Buprenorphine does not aggravate ischemic neuronal injury in experimental focal cerebral ischemia.
Buprenorphine has been increasingly used as maintenance therapy in opioid dependence as an alternative to methadone and other pharmacological therapies. However, available data suggest increased risk of cerebrovascular events in opioid-dependent patients. Therefore, an opioid that provides safety with regard to neurological function should be considered by opioid-dependent patients. The evidence for the in vitro neurotoxic effects of buprenorphine is rapidly increasing. In order to clarify whether buprenorphine is also neurotoxic under the condition of cerebral ischemia in vivo, we applied an acute dose of buprenorphine in a transient model of focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Our study provides preclinical evidence for the usage of buprenorphine during the postoperative period following ischemic events as well as for the maintenance therapy of opioid-dependent patients wherein the risk of cerebrovascular events is increased.
Yulug
Burak
B
University of Uludag Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Bursa 16059, Turkey. yulug@gmx.de
Cam
Ertugrul
E
Yildiz
Aysegul
A
Kilic
Ertugrul
E
D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar