Effects of the adenosinergic system on the expression and acquisition of sensitization to conditioned place preference in morphine-conditioned rats

Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2016 Feb;389(2):233-41. doi: 10.1007/s00210-015-1190-6. Epub 2015 Dec 5.

Abstract

In the presented study, we attempt to investigate if the sensitization to conditioned place preference (CPP) induced by low doses of morphine was developed in rats which have been previously conditioned with morphine. The experiments were performed in the CPP test. Firstly, it has been demonstrated that administration of ineffective dose of morphine on the 9th day induces the increase in time spent of rats at a morphine-paired compartment, confirming that sensitization to CPP has been developed in these animals. Secondly, it has been shown that stimulation of A1 receptor significantly inhibits the expression of morphine-induced of sensitization, and blockade of these receptors produces the opposite effect. Finally, it has been indicated that both stimulation and blockade of A1 and/or A2A receptors inhibit the acquisition of sensitization to CPP. The obtained results have strongly supported the significance of adenosinergic system in both expression and acquisition of studied sensitization. These results seem to be important for the identification of connections in the central nervous system which can help finding new strategies to attenuate rewarding action of morphine.

Keywords: Adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists; Behavioral sensitization; Conditioned place preference; Priming dose.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine A1 Receptor Agonists / pharmacology
  • Adenosine A1 Receptor Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Adenosine A2 Receptor Agonists / pharmacology
  • Adenosine A2 Receptor Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Conditioning, Psychological / drug effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug-Seeking Behavior / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Morphine / administration & dosage*
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptor, Adenosine A1 / drug effects
  • Receptor, Adenosine A1 / metabolism*
  • Receptor, Adenosine A2A / drug effects
  • Receptor, Adenosine A2A / metabolism*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Adenosine A1 Receptor Agonists
  • Adenosine A1 Receptor Antagonists
  • Adenosine A2 Receptor Agonists
  • Adenosine A2 Receptor Antagonists
  • Receptor, Adenosine A1
  • Receptor, Adenosine A2A
  • Morphine