CRF₂ mediates the increased noradrenergic activity in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and the negative state of morphine withdrawal in rats.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Recent evidence suggests that corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor signalling is involved in modulating the negative symptoms of opiate withdrawal. In this study, a series of experiments were performed to further characterize the role of CRF-type 2 receptor (CRF₂) signalling in opiate withdrawal-induced physical signs of dependence, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation, enhanced noradrenaline (NA) turnover in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) phosphorylation (activation), as well as CRF₂ expression in the nucleus of the solitary tract-A₂ noradrenergic cell group (NTS-A₂).

Experimental approach

The contribution of CRF₂ signalling in opiate withdrawal was assessed by i.c.v. infusion of t

SUBMITTER: Navarro-Zaragoza J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3042196 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature