Research article summary (published 29 Jun 2009):

Modulation of MDMA-induced behavioral and transcriptional effects by the delta opioid antagonist naltrindole in mice.

Full Abstract

The delta opioid system is involved in the behavioral effects of various drugs of abuse. However, only a few studies have focused on the possible interactions between the opioid system and the effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). In order to examine the possible role of the delta opioid system in MDMA-induced behaviors in mice, locomotor activity and conditioned place preference (CPP) were investigated in the presence of naltrindole (NTI), a selective delta opioid antagonist. Moreover, the consequences of acute and chronic MDMA administration on pro-enkephalin (Penk) and pro-opiomelanocortin (Pomc) gene expression were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR). The results showed that, after acute MDMA administration (9 mg/kg; i.p.), NTI (5 mg/kg, s.c.) was able to totally block MDMA-induced hyperlocomotion. Penk gene expression was not modulated by acute MDMA, but a decrease of Pomc gene expression was observed, which was not antagonized by NTI. Administration of the antagonist prevented the acquisition of MDMA-induced CPP, suggesting an implication of the delta opioid receptors in this behavior. Following chronic MDMA treatment, only the level of Pomc was modulated. The observed increase was totally blocked by NTI pre-treatment. All these results confirm the interactions between the delta opioid system (receptors and peptides) and the effects of MDMA.

Author information

Author/s: Belkaï, Emilie (E); Scherrmann, Jean-Michel (JM); Noble, Florence (F); Marie-Claire, Cynthia (C);

Affiliation: Laboratoire de Neuropsychopharmacologie des addictions (INSERM U705, CNRS UMR 7157), Université Paris Descartes, Faculté de Pharmacie, 4 avenue de l'Observatoire, Paris, France.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Addiction biology (Addict Biol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jul; vol 14 (issue 3) : pp 245-52

Dates: Created 2009/06/15; Completed 2009/09/24;

PMID: 19523041, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 9/24/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Amphetamine-Related Disorders - genetics Animals Behavior, Animal - drug effects Brain - drug effects Choice Behavior - drug effects Conditioning, Classical - drug effects Enkephalins - genetics Gene Expression - drug effects; genetics Hallucinogens - toxicity Mice

Motor Activity - drug effects N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine - toxicity Naltrexone - analogs & derivatives; pharmacology Narcotic Antagonists - pharmacology Pro-Opiomelanocortin - genetics Protein Precursors - genetics RNA, Messenger - genetics Receptors, Opioid, delta - antagonists & inhibitors Social Environment Transcription, Genetic - drug effects

Associated Chemicals: Enkephalins (0) ; Hallucinogens (0) ; Narcotic Antagonists (0) ; Protein Precursors (0) ; RNA, Messenger (0) ; Receptors, Opioid, delta (0) ; proenkephalin (0) ; naltrindole (111555-53-4) ; Naltrexone (16590-41-3) ; N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (42542-10-9) ; Pro-Opiomelanocortin (66796-54-1)

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