Plasma adrenocorticotropin responses to opioid blockade with naloxone: generating a dose-response curve in a single session.
We examined two methods of generating a dose-response curve to the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone. In 15 healthy male subjects (18-25 years) plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) responses to five doses of naloxone studied over 5 separate days were compared to plasma ACTH responses to five incremental doses of naloxone studied within a single session. There was a statistically significant positive correlation in ACTH responses (area under the curve and peak) between dosing methods. Furthermore, the doses of naloxone that produced half-maximal and maximal ACTH response were similar. The comparability of ACTH responses between the two naloxone dosing techniques, combined with the safety and ease associated with the single-session methodology, underscores the usefulness of the single-session technique for future investigations.
Mangold
D
D
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
McCaul
M E
ME
Ali
M
M
Wand
G S
GS
D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009270:Naloxone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone