Hyperbaric Oxygen Attenuates Withdrawal Symptoms by Regulating Monoaminergic Neurotransmitters and NO Signaling Pathway at Nucleus Accumbens in Morphine-Dependent Rats

Abstract

In this study, we examined whether hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) plays a detoxification role in withdrawal symptoms in a morphine-dependent rat model. The model was established through injections of morphine at increasing doses for 7 days. Withdrawal symptoms were induced by naloxone injection on the 8th day. The detoxification effect of HBO was evaluated using the withdrawal symptom scores, biochemical indices and neurotransmitters. Compared with the model group, HBO therapy significantly attenuated the withdrawal symptom scores, body weight loss and the level of norepinephrine level, whereas it increased the dopamine level and tyrosine hydroxylase expression in the nucleus accumbens. Moreover, HBO therapy substantially alleviated the NO, NOS, cAMP, and cGMP levels. Our findings indicate that HBO can effectively alleviate withdrawal symptoms induced by morphine dependence, and these effects may be attributed to the modulation of monoaminergic neurotransmitters and the suppression of the NO-cGMP signaling pathway.

Hyperbaric oxygen protects against myocardial ischemia‑reperfusion injury through inhibiting mitochondria dysfunction and autophagy

“…HBO therapy has been widely agreed by major hyperbaric craft groups, such as the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( 35 ). In addition, data from our previous studies demonstrated that HBO exerted neuroprotective effects in certain animal models; for example, HBO combined with Madopar protected against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced Parkinson's disease in rats ( 36 ) and HBO treatment also alleviated the withdrawal symptoms induced by morphine dependence ( 37 ). Moreover, HBO prevented the cognitive impairments induced by D-galactose ( 38 , 39 ).…”

Crucial involvement of catecholamine neurotransmission in postoperative nausea and vomiting: Whole‐transcriptome profiling in the rat nucleus of the solitary tract

“…In both the hippocampus and the locus ceruleus, TH expression is significantly increased after chronic morphine treatment 32–34 . In the nucleus accumbens and the ventral tegmental area, TH expression is significantly decreased 35–37 . In the NTS, the noradrenergic system was implicated in opioid‐induced reward 38 .…”

The Potential of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Against Codeine Addiction Reduction

“…This difference could imply that the effect of NO on the emergence of addiction is balanced, similar to the role of NO-induced pro-nociception and anti-nociception, anxiogenic and anxiolytic effects, and their involvement in neurotoxicity and neuroprotection [29]. Another study found that administering HBO decreases withdrawal effects in the rat brain through regulating monoaminergic neurotransmitters and the NO-cGMP signaling pathway, suggesting that HBO could be used as a therapeutic alternative for opioid addiction [28].…”

“…This indicates that the HBOT method causes anti-nociception by increasing opioid peptide release in neurons. Whereas a rise in opioid peptides aids in the reduction of addiction [28].…”

“…May suggest that it does not differ [29]. Another study suggests that administration of HBO involves the regulation of monoamine neurotransmitters and NOcGMP signaling pathways that suppress withdrawal symptoms in rat brain and may be a therapeutic option for opioid addiction [28].…”