• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.6
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• pp.691-697
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• 1997

The mechanisms underlying opiate tolerance and dependence are not fully understood. We used human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells as a model system for studying effects of morphine tolerance and withdrawal on c-myc induction and cAMP levels. It has been reported that regulation of c-fos by acute and chronic morphine withdrawal is mediated through alterations in CREB transcription factor. In this study, we examined the effects of morphine tolerance on c-myc expression and cAMP concentrations. The activation of opiate receptors by an acute morphine administration resulted in an increase in c-myc mRNA and a decrease in cAMP concentrations in a dose-dependent manner $(5,\;10,\;15,\;and\;20\;{\mu}M)$. On the other hand, the chronic treatment of morphine $(10\;{\mu}M\;for\;six\;days)$ did not induce the elevated expression of c-myc mRNA. The c-myc expression was slightly inhibited in comparison with that of the acute morphine response. However, cAMP concentrations were increased with regard to morphine withdrawal response. These results suggest that the alterations in c-myc expression might imply a significant opiate regulation relating to morphine tolerance. This observation differs from increased expression of c-fos via regulation of cAMP pathway.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.34-45
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• 1998

We provide the reader with a brief introduction to the neurobiology of neuropeptides. Several comprehensive reviews of the distribution and neurochemical, neurophysiological, neuropharmacological and behavioral effects of the major neuropeptides have recently appeared. In reviews of the large number of neuropeptides in brain and their occurance in brain regions thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of major psychiatric disorders, investigators have sought to determine whether alternations in neuropeptide systems are associated with schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, alcoholism and neurodegenerative disease. There is no longer any doubt that neuropeptide-containing neurons are altered in several neuropsychiatric disorders. One of the factors that has hindered neuropeptide research to a considerable extent is the lack of pharmacological agents that specifically alter the synaptic availability of neuropeptides. With the exception of naloxone and naltrexone, the opiate-receptor antagonists, there are few available neuropeptide- receptor antagonists. Two independent classes of neuropeptide-receptor antagonists has been expected to be clinically useful. Naltrexone, a potent ${\mu}$-receptor antagonist, has been used successfully to reduce the need for alcohol consumption. And cholecycstokinin antagonists are now in development as a new class of anxiolytics, which would be expected to be free from tolerance and physical dependence and lack of sedation. In this review, we deal with these two kinds of neuropeptide system, the opioid system and cholesystokinins in the brain. The role of opioid systems in the reinforcement after alcohol consumtion and that of cholesystokinins in the pathogenesis of anxiety will be discussed briefly. As we know, the future for neuropeptides in psychiatry remains bright indeed.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.219-224
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• 1995

The modulatory effects of total ginseng saponin (TGS) on the 1, 6, and opioid receptor binding in morphine tolerance and dependence were examined in this study. The specific [$^{3}H$]DAGO ([D-$Ala^2$, N-$Mephe^4$, $Glyco^4$] enkephalin) binding was significantly increased in chronic morphine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) treated mouse striatum. The specific [$^{3}H$]DPDPE ([D-$Pen^2$, D-$Pen^5$] enkephalin) binding was ignificantly increased following morphine treatment in the mouse striatum and cortex. Also, an apparent decrease in the affinity of [$^{3}H$]DPN (diprenorphine) was observed after chronic morphine treatment in mouse striatum and cortex. 7GS produced a sleight increase of specific [$^{3}H$]DAGO, [$^{3}H$]DPDPE binding and a significant increase of specific [$^{3}H$]DPN binding in the mouse brain striatum. In cortex, TGS produced an inhibition of specific [$^{3}H$]DAGO and [$^{3}H$]DPDPE binding and increase of the specific [$^{3}H$]DPN binding. The prolonged administration of TGS (25, 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg, i.p., 3 wks) produced an inhibition of increased [$^{3}H$]DAGO specific binding following morphine without significant changes in the agonist binding to and receptors in mouse striatum and cortex. These contracted alterations in $\mu$, $\gamma$ and $\kappa$ opiate receptor binding were dependent in TGS dogs and brain sites.