u-50488 and quadazocine

By acting on peripheral opioid receptors, opioid agonists can attenuate nociceptive responses induced by a variety of agents.. This study was conducted to characterize capsaicin-induced thermal hyperalgesia in rats and to evaluate the hypothesis that local administration of either mu or kappa opioid agonists (fentanyl and U50,488, respectively) can attenuate capsaicin-induced nociception.. Capsaicin was administered s. c. in the tail of rats to evoke a nociceptive response, which was measured by the warm-water tail-withdrawal procedure. Either fentanyl or U50,488 was co-administered with capsaicin in the tail to evaluate local antinociceptive effects. In addition, the local antagonism study was performed to confirm the site of action of both opioid agonists.. Capsaicin (0.3-10 microg) dose dependently produced thermal hyperalgesia manifested as reduced tail-withdrawal latencies in 45 degrees C water. Co-administration of either fentanyl (0.32-3.2 microg) or U50,488 (10-100 microg) with capsaicin (3 microg) attenuated capsaicin-induced hyperalgesia in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, this local antinociception was antagonized by small doses (10-100 microg) of an opioid antagonist, quadazocine, applied s.c. in the tail. However, the locally effective doses of quadazocine, when applied s.c. in the back (i.e., around the scapular region), did not antagonize either fentanyl or U50,488.. In this experimental pain model, activation of peripheral mu or kappa opioid receptors can attenuate capsaicin-induced thermal hyperalgesia in rats. It supports the notion that peripheral antinociception can be achieved by local administration of analgesics into the injured tissue without producing central side effects.

Topics: 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; Analgesics, Opioid; Anesthesia, Local; Animals; Azocines; Capsaicin; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Fentanyl; Hot Temperature; Hyperalgesia; Injections, Subcutaneous; Male; Narcotic Antagonists; Pain; Pain Measurement; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, Opioid, kappa; Receptors, Opioid, mu

8-Methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide (capsaicin) was locally applied in the tail of rhesus monkeys to evoke a nociceptive response, thermal allodynia, which was manifested as reduced tail-withdrawal latencies in normally innocuous 46 degrees C water. Coadministration of three kappa opioid ligands, U50,488 (3.2-100 microgram), bremazocine (0.1-3.2 microgram), and dynorphin A(1-13) (3.2-100 microgram), with capsaicin in the tail dose-dependently inhibited capsaicin-induced allodynia. This local antinociception was antagonized by a small dose of an opioid antagonist, quadazocine; (0.32 mg), applied in the tail; however, this dose of quadazocine injected s.c. in the back did not antagonize local U50,488. Comparing the relative potency of either agonist or antagonist after local and systemic administration confirmed that the site of action of locally applied kappa opioid agonists is in the tail. In addition, local nor-binaltorphimine (0.32 mg) and oxilorphan (0.1-10 microgram) antagonist studies raised the possibility of kappa opioid receptor subtypes in the periphery, which indicated that U50,488 produced local antinociception by acting on kappa1 receptors, but bremazocine acted probably on non-kappa1 receptors. These results provide functional evidence that activation of peripheral kappa opioid receptors can diminish capsaicin-induced allodynia in primates. This experimental pain model is a useful tool for evaluating peripherally antinociceptive actions of kappa agonists without central side effects and suggests new approaches for opioid pain management.

Topics: 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Analgesics; Animals; Azocines; Benzomorphans; Capsaicin; Dynorphins; Female; Hot Temperature; Ligands; Macaca mulatta; Male; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Pain Measurement; Peptide Fragments; Receptors, Opioid, kappa

To explore the existence of multiplicity of kappa receptor in the heart, two series of experiments were performed. In the first we studied the antagonistic actions of nor-BNI, a selective kappa 1 antagonist, and quadazocine, a preferential kappa 2 antagonist, against the effects of U50488, a selective kappa 1 agonist, and bremazocine, a universal agonist preferentially binding to kappa 2 receptor, on the electrically stimulated [Ca2+]i transient and forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation in the rat ventricular myocyte. In the second series of experiments, we determined and compared the effects of above two kappa receptor agonists in the ventricular myocytes made insensitive to kappa 1 and kappa 2 agonists by prior exposure to the respective agonists. At the concentration range of 3 x 10(-6)-3 x 10(-5) M, both U50488 and bremazocine dose-dependently inhibited the [Ca2+]i transient induced by electrical stimulation. The inhibitory effects of U50488 and bremazocine were antagonized by nor-BNI and quadazocine. The antagonistic actions of nor-BNI were significantly greater against the effects of U50488, but smaller against the effects of bremazocine than those of quadazocine. At 1 x 10(-6)-5 x 10(-5) M, both U50488 and bremazocine dose-dependently and significantly inhibited the forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation. The inhibitory effect of 30 microM U50488 on cAMP accumulation was significantly attenuated by 5 microM nor-BNI, but not by quadazocine at the same concentration; whereas the effect of 30 microM bremazocine was significantly blocked by 5 microM quadazocine, but not by nor-BNI at the same concentration. The inhibitory effect of 30 microM U50488 on electrically stimulated [Ca2+]i was abolished by preincubation of myocytes with 10(-6) M U50488 for 24 h, but not with 10(-6) M bremazocine for h; whereas the inhibitory effect of 30 microM bremazocine on electrically stimulated [Ca2+]i transient was significantly attenuated after incubation of the myocyte with 10(-6) M bremazocine for 24 h, but not with 10(-6) M U50488 for 24 h. The observations indicate the existence of kappa receptor subtypes in the rat heart.

Topics: 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Animals; Azocines; Benzomorphans; Calcium; Cells, Cultured; Colforsin; Cyclic AMP; Drug Resistance; Electric Stimulation; Heart; Heart Ventricles; Male; Naltrexone; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Opioid, kappa

The antinociception of opiates is mediated through the activation of opioid receptors in several mid brain and brain stem areas. This paper reports that the forebrain area termed area tempestas (AT), first identified as a convulsant trigger area, is also a component of the endogenous pain suppression system. Unilateral AT application of DAMGO, morphine and U-50,488H in rats at doses in the nanogram range produced marked and dose-dependent increases in the latency to respond to nociceptive stimuli. A lower effect is found after application of DPDPE and DADLE. Antinociception is more evident in the hot plate than in the tail flick test. In the former test, the effect was restricted to the paws contralateral to the hemisphere of injection. Unilateral AT application of naltrexone (4 ng) reduced in the contralateral paws the antinociceptive effect that the bilateral AT application of morphine (20 ng/hemisphere) had induced in both body sides. Unilateral application of naltrexone, (20 ng) ICI 154, 129 (20 ng) and Win 44,441-3 (8 ng) antagonized the antinociceptive effect elicited by the systemic injection of morphine (2.5 mg/kg s), DPDPE (20 mg/kg s) and U-50,488H (20 mg/kg s), respectively. In the hot plate test, the antagonism was found in the paws ipsilateral and contralateral to the hemisphere of injection of the antagonists.

Topics: 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Animals; Anticonvulsants; Azocines; Bicuculline; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-; Enkephalin, Leucine-2-Alanine; Enkephalins; Escape Reaction; Foot; Hot Temperature; Male; Morphine; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Olfactory Pathways; Pain; Phenazocine; Pressure; Pyrrolidines; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Reaction Time; Receptors, Opioid; Seizures; Tail

The effects of cis-3,4 dichloro-N-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclo-hexyl-benzamide (U-54494A), an anticonvulsant related to kappa opioids, were studied in vitro on the extracellular electrical activity of the CA1 region of slices of hippocampus in the rat. The effects of U-54494A were compared to those of the kappa opioid agonist trans-3,4 dichloro-N-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclo-hexyl benzeneacetamide methane sulphonate (U-50488H). Both U-54494A and U-50488H, in concentrations of 50 and 100 microM, respectively, reduced the magnitude of the orthodromically evoked CA1 population spikes after electrical stimulation of the stratum radiatum (100-200 microA, 70 microseconds, 0.1 Hz). Naltrexone (25 microM), or the selective kappa opiate receptor antagonist, 1-cyclopenthyl-5-(1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydroxy-3,6,11-trimethyl-2 -6-methano-3- benzazocin)-3-pentatone methane sulphonate (WIN 44441-3) (25 microM), prevented the depressant activity of U-54494A (200 microM) on the CA1 population spikes. High calcium (+3mM) solutions prevented the depressant activity of increasing concentrations of both U-54494A and U-50488H on the amplitude of CA1 population spikes. Up to 200 microM, both drugs were ineffective in depressing the epileptiform bursting in CA1, due to 1 mM penicillin or to perfusion of the slice in absence of magnesium ions. The results demonstrate: (1) the inability of U-54494A to show antagonistic activity in two in vitro models of interictal epilepsy; (2) a depressant effect of U-54494A on basal synaptic transmission in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, which may be related to an influence on transneuronal calcium currents and which may be involved in the reported antagonism of ictal epileptic seizures by drugs.

Topics: 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Analgesics; Animals; Anticonvulsants; Azocines; Calcium; Cell Membrane; Depression, Chemical; Electric Stimulation; Female; Hippocampus; In Vitro Techniques; Membrane Potentials; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Neurons; Pyrrolidines; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Receptors, Opioid; Receptors, Opioid, kappa; Synapses; Synaptic Transmission

The response of convergent dorsal horn cells to tonic and phasic noxious heating and to noxious pinching was studied before and after topical application of a solution (30 nmol) of the kappa agonist U-50,488H to the dorsal surface of the spinal cord. U-50,488H depressed the discharge of convergent units evoked by thermal and mechanical nociceptive stimuli. The opiate antagonist WIN 44,441-3 reversed the effect of U-50,488H. It is concluded that kappa opioids are effective in preventing the depolarization of convergent dorsal horn neurons evoked by either thermal or non-thermal noxious stimuli.

Topics: 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Analgesics; Animals; Anterior Horn Cells; Azocines; Hot Temperature; Narcotic Antagonists; Nociceptors; Physical Stimulation; Pyrrolidines; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Receptors, Opioid; Receptors, Opioid, kappa; Synaptic Transmission

Endogenous opiates are believed to subserve various behaviors and physiological functions. We have examined the effect of U50488H (0-12 mg/kg), a kappa agonist, and WIN 44441-3 (0-4.0 mg/kg), a kappa antagonist, on ethanol (ET)-induced changes in rectal temperature and in plasma corticosterone (CS) levels in rats. The 12 mg/kg dose of U50488H produced marked hypothermia, the other doses either produced hyperthermia comparable to that seen in control animals, or had no effect. The 0.5 mg/kg of WIN44441-3 had a small hypothermic effect while the 4.0 mg/kg produced hyperthermia. U50488H potentiated and the low dose of WIN 44441-3 reversed the hypothermic effect of ethanol. By contrast, neither WIN 44441-3 nor U50488H pretreatments affected the ethanol-induced elevation in plasma CS. These results indicate that kappa agonists increase plasma CS concentration and affect thermoregulatory mechanisms. Furthermore, our data indicate a possible role of endogenous kappa opioids in the hypothermic effect of ethanol, but not in the elevation of plasma CS.

Topics: 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Animals; Azocines; Body Temperature; Chromatography, Gas; Corticosterone; Ethanol; Male; Pyrrolidines; Radioimmunoassay; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Receptors, Opioid; Receptors, Opioid, kappa; Time Factors

The effects of U50488H, a kappa agonist, and WIN 44441-3, a kappa antagonist, and their modification of the effects of ethanol, on the behavior of rats in a modified open field apparatus, was examined. Crossover activity was increased by U50488H. Headpoke activity was decreased by WIN 44441-3 and increased by U50488H. Rearing activity was increased by WIN 44441-3 but was not affected by U50488H. The effect of both drugs was dose related, with the largest doses having no effect. Ethanol (0.5 g/kg) stimulated crossover activity while it depressed rearing, headpoke and corner activities; except for crossover activity the 2.0 g/kg dose of ethanol depressed these activities. Pretreatment with WIN 44441-3 (0.5 mg/kg) potentiated the stimulant effect of ethanol on crossover activity and partially reversed the depressant effect of ethanol on rearing and headpoke activities. U50488H potentiated the ethanol-induced depression of headpoke and reversed the depression of corner activity. Pretreatment with U50488H had no effect on ethanol's action on crossover and rearing behaviors. Our results indicate that kappa opiate receptors may mediate some behaviors exhibited by rats in a modified open field apparatus. Activation of these receptors increases locomotor and headpoke activity but had no effect on rearing activity. Furthermore, the 0.5 g/kg dose of ethanol has differential effects on different measures of open field behavior, while the 2.0 g/kg dose was largely depressant. Our data suggest that some of these effects of ethanol may be mediated via kappa opioid receptors.

Topics: 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Animals; Azocines; Behavior, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Interactions; Ethanol; Male; Motor Activity; Narcotic Antagonists; Pyrrolidines; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Receptors, Opioid; Receptors, Opioid, kappa

The potential interaction between kappa-opiate receptors and dopamine activity was examined in this study by monitoring the effect of U-50,488H on the release of endogenous dopamine from rat striatal slices in both the absence and presence of 10 microM nomifensine, a potent dopamine uptake inhibitor. Basal dopamine release was increased 10-fold in the presence of nomifensine, and the normally steady base line was observed to increase gradually under these conditions. U-50,488H, a potent kappa-agonist, enhanced the spontaneous release of dopamine, but only at relatively high concentrations (40.0 microM) and only in the absence of nomifensine. Likewise, nomifensine and U-50,488H (40.0 microM) each significantly inhibited the synaptosomal uptake of [3H]dopamine. As with basal release, nomifensine markedly enhanced the potassium-evoked release of dopamine, and this evoked release was significantly attenuated by U-50,488H (0.4 and 40.0 microM) in both the absence and presence of nomifensine. This opiate-mediated inhibition of evoked dopamine release was antagonized in a time-dependent manner by the putative kappa-antagonist, WIN 44,441-3, suggesting that striatal kappa-receptor activation modulates dopamine release.

Topics: 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Analgesics; Animals; Azocines; Brain; Dopamine; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Narcotic Antagonists; Potassium; Putamen; Pyrrolidines; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Receptors, Opioid; Receptors, Opioid, kappa; Synaptosomes

The effects of several mu and kappa opioid agonists were examined alone and in combination with the opioid antagonist quadazocine in squirrel monkeys responding under a schedule of shock titration. Under this procedure, shock was scheduled to increase once every 15 sec from 0.01 to 2.0 mA in 30 steps. Five responses on a lever during the 15-sec shock period terminated the shock for 15 sec, after which the shock resumed at the next lower intensity. The intensity below which the monkeys maintained the shock 50% of the time (median shock level) and the rate of responding in the presence of shock were determined under control conditions and after administration of the mu agonists, l-methadone and fentanyl and the kappa agonists, bremazocine, ethylketocyclazocine, ketocyclazocine and U50,488. When examined alone, intermediate doses of mu and kappa agonists increased median shock level. At the highest doses of these compounds responding was eliminated and shock rose to its peak intensity. When the mu and kappa agonists were examined in combination with quadazocine, dose-effect curves for median shock level and for rate of responding were shifted to the right in a dose-dependent fashion. A comparison of the pA2 values for quadazocine on median shock level and on rate of responding revealed similar values for the two measures; however, pA2 values differed depending on the agonist examined. That is, the pA2 values for quadazocine in combination with l-methadone and fentanyl on median shock level were 7.43 and 7.61, respectively; whereas the pA2 value for quadazocine in combination with bremazocine and U50,488 were 6.53 and 6.43, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Analgesia; Animals; Azocines; Benzomorphans; Cyclazocine; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Ethylketocyclazocine; Fentanyl; Male; Methadone; Narcotic Antagonists; Pyrrolidines; Receptors, Opioid; Receptors, Opioid, kappa; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Saimiri

Using a rat tail-flick analgesic assay that uses a cold water-ethylene glycol mixture (-10 degrees C) as the noxious stimulus, we have been able to demonstrate a dose-related, naloxone-reversible analgesic effect for dynorphin A (1-17), the proposed endogenous ligand for the kappa receptor. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted surgically with cannulas in the right lateral ventricle at least 1 week before testing. Five microliters of either drug or saline, followed by a 3-microliter saline flush, were administered. Nociceptive threshold was measured as the latency for the rat to flick or remove its tail from the bath solution after immersion. Dynorphin produced a dose-related analgesia at doses of 1 to 50 micrograms i.c.v., reaching 100% maximum possible analgesia (compared to predrug base line) at the highest dose. We found similar dose-related analgesia when we tested the selective mu agonist [Try-D-Ala-Gly-NMe-Phe-Gly-ol] (0.01-1 microgram), the selective kappa receptor ligand U-50,488H (100-500 micrograms), the selective delta agonist [D-Pen2,5]-enkephalin (50-200 micrograms) and beta-endorphin (0.1-10 micrograms). Naloxone (1.0 mg/kg) was able to block the antinociceptive effect of all but the highest doses of dynorphin, which required 10.0 mg/kg of naloxone. When we compared the same dosages of dynorphin using hot water (55 degrees C) as the noxious stimulus, no antinociception was observed. Although we do not known the mechanisms responsible for the differences between the hot and cold water tests, it may be that the cold water tail-flick test, which is able to assess the antinociceptive activity of both opioid agonists and mixed agonist-antagonists, is a more sensitive measure of the type of analgesia mediated by kappa receptors.

Topics: 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Analgesics; Animals; Azocines; Cold Temperature; Drug Interactions; Dynorphins; Enkephalins; Injections, Intraventricular; Male; Naloxone; Pyrrolidines; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Reaction Time; Receptors, Opioid

In rhesus monkeys, kappa opioid agonists have been shown to increase urinary output, increase tail-withdrawal latencies from warm water and produce distinct discriminative stimulus effects. In order to explore further the relation between these effects and activity at the kappa opioid receptor type, the antagonist activity of quadazocine against several kappa opioid agonists was examined with the tail-withdrawal and drug-discrimination procedures. Quadazocine dose dependently antagonized the increases in tail-withdrawal latency produced by the kappa agonists bremazocine, ethylketazocine and U-50, 488, as well as the discriminative stimulus effects of these drugs. The dose-ratio analysis of Schild revealed apparent pA2 values for quadazocine in combination with bremazocine, ethylketazocine and U-50, 488 of 6.1, 6.4 and 6.4, respectively, with the tail-withdrawal procedure and 6.3, 6.4 and 6.1, respectively, with the drug-discrimination procedure. Quadazocine also antagonized the effects of a mu agonist (morphine) in the tail-withdrawal procedure, and the apparent pA2 value for these data was 8.2. The activity of the mu-selective alkylating agent, beta-funaltrexamine (beta-FNA), was examined alone and in combination with the kappa agonist ethylketazocine in the urinary-output, tail-withdrawal and drug-discrimination procedures. At about 30 to 60 min postinjection, beta-FNA alone produced ethylketazocine-appropriate responding under the drug-discrimination procedure and increased urine output but did not increase tail-withdrawal latencies. At 24 to 48 hr postinjection, beta-FNA did not antagonize effects of ethylketazocine in any of the three procedures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Animals; Azocines; Benzomorphans; Cyclazocine; Diuresis; Endorphins; Ethylketocyclazocine; Female; Hot Temperature; Macaca mulatta; Male; Morphine; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Pyrrolidines; Reaction Time; Tail

A number of opioid antagonists (TENA, naloxone, Mr 2266, WIN 44441) were evaluated for their selectivity in antagonizing the effect of mu, kappa, and delta agonists in the guinea pig ileum (GPI) and mouse vas deferens (MVD) preparations. Among these four antagonists, TENA was the most potent and the only ligand which was selective for kappa receptors. In this regard TENA was approximately 27-times more effective in antagonizing the kappa agonist, U-50488H, relative to the mu agonist, morphine, and it was about 5-times more effective against ethylketazocine (EK) relative to morphine. At the same concentration (20 nM) TENA did not significantly antagonize the delta agonist, [D-Ala2,D-Ala5]enkephalin (DADLE), in the MVD. Also, TENA was more effective than naloxone, EK, or U-50488H in protecting kappa receptors from irreversible blockage by beta-CNA. The results of this study indicate that TENA is the most selective kappa antagonist yet reported.

Topics: 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Animals; Azocines; Benzomorphans; Cyclazocine; Enkephalin, Leucine; Enkephalin, Leucine-2-Alanine; Ethylketocyclazocine; Guinea Pigs; Ileum; Male; Mice; Naloxone; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Pyrrolidines; Receptors, Opioid; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Receptors, Opioid, kappa; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Vas Deferens