title: The effects of pioglitazone, a PPARγ receptor agonist, on the abuse liability of oxycodone among nondependent opioid users.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Activation of PPARγ by pioglitazone (PIO) has shown some efficacy in attenuating addictive-like responses in laboratory animals. The ability of PIO to alter the effects of opioids in humans has not been characterized in a controlled laboratory setting. The proposed investigation sought to examine the effects of PIO on the subjective, analgesic, physiological and cognitive effects of oxycodone (OXY).
  
  
  METHODS
  During this investigation, nondependent prescription opioid abusers (N=17 completers) were maintained for 2-3weeks on ascending daily doses of PIO (0mg, 15mg, 45mg) prior to completing a laboratory session assessing the aforementioned effects of OXY [using a within-session cumulative dosing procedure (0, 10, and 20mg, cumulative dose=30mg)].
  
  
  RESULTS
  OXY produced typical mu opioid agonist effects: miosis, decreased pain perception, and decreased respiratory rate. OXY also produced dose-dependent increases in positive subjective responses. Yet, ratings such as: drug "liking," "high," and "good drug effect," were not significantly altered as a function of PIO maintenance dose.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that PIO may not be useful for reducing the abuse liability of OXY. These data were obtained with a sample of nondependent opioid users and therefore may not be applicable to dependent populations or to other opioids. Although PIO failed to alter the abuse liability of OXY, the interaction between glia and opioid receptors is not well understood so the possibility remains that medications that interact with glia in other ways may show more promise.
authors.affiliation: Division of Substance Abuse, New York Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 120, New York, NY 10032, USA. Electronic address: JermaineDJones@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jermaine D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Division of Substance Abuse, New York Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 120, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.affiliation: Division of Substance Abuse, New York Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 120, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Jeanne M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Manubay
authors.affiliation: Division of Substance Abuse, New York Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 120, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Shanthi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mogali
authors.affiliation: Division of Substance Abuse, New York Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 120, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Verena E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Metz
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, Camerino, Macerata 62032, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ciccocioppo
authors.affiliation: Division of Substance Abuse, New York Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 120, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Sandra D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Comer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010098:Oxycodone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000819:agonists*; D000077205:Pioglitazone; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D047495:PPAR gamma; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D010098:Oxycodone; D000077205:Pioglitazone
keywords: Abuse liability; Glia; Opioid abuse; Opioids; Oxycodone