The Effects of Repeated Morphine Treatment on the Endogenous Cannabinoid System in the Ventral Tegmental Area

摘要: The therapeutic utility of opioids is diminished by their ability to induce rewarding behaviors that may lead opioid use disorder. Recently, the endogenous cannabinoid system has emerged as a hot topic in study reward but relatively little known about how repeated exposure affect mesolimbic circuitry. In present study, we investigated sustained morphine modulate ventral tegmental area (VTA) Sprague Dawley rats, critical region Studies here using proteomic analysis and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) found VTA expresses 32 different proteins or genes related system; three these (PLCγ2, ABHD6, CB2R) were significantly affected after (CB2R was only detected qRT-PCR not proteomics). We also identified treatment does alter either anandamide (AEA) 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) levels compared saline treatment; however, there be production 4 h single injection both chronic pretreated cohorts. Treating animals with an inhibitor 2-AG degradation decreased behavior. Taken together, our studies reveal potential influence on endocannabinoid VTA, suggesting participate opioid-induced reward.