Neha Kamireddi
http://www.2minutemedicine.com/inhibition-of-enzymes-in-the-animal-brain-reduces-drug-relapse-behavior/
Author: Judith Kandel and Sarah Stapleton
Published October 23, 2014
This article was written about a study done that was used to identify specific enzymes involved in drug addiction, and the addicts susceptibility to relapse. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes that have been found to be involved in drug addiction. MMPs help to alter neurons by breaking down the matrix that surrounds the cells. The neuronal alterations done by these enzymes are distinctive of drug addicts. Rats were allowed to self-administer a drug, before being withdrawn from it. They are then exposed to the drug once again. The study showed that by injecting inhibitors of MMPs into the rats before giving the drug, decreased the self-administration of the drugs.The inhibitors also helped to suppress relapse in the rats when they were re-exposed to the drug. The findings in this study and possible future studies similar to this could contribute much more information as to how to treat drug addiction.
This study connects to the enzyme section in the matter and energy unit. The enzymes involved in this study catalyze a decomposition reaction that alters neurons. The article also mentions the use of inhibitors to make the enzyme inactive. This is similar to how we tested the reactions of enzymes under certain conditions during the enzyme lab. They probably used data similar to this in order to create an injection that would denature the enzyme, stopping it from catalyzing the reaction. Just as we studied the reaction of catalase and hydrogen peroxide, this study watched how MMPs, when inhibited, affected drug addicted rats. In class we discussed the different reactions that enzymes can catlayze, synthesis reactions and decomposition reactions. The alteration of neurons by MMPs is an example of the decomposition reaction. Because of these alterations, the study was able to link these MMPs to drug addiction.
Are MMPs found only the the drugs that the person is addicted to, or are they naturally found in the human body or in other foods?
ReplyDeleteIf MMPs are more prominent in a drug-addicted person, how does increasing the amount of MMPs decrease a craving for drugs?
ReplyDeleteMMPs are enzymes naturally found in the human body. They are not found in the drugs, but they are involved in what causes the person to become addicted to the drug.
ReplyDeleteThe MMPs are not increased to reduce the cravings. inhibitors of MMPs are injected so that the MMPs are suppressed and don't function.
ReplyDelete