The role of neuropeptide FF (NPFF) in the expression of sensitization to hyperlocomotor effect of morphine and ethanol

Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) has been characterized as an endogenous anti-opioid peptide because its intraventricular injection (icv) reversed morphine- and stress-induced analgesia, and precipitates withdrawal syndrome in morphine-dependent rats. The role of NPFF in other aspects of drug dependence is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine NPFF influence on the expression of sensitization to the morphine-induced hyperlocomotion. As the opioid system plays a role in ethanol effects, the influence of NPFF on the expression of sensitization to hyperlocomotor effect of ethanol was also investigated. Our study indicated that acute administration of NPFF (5, 10, 20nmol, icv) inhibited the expression of morphine-induced sensitization at doses of 10 (P<0.05) and 20nmol (P<0.01), and also inhibited ethanol-induced sensitization at a dose of 20nmol (P<0.01). Furthermore, NPFF inhibited the acute locomotor effect of morphine (10 and 20nmol) but not that of ethanol. NPFF, given alone, did not change the locomotor activity of mice and did not disturb motor coordination of animals in the rotarod test.

In conclusion, our experiments indicated that NPFF attenuated the acute morphine locomotion and the expression of sensitization to locomotion. We anticipate that NPFF may be involved in both of these effects.