Blunted Opiate Modulation of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenocortical Activity in Men and Women Who Smoke

Bibliographic Data

ID19308258
AuthorsMustafa Al’Absi (0000-0003-4531-038X, Committee on Publication Ethics, corresponding author), Lorentz E Wittmers (Committee on Publication Ethics), Dorothy K Hatsukami (0000-0002-1108-2609, Committee on Publication Ethics), Dorothy Hatsukami, Ruth Westra (Committee on Publication Ethics)
Year2008
Volume70
Issue8
Pages928-935
Publication date2008-10-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychosomatic Medicine (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-3174 • E-ISSN: 1534-7796
PublisherOvid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1097/psy.0b013e31818434ab
PMID18799426
OpenAlexW2146995132
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited52

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

Blood pressure · Cold pressor test · Endogenous opioid · Heart rate · Hydrocortisone · Mood · Naltrexone · Nicotine · Nociception · Noxious stimulus · Opioid · Placebo · Psychiatry · Endocrinology · Internal Medicine · Medicine · Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior · Psychology · Smoking Behavior and Cessation · Stress Responses and Cortisol

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