title: U-50,488 blocks the development of morphine tolerance and dependence at a very low dose in guinea pigs.
abstract: U-50,488, (trans-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl]- benzeneacetamide hydrochloride), is a selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist. In this study, we found that U-50,488 antagonized morphine-induced antinociception in morphine-naive guinea pigs at doses which did not have any antinociceptive effect by themselves (0.01-3 mg/kg). On the other hand, U-50,488 (3 mg/kg) partially restored morphine-induced antinociception in morphine-tolerant guinea pigs (8 mg/kg/day i.p. morphine HCl for 6 days). Furthermore, the development of tolerance to morphine antinociception was completely blocked by coadministration of U-50,488 at a very low dose (0.003 mg/kg i.p.) which neither exerted an antinociceptive effect by itself nor affected the antinociception induced by 8 mg/kg of morphine HCl. The withdrawal signs induced by 8 mg/kg (i.p.) naloxone HCl on the 7th day were also depressed by coadministration of 0.003 mg/kg U-50,488 with morphine HCl (8 mg/kg i.p.) every day for 7 days. These effects of U-50,488 could be applied to humans to prevent morphine tolerance and dependence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D019900:3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D020875:Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000494:pharmacology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009021:Morphine Dependence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000187:drug effects; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D011759:Pyrrolidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017473:Receptors, Opioid, kappa / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D004745:Enkephalins; D011759:Pyrrolidines; D017473:Receptors, Opioid, kappa; D020875:Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; D019900:3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; D009020:Morphine