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Söderpalm B, Ericson M. Alcohol and the dopamine system. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 175:21-73. [PMID: 38555117 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
The mesolimbic dopamine pathway plays a major role in drug reinforcement and is likely involved also in the development of drug addiction. Ethanol, like most addictive drugs, acutely activates the mesolimbic dopamine system and releases dopamine, and ethanol-associated stimuli also appear to trigger dopamine release. In addition, chronic exposure to ethanol reduces the baseline function of the mesolimbic dopamine system. The molecular mechanisms underlying ethanol´s interaction with this system remain, however, to be unveiled. Here research on the actions of ethanol in the mesolimbic dopamine system, focusing on the involvement of cystein-loop ligand-gated ion channels, opiate receptors, gastric peptides and acetaldehyde is briefly reviewed. In summary, a great complexity as regards ethanol´s mechanism(s) of action along the mesolimbic dopamine system has been revealed. Consequently, several new targets and possibilities for pharmacotherapies for alcohol use disorder have emerged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Söderpalm
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Addiction and Dependency, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Mia Ericson
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Konar-Nié M, Guzman-Castillo A, Armijo-Weingart L, Aguayo LG. Aging in nucleus accumbens and its impact on alcohol use disorders. Alcohol 2023; 107:73-90. [PMID: 36087859 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ethanol is one of the most widely consumed drugs in the world and prolonged excessive ethanol intake might lead to alcohol use disorders (AUDs), which are characterized by neuroadaptations in different brain regions, such as in the reward circuitry. In addition, the global population is aging, and it appears that they are increasing their ethanol consumption. Although research involving the effects of alcohol in aging subjects is limited, differential effects have been described. For example, studies in human subjects show that older adults perform worse in tests assessing working memory, attention, and cognition as compared to younger adults. Interestingly, in the field of the neurobiological basis of ethanol actions, there is a significant dichotomy between what we know about the effects of ethanol on neurochemical targets in young animals and how it might affect them in the aging brain. To be able to understand the distinct effects of ethanol in the aging brain, the following questions need to be answered: (1) How does physiological aging impact the function of an ethanol-relevant region (e.g., the nucleus accumbens)? and (2) How does ethanol affect these neurobiological systems in the aged brain? This review discusses the available data to try to understand how aging affects the nucleus accumbens (nAc) and its neurochemical response to alcohol. The data show that there is little information on the effects of ethanol in aged mice and rats, and that many studies had considered 2-3-month-old mice as adults, which needs to be reconsidered since more recent literature defines 6 months as young adults and >18 months as an older mouse. Considering the actual relevance of an aged worldwide population and that this segment is drinking more frequently, it appears at least reasonable to explore how ethanol affects the brain in adult and aged models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macarena Konar-Nié
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile.
| | - Alejandra Guzman-Castillo
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile; Programa en Neurociencia, Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Universidad de Concepción, Concepcion, Chile.
| | - Lorena Armijo-Weingart
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile; Programa en Neurociencia, Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Universidad de Concepción, Concepcion, Chile.
| | - Luis Gerardo Aguayo
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile; Programa en Neurociencia, Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Universidad de Concepción, Concepcion, Chile.
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Maccioni P, Lorrai I, Carai MAM, Gessa GL, Colombo G. Blockade of the GABAB receptor suppressed alcohol self-administration in rats: an effect similar to that produced by GABAB receptor activation. Behav Pharmacol 2022; 33:51-60. [PMID: 34954712 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Literature data suggest that activation and blockade of the GABAB receptor may produce similar effects on several reward-related behaviours. Accordingly, the present study was designed to investigate whether treatment with the GABAB receptor antagonist, SCH 50911, reproduced the suppressing effect of the GABAB receptor agonist, baclofen, and several positive allosteric modulators of the GABAB receptor on operant oral alcohol self-administration in rats. To this end, Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) rats were trained to lever-respond for alcohol (15% v/v) under the fixed ratio (FR) 4 (FR4) schedule of reinforcement. Once lever-responding had stabilized, rats were exposed to test sessions preceded by treatment with SCH 50911 (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg; i.p.). Two independent experiments were conducted, differing solely in the set of rats used. Selectivity of SCH 50911 effect on alcohol self-administration was assessed by evaluating the effect of SCH 50911 (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg; i.p.) on self-administration of a sucrose solution (0.7% w/v) in sP rats exposed to the FR4 schedule. In both 'alcohol' experiments, treatment with SCH 50911 reduced lever-responding for alcohol and amount of self-administered alcohol. SCH 50911 effect was characterized by large interindividual variability, with several instances of dose-unrelated reductions, and frequent occurrence of complete suppression of lever-responding for alcohol. Similar data were collected in the 'sucrose' experiment. These results extend to alcohol self-administration with the notion that activation and blockade of GABAB receptor may produce unidirectional effects on reward-related behaviours; these similarities are discussed in terms of differential contribution of pre- and postsynaptic GABAB receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Maccioni
- Neuroscience Institute, Section of Cagliari, National Research Council of Italy, Monserrato
| | - Irene Lorrai
- Neuroscience Institute, Section of Cagliari, National Research Council of Italy, Monserrato
| | | | - Gian Luigi Gessa
- Neuroscience Institute, Section of Cagliari, National Research Council of Italy, Monserrato
| | - Giancarlo Colombo
- Neuroscience Institute, Section of Cagliari, National Research Council of Italy, Monserrato
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Neuroplasticity and Multilevel System of Connections Determine the Integrative Role of Nucleus Accumbens in the Brain Reward System. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189806. [PMID: 34575969 PMCID: PMC8471564 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189806] [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: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing body of evidence suggests that nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays a significant role not only in the physiological processes associated with reward and satisfaction but also in many diseases of the central nervous system. Summary of the current state of knowledge on the morphological and functional basis of such a diverse function of this structure may be a good starting point for further basic and clinical research. The NAc is a part of the brain reward system (BRS) characterized by multilevel organization, extensive connections, and several neurotransmitter systems. The unique role of NAc in the BRS is a result of: (1) hierarchical connections with the other brain areas, (2) a well-developed morphological and functional plasticity regulating short- and long-term synaptic potentiation and signalling pathways, (3) cooperation among several neurotransmitter systems, and (4) a supportive role of neuroglia involved in both physiological and pathological processes. Understanding the complex function of NAc is possible by combining the results of morphological studies with molecular, genetic, and behavioral data. In this review, we present the current views on the NAc function in physiological conditions, emphasizing the role of its connections, neuroplasticity processes, and neurotransmitter systems.
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Ballaz S, Espinosa N, Bourin M. Does endogenous cholecystokinin modulate alcohol intake? Neuropharmacology 2021; 193:108539. [PMID: 33794246 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder or alcoholism is characterized by uncontrollable alcohol use and intoxication, as well as a heightened state of anxiety after alcohol withdrawal. Ethanol-associated stimuli also drive the urge to drink by means of classical conditioning. Alcoholism has been considered a dopamine (DA) dysregulation syndrome that involves the activity of the central amygdala circuitry of anxiety. Cholecystokinin (CCK) is the most abundant neuropeptide in the mammal brain, where it activates two receptors, CCK1 and CCK2. Genetic evidence relates CCK1 receptors to alcoholism in humans. CCK2 activity has been associated with the onset of human anxiety. CCK modulates DA release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and it is expressed in the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-expressing basket interneurons in the cerebral cortex. CCK interacts with serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission through 5-HT3 receptors to regulate mesocorticolimbic pathways and with GABA to attenuate anxiety in the amygdala. Finally, CCK stimulates the release of orexins and oxytocin in the hypothalamus, two relevant hypothalamic neuropeptides involved in signaling satiety for ethanol and well-being respectively. Given the "dimmer-switch" function of endogenous CCK in the neurotransmission by 5-HT, DA, GABA, and glutamate in normal and pathological behaviors (Ballaz and Bourin, 2020), we hypothesize that CCK adjusts functioning of the reward and anxiety circuitries altered by ethanol. This review gathers data supporting this hypothesis, and suggests mechanisms underlying a role for endogenous CCK in alcoholism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Ballaz
- School of Biological Sciences & Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Hacienda San José s/n, San Miguel de Urcuquí, Ecuador; School of Medicine, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Samborondón, Ecuador.
| | - Nicole Espinosa
- School of Biological Sciences & Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Hacienda San José s/n, San Miguel de Urcuquí, Ecuador.
| | - Michel Bourin
- Neurobiology of Anxiety and Mood Disorders, University of Nantes, 98, Rue Joseph Blanchart, 44100 Nantes, France.
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Engleman EA, Ingraham CM, Rodd ZA, Murphy JM, McBride WJ, Ding ZM. The reinforcing effects of ethanol within the prelimbic cortex and ethanol drinking: Involvement of local dopamine D 2 receptor-mediated neurotransmission. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 214:108165. [PMID: 32688071 PMCID: PMC7431019 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have identified important mesolimbic regions in supporting the reinforcing effects of ethanol. However, the involvement of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), another key region within the mesocorticolimbic system, in ethanol reinforcement has been understudied. The objective of the current study was to examine the role of the prelimbic (PL) cortex sub-region of the mPFC in ethanol reinforcement and drinking. Intracranial self-administration was used to examine the reinforcing effects of ethanol within the PL cortex. Quantitative microdialysis was used to measure basal extracellular DA concentrations and clearance in the PL cortex following chronic ethanol drinking. In addition, the involvement of dopamine (DA) D2 receptors within the PL cortex on the reinforcing effects of ethanol and ethanol drinking was determined. Ethanol was dose-dependent self-administered into the PL cortex, with significantly more infusions elicited by 100-200 mg% ethanol than vehicle. Co-infusion of the D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride significantly reduced ethanol self-administration. Chronic ethanol drinking significantly elevated basal extracellular DA concentrations without altering DA clearance. Microinjection of sulpiride into the PL cortex selectively reduced ethanol, but not saccharine, drinking. These results indicate that the PL cortex supported the reinforcing effects of ethanol, and that ethanol drinking enhanced basal DA neurotransmission within the PL cortex. In addition, D2 receptor antagonism within the PL cortex reduced ethanol self-administration and drinking. Collectively, these findings revealed important DA mechanisms within the PL cortex in mediating ethanol reinforcement and drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Engleman
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, 355 West 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Cynthia M Ingraham
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, 355 West 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Zachary A Rodd
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, 355 West 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - James M Murphy
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, 355 West 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - William J McBride
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, 355 West 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Zheng-Ming Ding
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, 355 West 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States; Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, 700 HMC Crescent Road, Hershey, PA 17033, United States.
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Vallöf D, Kalafateli AL, Jerlhag E. Brain region-specific neuromedin U signalling regulates alcohol-related behaviours and food intake in rodents. Addict Biol 2020; 25:e12764. [PMID: 31069918 PMCID: PMC7187236 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Albeit neuromedin U (NMU) attenuates alcohol‐mediated behaviours, its mechanisms of action are poorly defined. Providing that the behavioural effects of alcohol are processed within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell, anterior ventral tegmental area (aVTA), and laterodorsal tegmental area (LDTg), we assessed the involvement of NMU signalling in the aforementioned areas on alcohol‐mediated behaviours in rodents. We further examined the expression of NMU and NMU receptor 2 (NMUR2) in NAc and the dorsal striatum of high compared with low alcohol‐consuming rats, as this area is of importance in the maintenance of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Finally, we investigated the involvement of NAc shell, aVTA and LDTg in the consumption of chow and palatable peanut butter, to expand the link between NMU and reward‐related behaviours. We demonstrated here, that NMU into the NAc shell, but not aVTA or LDTg, blocked the ability of acute alcohol to cause locomotor stimulation and to induce memory retrieval of alcohol reward, as well as reduced peanut butter in mice. In addition, NMU into NAc shell decreased alcohol intake in rats. On a molecular level, we found increased NMU and decreased NMUR2 expression in the dorsal striatum in high compared with low alcohol‐consuming rats. Both aVTA and LDTg, rather than NAc shell, were identified as novel sites of action for NMU's anorexigenic properties in mice based on NMU's ability to selectively reduce chow intake when injected to these areas. Collectively, these data indicate that NMU signalling in different brain areas selectively modulates different behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Vallöf
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of PharmacologyThe Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Aimilia Lydia Kalafateli
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of PharmacologyThe Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Elisabet Jerlhag
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of PharmacologyThe Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden
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Ethanol-induced changes in synaptic amino acid neurotransmitter levels in the nucleus accumbens of differentially sensitized mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:3541-3556. [PMID: 31302721 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05324-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Ethanol-induced behavioural sensitization (EBS) does not occur uniformly in mice exposed to the sensitization paradigm. This suggests innate differential responses to ethanol (EtOH) in the reward circuitry of individual animals. OBJECTIVES To better characterize the adaptive differences between low-sensitized (LS) and high-sensitized (HS) mice, we examined excitatory amino acid (EAA) and inhibitory amino acid (IAA) neurotransmitter levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) during EBS expression. METHODS Male DBA/2J mice received five ethanol (EtOH) (2.2 g/kg) or saline injections, and locomotor activity (LMA) was assessed during EBS induction. EtOH mice were classified as LS or HS on the basis of final LMA scores. Following an EtOH challenge (1.8 g/kg) 2 weeks later, LMA was re-evaluated and in vivo microdialysis samples were collected from the NAc. RESULTS Most differences in amino acid levels were observed within the first 20 min after EtOH challenge. LS mice exhibited similar glutamate levels compared with acutely treated (previously EtOH naïve) mice, and generally increased levels of the IAAs GABA, glycine, and taurine. By contrast, HS mice exhibited increased glutamate and attenuated levels of GABA, glycine, and taurine. CONCLUSION These data suggest that the profile of amino acid neurotransmitters in the NAc of LS and HS mice significantly differs. Elucidating these adaptive differences contributes to our understanding of factors that confer susceptibility/resilience to alcohol use disorder.
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Le Daré B, Lagente V, Gicquel T. Ethanol and its metabolites: update on toxicity, benefits, and focus on immunomodulatory effects. Drug Metab Rev 2019; 51:545-561. [PMID: 31646907 DOI: 10.1080/03602532.2019.1679169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This article summarizes recent experimental and epidemiological data on the toxic and beneficial effects of ethanol and its metabolites (acetaldehyde), and focuses on their immunomodulatory effects. The section dealing with the toxic effects of alcohol focuses on its chronic toxicity (liver disorders, carcinogenic effects, cardiovascular disorders, neuropsychic disorders, addiction and withdrawal syndrome, hematologic disorders, reprotoxicity, osteoporosis) although acute toxicity is considered. The role of oxidative metabolism of ethanol by alcohol dehydrogenase, cytochrome P450 2E1, and aldehyde dehydrogenase, as well as the impact of genetic polymorphism in its physiopathology are also highlighted. The section dealing with the beneficial effects of low to moderate alcohol consumption (on cardiovascular system, diabetes, the nervous system and sensory organs, autoimmune diseases, and rheumatology) highlights the importance of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects in these observations. This knowledge, enriched by a focus on the immunomodulatory effects of ethanol and its metabolites, in particular on the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, might facilitate the development of treatments that can reduce ethanol's harmful effects or accentuate its beneficial effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Le Daré
- Univ Rennes, INSERM, INRA, Institut NuMeCan (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer), Rennes, France.,Pharmacy Unit, Pontchaillou University Hospital, Rennes, France.,Forensic and Toxicology Laboratory, Pontchaillou University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Vincent Lagente
- Univ Rennes, INSERM, INRA, Institut NuMeCan (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer), Rennes, France
| | - Thomas Gicquel
- Univ Rennes, INSERM, INRA, Institut NuMeCan (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer), Rennes, France.,Forensic and Toxicology Laboratory, Pontchaillou University Hospital, Rennes, France
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Maccioni P, Colombo G, Lorrai I, Zaru A, Carai MAM, Gessa GL, Brizzi A, Mugnaini C, Corelli F. Suppressing effect of COR659 on alcohol, sucrose, and chocolate self-administration in rats: involvement of the GABA B and cannabinoid CB 1 receptors. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:2525-2543. [PMID: 28536867 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4644-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES COR659 [methyl2-(4-chlorophenylcarboxamido)-4-ethyl-5-methylthiophene-3-carboxylate] is a new, positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of the GABAB receptor. This study evaluated whether COR659 shared with previously tested GABAB PAMs the capacity to reduce alcohol self-administration in rats. RESULTS Treatment with non-sedative doses of COR659 (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg; i.p.) suppressed lever-responding for alcohol (15% v/v) in Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) rats under the fixed ratio (FR) 4 (FR4) and progressive ratio (PR) schedules of reinforcement; COR659 was more potent and effective than the reference GABAB PAM, GS39783. Treatment with COR659, but not GS39783, suppressed (a) lever-responding for a sucrose solution (1-3% w/v) in sP rats under the FR4 and PR schedules, (b) lever-responding for a chocolate solution [5% (w/v) Nesquik®] in Wistar rats under the FR10 and PR schedules, and (c) cue-induced reinstatement of chocolate seeking in Wistar rats. Treatment with COR659 was completely ineffective on lever-responding (FR10) for regular food pellets in food-deprived Wistar rats. Pretreatment with the GABAB receptor antagonist, SCH50911, partially blocked COR659-induced reduction of alcohol self-administration, being ineffective on reduction of chocolate self-administration. Pretreatment with the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist, AM4113, fully blocked COR659-induced reduction of chocolate self-administration, being ineffective on reduction of alcohol self-administration. CONCLUSIONS COR659 might exert its behavioral effects via a composite mechanism: (i) positive allosteric modulation of the GABAB receptor, responsible for a large proportion of reduction of alcohol self-administration; (ii) an action at other receptor system(s), including the cannabinoid CB1 receptor, through which COR659 affects seeking and consumption of highly palatable foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Maccioni
- Neuroscience Institute, Section of Cagliari, National Research Council of Italy, 09042, Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Giancarlo Colombo
- Neuroscience Institute, Section of Cagliari, National Research Council of Italy, 09042, Monserrato (CA), Italy.
| | - Irene Lorrai
- Neuroscience Institute, Section of Cagliari, National Research Council of Italy, 09042, Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Alessandro Zaru
- Neuroscience Institute, Section of Cagliari, National Research Council of Italy, 09042, Monserrato (CA), Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Mauro A M Carai
- Cagliari Pharmacological Research, 09127, Cagliari (CA), Italy
| | - Gian Luigi Gessa
- Neuroscience Institute, Section of Cagliari, National Research Council of Italy, 09042, Monserrato (CA), Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Antonella Brizzi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100, Siena (SI), Italy
| | - Claudia Mugnaini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100, Siena (SI), Italy
| | - Federico Corelli
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100, Siena (SI), Italy
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Pavuluri M, Volpe K, Yuen A. Nucleus Accumbens and Its Role in Reward and Emotional Circuitry: A Potential Hot Mess in Substance Use and Emotional Disorders. AIMS Neurosci 2017. [DOI: 10.3934/neuroscience.2017.1.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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12
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Maccioni P, Lorrai I, Carai MAM, Riva A, Morazzoni P, Mugnaini C, Corelli F, Gessa GL, Colombo G. Reducing effect of saikosaponin A, an active ingredient of Bupleurum falcatum, on alcohol self-administration in rats: Possible involvement of the GABAB receptor. Neurosci Lett 2016; 621:62-67. [PMID: 27080427 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Revised: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies demonstrated that treatment with saikosaponin A (SSA) - an active ingredient of the medicinal herb, Bupleurum falcatum L. - selectively suppressed, likely via a GABAB receptor-mediated mechanism, intravenous self-administration of morphine and cocaine in rats [Yoon et al., 2012; 2013]. The present study was designed to investigate whether the capacity of SSA to suppress morphine and cocaine self-administration extends to oral alcohol self-administration. To this end, selectively bred Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) rats were trained to lever-respond on a Fixed Ratio (FR) 4 (FR4) schedule of reinforcement for alcohol (15%, v/v) in daily 30-min sessions. Once responding had stabilized, rats were tested under the FR4 (measure of alcohol reinforcing properties) and Progressive Ratio (PR; measure of alcohol motivational properties) schedules of reinforcement. The possible involvement of the GABAB receptor system was investigated testing the effect of (a) pretreatment with the GABAB receptor antagonist, SCH50911, and (b) combined treatment with the positive allosteric modulator of the GABAB receptor, GS39783. Treatment with SSA (0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1mg/kg, i.p.) markedly reduced lever-responding for alcohol, amount of self-administered alcohol, and breakpoint for alcohol (defined as the lowest response requirement not achieved in the PR experiment). Pretreatment with 2mg/kg SCH50911 (i.p.) resulted in a partial blockade of the reducing effect of 0.5mg/kg SSA on lever-responding for alcohol and amount of self-administered alcohol. Combination of per se ineffective doses of GS39783 (5mg/kg, i.g.) and SSA (0.1mg/kg, i.p.) reduced lever-responding for alcohol and amount of self-administered alcohol. These results (a) extend to alcohol self-administration the capacity of SSA to suppress morphine and cocaine self-administration in rats and (b) suggest that the GABAB receptor system is likely part of the neural substrate underlying the reducing effect of SSA on alcohol self-administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Maccioni
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Section of Cagliari, I-09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Irene Lorrai
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Section of Cagliari, I-09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Mauro A M Carai
- Cagliari Pharmacological Research s.r.l., I-09127 Cagliari, CA, Italy
| | | | | | - Claudia Mugnaini
- Department of Biotechnologies, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, I-53100, Siena, SI, Italy
| | - Federico Corelli
- Department of Biotechnologies, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, I-53100, Siena, SI, Italy
| | - Gian Luigi Gessa
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Section of Cagliari, I-09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Colombo
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Section of Cagliari, I-09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy.
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