Elsevier

Brain Research

Volume 589, Issue 1, 28 August 1992, Pages 139-142
Brain Research

Short communication
The specific N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK-801 blocks U-50,488, but not morphine antinociception☆

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(92)91173-CGet rights and content

Abstract

The effect of the specific NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 on antinociception produced by the κ opiate receptor agonist U-50,488 and the μ receptor agonist morphine was assessed using the tail-flick test in rats. MK-801 (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg) antagonized antinociception induced by all three doses of U-50,488 (7.5, 15 and 30 mg/kg), and potentiated antinocicepgion induced by the lower (1 mg/kg) but not higher (5 mg/kg) dose of morphine. Naloxone at a dose of 1.0 but not 0.1 mg/kg blocked U-50,488 antinociception, indicating that MK-801 affects opiate antinociception. The present results are the first to suggest a critical role for the NMDA receptor in opiate antinociception involving the κ receptor.

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    ☆

    This research was supported by NIH Grant NS07628 and an Unrestricted Pain Research Grant from the Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. B.K. is supported by NIMH Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship 5T32MH17140.

    †

    We thank H. Washington and his staff for their excellent care of the animals.

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