Analgesic effect of morphine: a role for beta-endorphin.
Capsaicin, a neurotoxic agent that induces a decrease in hypothalamic beta-endorphin, a specific antiserum and human beta-endorphin fragment 6 31, a peptidergic beta-endorphin antagonist have been used in the attempt of selectively affecting the function of beta-endorphinergic system and of evaluating the possible role of this peptide in the analgesic effect of morphine. All 3 experimental approaches resulted in a decrease of the analgesia induced by morphine, thus suggesting that beta-endorphin is involved in the effect of morphine.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002211:Capsaicin; D004723:Endorphins / Q000502:physiology*; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D001615:beta-Endorphin
D004723:Endorphins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D009020:Morphine; D002211:Capsaicin