Flunarizine analgesia is mediated by μ-opioid receptors

Ronit Weizman, Irena A. Pankova, Shaul Schreiber, Chaim G. Pick*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

We evaluated the opioid antinociceptive mechanism of the calcium channel blocker flunarizine. Flunarizine produced a dose-dependent analgesia in the hot plate test which was antagonized by general (naloxone) and μ [beta-fualtrexamine (β-FNA)]-opioid antagonists, indicating a role for μ receptors in flunarizine analgesia. Naltrindole (δ1 antagonist) did not affect flunarizine analgesia. A fixed subthreshold dose of flunarizine augmented μ (morphine) analgesia and blocked δ1, [enkephalin, [D-Pen2,5] (DPDPE)] analgesia. Apparently, flunarizine has μ agonistic activity and δ1, antagonist or mixed agonistic-antagonistic activity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1193-1195
Number of pages3
JournalPhysiology and Behavior
Volume62
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1997

Funding

FundersFunder number
Adams Super Center for Brain Studies,Tel Aviv University
Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University

    Keywords

    • Analgesia
    • Flunarizine
    • Opioid receptor subtypes

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Flunarizine analgesia is mediated by μ-opioid receptors'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this