Abstract

In segments of rabbit ear arteries preincubated with [3H]noradrenaline, Leu-enkephalin, D-Ala2-D-Leu-enkephalin and ethylketocyclazocine concentration dependently reduced the overflow of tritium and the vasoconstriction elicited by field stimulation (120 pulses every 14 min, 1 Hz, 0.3 msec pulse duration). The effects of Leu-enkephalin and ethylketocyclazocine were antagonized by naloxone which, given alone, increased the evoked overflow of tritium at the high concentration of 10 microM. Morphine failed to produce inhibition, and at 100 microM actually increased evoked 3H-overflow. Continued exposure to Leu-enkephalin desensitized the tissue to this opioid; there was no cross-desensitization to ethylketocyclazocine. In arteries not preincubated with [3H]noradrenaline, normorphine, fentanyl and morphiceptin did not change the vasoconstrictor response (5 pulses every min, 5 Hz, 0.3 msec pulse duration). Among various peptide agonists, Leu-enkephalin, D-Ala2-D-Leu-enkephalin and Met-enkephalin were the most potent inhibitors. In a series of peptides with C-terminal extensions of the Met-enkephalin chain, the potency decreased in the order Met-enkephalin greater than Met-enkephalin-Arg-Gly-Leu greater than Met-enkephalin-Arg-Phe greater than BAM-12P greater than beta-endorphin. In a series of peptides with C-terminal extensions of the Leu-enkephalin chain, the potency decreased in the order Leu-enkephalin greater than dynorphin1-13 greater than dynorphin1-9 greater than alpha-neo-endorphin greater than dynorphin1-8 greater than dynorphin1-6 greater than dynorphin1-17. The delta-selective antagonist ICI 154129 counteracted the effect of Met-enkephalin but not that of dynorphin1-13, whereas naloxone counteracted the effect of either agonist.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)