Epitranscriptomic map of N6-methyladenosine circular RNAs in the spinal cord of morphine-tolerant rats

Morphine tolerance is a tricky problem, the mechanism of it is still unclear. Circular RNAs (CircRNAs) play important roles in biological process of central nervous system. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) as a key post-transcriptional modification of RNA can regulate the metabolism and functions of circRNAs. Here we conducted this research to explore the patterns of m6A-methylation of circRNAs in the spinal cords of 4 morphine tolerated rats and 4 normal rats. The adult male SD rats were randomly divided into normal saline group (NS group) and morphine tolerance group (MT group). Rats in the MT group were administrated morphine hydrochloride injection 10 μg/10 μl intrathecally through the tube inserted into the sheath at 8:00 a.m. and 20:00 p.m. for 7 consecutive days, the NS group was given 10 μl of normal saline at the same time point.