EphB receptor tyrosine kinases, which play important roles in synaptic connection and plasticity during development and in matured nervous system, have recently been implicated in processing of pain after nerve injury and morphine dependence. Subtypes of the EphB receptors that may contribute to the neuropathic pain and morphine dependence have not been identified. Here we demonstrate that the ...

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of chronic and acute treatment of the essential oil (EO) of Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. on the development of morphine tolerance and dependence in mice. Mice were rendered tolerant to and dependent on morphine by subcutaneous injection of morphine over a period of 5 days. Tolerance was assessed using the tail-pinch test and withdrawal sig...

The primary visual cortex (V1) plays an important role in vision and visual perception. Studies in many brain regions demonstrate that opiate abuse can change excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission. To investigate the effect of chronic morphine exposure on the response modulation of V1 simple and complex neurons, we carried out in vivo extracellular recordings in V1 of morphine- and saline...

Opiate dependence develops due to changes in intracellular signaling caused by long-term exposure to morphine. Here we investigated changes in the mRNA expression of the main classes of G-protein alpha (Galpha) subunits in various brain regions in morphine-dependent rats. Rats received increasing doses of morphine, 10-50 mg/kg, b.i.d., for 14 days. G-protein alpha-subunit mRNA expression was de...

Previous studies have shown that the extract of Papaver rhoeas reduces morphine dependence, locomotor activity and reward. In present study, the effects of hydro-alcohol extract of Papaver Rhoeas on the tolerance to analgesic effects of morphine in mice have been investigated using tail flick method. Subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of morphine (1, 2, 5 and 10 mg/kg) induced analgesia. Howeve...

Previous studies have shown that the extract of Papaver rhoeas reduces morphine dependence, locomotor activity and reward. In present study, the effects of hydro-alcohol extract of Papaver Rhoeas on the tolerance to analgesic effects of morphine in mice have been investigated using tail flick method. Subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of morphine (1, 2, 5 and 10 mg/kg) induced analgesia. Howeve...

In the present study, interactive effects of D1 and D2 dopamine receptors antagonists and different periods of lithium pretreatment on morphine dependence in mice have been investigated. This study was designed to investigate whether the hypothesis that lithium and dopaminergic mechanisms via their effects on phosphoinositide pathways and calcium flux could influence morphine withdrawal respons...

Mice were rendered tolerant and dependent to morphine by subcutaneous injection of morphine over a period of 5 days. The effects of acute and chronic administration of dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist nifedipine on the development of tolerance and naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal signs were investigated. A single injection of nifedipine proved to be effective in inhibiti...

Internalisation of the mu opioid receptor from the surface of cells is generally achieved by receptor occupancy with agonist ligands of high efficacy. However, in many situations the potent analgesic morphine fails to promote internalisation effectively and whether there is a direct link between this and the propensity for the sustained use of morphine to result in both tolerance and dependence...

The effects of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Mentha Longifolia on morphine dependence were examined in mice. Dependence was induced using subcutaneous injections of morphine daily for 3 days. On day 4, the last dose of morphine was injected 2 h perior the intraperitoneal injection of naloxone. The number of episods of jumping during 30 minutes after injection of naloxane was considered...