- College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology & Toxicology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Luis A Natividad
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol & Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology & Toxicology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Lauren K Dobbs
- Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol & Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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5
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Diego LADS. Anesthesia and women's peculiarities. REVISTA DA ASSOCIACAO MEDICA BRASILEIRA (1992) 2023; 69:e2023S103. [PMID: 37556622 PMCID: PMC10411693 DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.2023s103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
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Yu H, Wen B, Lu Y, Xie B, Yu F, Zhang M, Ma C, Cong B, Wen D, Bi H. The Role of circTmeff-1 in Morphine Addiction Memory of Mice. Cells 2023; 12:1985. [PMID: 37566064 PMCID: PMC10417613 DOI: 10.3390/cells12151985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to the essential pharmacological effects of opioids, situational cues associated with drug addiction memory are key triggers for drug seeking. CircRNAs, an emerging hotspot regulator in crown genetics, play an important role in central nervous system-related diseases. However, the internal mediating mechanism of circRNAs in the field of drug reward and addiction memory remains unknown. Here, we trained mice on a conditional place preference (CPP) model and collected nucleus accumbens (NAc) tissues from day 1 (T0) and day 8 (T1) for high-throughput RNA sequencing. QRT-PCR analysis revealed that circTmeff-1 was highly expressed in the NAc core but not in the NAc shell, suggesting that it plays a role in addiction memory formation. Meanwhile, the down-regulation of circTmeff-1 by adeno-associated viruses in the NAc core or shell could inhibit the morphine CPP scores. Subsequently, the GO and KEGG analyses indicated that circTmeff-1 might regulate the addiction memory via the MAPK and AMPK pathways. These findings suggest that circTmeff-1 in NAc plays a crucial role in morphine-dependent memory formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailei Yu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; (H.Y.); (B.W.); (Y.L.); (B.X.); (F.Y.); (C.M.); (B.C.)
| | - Boyang Wen
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; (H.Y.); (B.W.); (Y.L.); (B.X.); (F.Y.); (C.M.); (B.C.)
| | - Yun Lu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; (H.Y.); (B.W.); (Y.L.); (B.X.); (F.Y.); (C.M.); (B.C.)
| | - Bing Xie
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; (H.Y.); (B.W.); (Y.L.); (B.X.); (F.Y.); (C.M.); (B.C.)
| | - Feng Yu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; (H.Y.); (B.W.); (Y.L.); (B.X.); (F.Y.); (C.M.); (B.C.)
| | - Minglong Zhang
- Department of Biogenetics, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar 161000, China;
| | - Chunling Ma
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; (H.Y.); (B.W.); (Y.L.); (B.X.); (F.Y.); (C.M.); (B.C.)
| | - Bin Cong
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; (H.Y.); (B.W.); (Y.L.); (B.X.); (F.Y.); (C.M.); (B.C.)
| | - Di Wen
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; (H.Y.); (B.W.); (Y.L.); (B.X.); (F.Y.); (C.M.); (B.C.)
| | - Haitao Bi
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China; (H.Y.); (B.W.); (Y.L.); (B.X.); (F.Y.); (C.M.); (B.C.)
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Rolová G, Eide D, Gabrhelík R, Odsbu I, Clausen T, Skurtveit S. Gender differences in physical morbidity in opioid agonist treatment patients: population-based cohort studies from the Czech Republic and Norway. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 2023; 18:47. [PMID: 37507709 PMCID: PMC10385939 DOI: 10.1186/s13011-023-00557-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physical diseases represent a significant burden for opioid agonist treatment (OAT) patients. This study described physical morbidity in two national cohorts of OAT patients focusing on gender differences. METHODS This population-based cohort study linking multiple health registers investigated physical diseases (ICD-10) in patients receiving OAT in the Czech Republic (N = 4,280) and Norway (N = 11,389) during 2010-2019. Gender-stratified analysis was performed. RESULTS Overall, we found a large burden of physical morbidity across gender groups in OAT patients. In the Czech Republic and Norway, women in OAT had a significantly higher prevalence of physical diseases across most diagnostic chapters, notably genitourinary diseases and neoplasms. Injuries/external causes and infectious/parasitic diseases were among the most common diseases in both women and men. Viral hepatitis accounted for over half of infectious morbidity in women and men in both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support the need for early screening, detection, and treatment of diseases and conditions across organ systems and the integration of health promotion activities to reduce physical morbidity in OAT patients. The gender differences underline the need for a tailored approach to address specific medical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Rolová
- First Faculty of Medicine, Department of Addictology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
- Department of Addictology, General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Desiree Eide
- University of Oslo, Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, Oslo, Norway
| | - Roman Gabrhelík
- First Faculty of Medicine, Department of Addictology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Addictology, General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ingvild Odsbu
- First Faculty of Medicine, Department of Addictology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Thomas Clausen
- University of Oslo, Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, Oslo, Norway
| | - Svetlana Skurtveit
- University of Oslo, Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, Oslo, Norway
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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Neugebauer V, Presto P, Yakhnitsa V, Antenucci N, Mendoza B, Ji G. Pain-related cortico-limbic plasticity and opioid signaling. Neuropharmacology 2023; 231:109510. [PMID: 36944393 PMCID: PMC10585936 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Neuroplasticity in cortico-limbic circuits has been implicated in pain persistence and pain modulation in clinical and preclinical studies. The amygdala has emerged as a key player in the emotional-affective dimension of pain and pain modulation. Reciprocal interactions with medial prefrontal cortical regions undergo changes in pain conditions. Other limbic and paralimbic regions have been implicated in pain modulation as well. The cortico-limbic system is rich in opioids and opioid receptors. Preclinical evidence for their pain modulatory effects in different regions of this highly interactive system, potentially opposing functions of different opioid receptors, and knowledge gaps will be described here. There is little information about cell type- and circuit-specific functions of opioid receptor subtypes related to pain processing and pain-related plasticity in the cortico-limbic system. The important role of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and amygdala in MOR-dependent analgesia is most well-established, and MOR actions in the mesolimbic system appear to be similar but remain to be determined in mPFC regions other than ACC. Evidence also suggests that KOR signaling generally serves opposing functions whereas DOR signaling in the ACC has similar, if not synergistic effects, to MOR. A unifying picture of pain-related neuronal mechanisms of opioid signaling in different elements of the cortico-limbic circuitry has yet to emerge. This article is part of the Special Issue on "Opioid-induced changes in addiction and pain circuits".
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Neugebauer
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA; Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA; Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.
| | - Peyton Presto
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Vadim Yakhnitsa
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Nico Antenucci
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Brianna Mendoza
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Guangchen Ji
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA; Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
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9
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Murlanova K, Jouroukhin Y, Novototskaya-Vlasova K, Huseynov S, Pletnikova O, Morales MJ, Guan Y, Kamiya A, Bergles DE, Dietz DM, Pletnikov MV. Loss of Astrocytic µ Opioid Receptors Exacerbates Aversion Associated with Morphine Withdrawal in Mice: Role of Mitochondrial Respiration. Cells 2023; 12:1412. [PMID: 37408246 PMCID: PMC10216734 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes express mu/µ opioid receptors, but the function of these receptors remains poorly understood. We evaluated the effects of astrocyte-restricted knockout of µ opioid receptors on reward- and aversion-associated behaviors in mice chronically exposed to morphine. Specifically, one of the floxed alleles of the Oprm1 gene encoding µ opioid receptor 1 was selectively deleted from brain astrocytes in Oprm1 inducible conditional knockout (icKO) mice. These mice did not exhibit changes in locomotor activity, anxiety, or novel object recognition, or in their responses to the acute analgesic effects of morphine. Oprm1 icKO mice displayed increased locomotor activity in response to acute morphine administration but unaltered locomotor sensitization. Oprm1 icKO mice showed normal morphine-induced conditioned place preference but exhibited stronger conditioned place aversion associated with naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal. Notably, elevated conditioned place aversion lasted up to 6 weeks in Oprm1 icKO mice. Astrocytes isolated from the brains of Oprm1 icKO mice had unchanged levels of glycolysis but had elevated oxidative phosphorylation. The basal augmentation of oxidative phosphorylation in Oprm1 icKO mice was further exacerbated by naloxone-precipitated withdrawal from morphine and, similar to that for conditioned place aversion, was still present 6 weeks later. Our findings suggest that µ opioid receptors in astrocytes are linked to oxidative phosphorylation and they contribute to long-term changes associated with opioid withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateryna Murlanova
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Yan Jouroukhin
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Ksenia Novototskaya-Vlasova
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Shovgi Huseynov
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Olga Pletnikova
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Michael J. Morales
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Yun Guan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Atsushi Kamiya
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Dwight E. Bergles
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - David M. Dietz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Mikhail V. Pletnikov
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Celik MÖ, Seitz V, Yergöz F, Dembla S, Blum NK, Schulz S, Stein C. Modulation of G-protein activation, calcium currents and opioid receptor phosphorylation by the pH-dependent antinociceptive agonist NFEPP. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1171855. [PMID: 37251645 PMCID: PMC10213447 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1171855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
N-(3-fluoro-1-phenethylpiperidine-4-yl)-N-phenyl propionamide is a newly-designed pain killer selectively activating G-protein-coupled mu-opioid receptors (MOR) in acidic injured tissues, and therefore devoid of central side effects which are typically elicited at normal pH values in healthy tissues. However, the neuronal mechanisms underlying NFEPP's antinociceptive effects were not examined in detail so far. Voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (VDCCs) in nociceptive neurons play a major role in the generation and inhibition of pain. In this study, we focused on the effects of NFEPP on calcium currents in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. The inhibitory role of the G-protein subunits Gi/o and Gβγ on VDCCs was investigated using the blockers pertussis toxin and gallein, respectively. GTPγS binding, calcium signals and MOR phosphorylation were also investigated. All experiments were performed at acidic and normal pH values using NFEPP in comparison to the conventional opioid agonist fentanyl. At low pH, NFEPP produced more efficient G-protein activation in transfected HEK293 cells and significantly reduced VDCCs in depolarized DRG neurons. The latter effect was mediated by Gβγ subunits, and NFEPP-mediated MOR phosphorylation was pH-dependent. Fentanyl's responses were not affected by pH changes. Our data indicate that NFEPP-induced MOR signaling is more effective at low pH and that the inhibition of calcium channels in DRG neurons underlies NFEPP's antinociceptive actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melih Özgür Celik
- Department of Experimental Anesthesiology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Viola Seitz
- Department of Experimental Anesthesiology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fatih Yergöz
- Department of Experimental Anesthesiology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandeep Dembla
- Department of Experimental Anesthesiology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Schulz
- Department of Pharmacology, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Christoph Stein
- Department of Experimental Anesthesiology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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11
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de Moura FB, Booth RG, Kohut SJ. Oxycodone self-administration and reinstatement in male and female squirrel monkeys: Effects of alternative reinforcer availability. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.12.523850. [PMID: 36711610 PMCID: PMC9882129 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.12.523850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The use of non-drug alternative reinforcers has long been utilized as a component of therapeutic interventions for the management of substance use disorder; however, the conditions under which alternative reinforcers are most effective are not well characterized. This study evaluated the impact of varying the magnitude of an alternative reinforcer on oxycodone self-administration and reinstatement in male and female squirrel monkeys. Subjects (n=4/sex) were trained under concurrent second-order schedules of reinforcement for intravenous oxycodone (0.001-0.1mg/kg/inj) on one lever, and sweetened condensed milk (5, 10, 20, 30% in water) on another. Oxycodone-primed reinstatement was evaluated by administering 0.32mg/kg oxycodone prior to sessions in which saline was available on the drug-paired lever. During oxycodone self-administration sessions, milk availability decreased oxycodone self-administration and preference in a concentration-dependent manner; low milk concentrations were more effective at decreasing oxycodone’s reinforcing potency in males. During reinstatement tests, milk significantly attenuated oxycodone-primed responding in both males and females; low milk concentrations were more effective at decreasing the priming effects of oxycodone in females. That alternative reinforcers differentially impacted self-administration and reinstatement in a sex-dependent manner suggests that treatment strategies that utilize alternative reinforcers may be more effective in males or females depending on when they are implemented.
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12
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Simmons SC, Grecco GG, Atwood BK, Nugent FS. Effects of prenatal opioid exposure on synaptic adaptations and behaviors across development. Neuropharmacology 2023; 222:109312. [PMID: 36334764 PMCID: PMC10314127 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109312] [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: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we focus on prenatal opioid exposure (POE) given the significant concern for the mental health outcomes of children with parents affected by opioid use disorder (OUD) in the view of the current opioid crisis. We highlight some of the less explored interactions between developmental age and sex on synaptic plasticity and associated behavioral outcomes in preclinical POE research. We begin with an overview of the rich literature on hippocampal related behaviors and plasticity across POE exposure paradigms. We then discuss recent work on reward circuit dysregulation following POE. Additional risk factors such as early life stress (ELS) could further influence synaptic and behavioral outcomes of POE. Therefore, we include an overview on the use of preclinical ELS models where ELS exposure during key critical developmental periods confers considerable vulnerability to addiction and stress psychopathology. Here, we hope to highlight the similarity between POE and ELS on development and maintenance of opioid-induced plasticity and altered opioid-related behaviors where similar enduring plasticity in reward circuits may occur. We conclude the review with some of the limitations that should be considered in future investigations. This article is part of the Special Issue on 'Opioid-induced addiction'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Simmons
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Greg G Grecco
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Brady K Atwood
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Fereshteh S Nugent
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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13
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Higginbotham JA, Markovic T, Massaly N, Morón JA. Endogenous opioid systems alterations in pain and opioid use disorder. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:1014768. [PMID: 36341476 PMCID: PMC9628214 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.1014768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Decades of research advances have established a central role for endogenous opioid systems in regulating reward processing, mood, motivation, learning and memory, gastrointestinal function, and pain relief. Endogenous opioid systems are present ubiquitously throughout the central and peripheral nervous system. They are composed of four families, namely the μ (MOPR), κ (KOPR), δ (DOPR), and nociceptin/orphanin FQ (NOPR) opioid receptors systems. These receptors signal through the action of their endogenous opioid peptides β-endorphins, dynorphins, enkephalins, and nociceptins, respectfully, to maintain homeostasis under normal physiological states. Due to their prominent role in pain regulation, exogenous opioids-primarily targeting the MOPR, have been historically used in medicine as analgesics, but their ability to produce euphoric effects also present high risks for abuse. The ability of pain and opioid use to perturb endogenous opioid system function, particularly within the central nervous system, may increase the likelihood of developing opioid use disorder (OUD). Today, the opioid crisis represents a major social, economic, and public health concern. In this review, we summarize the current state of the literature on the function, expression, pharmacology, and regulation of endogenous opioid systems in pain. Additionally, we discuss the adaptations in the endogenous opioid systems upon use of exogenous opioids which contribute to the development of OUD. Finally, we describe the intricate relationship between pain, endogenous opioid systems, and the proclivity for opioid misuse, as well as potential advances in generating safer and more efficient pain therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A. Higginbotham
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States,Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States,School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States,*Correspondence: Jessica A. Higginbotham,
| | - Tamara Markovic
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nicolas Massaly
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States,Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States,School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Jose A. Morón
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States,Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States,School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States,Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
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14
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Laing BT, Jayan A, Erbaugh LJ, Park AS, Wilson DJ, Aponte Y. Regulation of body weight and food intake by AGRP neurons during opioid dependence and abstinence in mice. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:977642. [PMID: 36110920 PMCID: PMC9468932 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.977642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of body weight maintenance and opioid dependence are often treated as independent disorders. Here, we assessed the effects of both acute and long-term administration of morphine with and without chemogenetic activation of agouti-related peptide (AGRP)-expressing neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARCAGRP neurons) to elucidate whether morphine and neuronal activation affect feeding behavior and body weight. First, we characterized interactions of opioids and energy deficit in wild-type mice. We observed that opioid administration attenuated both fasting-induced refeeding and ghrelin-stimulated feeding. Moreover, antagonism of opioid receptors blocked fasting-induced refeeding behavior. Next, we interfaced chemogenetics with opioid dependence. For chemogenetic experiments of ARCAGRP neurons, we conducted a priori behavioral qualification and post-mortem FOS immunostaining verification of arcuate activation following ARCAGRP chemogenetic activation. We administered clozapine during short-term and long-term morphine administration paradigms to determine the effects of dependence on food intake and body weight. We found that morphine occluded feeding behavior characteristic of chemogenetic activation of ARCAGRP neurons. Notably, activation of ARCAGRP neurons attenuated opioid-induced weight loss but did not evoke weight gain during opioid dependence. Consistent with these findings, we observed that morphine administration did not block fasting-induced activation of the ARC. Together, these results highlight the strength of opioidergic effects on body weight maintenance and demonstrate the utility of ARCAGRP neuron manipulations as a lever to influence energy balance throughout the development of opioid dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenton T. Laing
- Neuronal Circuits and Behavior Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Aishwarya Jayan
- Neuronal Circuits and Behavior Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lydia J. Erbaugh
- Neuronal Circuits and Behavior Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Anika S. Park
- Neuronal Circuits and Behavior Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Danielle J. Wilson
- Neuronal Circuits and Behavior Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yeka Aponte
- Neuronal Circuits and Behavior Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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15
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Rabinowitz JA, Jin J, Kuo SIC, Campos AI, Rentería ME, Huhn AS, Thrul J, Reboussin BA, Benke K, Domingue B, Ialongo NS, Maher BS, Kertes D, Troiani V, Uhl G. Positive associations between cannabis and alcohol use polygenic risk scores and phenotypic opioid misuse among African-Americans. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266384. [PMID: 35395044 PMCID: PMC8993003 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study examined whether polygenic risk scores (PRS) for lifetime cannabis and alcohol use were associated with misusing opioids, and whether sex differences existed in these relations in an urban, African-American sample. METHODS Data were drawn from three cohorts of participants (N = 1,103; 45% male) who were recruited in first grade as part of a series of elementary school-based, universal preventive intervention trials conducted in a Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. In young adulthood, participants provided a DNA sample and reported on whether they had used heroin or misused prescription opioids in their lifetime. Three substance use PRS were computed based on prior GWAS: lifetime cannabis use from Pasman et al. (2018), heavy drinking indexed via maximum number of drinks from Gelernter et al. (2019), and alcohol consumption from Kranzler et al. (2019). RESULTS Higher PRS for lifetime cannabis use, greater heavy drinking, and greater alcohol consumption were associated with heightened risk for misusing opioids among the whole sample. Significant sex by PRS interactions were also observed such that higher PRS for heavy drinking and alcohol consumption were associated with a greater likelihood of opioid misuse among males, but not females. CONCLUSION Our findings further elucidate the genetic contributions to misusing opioids by showing that the genetics of cannabis and alcohol consumption are associated with lifetime opioid misuse among young adults, though replication of our findings is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill A. Rabinowitz
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Jin Jin
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Sally I-Chun Kuo
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America
| | - Adrian I. Campos
- Department of Genetics and Computational Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Miguel E. Rentería
- Department of Genetics and Computational Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Andrew S. Huhn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Johannes Thrul
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Beth A. Reboussin
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States of America
| | - Kelly Benke
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Benjamin Domingue
- Graduate School of Education, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States of America
| | - Nicholas S. Ialongo
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Brion S. Maher
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Darlene Kertes
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | | | - George Uhl
- New Mexico VA HealthCare System, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
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16
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Sharp JL, Pearson T, Smith MA. Sex differences in opioid receptor mediated effects: Role of androgens. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 134:104522. [PMID: 34995646 PMCID: PMC8872632 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
An abundance of data indicates there are sex differences in endogenous opioid peptides and opioid receptors, leading to functional differences in sensitivity to opioid receptor mediated behaviors between males and females. Many of these sex differences are mediated by the effects of gonadal hormones on the endogenous opioid system. Whereas much research has examined the role of ovarian hormones on opioid receptor mediated endpoints, comparatively less research has examined the role of androgens. This review describes what is currently known regarding the influence of androgens on opioid receptor mediated endpoints and how androgens may contribute to sex differences in these effects. The review also addresses the clinical implications of androgenic modulation of opioid receptor mediated behaviors and suggests future lines of research for preclinical and clinical investigators. We conclude that further investigation into androgenic modulation of opioid receptor mediated effects may lead to new options for addressing conditions such as chronic pain and substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Sharp
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Davidson College, United States
| | - Tallia Pearson
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Davidson College, United States
| | - Mark A Smith
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Davidson College, United States.
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17
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Trofimova IN, Gaykalova AA. Emotionality vs. Other Biobehavioural Traits: A Look at Neurochemical Biomarkers for Their Differentiation. Front Psychol 2021; 12:781631. [PMID: 34987450 PMCID: PMC8720768 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.781631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This review highlights the differential contributions of multiple neurochemical systems to temperament traits related and those that are unrelated to emotionality, even though these systems have a significant overlap. The difference in neurochemical biomarkers of these traits is analysed from the perspective of the neurochemical model, Functional Ensemble of Temperament (FET) that uses multi-marker and constructivism principles. Special attention is given to a differential contribution of hypothalamic-pituitary hormones and opioid neuropeptides implicated in both emotional and non-emotional regulation. The review highlights the role of the mu-opioid receptor system in dispositional emotional valence and the role of the kappa-opioid system in dispositional perceptual and behavioural alertness. These opioid receptor (OR) systems, microbiota and cytokines are produced in three neuroanatomically distinct complexes in the brain and the body, which all together integrate dispositional emotionality. In contrast, hormones could be seen as neurochemical biomarkers of non-emotional aspects of behavioural regulation related to the construction of behaviour in fast-changing and current situations. As examples of the role of hormones, the review summarised their contribution to temperament traits of Sensation Seeking (SS) and Empathy (EMP), which FET considers as non-emotionality traits related to behavioural orientation. SS is presented here as based on (higher) testosterone (fluctuating), adrenaline and (low) cortisol systems, and EMP, as based on (higher) oxytocin, reciprocally coupled with vasopressin and (lower) testosterone. Due to the involvement of gonadal hormones, there are sex and age differences in these traits that could be explained by evolutionary theory. There are, therefore, specific neurochemical biomarkers differentiating (OR-based) dispositional emotionality and (hormones-based) body's regulation in fast-changing events. Here we propose to consider dispositional emotionality associated with OR systems as emotionality in a true sense, whereas to consider hormonal ensembles regulating SS and EMP as systems of behavioural orientation and not emotionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina N. Trofimova
- Laboratory of Collective Intelligence, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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18
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Gaulden AD, Burson N, Sadik N, Ghosh I, Khan S, Brummelte S, Kallakuri S, Perrine SA. Effects of fentanyl on acute locomotor activity, behavioral sensitization, and contextual reward in female and male rats. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 229:109101. [PMID: 34628096 PMCID: PMC8671359 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although fentanyl has gained widespread prominence, there remains a lack of knowledge on this opioid synthetic agonist, particularly related to sex effects. Therefore, we conducted behavioral tests in female and male rats to measure drug abuse-related responses to fentanyl hypothesizing sex-specific responses. METHODS Using female and male rats, we measured the effects of acute or repeated administration of fentanyl (20 μg/kg) on locomotor activity (LMA) and behavioral sensitization in an open field test. We further measured contextual-reward and associated locomotor activity during training in a conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm using a low (4 μg/kg) or high (16 μg/kg) dose of fentanyl. Vaginal lavage samples were collected from female rats in the CPP study, and the estrous phase was determined based on the cytological characterization. RESULTS Female, but not male, rats showed elevated LMA in response to acute fentanyl and behavioral sensitization to repeated administration of fentanyl. Fentanyl produced significant CPP in both sexes, but it was more potent in males. Finally, our secondary investigation of the estrous cycle on fentanyl-CPP suggests that non-estrus phases, likely reflecting high estradiol, may predict the degree of fentanyl preference in females. CONCLUSIONS Fentanyl was more potent and/or effective to produce LMA and LMA sensitization in females but more potent to produce CPP in males. Furthermore, the role of sex in fentanyl responses varied across endpoints, and sex differences in LMA were not predictive of sex differences in CPP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D. Gaulden
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI.,Translational Neuroscience Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Nicole Burson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Nareen Sadik
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI.,Research Services, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI
| | - Ishita Ghosh
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Sabrina Khan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Susanne Brummelte
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI.,Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
| | - Srinivasu Kallakuri
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI.,Research Services, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI
| | - Shane A. Perrine
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI.,Translational Neuroscience Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI.,Research Services, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI
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19
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Gipson CD, Dunn KE, Bull A, Ulangkaya H, Hossain A. Establishing preclinical withdrawal syndrome symptomatology following heroin self-administration in male and female rats. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2021; 29:636-649. [PMID: 32297787 PMCID: PMC8405057 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a significant health problem, and understanding mechanisms of various aspects of OUD including drug use and withdrawal is important. Preclinical models provide an ideal opportunity to evaluate mechanisms underlying opioid withdrawal. Current models are limited by their reliance upon forced opioid administration, focus on the acute (and not protracted) syndrome, and exclusion of females. In this study, male and female rats self-administered heroin (maintenance dose of 12.5 μg/kg/infusion) and opioid withdrawal after abrupt discontinuation was measured. In Phase 1, acute withdrawal symptoms were rated in male and female rats at 0, 16, 48, and 72 hr after the last self-administration session. Total somatic signs increased until 48 hr (predominantly in females), and heroin intake positively correlated with total somatic signs at the 48 and 72 hr timepoints. Measures of hyperactivity and anxiety-like behavior increased by 16 and 48 hr, respectively. In Phase 2, symptoms were assessed at baseline, acute, and protracted (168 and 312 hr after self-administration) timepoints in a subset of male and female rats from Phase 1. The total number of somatic signs did not differ across timepoints, though females displayed significantly higher body temperature at all timepoints compared with males, indicating sex-specific protracted withdrawal symptomatology. These data provide a thorough characterization of rodent opioid withdrawal symptomatology after self-administration and abrupt discontinuation that serve as a foundation for future studies designed to mimic the human experience, and demonstrate the importance of characterizing acute and protracted withdrawal with sex-specificity in preclinical models of opioid self-administration. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra D. Gipson
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Kelly E. Dunn
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Amanda Bull
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
| | - Hanaa Ulangkaya
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
| | - Aronee Hossain
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
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20
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Hammond CJ, Park G, Kady A, Rathod K, Rahman N, Vidal C, Wenzel K, Fishman M. Sex-based differences in psychiatric symptoms and opioid abstinence during buprenorphine/naloxone treatment in adolescents with opioid use disorders. J Subst Abuse Treat 2021; 133:108495. [PMID: 34218992 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108495] [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: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies indicate that sex-based differences exist in co-occurring psychiatric symptoms and disorders among individuals with opioid use disorders (OUD). Whether these associations are present in adolescent samples and change during OUD treatment is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES In the current study, we examined sex-based differences in psychiatric symptoms and relationships among sex, psychiatric symptoms, and opioid use outcomes in youth with OUD receiving buprenorphine/naloxone (Bup/Nal) and psychosocial treatment. METHODS The study randomly assigned one hundred and fifty-two youth (15-21 years old) diagnosed with OUD to either 12 weeks of treatment with Bup/Nal or up to 2 weeks of Bup/Nal detoxification with both treatment arms receiving weekly drug counseling as part of a multisite clinical trial (NIDA-CTN-0010). We compared psychiatric symptoms, assessed via the Youth Self Report (YSR) at baseline and week 12, across male and female OUD participants. The study used logistic regression models to identify sex and psychiatric symptom variables that were predictors of opioid positive urine (OPU) at week 12. RESULTS Compared to males, females with OUD had higher mean psychiatric symptom scores at baseline across broad-band and narrow-band symptom domains. The study observed significant reductions in psychiatric symptom scores in both males and females during treatment, and by week 12, females only differed from males on anxious-depressive symptom scores. Females, in general, and youth of both sexes presenting to treatment with higher anxious depression scores were less likely to have a week-12 OPU. CONCLUSIONS Clinically significant sex-based differences in psychiatric symptoms are present at baseline among youth with OUD receiving Bup/Nal-assisted treatment and mostly resolve during treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Hammond
- Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States of America; Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States of America.
| | - Grace Park
- Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Annabel Kady
- Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Krutika Rathod
- Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Naisa Rahman
- Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Carol Vidal
- Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Kevin Wenzel
- Mountain Manor Treatment Center, Maryland Treatment Centers, United States of America
| | - Marc Fishman
- Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States of America; Mountain Manor Treatment Center, Maryland Treatment Centers, United States of America
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21
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Modulation of heroin intake by ovarian hormones in gonadectomized and intact female rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:969-978. [PMID: 33404736 PMCID: PMC8218341 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05743-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Heroin intake decreases during the proestrus phase of the estrous cycle in female rats. Circulating concentrations of both estradiol and progesterone peak during proestrus, and it is not known which of these hormones, or their combination, are responsible for these effects. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of estradiol, progesterone, and their combination on heroin self-administration in female rats. METHODS In Experiment 1, the estrous cycle of intact female rats was tracked daily. If a rat was in proestrus, either the estrogen receptor antagonist, raloxifene, the progesterone receptor antagonist, mifepristone, or their combination was administered 30 min prior to a heroin self-administration session. In Experiment 2, separate groups of ovariectomized female rats were treated chronically with exogenous estradiol, progesterone, estradiol + progesterone, or vehicle, and heroin intake was examined over a 100-fold dose range. RESULTS In Experiment 1, raloxifene, but not mifepristone, significantly blocked proestrus-associated decreases in heroin intake. In Experiment 2, estrogentreated rats self-administered less heroin than any other group and significantly less heroin than rats treated with progesterone. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that (1) estradiol but not progesterone is responsible for proestrus-associated decreases in heroin intake and (2) estradiol decreases heroin intake relative to progesterone. These data differ from those reported previously with stimulants and suggest that estrogen-based pharmacotherapies may be of value to women with opioid use disorder.
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22
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Gipson CD, Rawls S, Scofield MD, Siemsen BM, Bondy EO, Maher EE. Interactions of neuroimmune signaling and glutamate plasticity in addiction. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:56. [PMID: 33612110 PMCID: PMC7897396 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02072-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic use of drugs of abuse affects neuroimmune signaling; however, there are still many open questions regarding the interactions between neuroimmune mechanisms and substance use disorders (SUDs). Further, chronic use of drugs of abuse can induce glutamatergic changes in the brain, but the relationship between the glutamate system and neuroimmune signaling in addiction is not well understood. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to bring into focus the role of neuroimmune signaling and its interactions with the glutamate system following chronic drug use, and how this may guide pharmacotherapeutic treatment strategies for SUDs. In this review, we first describe neuroimmune mechanisms that may be linked to aberrant glutamate signaling in addiction. We focus specifically on the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, a potentially important neuroimmune mechanism that may be a key player in driving drug-seeking behavior. We highlight the importance of astroglial-microglial crosstalk, and how this interacts with known glutamatergic dysregulations in addiction. Then, we describe the importance of studying non-neuronal cells with unprecedented precision because understanding structure-function relationships in these cells is critical in understanding their role in addiction neurobiology. Here we propose a working model of neuroimmune-glutamate interactions that underlie drug use motivation, which we argue may aid strategies for small molecule drug development to treat substance use disorders. Together, the synthesis of this review shows that interactions between glutamate and neuroimmune signaling may play an important and understudied role in addiction processes and may be critical in developing more efficacious pharmacotherapies to treat SUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra D Gipson
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Kentucky, 741 S. Limestone, BBSRB, Room 363, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA.
| | - Scott Rawls
- Department of Pharmacology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Michael D Scofield
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA
| | - Benjamin M Siemsen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA
| | - Emma O Bondy
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Kentucky, 741 S. Limestone, BBSRB, Room 363, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA
| | - Erin E Maher
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Kentucky, 741 S. Limestone, BBSRB, Room 363, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA
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23
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Gupta A, Gullapalli S, Pan H, Ramos-Ortolaza DL, Hayward MD, Low MJ, Pintar JE, Devi LA, Gomes I. Regulation of Opioid Receptors by Their Endogenous Opioid Peptides. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2021; 41:1103-1118. [PMID: 33389463 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-01015-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Activation of μ, δ, and κ opioid receptors by endogenous opioid peptides leads to the regulation of many emotional and physiological responses. The three major endogenous opioid peptides, β-endorphin, enkephalins, and dynorphins result from the processing of three main precursors: proopiomelanocortin, proenkephalin, and prodynorphin. Using a knockout approach, we sought to determine whether the absence of endogenous opioid peptides would affect the expression or activity of opioid receptors in mice lacking either proenkephalin, β-endorphin, or both. Since gene knockout can lead to changes in the levels of peptides generated from related precursors by compensatory mechanisms, we directly measured the levels of Leu-enkephalin and dynorphin-derived peptides in the brain of animals lacking proenkephalin, β-endorphin, or both. We find that whereas the levels of dynorphin-derived peptides were relatively unaltered, the levels of Leu-enkephalin were substantially decreased compared to wild-type mice suggesting that preproenkephalin is the major source of Leu-enkephalin. This data also suggests that the lack of β-endorphin and/or proenkephalin does not lead to a compensatory change in prodynorphin processing. Next, we examined the effect of loss of the endogenous peptides on the regulation of opioid receptor levels and activity in specific regions of the brain. We also compared the receptor levels and activity in males and females and show that the lack of β-endorphin and/or proenkephalin leads to differential modulation of the three opioid receptors in a region- and gender-specific manner. These results suggest that endogenous opioid peptides are important modulators of the expression and activity of opioid receptors in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achla Gupta
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1603, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Srinivas Gullapalli
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1603, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Emcure Pharmaceuticals, Mumbai, India
| | - Hui Pan
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1603, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dinah L Ramos-Ortolaza
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1603, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Pontifico Catholic Univ. Puerto Rico, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Michael D Hayward
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
- Invivotek, Trenton, NJ, USA
| | - Malcom J Low
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - John E Pintar
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Lakshmi A Devi
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1603, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - Ivone Gomes
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1603, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Women with opioid use disorder (OUD) face unique challenges the moment they enter treatment. This narrative review focused on recent literature regarding sex- and gender-based issues that could affect treatment outcomes in women with OUD. RECENT FINDINGS Women respond differently to opioids based on hormonal factors, are more likely to present to treatment with mental health conditions, especially depression, and are more likely to have experienced trauma via intimate partner violence compared with men. Women also face stigma when entering OUD treatment, particularly if they have children. Future research to improve OUD treatment outcomes in women should account for sex as a biological variable and gender as a social construct. Women have a fundamentally different experience than men during the course of OUD and upon treatment entry. Programs that address childcare/family support, mental health, and trauma are warranted for women with OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S Huhn
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
| | - Kelly E Dunn
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
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25
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Cabrera Y, Holloway J, Poe GR. Sleep Changes Across the Female Hormonal Cycle Affecting Memory: Implications for Resilient Adaptation to Traumatic Experiences. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2020; 29:446-451. [PMID: 32186966 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2020.8332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
We review findings and propose a model explaining why women's adaptation to traumatic stress might be different than men's, including the role of cycling hormones and sleep differences in the development of post-traumatic stress and other stress-related disorders. Women are diagnosed with stress-related mental health disorders at a higher frequency than men. Most mental health disorders involve sleep disturbances, which may contribute to these disorders. The mechanisms by which sleep contributes to the development of mental health disorders in women have not been addressed in basic research. Sleep features such as spindle density and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep theta power are important for the role of sleep in emotion and cognition. The effect of hormonal cycles on these and other critical sleep features is only beginning to be understood. We explore what sleep factors could confer resilience to mental health disorders and how they might be altered by hormonal cycles in women. We target a specific system at the nexus of arousal control, stress response, and memory consolidation processes that has not been explored at all in women or across the hormonal cycle in animal studies: the locus coeruleus noradrenergic (LC-NE) system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesenia Cabrera
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jasmine Holloway
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Gina R Poe
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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26
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Lopresti NM, Esguerra M, Mermelstein PG. Sex Differences in Animal Models of Opioid Reward. CURRENT SEXUAL HEALTH REPORTS 2020; 12:186-194. [PMID: 33574737 PMCID: PMC7872138 DOI: 10.1007/s11930-020-00266-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review aims to discuss sex differences observed in preclinical rodent models of opioid reward. RECENT FINDINGS Utilizing a variety of methodological approaches and drug regimens, no clear consensus has emerged regarding the effects of opiates between males and females. This is quite dissimilar to work examining psychostimulants, where female animals reliably exhibit stronger behavioral responses. SUMMARY With opioid research quickly expanding to determine the neural underpinnings of opioid addiction, further research is essential to determine the conditions wherein sex differences may occur and how they may relate to the human condition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manuel Esguerra
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Department of Neuroscience
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27
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Kokane SS, Perrotti LI. Sex Differences and the Role of Estradiol in Mesolimbic Reward Circuits and Vulnerability to Cocaine and Opiate Addiction. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:74. [PMID: 32508605 PMCID: PMC7251038 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.00074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Although both men and women become addicted to drugs of abuse, women transition to addiction faster, experience greater difficulties remaining abstinent, and relapse more often than men. In both humans and rodents, hormonal cycles are associated with females' faster progression to addiction. Higher concentrations and fluctuating levels of ovarian hormones in females modulate the mesolimbic reward system and influence reward-directed behavior. For example, in female rodents, estradiol (E2) influences dopamine activity within the mesolimbic reward system such that drug-directed behaviors that are normally rewarding and reinforcing become enhanced when circulating levels of E2 are high. Therefore, neuroendocrine interactions, in part, explain sex differences in behaviors motivated by drug reward. Here, we review sex differences in the physiology and function of the mesolimbic reward system in order to explore the notion that sex differences in response to drugs of abuse, specifically cocaine and opiates, are the result of molecular neuroadaptations that differentially develop depending upon the hormonal state of the animal. We also reconsider the notion that ovarian hormones, specifically estrogen/estradiol, sensitize target neurons thereby increasing responsivity when under the influence of either cocaine or opiates or in response to exposure to drug-associated cues. These adaptations may ultimately serve to guide the motivational behaviors that underlie the factors that cause women to be more vulnerable to cocaine and opiate addiction than men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh S Kokane
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, United States
| | - Linda I Perrotti
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, United States
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28
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly J Templeton
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
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29
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Dunn KE, Barrett FS, Brands B, Marsh DC, Bigelow GE. Individual differences in human opioid abuse potential as observed in a human laboratory study. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 205:107688. [PMID: 31710994 PMCID: PMC7219469 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioids have high abuse potential and pose a major public health concern. Yet, a large percentage of individuals exposed to opioids do not develop problematic use. Individual differences in opioid abuse potential are not well understood. METHODS This within-subject (N = 16), double-blind, double-dummy, human laboratory study evaluated individual differences in response to dose (placebo, low, medium, high) following administration of heroin and hydromorphone through intravenous and subcutaneous routes, in opioid-experienced but non physically-dependent participants. Outcomes were self-reported visual analog scale (VAS) ratings (High, Liking, Drug Effect, Good Effect, Rush), pupil diameter change from baseline, and crossover point on the Drug vs. Money questionnaire. The degree to which results were consistent across measures within an individual was assessed using a mixed-effects model from which an intraclass correlation coefficient measure of between and within-subject variance was derived. RESULTS The mixed effects model fit was significant (p < 0.0001) and revealed that 85.5% of the explainable variance was due to between-subject effects, suggesting the responses within an individual were highly consistent. Visual inspection reveals a myriad response pattern across participants, with some demonstrating classic dose-effect responses and others not differentiating any active doses from placebo. CONCLUSIONS Data suggest the abuse potential of opioids is significantly different between individuals but that the experience within an individual is highly consistent. Research to prospectively characterize and evaluate mechanisms underlying these differences is warranted and may provide a foundation to help identify persons at heightened risk of transitioning from opioid exposure to misuse and/or opioid use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly E Dunn
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States.
| | - Frederick S Barrett
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States
| | - Bruna Brands
- Health Canada, Canada; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada; University of Toronto, Canada
| | | | - George E Bigelow
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States
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30
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Dunn KE, Huhn AS, Bergeria CL, Gipson CD, Weerts EM. Non-Opioid Neurotransmitter Systems that Contribute to the Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: A Review of Preclinical and Human Evidence. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2019; 371:422-452. [PMID: 31391211 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.119.258004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioid misuse and abuse is a major international public health issue. Opioid use disorder (OUD) is largely maintained by a desire to suppress aversive opioid withdrawal symptoms. Opioid withdrawal in patients seeking abstinence from illicit or prescribed opioids is often managed by provision of a μ-opioid agonist/partial agonist in combination with concomitant medications. Concomitant medications are administered based on their ability to treat specific symptoms rather than a mechanistic understanding of the opioid withdrawal syndrome; however, their use has not been statistically associated with improved treatment outcomes. Understanding the central and/or peripheral mechanisms that underlie individual withdrawal symptom expression in humans will help promote medication development for opioid withdrawal management. To support focused examination of mechanistically supported concomitant medications, this review summarizes evidence from preclinical (N = 68) and human (N = 30) studies that administered drugs acting on the dopamine, serotonin, cannabinoid, orexin/hypocretin, and glutamate systems and reported outcomes related to opioid withdrawal. These studies provide evidence that each of these systems contribute to opioid withdrawal severity. The Food and Drug Administration has approved medications acting on these respective systems for other indications and research in this area could support the repurposing of these medications to enhance opioid withdrawal treatment. These data support a focused examination of mechanistically informed concomitant medications to help reduce opioid withdrawal severity and enhance the continuum of care available for persons with OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly E Dunn
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (K.D.E., A.S.H., C.L.B., E.M.W.); and Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona (C.D.G.)
| | - Andrew S Huhn
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (K.D.E., A.S.H., C.L.B., E.M.W.); and Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona (C.D.G.)
| | - Cecilia L Bergeria
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (K.D.E., A.S.H., C.L.B., E.M.W.); and Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona (C.D.G.)
| | - Cassandra D Gipson
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (K.D.E., A.S.H., C.L.B., E.M.W.); and Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona (C.D.G.)
| | - Elise M Weerts
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (K.D.E., A.S.H., C.L.B., E.M.W.); and Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona (C.D.G.)
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31
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Huhn AS, Berry MS, Dunn KE. Review: Sex-Based Differences in Treatment Outcomes for Persons With Opioid Use Disorder. Am J Addict 2019; 28:246-261. [PMID: 31131505 PMCID: PMC6591072 DOI: 10.1111/ajad.12921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES In order to address the current opioid crisis, research on treatment outcomes for persons with opioid use disorder (OUD) should account for biological factors that could influence individual treatment response. Women and men might have clinically meaningful differences in their experience in OUD treatment and might also have unique challenges in achieving successful, long-term recovery. This review summarizes and synthesizes the current literature on sex-based differences in OUD treatment outcomes. METHODS Relevant literature was identified via automated and manual searches using the terms "opioid treatment outcome sex [or gender] differences" and "opiate treatment outcome sex [or gender] differences." Search methodology was consistent with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), and were conducted within the PubMed electronic database during March and April of 2018. RESULTS The initial PubMed search yielded 241 manuscripts and 31 original research articles that met inclusion/exclusion criteria were synthesized in this review. Several important trends emerged, including findings that women are more likely than men to present to treatment with co-occurring mental health conditions such as depression, and that women might respond particularly well to buprenorphine maintenance. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS While much of the literature on this topic is subject to potential cohort effects, interventions that address co-occurring mental health conditions and psychosocial stress might improve treatment outcomes for women with OUD. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE Funding agencies and researchers should focus attention toward human laboratory studies and clinical trials that are prospectively designed to assess sex-based differences in OUD recovery. (Am J Addict 2019;28:246-261).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S. Huhn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
| | - Meredith S. Berry
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
- Department of Health Education and Behavior, and Department of Psychology, University of Florida
| | - Kelly E. Dunn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
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32
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly E Dunn
- a Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
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