title: Buprenorphine reduces central sensitization after repetitive C-fiber stimulation in rats.
abstract: The partial micro-opioid receptor agonist buprenorphine produces antinociception through mechanisms different from those of classical opioids. In this study, we compared the effect of buprenorphine and morphine on C-fiber conditioning stimulation (CS)-induced facilitation of the flexor reflex, a model of central sensitization in decerebrate, spinalized unanesthetized rats. Intraperitoneal morphine and buprenorphine moderately depressed the baseline flexor reflex to a similar extent at doses of 1-2 and 0.03-0.1 mg/kg, respectively. Buprenorphine significantly reduced C-fiber CS-induced reflex facilitation whereas morphine at 1 or 2 mg/kg had no effect. Thus, some of the atypical antinociceptive effects of buprenorphine may be derived from its effect on central sensitization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Neurophysiology, Huddinge University Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Poli Francois
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Kouya
authors.forename: Xiao-Jun
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006181:H-Reflex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D036421:Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D002047:Buprenorphine