The Amelioration Of Dependence Symptom By Thymopentin In Ethanol-Abuse Mice

Object: In terms of the neuro-endocrine-immune network theory, the relationship between immunity and drug abuse is explored by investigating the effect of thymopentin (TP5) on withdrawal symptom (anxiety) in ethanol-abuse mice, so as to find a new way of ameliorating drug addiction.Methods: Mice are administered ethanol in schedular fashion: 5% (1 w), 10% (1 w) and 15% (4 w), followed by the free choice between ethanol and water. E/(E+W)×100% was measured as a index of ethanol selection. Light-dark box, elevated plus maze and open field test are chosen for the assessment of anxiety, Y-shape maze and step down test are chosen for the assessment of memory. After TP5 [0.2 mg/(kg·d), 0.4 mg/(kg·d)], saline(normal control and model control) or citalopram 4 mg/(kg·d), ip for 14 days,the procedure is repeated. Delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction (DTH) and antibody-forming cell response (AFC) are chosen for the assessment of immunity post-drug. In order to know the effect of low immunity on the dependence symptom of ethanol, mice were pretreated with Dex [2 mg/(kg·d), 4 mg/(kg·d), 8 mg/(kg·d)] and saline(control), ip for 7 days before ethanol was forced to drink ibid, then values of E/(E+W)×100% and anxious degree are assessed.Results: (1) E/(E+W)×100%:There are no differences amoung model groups pre-drug. The post-drug values of TP5 (0.2 mg/kg, 0.4 mg/kg) are lower than the pre-drug values themselves and the corresponding value of model control. (2) Light–dark box test: There are no differences amoung model groups in the number of transition and time spend in the light chamber pre-drug, and all the values of model groups are lower than the corresponding value of normal control. The post-drug values of number of transition and time spent in the light chamber of TP5 (0.2 mg/kg, 0.4 mg/kg) and citalopram 4 mg/kg are higher than the pre-drug values themselves and the corresponding value of model control. (3) Elevated plus maze test: There are no differences amoung model groups in the number of entrances into and time spend on open arms pre-drug, and all the values of model groups are lower than the corresponding value of normal control. The number of entrances into open arms of TP5 0.2 mg/kg post-drug is more than the number pre-drug, whereas the time spend on open arms of model control post-drug is less than the time pre-drug. The post-drug values of number of entrances into open arms and time spend on open arms of TP5 (0.2 mg/kg, 0.4 mg/kg) and citalopram 4 mg/kg are more than the pre-drug values themselves and the corresponding value of model control. (4) Open field test: There are no differences amoung model groups in the number of entrances into the central area pre-drug, and all the values of model groups are lower than the corresponding value of normal control. There are no differences amoung...