Enzymatic conversion of dynorphin A in the rat brain is affected by administration of nandrolone decanoate.
The misuse of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) seems to produce profound effects on the central nervous system, leading to aggressive behavior and increased sensitivity to other drugs of abuse. The present study addresses the effect on the enzymatic transformation, here called dynorphin converting enzyme-like activity. The formation of the mu/delta opioid peptide receptor-preferring Leu-enkephalin-Arg(6) from the kappa opioid peptide receptor-preferring dynorphin A was measured in rats treated with nandrolone decanoate. Significant variations in enzymatic transformation were observed in several brain regions. An altered receptor activation profile in these regions may be one contributory factor behind AAS-induced personality changes.
Magnusson
Kristina
K
Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Division of Biological Research on Drug Dependence, Uppsala University, Biomedical Center, Box 591, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden. Kristina.Magnusson@farmbio.uu.se
Hallberg
Mathias
M
Bergquist
Jonas
J
Nyberg
Fred
F
D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D004399:Dynorphins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009277:Nandrolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077603:Nandrolone Decanoate; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
D045930:Anabolic Agents; D009277:Nandrolone; D004399:Dynorphins; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C063078:dynorphin converting enzyme; D000077603:Nandrolone Decanoate