Opioid Receptors in Aging and Oxidative Stress

Date

2007-01-01

Authors

Raut, Atul M.

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Abstract

Raut, Atul M., Opioid Receptors in Aging and Oxidative Stress. Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacology and Neuroscience), January 2007, 181 pp, 4 illustrations, 21 figures, 159 titles. Oxidative stress has been implicated in aging and neurodegenerative disorders. Pain sensitivity and responses to opioids change with aging. The effect of aging and oxidative stress on opioid receptor system is not yet well understood. To study the effects of aging on pain sensitivity and opioid-induced antinociception, and to determine the possible association of oxidative stress with these pain parameters, in vivo studies were conducted. To further elucidate the effects of oxidative stress on opioid receptor proteins and their function, in vitro studies were carried out. The effects of aging on pain sensitivity and opioid-induced antinociception were studied in male Fischer 344 rats. Oxidative stress markers in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, striatum and midbrain of these rats were estimated. It was concluded that sensitivity to nociceptive stimulus increases and responses to opioids decrease with aging and age-related oxidative damage is negatively correlated with opioid-induced antinociception. To characterize the effects of oxidative stress on function of opioid receptors, changes in intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was measured in human SK-N-SH neuronal cells under oxidative stress conditions. It was found that oxidative stress decreased the function of mu opioid receptor (MOR) but not that of delta or kappa opioid receptors (DOR and KOR respectively). Antioxidant intervention preserved the function of MOR. Western immunoassays revealed that MOR but not DOR and KOR proteins were decreased under oxidative stress conditions. Thus, these findings show a selective impairment of the MOR function and reduction in MOR protein under conditions of oxidative stress. The results from the in vivo and in vitro projects demonstrate the involvement of aging and oxidative stress in modulation of pass sensitivity, opioid-induced antinociception and opioid receptor function and expression.

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