Iptakalim attenuates self-administration and acquired goal-tracking behavior controlled by nicotine

Authors

S. Charntikov, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
N. Swalve, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Steven T. Pittenger, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
K. Fink, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
S. Schepers, University of Vermont-BurlingtonFollow
G. C. Hadlock, University of Utah
A. E. Fleckenstein, University of UtahFollow
G. Hu, Nanjing Medical UniversityFollow
Ming Li, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Rick A. Bevins, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

12-2013

Citation

Published in final edited form as: Neuropharmacology. 75 (2013), pp. 138-144; doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.07.019.

Comments

Copyright 2013 Elsevier Ltd. Used by permission. PubMed Central version of authors' final ms..

Abstract

Iptakalim is an ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener, as well as an a4b2-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) antagonist. Pretreatment with iptakalim diminishes nicotine-induced dopamine (DA) and glutamate release in the nucleus accumbens. This neuropharmacological profile suggests that iptakalim may be useful for treatment of nicotine dependence. Thus, we examined the effects of iptakalim in two preclinical models. First, the impact of iptakalim on the interoceptive stimulus effect of nicotine was evaluated by training rats in a discriminated goal-tracking task that included intermixed nicotine (0.4 mg/kg, SC) and saline sessions. Sucrose was intermittently presented in a responseindependent manner only on nicotine sessions. On intervening test days, rats were pretreated with iptakalim (10, 30, 60 mg/kg, IP). Results revealed that iptakalim attenuated nicotine-evoked responding controlled by the nicotine stimulus in a dose-dependent manner. In a separate study, the impact of iptakalim on the reinforcing effects of nicotine was investigated by training rats to lever-press to selfadminister nicotine (0.03 mg/kg/infusion). Results revealed that pretreatment with iptakalim (1, 3, 6 mg/kg, IV) decreased nicotine intake (i.e., less active lever responding). Neither behavioral effect was due to a non-specific motor effect of iptakalim, nor to an ability of iptakalim to inhibit DA transporter (DAT) or serotonin transporter (SERT) function. Together, these finding support the notion that iptakalim may be an effective pharmacotherapy for increasing smoking cessation and a better understanding of its action could contribute to medication development.