Document Detail


Neuropeptide S receptor gene expression in alcohol withdrawal and protracted abstinence in postdependent rats.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19860802     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Alcoholism is a chronic disease characterized by frequent intoxications followed by withdrawal episodes and relapse to alcohol use. Neuroplastic changes associated with these intoxication and withdrawal cycles are thought to play a key role in disease progression. Recently, it has been shown that neuropeptide S (NPS), a newly deorphanized neuropeptide receptor system, facilitates relapse to alcohol seeking in laboratory animals. Given that a history of ethanol intoxication may increase vulnerability to alcohol addiction, we sought to determine whether NPS receptor (NPSR) gene expression is altered during withdrawal. METHODS: Rats were subjected to 1 week of intoxication by oral alcohol administration. NPSR gene expression was analyzed by in situ hybridization in rats 12 hours and 7 days after the last alcohol administration. To investigate the functional significance of NPSR system adaptation following protracted withdrawal 7 days after intoxication, we tested the anxiolytic-like properties of NPS in nondependent and postdependent rats using the shock probe defensive burying test (DB). RESULTS: At both time points, increased NPSR gene expression was observed in several brain areas, including the endopiriform nucleus, the motor cortex, and the medial amygdaloid nucleus. Moderate increases in gene expression were also found in the lateral hypothalamus, paraventricular nucleus, basolateral and central amygdala. Differences from control animals were more pronounced after 7 days of abstinence. The upregulation of the NPSR system at this time point was confirmed by functional data indicating that intracerebroventricular (ICV) NPS administration (0.0, 0.3, and 0.1 nmol/rat) elicits more pronounced anxiolytic effects in postdependent animals than in controls subjected to the electric shock probe DB test. CONCLUSIONS: Neuropeptide S receptor mRNA expression is increased in different brain areas of postdependent rats; as shown in the DB test, this expression change is functionally relevant.
Authors:
Barbara Ruggeri; Simone Braconi; Nazzareno Cannella; Marsida Kallupi; Laura Soverchia; Roberto Ciccocioppo; Massimo Ubaldi
Publication Detail:
Type:  Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2009-10-23
Journal Detail:
Title:  Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research     Volume:  34     ISSN:  1530-0277     ISO Abbreviation:  Alcohol. Clin. Exp. Res.     Publication Date:  2010 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-01-18     Completed Date:  2010-08-10     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7707242     Medline TA:  Alcohol Clin Exp Res     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  90-7     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Experimental Medicine and Public Health, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Alcoholism / genetics,  metabolism*
Animals
Ethanol / administration & dosage
Gene Expression Regulation*
Male
Motor Cortex / drug effects,  metabolism
RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / biosynthesis*,  genetics
Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / genetics,  metabolism*
Temperance*
Time Factors
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/NPSR1 protein, human; 0/RNA, Messenger; 0/Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; 64-17-5/Ethanol

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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