Region-specific changes in NMDA receptor mRNA induced by chronic morphine treatment are prevented by the co-administration of the competitive NMDA receptor antagonist LY274614.
The steady-state mRNA levels of the NMDA receptor NR1 subunit were determined by a quantitative solution hybridization assay in selected CNS regions associated with antinociception in the rat. Tissues were obtained by microdissection from rats treated chronically with morphine alone or in combination with LY274614, a competitive NMDA receptor antagonist. Morphine treatment for 7 days resulted in the development of tolerance to morphine's analgesic effect and produced a significant decrease in the steady-state NR1 mRNA levels in the spinal cord dorsal horn (by 16%), and an elevation in nucleus raphe magnus and medial thalamus (by 26 and 38%, respectively). The NR1 mRNA levels were unchanged in the lateral paragigantocellular nucleus, locus coeruleus, periaqueductal grey, and sensorimotor cortex. NMDA receptor binding in the spinal cord measured with [3H]MK-801 was reduced approximately 50% by chronic morphine treatment. Co-administration of LY274614 (s.c. at 24 mg/kg/24 h via an osmotic pump) not only attenuated the development of morphine tolerance but also prevented the changes in the NR1 mRNA levels induced by chronic morphine administration. Neither a 7-day infusion of LY274614 nor an acute injection of morphine (10 mg/kg, s.c.) changed the NR1 mRNA levels. These results suggest that changes in the expression of the NR1 mRNA induced by chronic morphine in three CNS regions involved in antinociception are associated with the development of morphine tolerance and in the spinal cord, morphine tolerance is associated with the downregulation of NMDA receptors.
Zhu
Hongbo
H
Department of Pharmacology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, LC-524, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA. hoz2004@med.cornell.edu
Brodsky
Marina
M
Gorman
A Laurel
AL
Inturrisi
Charles E
CE
D000818:Animals; D001667:Binding, Competitive / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate / Q000494:pharmacology; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004347:Drug Interactions / Q000502:physiology; D004361:Drug Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000235:genetics*
D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D007546:Isoquinolines; C409466:NR1 NMDA receptor; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; C070935:LY 274614; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate; D009020:Morphine