Laboratory data indicate that morphine decreases the numbier of peritoneal and alveolar macrophages (Mphi) and compromises their phagocytic capability for immune complexes and bacteria. We hypothesize that morphine decreases the number of, as well as compromises the phagocytic capability of, Mphi by programming their death. We studied the effect of morphine on Mphi apoptosis in vivo as well as ...

To explore the effect of sinomenine on the nitric oxide (NO)/neural nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) system in the cerebellum and spinal cord of morphine-dependent and morphine-withdrawal Kunming mice, mice were subjected to injection of morphine with an increasing dose for 5 d, and then were treated with sinomenine (40 mg/kg, i.p.) for another 5 d. Naloxone was used to develop acute withdrawal, an...

Several lines of evidence suggest that exploring the neurochemical basis of reward in invertebrate species may provide clues for the fundamental behavioral and neurobiology underpinnings of drug addiction. How the presence of drug-sensitive reward relates to a decrease in drug-seeking behavior and reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior in invertebrate systems is not known. The present study of ...

BACKGROUND The clinical benefits of opioid drugs are counteracted by the development of tolerance and addiction. We provide in vivo evidence for the involvement of G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) in opioid dependence in addition to their roles in agonist-selective mu-opioid receptor (MOR) phosphorylation. METHODS In vivo MOR phosphorylation was examined by immunoprecipitation and na...

Chronic morphine treatment alters gene expression in brain structures. There are increasing evidences showing a correlation, in gene expression modulation, between blood cells and brain in psychological troubles. To test whether gene expression regulation in blood cells could be found in drug addiction, we investigated gene expression profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear (PBMC) cells of sal...

BACKGROUND Morphinofobia among the general population (GP) and among health care professionals (HP) is not without danger for the patients: it may lead to the inappropriate management of debilitating pain. The aim of our study was to explore among GP and HP the representation and attitudes concerning the use of morphine in health care. METHODS A cross-sectional study was done among 412 HP (ph...

The mu opioid receptor (MOR, OPRM)--the principal receptor involved in narcotic addiction--has been shown to display basal (spontaneous, constitutive) signaling activity. Interaction with other signaling proteins, such as calmodulin, regulates basal MOR activity. Providing a mechanism for long-lasting regulation, basal MOR activity potentially plays a key role in addiction, in combination with ...

Historical, cultural and professional factors have contributed to stigma and secrecy regarding addiction in the medical profession and there are calls to improve education in this area. This paper argues that physician-penned literature plays an important role in raising awareness of substance misuse in the medical profession. Bulgakov's short story Morphine documents the decline of Dr Polyakov...

Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) are a family of proteins known to accelerate termination of effector stimulation after G protein receptor activation. RGS9-2, a brain-specific splice variant of the RGS9 gene, is highly enriched in striatum and also expressed at much lower levels in periaqueductal gray and spinal cord, structures known to mediate various actions of morphine and other opia...

background: there are numerous investigations on wide range of issues that disrupt regulatory spermatogenesis, individuals who are exposed to drug abuse faced infertility and immature spermatogenesis. objective: the aim of this study was to evaluate the addiction effects of morphine and its derivatives on rats spermatogenesis. materials and methods: 40 male wistar rats were randomly divided int...