A comparison of the effects of morphine, enkephalin, kyotorphin and D-phenylalanine on rat central neurones

Br J Pharmacol. 1983 May;79(1):305-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1983.tb10525.x.

Abstract

1 Morphine, Met-enkephalin, kyotorphin and D-phenylalanine have been applied by microiontophoresis to neurones in the globus pallidus and cerebral cortex of rats anaesthetized with urethane. 2 In the pallidum, most cells were inhibited by all the agonists, with a high correspondence between cells inhibited by Met-enkephalin and D-phenylalanine and by Met-enkephalin and kyotorphin. Whereas responses to Met-enkephalin were readily antagonized by naloxone, responses to kyotorphin and D-phenylalanine were not. 3 In the cerebral cortex a high proportion of cells was excited by all four agonists and antagonism by naloxone was less consistent than in pallidum. 4 It is concluded that the naloxone-reversible analgesic effects of kyotorphin and D-phenylalanine may be mediated indirectly, rather through an activation of opiate receptors.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Cerebral Cortex / drug effects
  • Endorphins / pharmacology*
  • Enkephalin, Methionine / pharmacology*
  • Globus Pallidus / drug effects
  • Iontophoresis
  • Male
  • Morphine / pharmacology*
  • Naloxone / pharmacology
  • Neurons / drug effects*
  • Phenylalanine / pharmacology*
  • Rats

Substances

  • Endorphins
  • kyotorphin
  • Naloxone
  • Phenylalanine
  • Enkephalin, Methionine
  • Morphine