Biomaterial Database

Chronic morphine treatment inhibits oxytocin synthesis in rats. 2000

Z D You, and J H Li, and C Y Song, and C H Wang, and C L Lu

Department of Neurobiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, PR China.

The changes of oxytocin content and mRNA expression in some nuclei were investigated in morphine-dependent rats using radioimmunoassay (RIA) and in situ hybridization (ISH). After chronic administration of morphine, the oxytocin content in supraoptic nucleus (SON) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) decreased, and increased in the ventral tegment area (VTA) and locus coeruleus (LC), but did not change in other nuclei including the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), lateral septum (SEPTUM), raphe magnus nucleus (NRM) and periaquaductal gray (PAG). In morphine-L dependent rats, naloxone increased the levels of oxytocin in SON and PVN, but decreased that in LC. ISH first showed that chronic morphine treatment inhibited the oxytocin synthesis in SON but not in PVN. The present study demonstrates that chronic morphine treatment alters the brain oxytocin system, suggesting that oxytocin might contribute to the behavioral and neuroendocrine responses to morphine.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007030	Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System	A collection of NEURONS, tracts of NERVE FIBERS, endocrine tissue, and blood vessels in the HYPOTHALAMUS and the PITUITARY GLAND. This hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal circulation provides the mechanism for hypothalamic neuroendocrine (HYPOTHALAMIC HORMONES) regulation of pituitary function and the release of various PITUITARY HORMONES into the systemic circulation to maintain HOMEOSTASIS.	Hypothalamic Hypophyseal System,Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis,Hypophyseal Portal System,Hypothalamic-Pituitary Unit,Hypothalamic Hypophyseal Systems,Hypothalamic Pituitary Unit,Hypothalamo Hypophyseal System,Hypothalamo Pituitary Adrenal Axis,Portal System, Hypophyseal
D008297	Male		Males
D009020	Morphine	The principal alkaloid in opium and the prototype opiate analgesic and narcotic. Morphine has widespread effects in the central nervous system and on smooth muscle.	Morphine Sulfate,Duramorph,MS Contin,Morphia,Morphine Chloride,Morphine Sulfate (2:1), Anhydrous,Morphine Sulfate (2:1), Pentahydrate,Oramorph SR,SDZ 202-250,SDZ202-250,Chloride, Morphine,Contin, MS,SDZ 202 250,SDZ 202250,SDZ202 250,SDZ202250,Sulfate, Morphine
D009021	Morphine Dependence	Strong dependence, both physiological and emotional, upon morphine.	Morphine Abuse,Morphine Addiction,Abuse, Morphine,Addiction, Morphine,Dependence, Morphine
D009270	Naloxone	A specific opiate antagonist that has no agonist activity. It is a competitive antagonist at mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptors.	MRZ 2593-Br,MRZ-2593,Nalone,Naloxon Curamed,Naloxon-Ratiopharm,Naloxone Abello,Naloxone Hydrobromide,Naloxone Hydrochloride,Naloxone Hydrochloride Dihydride,Naloxone Hydrochloride, (5 beta,9 alpha,13 alpha,14 alpha)-Isomer,Naloxone, (5 beta,9 alpha,13 alpha,14 alpha)-Isomer,Narcan,Narcanti,Abello, Naloxone,Curamed, Naloxon,Dihydride, Naloxone Hydrochloride,Hydrobromide, Naloxone,Hydrochloride Dihydride, Naloxone,Hydrochloride, Naloxone,MRZ 2593,MRZ 2593 Br,MRZ 2593Br,MRZ2593,Naloxon Ratiopharm
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D010121	Oxytocin	A nonapeptide hormone released from the neurohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, POSTERIOR). It differs from VASOPRESSIN by two amino acids at residues 3 and 8. Oxytocin acts on SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS, such as causing UTERINE CONTRACTIONS and MILK EJECTION.	Ocytocin,Pitocin,Syntocinon
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D004334	Drug Administration Schedule	Time schedule for administration of a drug in order to achieve optimum effectiveness and convenience.	Administration Schedule, Drug,Administration Schedules, Drug,Drug Administration Schedules,Schedule, Drug Administration,Schedules, Drug Administration
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia