Naloxone exacerbates hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in the neonatal rat.
Recent reports suggest that naloxone, an opiate antagonist, may adversely affect the asphyxiated fetus. We found that naloxone exacerbated hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in the 7-day-old rat subjected to unilateral common carotid artery ligation and hypoxia. Moreover, there was no amelioration of systemic acidosis or brain edema in naloxone-treated animals compared to animals treated with saline solution. High doses of naloxone may reduce the resistance of the fetus to hypoxic stress.
D000818:Animals; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009270:Naloxone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology
D009270:Naloxone; D012965:Sodium Chloride