Evaluation of the CART peptide expression in morphine sensitization in male rats
Authors: Mohammad Reza Zarrindast
Nasim Vousooghi
Atefeh Bakhtazad
Behzad Garmabi
Journal: European Journal of Pharmacology (2017)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: CART peptide; CSF; Expression; Morphine; Plasma
Affiliations: Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Genetics Laboratory, Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Genetics Laboratory, Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran; Genomics Center, School of Advanced Sciences, Tehran Medical Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; School of Cognitive Sciences, Institute for Studies in Theoretical Physics and Mathematics, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: .

Abstract:  The importance of Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide in reinforcing effects of addictive drugs specially alcohol and psychostimulants has been stablished. Involvement of CART peptide in rewarding effects of opioids in brain has recently been reported. Here we have studied the expression of CART mRNA and peptide in the reward pathway in morphine-induced sensitization phenomenon and also evaluated the peptide level fluctuations in CSF and plasma. Male Wistar rats received 7-day morphine injection (20mg/kg) and then after a 7-day washout period, a challenge dose of 10mg/kg morphine was administered and locomotor activity and oral stereotypical behaviors were recorded. Besides, the expression level of CART mRNA and peptide in four important areas of the mesocorticolimbic reward pathway including nucleus accumbens, striatum, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus were measured by real-time PCR and western blotting, respectively. The level of the peptide in CSF and plasma was measured by Elisa method. The expression level of CART mRNA and protein in brain regions and also the peptide level in CSF and plasma were significantly down-regulated after 7-day morphine administration. These reduced levels returned to nearly normal rates after 7-day wash-out period. Administration of morphine challenge dose led to significant upregulation of CART gene expression (both mRNA and peptide) in the brain, and elevation of peptide level in CSF and plasma in morphine-sensitized rats. It can be concluded that CART is released in the framework of reward pathway and may serve as an important neurotransmitter in the process of morphine dependence and sensitization. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
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 FWIW: I share these concerns. Perhaps the authors could comment? , 
 The authors regret the mistakes that were made when arranging the graphs and selecting bands for figures 1, 2, 3, and 4. The correct figures can be found below. These replacements do not change the results and conclusions of this original article The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. ![file] ![file] ![file] ![file] ,