title: Enzymatic conversion of dynorphin A in the rat brain is affected by administration of nandrolone decanoate.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Magnusson
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hallberg
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bergquist
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nyberg
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D009277:Nandrolone; D004399:Dynorphins; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C063078:dynorphin converting enzyme; D000077603:Nandrolone Decanoate