OBJECTIVE: To examine the extent to which nicotine dependence alters endogenous opioid regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis functions. Endogenous opiates play an important role in regulating mood, pain, and drug reward. They also regulate the HPA functions. Previous work has demonstrated an abnormal HPA response to psychological stress among dependent smokers. METHODS:Smokers and nonsmokers (total n = 48 participants) completed two sessions during which a placebo or 50 mg of naltrexone was administered, using a double-blind design. Blood and saliva samples, cardiovascular and mood measures were obtained during a resting absorption period, after exposure to two noxious stimuli, and during an extended recovery period. Thermal pain threshold and tolerance were assessed in both sessions. Participants also rated pain during a 90-second cold pressor test. RESULTS: Opioid blockade increased adrenocorticotropin, plasma cortisol, and salivary cortisol levels; these increases were enhanced by exposure to the noxious stimuli. These responses were blunted in smokers relative to nonsmokers. Smokers tended to report less pain than nonsmokers, and women reported more pain during both pain procedures, although sex differences in pain were significant only among nonsmokers. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that nicotine dependence is associated with attenuated opioid modulation of the HPA. This dysregulation may play a role in the previously observed blunted responses to stress among dependent smokers.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To examine the extent to which nicotine dependence alters endogenous opioid regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis functions. Endogenous opiates play an important role in regulating mood, pain, and drug reward. They also regulate the HPA functions. Previous work has demonstrated an abnormal HPA response to psychological stress among dependent smokers. METHODS: Smokers and nonsmokers (total n = 48 participants) completed two sessions during which a placebo or 50 mg of naltrexone was administered, using a double-blind design. Blood and saliva samples, cardiovascular and mood measures were obtained during a resting absorption period, after exposure to two noxious stimuli, and during an extended recovery period. Thermal pain threshold and tolerance were assessed in both sessions. Participants also rated pain during a 90-second cold pressor test. RESULTS: Opioid blockade increased adrenocorticotropin, plasma cortisol, and salivary cortisol levels; these increases were enhanced by exposure to the noxious stimuli. These responses were blunted in smokers relative to nonsmokers. Smokers tended to report less pain than nonsmokers, and women reported more pain during both pain procedures, although sex differences in pain were significant only among nonsmokers. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that nicotine dependence is associated with attenuated opioid modulation of the HPA. This dysregulation may play a role in the previously observed blunted responses to stress among dependent smokers.
Authors: Frederick M Hecht; Jennifer Daubenmier; Elissa S Epel; Ashley E Mason; Robert H Lustig; Rashida R Brown; Michael Acree; Peter Bacchetti; Patricia J Moran; Mary Dallman; Barbara Laraia; Nancy Adler Journal: Appetite Date: 2015-04-27 Impact factor: 3.868
Authors: Gary S Wand; Elise M Weerts; Hiroto Kuwabara; Dean F Wong; Xiaoqiang Xu; Mary E McCaul Journal: Addict Biol Date: 2012-01-20 Impact factor: 4.280
Authors: Amanda J Skwara; Tracy E Karwoski; R Kenneth Czambel; Robert T Rubin; Michael E Rhodes Journal: Behav Brain Res Date: 2012-06-13 Impact factor: 3.332
Authors: Henrietta L Logan; Roger B Fillingim; Linda M Bartoshuk; Pamela Sandow; Scott L Tomar; John W Werning; William M Mendenhall Journal: J Pain Date: 2009-12-16 Impact factor: 5.820
Authors: Jennifer Daubenmier; Robert H Lustig; Frederick M Hecht; Jean Kristeller; Josh Woolley; Tanja Adam; Mary Dallman; Elissa Epel Journal: Appetite Date: 2013-11-27 Impact factor: 3.868