µ-Opioid receptor antagonism facilitates the anxiolytic-like effect of oxytocin in mice.

ABSTRACT: Mood and anxiety disorders are leading causes of disability worldwide and are major contributors to the global burden of diseases. Neuropeptides, such as oxytocin and opioid peptides, are important for emotion regulation. Previous studies have demonstrated that oxytocin reduced depression- and anxiety-like behavior in male and female mice, and opioid receptor activation reduced depression-like behavior. However, it remains unclear whether the endogenous opioid system interacts with the oxytocin system to facilitate emotion regulation in male and female mice. We hypothesized that opioid receptor blockade would inhibit the anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects of oxytocin. In this study, we systemically administered naloxone, a preferential μ-opioid receptor antagonist, and then intrac

SUBMITTER: Nisbett KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10899625 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature