Evaluation of Dynorphin A(1-13) and E-2078, a Dynorphin Analogue, and their Effects in Morphine-Treated Rhesus Monkeys Using Directly Observable Signs, Drug Discrimination, Rates of Responding, Antinociception and Respiration
Authors
Injety, Kalpana Rejina
Issue Date
1995
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
At present, there are varied forms of treatment for opioid addiction and
dependence, yet, there is much room for improvement. These issues call for new and
varied treatment plans. The endogenous opioid peptide, Dynorphin A(1-13) (DYN)
and its metabolically stable analogue E-2078, have been shown to have interesting
properties in Morphine-(MS)-dependent subjects. DYN has been shown to attenuate
MS withdrawal signs in a few different species and has also been shown to potentiate
the antinociceptive effects of MS in rodents. There has been relatively little research
done with E-2078, however, it has been shown to produce antinociception in both
MS-dependent and non-dependent subjects. These findings suggest that DYN and E-
2078 could be used both as treatments for opioid addiction and as therapeutic agents
for pain relief.
To characterize and compare some effects· of DYN and E-2078, experiments
utilizing both drugs along with a variety of other opioid and non-opioid drugs were
performed. Experiments were performed in four MS-treated, female, rhesus
monkeys. Subjects were assessed for directly observable signs, drug discrimination
responses, rates of responding, antinociception and respiration. For data analysis of
antinociception and respiration, results from untreated subjects were compared with
those of MS-treated subjects.
Results obtained indicated that DYN and E-2078 have similar behavioral
effects. In the subjects studied, MS withdrawal was not attenuated and
antinociception was only produced in untreated subjects. Respiration studies
established controls for further experimentation and evaluated MS tolerance.
Description
iv, 54 p.
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