Mechanisms of mu opioid receptor/G-protein desensitization in brain by chronic heroin administration

Previous studies have shown that chronic opiate treatment decreases mu opioid-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding in specific brain regions. To extend these findings, the present study investigated DAMGO-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding in membrane homogenates and coronal sections from rats non-contingently administered heroin. Rats were administered saline or increasing doses of heroin i.v. hourly up to 288 mg/kg/day over 40 days. In brain sections, chronic heroin administration decreased DAMGO-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding in medial thalamus and amygdala, with no effect in cingulate cortex or nucleus accumbens. Chronic heroin administration also reduced [35S]GTPγS binding stimulated by the principal metabolite of heroin, 6-monoacetylmorphine. In contrast, no significant changes in mu opioid receptor binding were observed in amygdala or thalamus using [3H]DAMGO autoradiography. In membranes from amygdala and thalamus, chronic heroin treatment decreased the maximal effect of DAMGO in stimulating [35S]GTPγS binding, with no effect on DAMGO potency. GTPγS saturation analysis showed that chronic heroin treatment decreased the Bmax, and increased the KD, of DAMGO-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding. These data suggest potential mechanisms by which chronic agonist treatment produces opioid receptor/G-protein desensitization in brain.