Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: 年 9 月 29 日)Recent research has shown a relationship between smoking and depression.Bupropion is a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor that has been used as an antidepressant and as a smokingcessation aid.To understand how bupropion works as a smoking-cessation aid, in the present study we examined with microdialysis its effects on extracellular monoamine levels in the brains of freely moving rats and its effects on nicotine-induced dopamine release.Orally administered bupropion significantly increased extracellular dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens.These results suggest that the antidepressant effects of bupropion involve enhancing dopamine release in the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens.Local perfusion of nicotine, via a microdialysis probe, to the nucleus accumbens markedly increased extracellular dopamine levels.Preadministration of a low bupropion dose inhibited nicotineʼs effect in the nucleus accumbens but did not affect extracellular dopamine levels.Bupropion might inhibit nicotine from increasing extracellular dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens by blocking α3β2 nicotinic receptor function, and its inhibition of nicotine-induced dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens might be involved in the treatment of nicotine dependency.Our data suggest that the reward system is involved in nicotine dependence.Bupropion might inhibit the pleasant and euphoric feelings induced by nicotine and, by increasing dopamine levels, might enhance the reward system.Bupropion might alleviate nicotine craving and successfully lead to the cessation of cigarette smoking.
Authors: 日下, 朗, 宮田, 久嗣, 中山, 和彦
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7017815358