Effects of long-term sustained naltrexone release on the optic center in opioid-dependent patients Case-control study in four provinces of China

Very little is known about visual functional recovery following long-term naltrexone administration in opioid-dependent patients. In the present study, a portable event-related potential （ERP） working system was utilized to collect and record ERP in opioid-dependent patients and normal controls in visual half-field testing. In addition, the influence of long-term sustained naltrexone release on the visual nervous system was observed in opioid-dependent patients. Results revealed a significant main group effect in reaction time to visual signal stimulations. The reaction time of normal controls was shortest, but longest in opioid-dependent patients. The reaction time of long-term sustained naltrexone release group and compulsory detoxification group was similar to normal controls. A significant main group effect was also observed in P100 latency, and P100 latency in normal controls and the compulsory detoxification group was significantly decreased compared with the opioid-dependent patients. P100 amplitude at the Oz-electrode resulted in a significant main group effect. In particular, normal controls exhibited significant differences compared with long-term sustained release naltrexone and compulsory detoxification groups. These findings demonstrated that long-term sustained naltrexone release effectively ameliorated optic center function and improved visual sensitivity and reactions in opioid-dependent patients.

Recent advances in the treatment of opioid use disorders–focus on long-acting buprenorphine formulations

Oral methadone or sublingual buprenorphine are first-line medications for pharmacotherapy of opioid use disorders(OUDs).Three long-acting buprenorphine depot or implant formulations are currently available for the treatment of OUDs:(1)CAM 2038(Buvidal)for subcutaneous weekly and monthly application;(2)RBP-6000(Sublocade^(TM))as a monthly depot formulation;and(3)A six-month buprenorphine implant[Probuphine^(TM)].The pharmacology,clinical efficacy and prospects of these medications are discussed.

Yiguanjian cataplasm attenuates opioid dependence in a mouse model of naloxone-induced opioid withdrawal syndrome

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Yiguanjian(YGJ) cataplasm on the development of opioid dependence in a mouse model of naloxone-induced opioid withdrawal syndrome.METHODS:One hundred Swiss albino mice,of equal male to female ratio,were randomly and equally divided into 10 groups.A portion(3 cm2) of the backside hair of the mice was removed 1 day prior to the experiment.Morphine(5 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered twice daily for 5days.YGJ cataplasm was prepared and pasted on the bare region of the mice immediately beforemorphine administration on day 3 and subsequently removed at the end day 5.On day 6,naloxone(8mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected to precipitate opioid withdrawal syndrome.Behavioral observation was performed in two 30-min phases immediately after naloxone injection.RESULTS:The YGJ cataplasm significantly and dose-dependently attenuated morphine-naloxone-induced experimental opioid withdrawal,in terms of withdrawal severity score and the frequencies of jumping,rearing,forepaw licking,and circling behaviors.However,YGJ cataplasm treatment did not alter the acute analgesic effect of morphine.CONCLUSION:YGJ cataplasm could attenuate opioid dependence and its associated withdrawal symptoms.Therefore,YGJ cataplasm could serve as a potential therapy for opioid addiction in the future.