Panacea Index Logo

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

Melatonin decreases cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization and cocaine-conditioned place preference in rats.

Journal of psychiatric research
January 1, 2021
Susana Barbosa-Méndez et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tAnimal Study
Extracted Claims (7)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
melatonin
decrease
cocaine-induced locomotor activity
-
-
decreases
#1
melatonin
decrease
cocaine self-administration
-
-
decreases
#2
luzindole
no change
melatonin-dependent decrease in cocaine-induced locomotor activity
-
-
blocks
#3
acute or chronic dosing of melatonin
decrease
cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization
Male Wistar rats
-
decreased
#4
acute or chronic dosing of melatonin
decrease
intracellular dopamine levels
Male Wistar rats
-
decreased
#5
acute or chronic dosing of melatonin
decrease
cocaine-CPP
Male Wistar rats
-
decreased
#6
luzindole
no change
melatonin-induced decrease in the expression of locomotor sensitization
rats
-
blocked
#7
Abstract

Melatonin is a hormone that produces behavioral, pharmacological, and physiological effects through the activation of MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors. Melatonin receptors participate in the modulation of the reinforcing effects of cocaine. Some studies report that dosing of melatonin decreases cocaine-induced locomotor activity and cocaine self-administration and that luzindole, an MT1, and MT2 melatonin receptor antagonist, blocks the melatonin-dependent decrease in cocaine-induced locomotor activity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of acute or chronic dosing of melatonin on the induction and expression of cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization and cocaine-CPP in rats. Male Wistar rats received cocaine during the induction and expression of locomotor sensitization. Melatonin was administered 30 min before cocaine. After each treatment, locomotor activity was recorded for 30 min. Additionally, dopamine levels were determined in the ventral striatum, the prefrontal cortex (PFc), and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) by HPLC in animals treated with melatonin and cocaine. Melatonin decreased cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization and intracellular dopamine levels, as well as cocaine-CPP. Luzindole blocked the melatonin-induced decrease in the expression of locomotor sensitization in rats. These data suggest that melatonin may be a useful therapeutic agent to reduce cocaine abuse; additionally, they suggest that MT1 and MT2 receptors could be therapeutic targets, useful for the treatment of drug abuse disorder.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AnimalsCocaineCocaine-Related DisordersMaleMelatoninRatsRats, WistarReceptor, Melatonin, MT2
Study Links
PubMed ID33080430
Related Supplements
Melatonin decreases cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization ... | Panacea Index