Vol. 286, Issue 2, 697-703, August 1998

Analgesic, Respiratory and Heart Rate Effects of Cannabinoid and Opioid Agonists in Rhesus Monkeys: Antagonist Effects of SR 141716A

Jeffrey A. Vivian, Shiroh Kishioka³, Eduardo R. Butelman⁴, Jillian Broadbear, Katherine O. Lee and James H. Woods

Departments of Psychology and Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan

This study characterized the antinociceptive, respiratory and heart rate effects of the cannabinoid receptor agonists -9-tetrahydrocannabinol (-9-THC) and WIN 55212 {(R)-(+)-2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-[(4-morpholinyl)methyl]pyrol-[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl)(1-naphtalenyl)methanone monomethanesulfonate}, N-arachidonyl ethanolamide (anandamide) and the mu and kappa opioid receptor agonists heroin and U69593, alone and in conjunction with a cannabinoid receptor antagonist, SR 141716A [N-(piperidin-1-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide hydrochloride] and an opioid receptor antagonist, quadazocine, in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Using 12 adult rhesus monkeys, latencies to remove the tail from a 50°C water bath, respiration in 5% CO₂ and heart rate were measured. When administered alone, SR 141716A (1.8, 5.6 mg/kg i.m.) did not alter nociception, respiration or heart rate. -9-THC (0.1-10 mg/kg i.m.) and WIN 55212 (0.1-10 mg/kg i.m.) dose-dependently increased antinociception and dose-dependently decreased respiratory minute and tidal volumes and heart rate. These antinociceptive, respiratory and heart rate effects were reversed by SR 141716A but not by the opioid antagonist quadazocine (1 mg/kg i.m.). Anandamide (10 mg/kg i.m.) also produced antinociception. Heroin (0.01-10 mg/kg i.m.) and U69593 (0.01-3.2 mg/kg i.m.) also dose-dependently increased antinociception and decreased respiratory and heart rate measures; these effects were antagonized by quadazocine but not by SR 141716A. These results demonstrate selective and reversible antagonism of cannabinoid behavioral effects by SR 141716A in rhesus monkeys.