The Role of Endogenous Beta-Endorphin and Enkephalins in the Crosstalk Between Ethanol and Morphine.

ABSTRACT: Background: There is clinical concern about the combined use of alcohol and opiates. Several lines of evidence support an interaction between alcohol and the endogenous opioid system. Thus, we hypothesized that ethanol, by causing the release of opioid peptides, may sensitize the system to the action of exogenous opioids such as morphine. Objectives: In this study, using the place conditioning paradigm, a model of reward, we determined whether a morphine challenge would alter the pre-established preference induced by ethanol conditioning in mice, and whether this response was mediated by the mu opioid receptor (MOP). Given that ethanol exposure stimulates the release of opioid peptides, we also assessed the role of beta-endorphin (β-END) and enkephalins (ENKs) in this respons

SUBMITTER: Tseng A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11768102 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature