L-type calcium channel blockade attenuates morphine withdrawal: in vivo interaction between L-type calcium channels and corticosterone.
Both opioids and calcium channel blockers could affect hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. Nifedipine, as a calcium channel blocker, can attenuate the development of morphine dependence; however, the role of the HPA axis in this effect has not been elucidated. We examined the effect of nifedipine on the induction of morphine dependency in intact and adrenalectomized (ADX) male rats, as assessed by the naloxone precipitation test. We also evaluated the effect of this drug on HPA activity induced by naloxone. Our results showed that despite the demonstration of dependence in both groups of rats, nifedipine is more effective in preventing of withdrawal signs in ADX rats than in sham-operated rats. In groups that received morphine and nifedipine concomitantly, naloxone-induced corticosterone secretion was attenuated. Thus, we have shown the involvement of the HPA axis in the effect of nifedipine on the development of morphine dependency and additionally demonstrated an in vivo interaction between the L-type Ca2+ channels and corticosterone.
Esmaeili-Mahani
Saeed
S
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran. semahani@yahoo.com
Fathi
Yadollah
Y
Motamedi
Fereshteh
F
Hosseinpanah
Farhad
F
Ahmadiani
Abolhassan
A
D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000502:physiology*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009021:Morphine Dependence / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009294:Narcotics; D009270:Naloxone; D009020:Morphine; D009543:Nifedipine; D003345:Corticosterone