title: Ascorbate reduces morphine-induced extracellular DOPAC level in the nucleus accumbens: A microdialysis study in rats.
abstract: Most drugs of abuse increase dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) release in the shell of the nucleus accumbens. The effects of ascorbate, which is known to modulate dopamine neurotransmission, on the extracellular level of DOPAC in the nucleus accumbens of naive rats and of rats treated acutely with morphine were studied by using in vivo microdialysis and high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD). Acute morphine (20 mg/kg ip) treatment increased the level of DOPAC in the nucleus accumbens to approximately 170% of basal level. Acute treatment with ascorbate (500 mg/kg ip) alone did not alter nucleus accumbens' DOPAC level, but pretreatment with ascorbate (500 mg/kg ip) 30 min before morphine administration attenuated the effects of acute morphine on the level of DOPAC. These results suggest that ascorbate modulates the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. drajaei@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Rajaei
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Alaei
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nasimi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmadiani
mesh_terms: D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D017551:Microdialysis / Q000379:methods; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D009294:Narcotics; D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; D009020:Morphine; D001205:Ascorbic Acid