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Levels of immunoreactive dynorphin A1-13 during development of morphine dependence in rats
1Research Laboratory of Natural and Synthetic Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Aim:
To study the relationship between the levels of immunoreactive dynorphin A1-13 (ir-dynorphin A1-13) and the degree of morphine dependence.
Methods:
The levels of ir-dynorphin A1-13 in discrete brain regions, spinal cord, and plasma in rats were determined by radioimmunoassay, and the degree of morphine dependence was assessed by scoring withdrawal signs on d 3, d 6, and d 12.
Results:
Morphine injection s.c. decreased the levels of ir-dynorphin A1-13 in spinal cord, pituitary, and plasma. The levels of ir-dynorphin A1-13 in hippocampus and hypothalamus were increased. No changes in cortex, midbrain, cerebellum, pons, and medulla were observed. With continuous injection of morphine, withdrawal signs scores were increased on d 6, but there was no difference between the scores of d 6 and d 12.
Conclusion:
The changes of the levels of endogenous ir-dynorphin A1-13 in pituitary, spinal cord, and plasma were compatible with the degree of morphine dependence.