Neurokinin 1 receptor signaling mediates sex differences in mu and kappa opioid-induced enhancement of contact hypersensitivity

J Neuroimmunol. 2006 Dec;181(1-2):100-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2006.08.011. Epub 2006 Oct 4.

Abstract

Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is a type of cutaneous inflammation that is exacerbated by neurogenic factors. Both mu- and kappa-opioids enhance CHS to a greater extent in females than males. It was hypothesized that potentiated neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor signaling following opioid treatment accounts for sex differences in the magnitude of CHS. Following morphine or spiradoline treatment the NK1 receptor antagonist SR140,333 significantly attenuated the magnitude of CHS in females but not males. By contrast, the NK2 antagonist SR48968 had no effect on morphine modulation of CHS. Taken together, these data indicate that NK1 receptor signaling is a key mediator of sex differences in opioid-induced enhancement of CHS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Benzamides / pharmacology
  • Dermatitis, Contact / metabolism*
  • Drug Interactions
  • Female
  • Male
  • Morphine / pharmacology
  • Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
  • Piperidines / pharmacology
  • Pyrrolidines / pharmacology
  • Quinuclidines / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred F344
  • Receptors, Neurokinin-1 / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Neurokinin-2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa / agonists*
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa / metabolism
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / agonists*
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / metabolism
  • Sex Characteristics*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
  • Substance P / metabolism

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Benzamides
  • Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
  • Piperidines
  • Pyrrolidines
  • Quinuclidines
  • Receptors, Neurokinin-1
  • Receptors, Neurokinin-2
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu
  • SR 140333
  • Substance P
  • SR 48968
  • Morphine
  • spiradoline