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PubMed1979

The specificity of antimorphine and antimeperidine antibodies and their reactivity with opioid peptides.

The specificity of antimorphine and antimeperidine antisera was measured by competitive displacement of immunizing radiolabeled haptens. Antimorphine antisera demonstrated a high degree of specificity for a conformation of the phenylpiperidine moiety contained within the structures of morphine and its congeners of the morphinan and benzomorphan series. Antimeperidine antisera demonstrated a high degree of specificity for a different conformation of the phenylpiperidine moiety represented within the structures of meperidine and its semisynthetic derivatives. The reactivity of methionine- and leucine-enkephalin, several synthetic enkephalin analogs, and alpha- and beta-endorphin with the antibodies was tested using purified immunoglobulin G in order to avoid serum-induced proteolysis. No significant cross-reactivity of antimorphine antibodies with any of the opioid peptides was detected. All of the opioid peptides tested exhibited weak but immunologically specific cross-reactivity with antimeperidine antibodies. These findings suggest that conformations analogous to the phenylpiperidine moiety in morphine as have been proposed for [Tyr1] in opioid peptides do not appear to be present as measured by immunochemical methods. A conformation with weak stereochemical similarity to the phenylpeperidine moiety in meperidine does appear to be present. The possible homologies between [Phe4] of opioid peptides, meperidine and hydrophobic side chains of certain oripavine derivatives are discussed.

Antibody Specificity↗
PubMed1979

Analgesic action of cyclazocine: blocking nociceptive responses induced by intra-arterial bradykinin-injection and tooth pulp stimulation.

Cyclazocine, a benzomorphan derivative, suppressed the flexor reflex of the hind-limb of intact rats induced by intra-arterial injection of bradykinin, a potent pain-producing substance, in a dose-dependent manner, without remarkable influence on motor performance. This suppressive effect was antagonized by naloxone, a specific opiate antagonist. The ED50 values for cyclazocine were 0.054 mg/kg s.c., 5.6 mg/kg p.o., and 1/27, 1/11 of those for pentazocine by the respective routes of administration. In spinal rats, however, the inhibitory effect of cyclazocine and pentazocine on the bradykinin-induced flexor reflex was markedly reduced. Furthermore, cyclazocine as well as pentazocine selectively inhibited the EEG arousal response induced by electrical stimulation of the tooth pulp, which elicits the single sensation of pain. These results indicate that cyclazocine in doses used had a specific analgesic action, and that the main site of action probably is in the supra-spinal structures, such as seen in the case of pentazocine.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Stereoisomers of [3H]-N-allylnormetazocine bind to different sites in mouse brain.

(+)- and (-)-[3H]-N-allylnormetazocine (NANM) were synthesized and evaluated for binding to mouse brain membranes. Scatchard analysis of the saturable binding of (-)-[3H]NANM suggested a single class of binding sites with an apparent KD of 2.1 nM and an estimated maximum binding of 197 fmol/mg of protein. Increasing the concentration of Na+, K+, Mn++ or Ca++ decreased (-)-[3H]NANM specific binding. (-)-[3H]NANM apparently binds to the mu opiate receptor in that (-)-isomers, but not the (+)-isomers, of N-cis-3-chloroallylnormetazocine, N-propynylnormetazocine, pentazocine, cyclazocine, naloxone, phenazocine and morphine competed for binding. (-)-Isomers of ethylketocyclazocine, ketocyclazocine and NIH 9101 also displaced (-)-[3H]NANM binding which suggested kappa activity in addition to mu activity. Phencyclidine and its analogs did not bind to the (-)-[3H]NANM site. Scatchard analysis of saturable binding of (+)-[3H]NANM also revealed a homogeneous population of binding sites with apparent KD of 12 nM and an estimated maximum binding of 360 fmol/mg of protein. This binding site was unaffected by increasing concentrations of Na+ and K+, but binding was decreased by high concentrations of Mn++ and Ca++. The (+)-isomers of the benzomorphans N-cis-3-chloroallylnormetazocine, phenazocine, pentazocine and cyclazocine effectively displaced (+)-[3H]NANM binding. In addition, the (+)-isomers of ketocyclazocine and ethylketocyclazocine, as well as dextrorphan, a (+)-morphinan, bind to the (+)-[3H]NANM site. The (-)-isomers of mu agonist/antagonists and kappa agonists competed poorly, or not at all, for the (+)-[3H]NANM site whereas phencyclidine and related compounds exhibited a low affinity for this site.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Specific, high affinity [3H]ethylketocyclazocine binding in rat central nervous system: lack of evidence for kappa receptors.

The binding properties and distribution of the tritiated benzomorphan, [3H]ethylketocyclazocine, were studied in rat central nervous system (CNS). Specific binding is saturable and represents 75 to 90% of total binding. Scatchard analysis is consistent with the existence of two classes of binding sites with Kd values of 0.5 and 10.5 nM, respectively. Ethylketocyclazocine binding is increased in the presence of sodium chloride. This characteristic resembles that of opiate antagonists rather than that of other agonists. The distribution of ligands. The IC50 values of various opioid agonists and antagonists for competition with [3H]ethylketocyclazocine correlate well with their IC50 values for competition with [3H]naloxone. This evidence does not lend support to the existence of a separate kappa receptor in rat CNS.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Reinforcing properties of stereoisomers of the putative sigma agonists N-allylnormetazocine and cyclazocine in rhesus monkeys.

There are many similarities in the effects of phencyclidine (PCP) and opioids with sigma agonist activity such as N-allylnormetazocine (SKF-10,047) and cyclazocine. Yet PCP and sigma agonists differ in reinforcing properties. PCP is reliably self-administered in animal models and has abuse liability in humans, whereas (+/-)-N-allylnormetazocine and (+/-)-cyclazocine are not self-administered or abused. Inasmuch as other research has demonstrated differences in the selectivity of PCP-like effects of the stereoisomers of opioids, this study compared the reinforcing properties of PCP to the reinforcing properties of isomers of N-allylnormetazocine and cyclazocine. Rhesus monkeys were trained to lever-press on a fixed-ratio 10 schedule for i.v. cocaine (50 micrograms/kg/injection). During substitution tests, cocaine was replaced with various doses of test drugs or vehicle. The drugs tested were PCP, (+/-)-N-allylnormetazocine, (-)-N-allylnormetazocine, (+)-N-allylnormetazocine, (+/-)-cyclazocine, (-)-cyclazocine and (+)-cyclazocine. PCP and the (+)-isomers of both benzomorphans, at one or more doses, were self-administered at rates which exceeded rates maintained by vehicle and which equaled or exceeded cocaine-maintained base-line rates. Neither the racemates nor the (-)-isomers of N-allylnormetazocine or cyclazocine were self-administered by the monkeys at rates which were greater than vehicle control levels of responding. Reinforcing doses of the three compounds resulted in injections evenly distributed across the 60-min session in a pattern similar to cocaine self-administration, whereas the racemic mixtures and the (-)-isomers produced negatively accelerated patterns of injections which resembled typical saline patterns of extinction responding. These data provide further evidence that the (+)-isomers of sigma agonists are more selective for PCP-like effects than the (-)-isomers in monkeys.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Multiple opiate binding sites in the central nervous system of the rabbit. Large predominance of a mu subtype in the cerebellum and characterization of a kappa subtype in the thalamus.

We have compared the binding characteristics of [3H]etorphine, a nonselective mu-, delta-, and kappa-opiate agonist, with those of [3H]Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-MePhe-NH(CH2)2OH ([3H]DAGO), a selective mu-agonist, in rabbit cerebellar and thalamic membranes. We have also examined the ability of various unlabeled opioid ligands to compete with the binding of [3H]etorphine in the two preparations. In cerebellar membranes, [3H]DAGO(Kd = 0.7 nM) labels slightly fewer sites than does [3H]etorphine (Kd = 0.06 nM): 0.18 versus 0.24 pmole/mg of protein. In addition, competition studies indicate that up to 75% of the [3H]etorphine binding sites in this preparation display (a) high apparent affinity for unlabeled DAGO and (b) higher apparent affinity for morphine, the prototypical mu-agonist, than for Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-D-Leu (DADL), a delta-agonist. Together, these results suggest that the rabbit cerebellum contains a very high proportion (0.7-0.8) of mu-opiate binding sites. In thalamic membranes, [3H]DAGO (Kd = 1.1 nM) labels considerably fewer sites than does [3H]etorphine (Kd = 0.08 nM): 0.09 versus 0.27 pmole/mg of protein. In this preparation, the competition curves of DAGO and of DADL resolve binding of [3H]etorphine into two components. The first component accounts for 40-50% of total binding and reflects the interaction of [3H]etorphine with mu-opiate binding sites. The second component (up to 50% of total binding) is unaffected in the presence of DADL at concentrations (1-10 microM) that rule out binding of [3H]etorphine to mu- and delta-opiate binding sites. It disappears readily in the presence of very low concentrations (Ki less than 1 nM) of benzomorphan opiates (bremazocine, cyclazocine, and ethylketocyclazocine) yet it is relatively insensitive to inhibition by mu- and delta-agonists. This second component may therefore reflect [3H]etorphine's interaction with a kappa-opiate binding site. The kappa-opiate binding site is assayed for as that site which binds [3H]etorphine (0.5 nM) in the presence of either DADL (2 microM) or 10 microM of another enkephalin: Tyr-D-Ser-Gly-Phe-Leu-Thr. We find that, in the rabbit central nervous system, the thalamus, followed by frontal cortex and caudate nucleus, shows the highest content of kappa-opiate binding sites.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Structure-activity relationship studies of phencyclidine derivatives in rats.

Phencyclidine (PCP), a semirigid molecule containing a cyclohexane ring with vicinally attached aromatic and piperidine rings, produces characteristic discriminative stimulus properties and pupillary miosis in rats. The effectiveness of a series of aromatic and nitrogen substituted analogs of PCP in producing PCP-like discriminative stimuli and changes in pupil diameter was determined in rats trained to discriminate between saline and 3.0 mg/kg of PCP. Dexoxadrol and its optical isomer levoxadrol were also evaluated for purposes of comparison. Analogs in which the electron-density of the aromatic ring was increased (3NH2-PCP) or only slightly reduced (3F-PCP) retained PCP-like activity. A loss of PCP-like activity occurred with analogs in which the electron-density of the aromatic ring was greatly reduced (3NO2-PCP) or extended to a larger system (1NCP and 2NCP). PCP-like activity also was abolished in analogs in which the distance between the aromatic ring and the remainder of the molecule was systematically increased by one, two or three methylene units. In contrast, substitutions on the nitrogen atom altered the potency, but not the efficacy, of such analogs. Dexoxadrol produced PCP-like activity whereas its optical enantiomer levoxadrol was devoid of such activity. These findings suggest a drug receptor surface with multiple domains or subsites which recognize regions of structural overlap among the phencyclidines, dioxolanes and psychotomimetic benzomorphan derivatives.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Many agents that antagonize the NMDA receptor-channel complex in vivo also cause disturbances of motor coordination.

Antagonists of the NMDA receptor-channel complex may be useful for the treatment of thrombotic stroke, head injury and epilepsy. Their clinical use, however, could be limited by the incidence of side effects such as ataxia. I have therefore investigated the relationship between functional antagonism of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-channel complex in vivo and disturbances of motor coordination. Antagonism of the NMDA receptor-channel complex was assessed by measuring a compounds ability to inhibit NMDA-induced lethality in mice, disturbances of motor coordination were measured by the rotarod technique. NMDA dose-dependently induced convulsions and ultimately caused death in mice (LD50 = 137 +/- 4 mg/kg i.p.). Noncompetitive NMDA antagonists of either an arylcyclohexylamine (phencyclidine, (+)/(-)-MK-801 [10-11-dihydro-5-methyl-5H-dibenzo[a,d] cyclohepten-5,10-imine hydrogen maleate] and ketamine) or a benzomorphan (dextrorphan and N-allylnormetazocine) structure, competitive antagonists (CGP 37849 [(R,S)-(E)-2-amino-4-methyl-5-phosphono-3-pentenoic acid monohydrate] and CGP 39551 [(R,S)-(E)-2-amino-4-methyl-5-phosphono-3-pentenoic acid 1-ethyl ester]) or a glycine site antagonist (L-687,414 [(3R,4R)-3-amino-4-methyl-1-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-2-one-(-)-tartrate salt]) inhibited NMDA-induced lethality after s.c. administration. These compounds also interfered with motor coordination. There was an excellent correlation (r = 0.97) between the two effects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Regulation of [3H]dopamine release from rat striatal slices by sigma receptor ligands.

Sigma receptors have been located in several areas of the brain that control motor function, including on the dopaminergic projections from substantia nigra to striatum. In the current study, the regulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate-stimulated [3H]dopamine release from slices of rat striatum by several sigma ligands has been tested. Both isomers of the benzomorphans SKF10,047 and pentazocine inhibited the stimulated release of dopamine in a concentration-related manner. All these compounds probably activate sigma and non-sigma receptors, including phencyclidine receptors, over the broad concentration ranges tested. However, concentrations of (+)pentazocine below about 100 nM appear to act solely through sigma receptors. This phase of inhibition was reversed by the sigma antagonist N-[-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-N-methyl-2-[1- pyrimidinyl-1-piperazine butanol and by the sigma1-selective antagonist (1-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-2'4"-fluorophenyl)-(2'-oxoethyl)piperi din e HBr. Neither of these antagonists affected stimulated release in the absence of (+)pentazocine. The synthetic sigma ligands 2-(4-morpholino)ethyl 1-phenylcyclohexane-1-carboxylate hydrochloride, 6-[6-(4-hydroxypiperidinyl)-hexoxy]-3-methylflavone hydrochloride and alpha-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(5-fluoro-2-pyrimidinyl)-1- piperazine butanol enhanced NMDA-stimulated DA release significantly in the presence of (+)pentazocine. These drugs have affinity at non-sigma receptors as well, and their stimulatory effects may be mediated through these receptors along with nonreceptor mechanisms. Our findings on the regulation of dopamine support earlier assertions that sigma receptors may be important in the regulation of motor function.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Diarrhea associated with intestinal inflammation increases the potency of mu and delta opioids on the inhibition of gastrointestinal transit in mice.

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of intestinal inflammation induced by croton oil on the antitransit action of systemically administered receptor-specific opioids. Our hypothesis was that inflammation would "sensitize" opioid receptors in peripheral and/or central terminals of myenteric and submucous plexus neurons and enhance the effects of exogenously administered opioids. Diarrhea was induced by p.o. administration of croton oil and was demonstrated by weight loss and increased gastrointestinal transit. Histologically, an increased number of clear vesicles in the cytoplasm of jejunal epithelial cells and enlarged spaces filled with fine granular material in the extravascular compartment were observed. Subcutaneous morphine and fentanyl produced dose-related inhibitions of gastrointestinal transit in saline-treated controls with ED50 values of 1.24 +/- 0.06 and 0.036 +/- 0.010 mg/kg, respectively. In animals with diarrhea, dose-response curves were parallel and shifted to the left with a significant decrease in ED50 values of 2.95 times for morphine and 1.89 for fentanyl. The effects of the delta agonist Tyr-D-Pen-Gly-Phe-D-Pen, but those of U50,488H [trans-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolydynil)cyclohexyl) benzeneazetamine] also were increased significantly during diarrhea associated with inflammation. Naloxone (0.1 mg/kg), MR-2266 [(-)-a-5,9-diethyl-2'-hydroxy-2-(3-furylmethyl)-6,7-benzomorphan] (3 mg/kg) and naltrindole (1 mg/kg) antagonized the effects of the receptor-specific opioid agonists used in the study. Our results show that the potency of s.c. mu and delta opioids is increased during inflammation of the gut and that the effect is mediated by the same type of opioid receptors present in the noninflamed tissue. These results support the view that a sensitization of opioid receptors occurs during acute inflammation of the gut.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

[Physiological function of sigma receptors: central pharmacological effects of sigma ligands].

N-allylnormetazocine (SKF-10047) and related benzomorphans induce psychotomimetic effects in animals and humans, and bind a unique, non-opioid receptor, denoted the sigma site. Sigma receptors have been found in the cortical and limbic structures in human postmortem brain: their anatomical distribution is different from phencyclidine (PCP) sites. Sigma receptors regulate not only dopamine, excitatory amino acid and PCP receptors, but also interact neuropeptides. Endogenous sigma ligands are not yet determined. Isolation and cloning of the receptor genes have not yet been successful. Selective loss of cerebral cortical sigma, but not PCP binding sites, has been observed in schizophrenia. A more compelling role for sigma sites in schizophrenia is indicated by the high affinity of some neuroleptic drugs, including haloperidol, for sigma sites. Rimcazole, a weak but selective sigma ligand, has very good clinical efficacy as a neuroleptic agent and has few side effects. Thus, sigma ligands may be useful in the treatment of schizophrenia. The present review describes properties of sigma receptors and its roles in relation to sigma ligands in the regulation of the central nervous system on the basis of the results of more recent studies.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1994

Prejunctional modulation of sensory-motor nerve-mediated vasodilatation of the rat mesenteric arterial bed by opioid peptides.

In the rat isolated mesenteric arterial bed, perivascular nerve stimulation in the presence of guanethidine (5 microM) and methoxamine (30-50 microM), elicited frequency-dependent vasodilatation due to activation of sensory-motor nerves. The present study examined the modulation of this sensory-motor activity by opioid peptides. The mu-selective opioid agonist [D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO) inhibited vasodilator responses to sensory-motor nerve stimulation. The native enkephalins [Met5]enkephalin (mENK) and [Leu5]enkephalin (IENK) were less potent, whereas the delta-selective agonist DPDPE was without effect. Naloxone (30 nM) reversed the inhibitory effects of both DAMGO and mENK. The delta opioid antagonist ICI 174864 (0.1 microM) had no effect on the inhibition by mENK. Inhibitory effects of the kappa opioid-selective agonist 3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexyl]-methanesulfonate hydrate (U-50,488H) on sensory-motor nerve-induced vasodilatation were unaffected by naloxone (0.3 microM) or by the kappa opioid receptor-selective antagonist (-)-5,9 alpha-diethyl-2-(3-furylmethyl)-2'-hydroxy-6,7-benzomorphane (MR 2266). Neither DAMGO nor mENK inhibited vasodilator responses to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), the principle vasodilator transmitter released from sensory-motor nerves in the rat mesenteric arterial bed or to the sensory neurotoxin capsaicin. In mesenteric beds from reserpine-treated rats (to abolish the catecholamine, but not opioid, content of sympathetic nerves) naloxone facilitated sensory-motor nerve-mediated vasodilatation. These results suggest that sensory-motor neurotransmission in the rat mesenteric arterial bed is inhibited by prejunctional mu, but not by delta or kappa opioid receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Structure-activity relationship of synthetic and semisynthetic opioid agonists and antagonists].

This account presents the chemical structure-pharmacological activity relationships of semi-synthetic morphine and synthetic morphinan and benzomorphan derivatives. Substitution of nitrogen confers the analgesic or morphine antagonist activity. Opiate receptor selectivity of these compounds is also discussed. The importance of morphine agonists, and antagonists is mentioned with particular reference to the opiate receptor mapping.

Molecular Structure↗
PubMed1993

[3H]BIMU-1, a 5-hydroxytryptamine3 receptor ligand in NG-108 cells, selectively labels sigma-2 binding sites in guinea pig hippocampus.

The binding of [3H]endo-N-(8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1.]oct-3-yl)- 2,3-dihydro-3-ethyl-2-oxo-1H-benzimidazole-1-carboxamide hydrochloride ([3H]BIMU-1) a benzimidazolone with high affinity for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)3 and 4 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors, was characterized in NG-108 cells and guinea pig hippocampus. Specific, heat-sensitive, binding of [3H]BIMU-1 was detected in both NG-108 cells and guinea pig hippocampus. In NG-108 cell membranes, a portion of the specific binding was displaced by 5-HT3 receptor ligands with affinities and specificity consistent with the labeling of 5-HT3 receptors. The residual specific binding was insensitive to serotonin (Ki > 1 mM) but was displaced by haloperidol (Ki of 50 nM). In guinea pig hippocampal membranes [3H]BIMU-1 binding was insensitive to serotonin but was displaced by haloperidol, and 1,3-di-o-tolyl-guanidine with affinities appropriate for the labeling of a sigma binding site (Ki of 6.3 and 31 nM, respectively). The affinity profile of ligands displacing [3H] BIMU-1 binding in guinea pig hippocampus was consistent with the selective labeling of a sigma-2 binding site because the sigma-1 selective benzomorphans, (+)-pentazocine and (+)-N-allylnormetazocine, only weakly displaced the binding (Ki greater than 1 microM). The affinity of BIMU-1 for sigma-2 binding sites (Ki = 32 nM) was 200-fold greater than that for sigma-1 binding sites (Ki = 6.3 microM), dopamine (D1 and D2), other serotonin (5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C) and muscarinic (M1, M2, M3 and M4) receptors (Ki > 10 microM). The distribution of haloperidol-sensitive [3H]BIMU-1 binding was also consistent with the labeling of sigma-2 binding sites. These data suggest that [3H]BIMU-1 selectively labels sigma-2 binding sites in guinea pig hippocampus. [3H]BIMU-1, under appropriate experimental conditions, is thus the first sigma-2 binding site radioligand to be characterized.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

New sigma-like receptor recognized by novel phenylaminotetralins: ligand binding and functional studies.

Several novel phenylaminotetralins (PATs) cause functional changes in brain that are associated with binding to saturable, high affinity sites that are not identical to any known central nervous system receptor. These PATs were tested for their ability to cause receptor-mediated functional effects on tyrosine hydroxylase activity in corpus striatum from rat and guinea pig brain. (+/-)-(trans)-1-Phenyl-3-dimethylamino-6-chloro-7-hydroxy-1,2,3,4- tetrahydronaphthalene (CI, OH-PAT) increased tyrosine hydroxylase activity (by approximately 30-40%) at 0.1 microM. Higher concentrations inhibited enzyme activity by indirect mechanisms that may include displacement of intraneuronal dopamine. The 6,7-unsubstituted congener (+/-)-(trans)-1-phenyl-3-dimethylamino-1,2,3,4- tetrahydronaphthalene stimulated tyrosine hydroxylase by as much as 50-60% over basal activity, without displacement of dopamine. Similarly to certain (+)-benzomorphan sigma receptor ligands, the effects of both PATs to activate tyrosine hydroxylase were blocked competitively by the putative sigma antagonist BMY-14802. Radiolabeled [3H]CI,OH-PAT bound saturably and with high affinity to guinea pig brain membranes (Kd = 31 pm, Bmax = 6.5 fmol/mg of protein). The pharmacological profile of these binding sites was inconsistent with those of known sigma 1, sigma 2, dopaminergic, serotonergic, adrenergic, opioid, N-methyl-D-aspartate, or several other characterized central nervous system recognition sites. Together, these data suggest that these PATs may be agonists at a novel sigma-like site that has neuromodulatory activity that results in increases of brain catecholamine synthesis via activation of tyrosine hydroxylase.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Effects of kappa opioids on cocaine self-administration by rhesus monkeys.

Kappa opioid agonists attenuate some neurochemical and behavioral effects of cocaine and are being considered as potential treatments for cocaine dependence. The present study examined the effects of two kappa opioid agonists, the benzomorphan ethylketocyclazocine (EKC) and the arylacetamide U50,488, on cocaine self-administration in rhesus monkeys. Monkeys responded for 0.032 mg/kg/injection cocaine (i.v.) and 1 g banana-flavored food pellets during alternating daily sessions of cocaine and food availability. Chronic treatment for 10 consecutive days with EKC (0.0032-0.032 mg/kg/hr) or U50,488 (0.032-0.1 mg/kg/hr) dose-dependently decreased self-administration of cocaine unit doses at the peak of the cocaine dose-effect curve (0.01 and 0.032 mg/kg/injection). These decreases in cocaine self-administration were often sustained throughout the 10 days of treatment. Doses of EKC and U50,488 that decreased cocaine self-administration usually decreased food-maintained responding as well. In addition, EKC and U50,488 often produced emesis and sedation during the first few days of treatment, although tolerance appeared to develop rapidly to these effects. In general, EKC produced fewer undesirable effects than U50,488 at doses that decreased cocaine self-administration. The kappa antagonist norbinaltorphimine (3.2 mg/kg) did not affect responding maintained by cocaine or food. However, both norbinaltorphimine (3.2 mg/kg) and the opioid antagonist naloxone (1.0 mg/kg/hr) blocked the effects of EKC and U50,488. These results indicate that chronic administration of EKC and U50,588 produce a dose-dependent, kappa receptor-mediated and often sustained decrease in cocaine self-administration. However, these kappa agonists also produce undesirable behavioral effects that may complicate their use as treatments for cocaine dependence.

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cycloh↗
PubMed1998

Effects of kappa opioid agonists on cocaine- and food-maintained responding by rhesus monkeys.

There is accumulating evidence that kappa opioid agonists attenuate cocaine's behavioral effects, and we recently reported that the kappa opioid agonists ethylketocyclazocine (EKC) and U50-488 decreased cocaine self-administration by rhesus monkeys. In the present study, we first examined the effects of acute intramuscular administration of six kappa opioid agonists on responding maintained by food under an FR30 schedule. Each kappa agonist produced dose-dependent decreases in schedule controlled behavior, and the relative potencies were enadoline >/= bremazocine > Mr2033 >/= cyclazocine = spiradoline > PD117302. We then studied the effects of chronic administration of these kappa agonists in monkeys responding under a second order schedule of food delivery and cocaine self-administration. The effects of 10 days of intravenous treatment with three arylacetamides [enadoline (0.00032-0.0032 mg/kg/hr), (-) spiradoline (0.0032-0.018 mg/kg/hr), PD117302 (0.032-0.32 mg/kg/hr)] and three benzomorphans [bremazocine (0.00032-0.0032 mg/kg/hr), Mr2033 (0.0032-0.032 mg/kg/hr), cyclazocine (0.001-0.10 mg/kg/hr)] were compared with saline treatment. Enadoline (0.001 and 0.0032 mg/kg/hr), bremazocine (0.0032 mg/kg/hr) and Mr2033 (0.01 and 0.0032 mg/kg/hr) significantly decreased cocaine self-administration (0.01 mg/kg/injection) (P < .05-.01). Cyclazocine (0.001-0.10 mg/kg/hr), (-) spiradoline (0.0032-0.018 mg/kg/hr) and PD117302 (0.032-0.32 mg/kg/hr) had no significant effects on cocaine self-administration across the dose-range studied. When gradually increasing doses of enadoline (0.00032-0.01 mg/kg/hr) or Mr2033 (0.0032-0.032 mg/kg/hr) were administered over 28 consecutive days, cocaine self-administration was dose-dependently decreased in all monkeys. Food-maintained responding was usually decreased at doses that decreased cocaine self-administration. Adverse side effects (emesis and sedation) were transient, and laboratory indices of hematology and blood chemistry were normal throughout chronic enadoline and Mr2033 treatment. These data extend our earlier findings with EKC and U50,488 and suggest that kappa opioid agonists may be a useful approach to the development of new pharmacological treatments for cocaine dependence. The extent to which undesirable side effects may limit their clinical usefulness remains to be determined.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Opioid efficacy in a C6 glioma cell line stably expressing the human kappa opioid receptor.

A C6 glioma cell line stably transfected with the human kappa opioid receptor (kappaOR) was used to characterize receptor binding and G protein activation via the kappaOR by a comprehensive series of opioid ligands. The ligand-binding affinity for [3H]5alpha,7alpha, 8beta(-)-N-methyl-N-(7-Cl-pyrrolidinyl)-1-oxaspiro(4, 5)dec-8-yl)benzene acetamide (U69593) was similar to that observed in monkey brain membranes and was 10-fold lower in the presence of sodium and GDP. Both peptide and nonpeptide agonists maximally stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS binding. The stimulation of [35S]GTPgammaS binding was blocked by pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin. Partial stimulation of [35S]GTPgammaS binding via the kappaOR was observed for several ligands that are antagonists at the mu opioid receptor, suggesting an additional mechanism of drug action. The ability of isomers of tifluadom and levallorphan to stimulate [35S]GTPgammaS binding indicates that the chiral carbon of levallorphan, a benzomorphan derivative, imparts a greater degree of stereoselectivity than does the chiral carbon in the benzodiazepine derivative tifluadom. In addition, (-)tifluadom, the less potent isomer of tifluadom, which is also a gamma-aminobutyric acidA receptor agonist, stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS binding. In contrast, d-pentazocine, (+)SKF10047, (+)cyclazocine, and d-ethylketocyclazocine displayed no agonist activity. kappaOR-selective antagonist norbinaltorphimine competitively inhibited the stimulation of [35S]GTPgammaS binding by the active isomers of ethylketocyclazocine, cyclazocine, and nalorphine to the same degree, indicating that all three ligands are eliciting an effect via the kappaOR. The results suggest that these cells express a homogeneous population of kappaOR, and that their [35S]GTPgammaS-binding properties make them an excellent means to assess kappaOR efficacy.

Analgesics, Opioid↗