Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the nucleus accumbens core and shell contribute to cocaine priming-induced reinstatement of drug seeking.

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the nucleus accumbens play an important role in mediating the reinforcing effects of cocaine. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the role of accumbal muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior. The goal of these experiments was to assess the role of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the nucleus accumbens core and shell in cocaine and sucrose priming-induced reinstatement. Rats were initially trained to self-administer cocaine or sucrose on a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement. Lever-pressing behavior was then extinguished and followed by a subsequent reinstatement phase during which operant responding was induced by either a systemic injection of cocaine in cocaine-experienced rats or non-contingent delivery of sucrose pellets in subjects with a history of sucrose self-administration. Results indicated that systemic administration of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist scopolamine (5.0 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently attenuated cocaine, but not sucrose, reinstatement. Furthermore, administration of scopolamine (36.0 µg) directly into the nucleus accumbens shell or core attenuated cocaine priming-induced reinstatement. In contrast, infusion of scopolamine (36.0 µg) directly into the accumbens core, but not shell, attenuated sucrose reinstatement, which suggests that muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in these two subregions of the nucleus accumbens have differential roles in sucrose seeking. Taken together, these results indicate that cocaine priming-induced reinstatement is mediated, in part, by increased signaling through muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the shell subregion of the nucleus accumbens. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the core of the accumbens, in contrast, appear to play a more general (i.e. not cocaine specific) role in motivated behaviors.

Biologically variable ventilation improves oxygenation and respiratory mechanics during one-lung ventilation.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxemia is common during one-lung ventilation (OLV). Atelectasis contributes to the problem. Biologically variable ventilation (BVV), using microprocessors to reinstitute physiologic variability to respiratory rate and tidal volume, has been shown to be advantageous over conventional monotonous control mode ventilation (CMV) in improving oxygenation during the period of lung reinflation after OLV in an experimental model. Here, using a porcine model, the authors compared BVV with CMV during OLV to assess gas exchange and respiratory mechanics. METHODS: Eight pigs (25-30 kg) were studied in each of two groups. After induction of anesthesia-tidal volume 12 ml/kg with CMV and surgical intervention-tidal volume was reduced to 9 ml/kg. OLV was initiated with an endobronchial blocker, and the animals were randomly allocated to either continue CMV or switch to BVV for 90 min. After OLV, a recruitment maneuver was undertaken, and both lungs were ventilated for a further 60 min. At predetermined intervals, hemodynamics, respiratory gases (arterial, venous, and end-tidal samples) and mechanics (airway pressures, static and dynamic compliances) were measured. Derived indices (pulmonary vascular resistance, shunt fraction, and dead space ventilation) were calculated. RESULTS: By 15 min of OLV, arterial oxygen tension was greater in the BVV group (group x time interaction, P = 0.003), and shunt fraction was lower with BVV from 30 to 90 min (group effect, P = 0.0004). From 60 to 90 min, arterial carbon dioxide tension was lower with BVV (group x time interaction, P = 0.0001) and dead space ventilation was less from 60 to 90 min (group x time interaction, P = 0.0001). Static compliance was greater by 60 min of BVV and remained greater during return to ventilation of both lungs (group effect, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this model of OLV, BVV resulted in superior gas exchange and respiratory mechanics when compared with CMV. Improved static compliance persisted with restoration of two-lung ventilation.