[Expression of GAP-43 in midbrain ventral tegmental area of morphine withdrawal rats].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the protein expression of growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) in midbrain ventral tegmental area in morphine withdrawal rats at different time, and to evaluate the effect of GAP-43 on morphine withdrawal memory.


METHODS
Rat models of morphine dependent 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks were established by morphine hydrochloride intraperitoneal injection with increasing doses to establish natural withdrawal. The protein expression of GAP-43 in midbrain ventral tegmental area was observed by immunohistochemical staining and the results were analyzed by Image-Pro Plus 5.1 image analysis system.


RESULTS
With prolongation of dependent time, the expression of GAP-43 was decreased then increased in midbrain ventral tegmental area.


CONCLUSIONS
GAP-43 could play a role in morphine withdrawal memory in midbrain ventral tegmental area.
Department of Forensic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325035, China. wzrsmart@gmail.com
Liang-ming
LM
Luo
Criminal Investigation Team, Zhuji Public Security Bureau, Zhuji 311800, China.
Yu-feng
YF
Wu
Department of Criminal Technology, Pingyang Public Security Bureau, Pingyang 325400, China.
Wei-cheng
WC
Ni
Department of Forensic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325035, China.
Hua
H
Zhu
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D019922:GAP-43 Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009021:Morphine Dependence / Q000378:metabolism*; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D017557:Ventral Tegmental Area / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D009270:Naloxone; D009020:Morphine