Irradiation exposure modulates central opioid functions

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Exp. Neurol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-4886(87)90244-5· OSTI ID:5753590

Dougherty, P M; Dafny, N

Exposure to low doses of gamma irradiation results in the modification of both the antinociceptive properties of morphine and the severity of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal in morphine-dependent rats. To better define the interactions between gamma irradiation and these opiate-mediated phenomena, dose-response studies were undertaken of the effect of irradiation on morphine-induced antinociception, and on the naloxone-precipitated withdrawal syndrome of morphine-dependent rats. In addition, electrophysiologic studies were conducted in rats after irradiation exposure and morphine treatment correlating with the behavioral studies. The observations obtained demonstrated that the antinociceptive effects of morphine as well as naloxone-precipitated withdrawal were modified in a dose-dependent manner by irradiation exposure. In addition, irradiation-induced changes in the evoked responses obtained from four different brain regions demonstrated transient alterations in both baseline and morphine-treated responses that may reflect the alterations observed in the behavioral paradigms. These results suggest that the effects of irradiation on opiate activities resulted from physiologic alterations of central endogenous opioid systems due to alterations manifested within peripheral targets.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Texas Medical School, Houston
• OSTI ID: 5753590
• Journal Information: Exp. Neurol.; (United States), Journal Name: Exp. Neurol.; (United States) Vol. 98:2; ISSN EXNEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560152* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Animals
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALKALOIDS
ANALGESICS
ANIMALS
BEHAVIOR
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANTS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
DRUGS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
GAMMA RADIATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
IRRADIATION
LOW DOSE IRRADIATION
MAMMALS
MORPHINE
NARCOTICS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
OPIUM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PHYSIOLOGY
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RATS
RODENTS
SYNERGISM
VERTEBRATES