Abstract
Summary
Opiate administration has profound effects on neurotransmitter metabolism and neuroendocrine functions. Since cAMP is an intracellular metabolite common to the actions of many of the involved compounds stimulating distinct and specific membrane receptors, cAMP concentrations representative of in vivo conditions in heroin-treated and control animals were determined. Rats were sacrificed by immersion in liquid nitrogen 30 min after heroin injection. Tissue samples, dissected without thawing, were assayed by radioimmunoas-say to determine cAMP/mg of protein. Comparisons between treated animals and sham-injected controls revealed significant cAMP concentration increases in hypothal-amus, cerebral cortex, cerebellum, adrenal medulla, adrenal cortex, and liver (P < 0.005). Cyclic AMP concentrations in heart, skeletal muscle, kidney, and fat were not significantly different from controls. The increased tissue cAMP concentrations associated with the altered physiology of heroin administration apparently represent a pattern of integrated responses to the combination of opiate receptor binding and effects on neurotransmitter metabolism and circulating hormones.
These studies were begun while the author was in the Division of Biochemistry of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, with the technical assistance of Mr. S. West, and the statistical guidance of Ms. Helen Sing.
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