title: Human studies on the mu opiate receptor agonist fentanyl: neuroendocrine and behavioral responses.
abstract: The neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to the potent mu opiate receptor agonist Fentanyl (FE) have been systematically investigated in healthy male volunteers. These volunteers received, according to a randomized block design, different doses of FE: 0.1 mg/70 kg (n = 11), 0.2 mg/70 kg (n = 11), 0.25 mg/70 kg (n = 8), and saline (n = 11). FE induced a pronounced dose-dependent increase of plasma prolactin concentrations, which was significant at the lowest dose. In contrast, growth hormone was significantly stimulated by the highest FE dose only. Moreover, FE induced a maximum reduction of plasma cortisol concentrations at the lowest dose (0.1 mg/70 kg). In parallel, marked euphoric responses were also observed at this lowest FE dose. These results suggest a mu specific influence on all neuroendocrine and behavioral parameters investigated. Different responses of these parameters to different doses of FE, however, suggest a differential modulation of these parameters by the mu receptor agonist FE.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Hospital, University of Munich, F.R.G.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hoehe
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Duka
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Doenicke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000187:drug effects*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D011897:Random Allocation; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000187:drug effects*; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu; D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D005283:Fentanyl; D006854:Hydrocortisone