title: Pinacidil potentiates morphine analgesia.
abstract: The opening of K+ channels in the membrane of target neurons is a key mechanism of the effect of opioids. Here we show that the K+ channel opener, pinacidil, i.c.v. injected at doses of 50, 100 or 150 micrograms/rat, significantly increases and prolongs the effect of morphine on the thermal pain threshold (hot-plate and tail-flick tests). These data may suggest a novel approach to the management of pain.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology, University of Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Vergoni
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scarano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bertolini
mesh_terms: D000698:Analgesia; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006146:Guanidines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D020110:Pinacidil; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D006146:Guanidines; D015221:Potassium Channels; D009020:Morphine; D020110:Pinacidil