Fluoxetine attenuates morphine-induced locomotion and blocks morphine-sensitization

Eur J Pharmacol. 1997 Oct 22;337(2-3):161-4. doi: 10.1016/s0014-2999(97)01308-3.

Abstract

Repeated morphine treatments result in sensitization, an increase in the efficacy of morphine to stimulate locomotor activity. study examined the effects of increasing serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) transmission on morphine-sensitization. For five days rats were administered saline or 5.0 mg/kg fluoxetine prior to treatment with saline or 5.0 mg/kg morphine. Twenty-one days later, rats were tested for their locomotor response to 2.0 mg/kg morphine. Fluoxetine treatment attenuated the locomotor activating effect of acute morphine treatments and blocked the sensitized response to the morphine challenge. These results indicate that increased 5-HT transmission attenuates the locomotor stimulating effects of morphine and prevents the development of morphine-sensitization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Depression, Chemical
  • Fluoxetine / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Morphine / administration & dosage
  • Morphine / pharmacology*
  • Motor Activity / drug effects*
  • Motor Activity / physiology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, Serotonin / physiology
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Fluoxetine
  • Morphine