Three different types of alpha-interferons alter naloxone-induced abstinence in morphine-addicted rats.

The opiate abstinence syndrome represents a fundamental feature of the addictive process, with the degree of addiction being directly correlated to the intensity of withdrawal. Therefore, the discovery of substances capable of attenuating withdrawal signs may provide insights into the dynamics of opiate addiction. The present study demonstrates that three different types of alpha-interferons modify the behavioral signs associated with naloxone-induced abstinence in rats addicted to morphine. These observations suggest that opiate addiction may, in part, be due to an immune response in that immunomodulators (interferon) are capable of altering the naloxone-induced abstinence syndrome in morphine-dependent rats.