Comparison of the effect of intrathecal endomorphin-1 and endomorphin-2 on spinal cord excitability in rats

Neurosci Lett. 2002 May 24;324(3):197-200. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3940(02)00201-x.

Abstract

We examined and compared the effects of intrathecal (i.t.) endomorphin-1 and endomorphin-2 on the nociceptive flexor reflex in decerebrate, spinalized, unanesthetized rats. I.t. endomorphin-1 and -2 induced a dose-dependent depression of the flexor reflex with an initial brief facilitatory effect. The magnitude of reflex facilitation and depression was similar between endomorphin-1 and -2, but the duration of depression was significantly longer for endomorphin-1 than endomorphin-2. The results suggested that the spinal antinociceptive effects of endomorphin-1 and -2 are similar, with endomorphin-1 being more resistant to enzymatic degradation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Afferent Pathways / drug effects
  • Afferent Pathways / metabolism
  • Analgesics, Opioid / metabolism*
  • Analgesics, Opioid / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Carboxypeptidases / metabolism
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Injections, Spinal
  • Muscle Contraction / drug effects
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology
  • Nerve Fibers / drug effects
  • Nerve Fibers / metabolism
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Nociceptors / drug effects
  • Nociceptors / metabolism*
  • Oligopeptides / metabolism*
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • Pain / drug therapy
  • Pain / metabolism*
  • Pain / physiopathology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / drug effects
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / metabolism
  • Reflex / drug effects
  • Reflex / physiology*
  • Spinal Cord / drug effects
  • Spinal Cord / metabolism*
  • Synaptic Transmission / drug effects
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Oligopeptides
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu
  • endomorphin 1
  • endomorphin 2
  • Carboxypeptidases