Abstract
Buprenorphine is a mixed opioid agonist/antagonist analgesic. This study was designed to determine the role of opioid receptor subtypes, especially κ3 in buprenorphine-induced analgesia in mice. Buprenorphine, when injected systemically, revealed a potent analgesic effect by tailflick assay, with a biphasic dose-response curve, which was reversed by naloxone. The presence of analgesic cross-tolerance between buprenorphine and naloxone benzoylhydrazone (NalBzoH) and morphine indicated a role for κ3 and μ receptor subtype in buprenorphine analgesia. Additional studies with selective opioid antagonists indicated κ1 mechanisms of action. We did not detect any involvement of the 5 receptor subtype. Low doses of buprenorphine antagonized morphine analgesia, while high doses of buprenorphine coadministered with morphine elicited increasing analgesia in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that buprenorphine elicits analgesia through an interaction with κ3 receptors and to a lesser extent with κ1 as well as its activity as partial μ receptor agonist.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 41-46 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Brain Research |
Volume | 744 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2 Jan 1997 |
Keywords
- analgesia
- buprenorphine
- naloxone benzoylhydrazone
- opiate receptor (mixed agonist/antagonist)