Activation of the ERK signalling pathway contributes to the adaptive changes in rat hearts during naloxone-induced morphine withdrawal

We have previously demonstrated that morphine withdrawal induced hyperactivity of the heart by activation of noradrenergic pathways innervating the left and right ventricle, as evaluated by noradrenaline turnover and c-Fos expression. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) has been implicated in drug addiction, but its role in activation of the heart during morphine dependence remains poorly understood. Here, we have looked for activation of ERK during morphine withdrawal and if this activation induced gene expression.

Dependence on morphine was induced by s.c. implantation of morphine pellets for 7 days. Morphine withdrawal was precipitated on day 8 by injection of naloxone (2 mg kg(-1), s.c.). ERK1/2, their phosphorylated forms and c-Fos were measured by western blotting and immunohistochemistry of cardiac tissue.

Naloxone-induced morphine withdrawal activated ERK1/2 and increased c-Fos expression in cardiac tissues. c-Fos expression was blocked by SL327, a drug that prevents ERK activation.

These results indicate that signalling through the ERKs is necessary for morphine withdrawal-induced hyperactivity of the heart and suggest that this pathway may also be involved in activation of immediate-early genes in both cytosolic and nuclear effector mechanisms that have the potential to bring about long-term changes in the heart.