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Dependence and cross-dependence in the guinea-pig myenteric plexus
1Institut für Pharmakologie, Toxikologie und Pharmazie, Universität München, Federal Republic of Germany.
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg'S Archives of Pharmacology
|June 1, 1988
Summary
Chronic opioid receptor activation causes dependence and cross-dependence with other receptors. GTP-binding proteins are crucial for opioid and general drug dependence development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic opioid receptor activation leads to tolerance and dependence.
- Tolerance can be selective to a single receptor type.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if prolonged activation of inhibitory receptors causes cross-dependence.
- To explore the role of GTP-binding proteins in opioid and general drug dependence.
Main Methods:
- Prolonged activation of inhibitory receptors.
- Assessment of receptor dependence and cross-dependence.
- Pertussis toxin sensitivity assays.
Main Results:
- Prolonged inhibitory receptor activation induced dependence and cross-dependence with opioid and non-opioid receptors (e.g., adrenoceptors).
- All receptors exhibiting dependence and cross-dependence were sensitive to pertussis toxin.
- This suggests a critical role for GTP-binding proteins in dependence development.
Conclusions:
- Inhibitory receptor activation can lead to cross-dependence involving multiple receptor systems.
- GTP-binding proteins are essential for opioid and general drug dependence.
- The concept of 'convergent dependences' may be linked to GTP-binding proteins.