GABAA receptors in VTA mediate the morphine-induced release of ascorbic acid in rat nucleus accumbens

Local perfusion of morphine produces increased levels of extracellular ascorbic acid (AA) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of freely moving rats. However, the pathways that regulate morphine-induced AA release in the NAc are unclear. In the present study, we used high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC–ECD) to examine the effects of intra-ventral tegmental area (VTA) administration of a GABAA agonist and antagonist on morphine-induced increases in AA of the NAc. Also, using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescent detection (HPLC–FD) and HPLC–ECD, the releases of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and dopamine (DA) in the NAc induced by intra-VTA administration of a GABAA agonist and antagonist were also investigated. The results obtained showed that morphine (1 mM), locally perfused into the NAc, significantly increased AA release in the NAc and also GABA release. Intra-VTA infusion of bicuculline (150 ng/rat), a GABA receptor antagonist, not only abolished the enhanced extracellular AA and GABA levels produced by local perfusion of morphine but also decreased the basal release of extracellular GABA and increased the basal release of extracellular DA in the NAc. Muscimol (100 ng/rat), a GABA receptor agonist, affected the basal release of GABA and DA, but not the basal AA levels, or the morphine-induced changes in AA and GABA levels. These findings suggest that the GABAA receptors in the VTA play an important role in the modulation of morphine-induced AA release in the NAc, and the effect of morphine on AA release in the NAc is partially regulated by the GABAA receptor-mediated action of DA afferents from the VTA.

Research highlights
► Morphine significantly increased AA release in the NAc and also GABA release.
► Bicuculine abolished the effects of morphine on extracellular AA and GABA levels.
► The effect of morphine on AA release is partially regulated by the action of DA afferents from the VTA.
► It offers insights into the action of morphine and AA release in the central nervous system.