Endogenous opioids may protect the perinatal brain in hypoxia.
Endogenous opioids are released in great amounts in perinatal asphyxia. The role of this release has been unclear. In a study of cerebral blood flow and oxygen metabolism in 5 hypoxic newborn lambs, naloxone blocking of opioid receptors resulted in a proportional increase in telencephalic cerebral blood flow and oxygen metabolism. It is suggested that endogenous opioid release protects the neonatal brain in hypoxia by diminishing the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen.
Lou
H C
HC
Department of Anesthesia, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, Canada.
Tweed
W A
WA
Davis
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004723:Endorphins / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005311:Fetal Hypoxia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep
D004723:Endorphins; D009270:Naloxone