• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.357-362
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• 2019

Limonene is a cyclic terpene found in citrus essential oils and inhibits methamphetamine- induced locomotor activity. Drug dependence is a severe neuropsychiatric condition that depends in part on changes in neurotransmission and neuroadaptation, induced by exposure to recreational drugs such as morphine and methamphetamine. In this study, we investigated the effects of limonene on the psychological dependence induced by drug abuse. The development of sensitization, dopamine receptor supersensitivity, and conditioned place preferences in rats was measured following administration of limonene (10 or 20 mg/kg) and methamphetamine (1 mg/kg) for 4 days. Limonene inhibits methamphetamine- induced sensitization to locomotor activity. Expression of dopamine receptor supersensitivity induced by apomorphine, a dopamine receptor agonist, was significantly reduced in limonenepretreated rats. However, there was no significant difference in methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preferences between the limonene and control groups. These results suggest that limonene may ameliorate drug addiction-related behaviors by regulating postsynaptic dopamine receptor supersensitivity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.125-131
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• 2006

The inhibitory effects of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major compound of green tea, on the development of locomotor sensitization, conditioned place preference (CPP) and dopamine receptor supersensitivity induced by the repeated administration of morphine were investigated in mice. A single administration of morphine produces hyperlocomotion. The repeated administration of morphine develops sensitization, a progressive enhancement of locomotion, which is used as a model for studying the craving and drug-seeking behaviors characterizing addiction, and CPP, which is used as a model for studying drug reinforcement, respectively. EGCG inhibited morphine-induced hyperlocomotion, sensitization and CPP. In addition, EGCG inhibited the development of postsynaptic dopamine receptors supersensitivity, which may be an underlying common mechanism that mediates the morphine-induced dopaminergic behaviors such as sensitization and CPP. Apomorphine (a dopamine agonist)-induced climbing behaviors also were inhibited by a single direct administration of EGCG These results provide evidence that EGCG has anti-dopaminergic activity, as inhibiting the development of dopamine receptor supersensitivity and apomorphine-induced climbing behaviors. Therefore, it is suggested that green tea may be useful for the prevention and therapy of these adverse actions of morphine.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.904-910
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• 2006

The inhibitory effects of paeonol, a major compound of Paeoniae radix, on the development of locomotor sensitization, conditioned place preference (CPP) and dopamine receptor supersensitivity induced by the repeated administration of morphine were investigated through behavioral experiments. A single administration of morphine produces hyperlocomotion. Repeated administration of morphine develops sensitization (reverse tolerance), a progressive enhancement of locomotion, which is used as a model for studying the drug-induced drug-seeking behaviors, and CPP, which is used as a model for studying drug reinforcement. Paeonol inhibited morphine-induced hyperlocomotion, sensitization and CPP. In addition, paeonol inhibited the development of postsynaptic dopamine receptors supersensitivity, which may be an underlying common mechanism that mediates the morphine-induced dopaminergic behaviors such as sensitization and CPP. Apomorphine (a dopamine agonist)-induced climbing behaviors also were inhibited by a single direct administration of paeonol. These results provide evidence that paeonol exerts anti-dopaminergic activity, and it is suggested that paeonol may be useful for the prevention and therapy of these adverse actions of morphine.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.405-412
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• 2005

A vanilloid receptor (VR1, now known as TRPV1) is an ion channel activated by vanilloids, including capsaicin (CAP) and resiniferatoxin (RTX), which are pungent ingredients of plants. Putative endogenous activators (anandamide and metabolites of arachidonic acid) are weak activators of VR1 compared to capsaicin and RTX, and the concentrations of the physiological condition of those activators are not sufficient to induce significant activation of VR1. One way to overcome the weak activation of endogenous activators would be the sensitization of VR1, with the phosphorylation of the channel being one possibility. The phosphorylation of VR1 by several kinases has been reported, mostly by indirect evidence. Here, using an in vivo phosphorylation method, the VR1 channel was shown to be sensitized by phosphorylation of the channel itself by multiple pathways involving PKA, PKC and acid. Also, in sensitizing VR1, BK appeared to show activation of PKC for the sensitization of VR1 by phosphorylation of the channel.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.299-305
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• 2008

Active cardiovascular anaphylactic response was induced in ovalbumin-sensitized, pithed Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats. On intravenous administration of the antigen, ovalbumin, marked tachycardia and pressor responses were immediately elicited. Thereafter, a delayed long-lasting severe hypotensive response was observed. These anaphylactic cardiovascular responses were maximal 2-3 weeks after the sensitization, and the response was slightly diminished 6 weeks after sensitization. The immediate pressor response was blocked by a non-selective serotonin antagonist methysergide at a dose-dependent manner, but not by histamine receptor antagonists mepyramine (pyrilamine) or cimetidine. The delayed hypotension was reduced either by histamine $H_1$ receptor antagonist mepyramine or $H_2$ receptor antagonist cimetidine, both in a dose-dependent manner. The tachycardic response was not influenced by serotonin or histamine receptor antagonists examined in this study. Differently from the cardiovascular responses, there was no observable bronchial contraction in Sprague-Dawley rat trachea in contrast to Wistar rat where the trachea contracted to in vitro antigen challenge. The cardiovascular anaphylactic model seems to be useful for studying cardiovascular events that occur exclusively in peripheral heart-blood vessel systems. The involvement of two major anaphylactic mediators, serotonin and histamine, is partially demonstrated.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2001

Background: Subcutaneous injection of 5% formalin into the hind paw of the rat produces a biphasic nociceptive response. The second phase depends on changes in the dorsal horn cell function that occur shortly after an initial C-fiber discharge, spinal sensitization, or windup phenomenon. This study was performed to investigate the role of glutamate during spinal sensitization. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200 to 250 g were used for this study. Under light anesthesia (0.5% isoflurane) the rats were segregated in a specially designed cage and $50{\mu}l$ 0.5% formalin was injected subcutaneously in the foot dorsum of right hindlimb. Forty minutes after the formalin injection, the rat was quickly decapitated and spinal cord was removed. The spinal segments at the level of L3 (largest area) was collected and stored in a deep freezer ($-70^{\circ}C$). The mRNA gene expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5) were determined by the polymerase chain reaction. Results: The number of flinches was $19.8{\pm}2.3/min$. at one minute after formalin injection and decreased to zero after then. The second peak appeared at 35 and 40 minutes after formalin injection. The values were $17.8{\pm}2.2$ and $17.2{\pm}3.0/min$. The mRNA gene expressions of NMDAR and mGluR5 were increased by $459.0{\pm}46.8%$ (P < 0.01) and $111.1{\pm}4.8%$ (P > 0.05) respectively at 40 minutes after formalin injection. The increased rate of NMDAR was significantly higher than that of mGluR5 (P < 0.01). Conclusions: From these results it suggested that NMDAR partly contributed to the mechanism of central sensitization after the formalin test but mGluR5 did not.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 2004

Repeated administration of psychostimulants such as amphetamines increases locomotor activity in rodents. These drugs, including methamphetamine, enhance dopaminergic neurotransmission and result in hyper-locomotion and behavioral sensitization. It is well known that the existence of a complex balance between the cholinergic and dopaminergic systems in the central nervous system. Thus, behavioral sensitization by methamphetamine may be related to the expression of the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors gene. The present study investigated the changes of M1R mRNA in hyperlocomotor activity and behavioral sensitization by methamphetamine (2 mg/kg) in mice. Our results showed that M1R mRNA expression was increased in the frontal cortex and the hippocampus region (the CA2 region) in the acute methamphetamine administered group compared to the saline administered group. In the chronic group, M1R mRNA expression was increased in the frontal cortex ill1d the hippocampus regions (CA2 and DG regions) in melt1amphetamine administered group compared to saline control group. These results indicate that acute or chronic treatment of mathamphetamine leads to the region-specific changes in mRNA expression levels of M1R. Therefore, Therefore, the present result suggests that M1R may play a role in modulating of methamphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization in mice.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.291-299
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• 1995

Lateral giant (LG)-mediated escape response of crayfish is sensitized by natural traumatic events. Such sensitization has previously been shown to be associated with increased transmission between primary afferents and sensory interneurons at the cholinergic synapse of LG escape reflex circuit. In the present study, it was firstly investigated as to whether transmission is also altered at other synapses of the LG-escape reflex circuit by traumatic shock-induced sensitization. Evidence that traumatic shock also directly affects the excitability of lateral giants is now provided by the finding that traumatic shock produces a significant reduction of the time needed for LG to recruit its contralateral homologue, which is defined as commissural delay. Octopamine, a naturally occurring neuromodulator in the crayfish nerve cord, has also been shown to enhance transmission at the cholinergic synapse between primary afferents and sensory interneurons, and has been conjectured to mediate sensitization. Like traumatic shock, $octopamine\;(10^{-5}-5{\times}10^{-4}\;M)$ also enhanced the efficacy of commissural transmission between lateral giants, as indicated by a significant reduction of commissural delay. This effect was blocked by an octopamine antagonist phentolamine, suggesting a specific action of octopamine on the octopamine receptor present on LGs. These observations suggest that both traumatic shocks and octopamine may cause a rather broad alteration in the excitability of the crayfish nervous system that contributes to the sensitization of the LG escape response.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.130.2-130.2
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• 2003

The present study was undertaken to examine the hypothesis that $\mu$-opioid receptors play a crucial role in behavioral sensitization to nicotine using $\mu$-opioid receptor knockout mice. All mice were treated acutely or repeatedly with nicotine 0.05 mg/kg twice daily for 7 consecutive days. The mice were challenged with nicotine on day 11. And locomotor activity was measured for 30min. (omitted)

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2010

Background: Recent studies indicate that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in persistent pain, including neuropathic and inflammatory pain. Since the data suggest that ROS are involved in central sensitization, the present study examines the levels of activated N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the dorsal horn after an exogenous supply of three antioxidants in rats with chronic post-ischemia pain (CPIP). This serves as an animal model of complex regional pain syndrome type-I induced by hindpaw ischemia/reperfusion injury. Methods: The application of tight-fitting O-rings for a period of three hours produced CPIP in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Allopurinol 4 mg/kg, allopurinol 40 mg/kg, superoxide dismutase (SOD) 4,000 U/kg, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) 10 mg/kg and SOD 4,000 U/kg plus L-NAME 10 mg/kg were administered intraperitoneally just after O-ring application and on the first and second days after reperfusion. Mechanical allodynia was measured, and activation of the NMDA receptor subunit 1 (pNR1) of the lumbar spinal cord (L4-L6) was analyzed by the Western blot three days after reperfusion. Results: Allopurinol reduced mechanical allodynia and attenuated the enhancement of spinal pNR1 expression in CPIP rats. SOD and L-NAME also blocked spinal pNR1 in accordance with the reduced mechanical allodynia in rats with CPIP. Conclusions: The present data suggest the contribution of superoxide, produced via xanthine oxidase, and the participation of superoxide and nitric oxide as a precursor of peroxynitrite in NMDA mediated central sensitization. Finally, the findings support a therapeutic potential for the manipulation of superoxide and nitric oxide in ischemia/reperfusion related pain conditions.