Experimental Research Showing the Reduction of Naloxone-Place Aversion by Oral Zinc Administration in Rats.
Previous studies showed the attenuation of both morphine-dependence and morphine-place preference by zinc. Conditioned place preference and aversion are experimental models frequently used to test the reward-stimulating, respectively the aversive effects induced by different stimuli or substances. Addictive substances usually induce place preference (exhibit reward-stimulating properties), while their antagonists determine place-avoidance (aversion). The present study aimed to assess the effect determined by zinc sulphate oral administration (2 and 4 mg/kg/day, 14 days, prior to habituation) on the place aversion induced by two naloxone doses (1.5 and 2.5 mg/kg/administration). The results show a robust, dose-dependent reduction of the aversion determined by both naloxone doses (the aversion induced by 1.5 mg/kg naloxone was reduced with 15%-the lower zinc dose and with 24%-the higher zinc dose; the aversion induced by 2.5 mg/kg naloxone was reduced with 16%-the lower zinc dose and with 29%-the higher zinc dose). This represents a new proof of the interactions between zinc and opioidergic system and a further argument for dietary zinc supplementation in patients on opioids for cancer-related chronic pain.
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", School of Medicine, 16 Universităţii Street, 700115, Iaşi, Romania. diana.ciubotariu@umfiasi.ro.
Diana
D
Ciubotariu
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", School of Medicine, 16 Universităţii Street, 700115, Iaşi, Romania.
Raoul Vasile
RV
Lupușoru
Faculty of Dental Medicine Faculty, Fixed Prosthetics, Gnatology, Dental-Stomato-Facial Aesthetics Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", School of Medicine, 16 Universităţii Street, 700115, Iaşi, Romania.
Elena
E
Luca
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", School of Medicine, 16 Universităţii Street, 700115, Iaşi, Romania.
Liliana
L
Mititelu-Tarțău
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", School of Medicine, 16 Universităţii Street, 700115, Iaşi, Romania.
Cătălina Elena
CE
Lupușoru
D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D008297:Male; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D019287:Zinc Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology
D009270:Naloxone; D019287:Zinc Sulfate
Naloxone; Opioids; Place aversion; Zinc