Ascorbate reduces morphine-induced extracellular DOPAC level in the nucleus accumbens: A microdialysis study in rats

Most drugs of abuse increase dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) release in the shell of the nucleus accumbens. The effects of ascorbate, which is known to modulate dopamine neurotransmission, on the extracellular level of DOPAC in the nucleus accumbens of naive rats and of rats treated acutely with morphine were studied by using in vivo microdialysis and high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD). Acute morphine (20 mg/kg ip) treatment increased the level of DOPAC in the nucleus accumbens to approximately 170% of basal level. Acute treatment with ascorbate (500 mg/kg ip) alone did not alter nucleus accumbens' DOPAC level, but pretreatment with ascorbate (500 mg/kg ip) 30 min before morphine administration attenuated the effects of acute morphine on the level of DOPAC. These results suggest that ascorbate modulates the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway.