An Inducer for Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Protects Against Methamphetamine-Induced Rewarding Effects and Sensitization

Minae Niwa, Atsumi Nitta, Yuichiro Yamada, Akira Nakajima, Kuniaki Saito, Mitsuru Seishima, Liya Shen, Yukihiro Noda, Shoei Furukawa, Toshitaka Nabeshima

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: There are few efficacious medications for drug dependence. We investigated the potential of Leu-Ile, which induces the expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as a novel therapeutic agent for methamphetamine (METH)-induced dependence. Methods: The levels of GDNF and TNF-α messenger RNA (mRNA) were determined by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Enzyme immunoassays and immunohistochemistry were employed to determine levels of these proteins. Effects of Leu-Ile on METH-induced rewarding effects and sensitization were investigated with conditioned place preference and locomotor activity tests. Extracellular dopamine (DA) levels and DA uptake into synaptosomes were examined with an in vivo microdialysis and trititated thymidine ([3H]) DA uptake assay. Results: Leu-Ile induced the expression of not only GDNF but also TNF-α. Pretreatment with Leu-Ile blocked the acquisition of METH-induced place preference and sensitization. Interestingly, post-treatment with Leu-Ile attenuated them even after their development. An inhibitory effect of Leu-Ile on METH-induced place preference was observed in neither GDNF heterozygous nor TNF-α knockout mice. Leu-Ile inhibited DA release in the nucleus accumbens and the decrease in synaptosomal DA uptake in the midbrain induced by repeated METH treatment. Conclusions: These results suggest that Leu-Ile inhibits METH-induced rewarding effects and sensitization by regulating extracellular DA levels via the induction of GDNF and TNF-α expression.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)890-901
Number of pages12
JournalBiological psychiatry
Volume61
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Dopamine (DA)
  • glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)
  • methamphetamine (METH)
  • rewarding effects
  • sensitization
  • tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biological Psychiatry

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