The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Dopamine Release in Periaqueductal Gray Region Following the Use of Morphine in Rat

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 MSc Student, Department of Exercise Physiology, School of Sports Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Exercise Physiology, School of Sports Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

3 Professor, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Several studies have shown that exercise plays an important role in modifying addictive behaviors. Moreover, it seems that morphine exerts its effects on periaqueductal gray (PAG) region, which contains dopamine neurons, through the release of dopamine in this area. Therefore, in this study, we decided to evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise on the release of dopamine in the periaqueductal gray region following the use of morphine in rat.Methods: 28 male Wistar rats were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups of saline, morphine, saline + exercise, and morphine + exercise. Exercise groups ran on the treadmill apparatus during four weeks. Three doses of morphine (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally in 9 days, and withdrawal symptoms were recorded. After preparing different specimens in 50 μl samples, the concentration of dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). To compare the mean levels of dopamine and DOPAC, one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests were used.Findings: The concentrations of dopamine and DOPAC were significantly higher in morphine, morphine + exercise, and saline + exercise compared to saline group (P < 0.050 for all).Conclusion: The results of this study show that aerobic exercise may have an important role in releasing dopamine and DOPAC into the periaqueductal gray region area, and it can be used for prevention and treatment of morphine addiction.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 36, Issue 485 - Serial Number 485
May and June 2018
Pages 717-722

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History

  • Receive Date: 17 June 2018
  • Revise Date: 01 November 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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