Cardiovascular effects of Leu-enkephalin in the nucleus tractus solitarius of the rat

Brain Res. 1996 Feb 19;709(2):331-36. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(95)01434-9.

Abstract

Microinjections of Leu-enkephalin into the dorsal vagal complex induced hypotension and bradycardia. Both naloxone, given at a dose conferring selectivity for mu receptors, and the delta antagonist ICI 154,129 prevented the cardiovascular effects of Leu-enkephalin. Naloxone was also found to decrease the gain of the baroreflex. These results suggest that Leu-enkephalin is involved in cardiovascular regulation through activation of delta-, and possibly mu-, opioid receptors in the dorsal vagal complex.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Cardiovascular System / drug effects*
  • Enkephalin, Leucine / analogs & derivatives
  • Enkephalin, Leucine / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Enkephalin, Leucine / pharmacology*
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Male
  • Microinjections
  • Naloxone / pharmacology
  • Narcotic Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, Opioid, delta / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Solitary Nucleus / physiology*
  • Vagus Nerve / physiology

Substances

  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Receptors, Opioid, delta
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu
  • Naloxone
  • Enkephalin, Leucine
  • ICI 154129