Blockade of delta-opioid receptors in the nucleus accumbens prevents ethanol-induced stimulation of dopamine release

Eur J Pharmacol. 1993 Jan 12;230(2):239-41. doi: 10.1016/0014-2999(93)90809-v.

Abstract

Naltrindole, a specific delta-opioid antagonist, infused by reverse dialysis in the nucleus accumbens of freely moving rats completely prevented the increase in extracellular dopamine concentrations elicited in the nucleus accumbens by ethanol (1.0 g/kg i.p.) as well as by the delta-opioid receptor agonist [D-Ala2]deltorphin II (50 microM), also perfused by reverse dialysis, but not by cocaine (15 mg/kg s.c.). The results provide in vivo evidence for a critical role of delta-opioid receptors in the dopamine-releasing properties of ethanol in vivo.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cocaine / pharmacology
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Ethanol / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Indoles / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Morphinans / pharmacology*
  • Naltrexone* / analogs & derivatives*
  • Narcotic Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Nucleus Accumbens / drug effects*
  • Nucleus Accumbens / metabolism
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, Opioid, delta / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Opioid, delta / physiology

Substances

  • Indoles
  • Morphinans
  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Oligopeptides
  • Receptors, Opioid, delta
  • deltorphin II, Ala(2)-
  • Ethanol
  • Naltrexone
  • naltrindole
  • Cocaine
  • Dopamine