Changes in levels of regional CRF-like-immunoreactivity and plasma corticosterone during protracted drug withdrawal in dependent rats.
BACKGROUND
Despite prolonged abstinence, prior drug dependence is accompanied by lasting changes in physiology, psychosocial functioning and vulnerability to relapse. One proposed mechanism for these alterations is dysregulation of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neurocircuitry.


OBJECTIVE
To determine regional brain CRF content and HPA-axis activity during protracted cocaine and ethanol withdrawal in dependent rats.


METHODS
To study protracted ethanol withdrawal, rats ( n=22) were fed a nutritionally complete, ethanol (10% v/v) liquid diet for 3-4 weeks. Controls ( n=12) were pair-fed an isocaloric, ethanol-free formulation. To study protracted cocaine withdrawal, rats ( n=23) self-administered cocaine (0.25 mg/infusion; FR-5) daily for 3 weeks during 3-h sessions and subsequently were allowed to self-administer cocaine during two 12-h "binge" sessions. Controls ( n=6) received yoked saline infusions. Regional brain CRF-like-immunoreactivity (CRF-LI), plasma ACTH-LI and CORT-LI levels were determined from 1 day to 6 weeks post-withdrawal.


RESULTS
Both ethanol- and cocaine-withdrawn rats initially exhibited reduced CRF-LI content in the amygdala followed by a progressive increase culminating in elevated levels 6 weeks post-withdrawal. Ethanol-withdrawn rats also initially had reduced hippocampal, frontal cortical and hypothalamic CRF-LI levels and time-dependent reductions in basal CORT levels. Cocaine-withdrawn rats showed time-dependent elevations in frontal cortical CRF-LI and basal CORT levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Protracted withdrawal from ethanol or cocaine is associated with altered limbic CRF-LI and circulating CORT levels beyond the detoxification stage. The delayed nature of some changes suggests that they may not represent residual effects of acute withdrawal, but rather emerging manifestations of a separate process, such as allostatic load.
Zorrilla
E P
EP
CVN7, Department of Neuropharmacology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. ezorrilla@scripps.edu
Valdez
G R
GR
Weiss
F
F
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D003042:Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000378:metabolism; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012646:Self Administration
D000431:Ethanol; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D003042:Cocaine; D003345:Corticosterone