Effects of restraint and naltrexone on the biphasic heart rate response to morphine in rats

K. S. Schwarz, J. Peris, C. L. Cunningham

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effect of several doses of morphine (0, 0.5, 2, 5 or 10 mg/kg, i.v.) on heart rate was assessed in restrained and freely-moving rats. Morphine produced a dose-dependent bradycardia followed by tachycardia. The magnitude and duration of bradycardia were greater in restrained rats, whereas the magnitude and duration of tachycardia were greater in unrestrained rats. Naltrexone (5 mg/kg) pretreatment completely blocked the biphasic heart rate response to morphine (8 mg/kg). When naltrexone was given after the bradycardic portion of the response, tachycardia declined to baseline levels. These results suggest that one or both components of the biphasic response are mediated by opioid receptors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)327-339
Number of pages13
JournalAlcohol and drug research
Volume7
Issue number5-6
StatePublished - 1987
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effects of restraint and naltrexone on the biphasic heart rate response to morphine in rats'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this