title: Supraspinally-administered agmatine attenuates the development of oral fentanyl self-administration.
abstract: The decarboxylation product of arginine, agmatine, has effectively reduced or prevented opioid-induced tolerance and dependence when given either systemically (intraperitoneally or subcutaneously) or centrally (intrathecally or intracerebroventricularly). Systemically administered agmatine also reduces the escalation phase of intravenous fentanyl self-administration in rats. The present study assessed whether centrally (intracerebroventricular, i.c.v.) delivered agmatine could prevent the development of fentanyl self-administration in mice. Mice were trained to respond under a fixed-ratio 1 (FR1) schedule for either fentanyl (0.7 microg/70 microl, p.o.) or food reinforcement. Agmatine (10 nmol/5 microl), injected i.c.v. 12-14 h before the first session and every other evening (12-14 h before session) for 2 weeks, completely attenuated oral fentanyl self-administration (but not food-maintained responding) compared to saline-injected controls. When agmatine was administered after fentanyl self-administration had been established (day 8) it had no attenuating effects on bar pressing. This dose of agmatine does not decrease locomotor activity as assessed by rotarod. The present findings significantly extend the previous observation that agmatine prevents opioid-maintained behavior to a chronic model of oral fentanyl self-administration as well as identifying a supraspinal site of action for agmatine inhibition of drug addiction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Carrie L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Wade
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Schuster
authors.forename: Kristine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Domingo
authors.forename: Kelley F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Kitto
authors.forename: Carolyn A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Fairbanks
mesh_terms: D000376:Agmatine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000818:Animals; D019540:Area Under Curve; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005283:Fentanyl; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D012646:Self Administration
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000376:Agmatine; D005283:Fentanyl