The Effect of Morphine Sensitization on Α- Camkii and Β- Camkii Gene Expression in Right and Left Lobes of Dorsal Hippocampus of Male Rats

Abstract

Background &aim: Morphine sensitization can improve learning and memory formation. α-CaMKII and β-CaMKII genes which are highly expressed in the hippocampus, have an important role in learning and memory formation. This study was performed to investigate the morphine sensitization and changes in gene expression of α- CaMKII and β- CaMKII in right and left lobes of dorsal hippocampus of male rats. Methods: In this experimental study which was performed on 24 male Wistar rats, morphine sensitization was obtained by subcutaneous injection of morphine, once daily for 3 days followed by 5 days free of the opioid. Then the dorsal hippocampus was removed and RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized. Finally α- CaMKII and β- CaMKII genes expression was quantified using Real-Time RT-PCR. Data were analyzed using One-Way analysis of Variance and Tukey’s test. Results: The results showed that expression of α- CaMKII gene in the right and left lobe of hippocampus in morphine sensitized rats had no significant changes in comparison with the control group. Similarly under the same treatment, there was no significant changes in the right lobe of hippocampus for β-CaMKII but a significant gene expression increase was observed in the left lobe. (P<0.05). Conclusion: It seems that morphine sensitization can lead to changes in molecular mechanisms and apparently these changes can be seen differently in right and left lobes of hippocampus

Keywords

• α- CaMKII
• β- CaMKII
• Morphine
• Hippocampus
• Gene expression
• Memory