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Accumbal μ-Opioid Receptors Modulate Ethanol Intake in Alcohol-Preferring Alko Alcohol Rats.
- Source :
-
Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research [Alcohol Clin Exp Res] 2016 Oct; Vol. 40 (10), pp. 2114-2123. Date of Electronic Publication: 2016 Aug 10. - Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Background: The nucleus accumbens shell is a key brain area mediating the reinforcing effects of ethanol (EtOH). Previously, it has been shown that the density of μ-opioid receptors in the nucleus accumbens shell is higher in alcohol-preferring Alko Alcohol (AA) rats than in alcohol-avoiding Alko Non-Alcohol rats. In addition, EtOH releases opioid peptides in the nucleus accumbens and opioid receptor antagonists are able to modify EtOH intake, all suggesting an opioidergic mechanism in the control of EtOH consumption. As the exact mechanisms of opioidergic involvement remains to be elucidated, the aim of this study was to clarify the role of accumbal μ- and κ-opioid receptors in controlling EtOH intake in alcohol-preferring AA rats.<br />Methods: Microinfusions of the μ-opioid receptor antagonist CTOP (0.3 and 1 μg/site), μ-opioid receptor agonist DAMGO (0.03 and 0.1 μg/site), nonselective opioid receptor agonist morphine (30 μg/site), and κ-opioid receptor agonist U50488H (0.3 and 1 μg/site) were administered via bilateral guide cannulas into the nucleus accumbens shell of AA rats that voluntarily consumed 10% EtOH solution in an intermittent, time-restricted (90-minute) 2-bottle choice access paradigm.<br />Results: CTOP (1 μg/site) significantly increased EtOH intake. Conversely, DAMGO resulted in a decreasing trend in EtOH intake. Neither morphine nor U50488H had any effect on EtOH intake in the used paradigm.<br />Conclusions: The results provide further evidence for the role of accumbens shell μ-opioid receptors but not κ-opioid receptors in mediating reinforcing effects of EtOH and in regulating EtOH consumption. The results also provide support for views suggesting that the nucleus accumbens shell has a major role in mediating EtOH reward.<br /> (Copyright © 2016 by the Research Society on Alcoholism.)
- Subjects :
- 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer pharmacology
Animals
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)- administration & dosage
Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)- pharmacology
Male
Microinjections
Morphine administration & dosage
Morphine pharmacology
Rats
Receptors, Opioid, kappa agonists
Receptors, Opioid, mu agonists
Receptors, Opioid, mu antagonists & inhibitors
Reward
Somatostatin administration & dosage
Somatostatin analogs & derivatives
Somatostatin pharmacology
Species Specificity
Alcohol Drinking physiopathology
Ethanol administration & dosage
Nucleus Accumbens physiology
Receptors, Opioid, kappa physiology
Receptors, Opioid, mu physiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1530-0277
- Volume :
- 40
- Issue :
- 10
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 27508965
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.13176