اثر اسيداسكوربيك برخودتزريقي هرويين در موش سفيد بزرگ آزمايشگاهي

The effect of ascorbic acid on self-administration of heroin in rats

Introduction: Several regions of brain are related to opiate addiction, specially. Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) and Nucleus Accumbens with glutaminergic and dopaminergic systems have very major roles. There are several evidence that ascorbic acid can be a neurotransmitter and released from ending of glutaminergic neurons and regulate the release of glutamate and dopamin. The main object of this study was, if ascorbate be able to prevent addiction to heroin or delayed it? Materials and Methods: Male wistar rats weighted 300±30g were anesthetized and through strile surgery implanted with silastic catheters inserted into the right jugular vein. After 4 days of recovery animals were fitted and the external end of the catheter was connected with a syringe-driven pump, then were placed in the self-administration apparatus that had two lever (active, passive) for 2h every day. Active lever switched on the infusion pump for injecting 0.1 ml of saline or saline containing 1 mg/ml of herion. (FR=1, Time out=10s). Ascorbate (300 mg/kg, i.p) were used 30 minutes before heroin self-administration. Results: Injection of ascorbate prevent the development of dependence on heroin in rats. There was a significant difference (P<0.001) between the numbers of active, but not passive lever among the groups. Conclusion: Ascorbate can antagoniz the reinforcing effect of heroin and can used as effective pharmacotherapy for heroin abuse specially when used with high dose.