Inhibition of neuronal firing by opiates: evidence against the involvement of cyclic nucleotides

Br J Pharmacol. 1979 Apr;65(4):647-52. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1979.tb07877.x.

Abstract

1. Extracellular recordings were made in vitro from single neurones of the myenteric plexus of the guinea-pig ileum. 2. Neuronal firing was inhibited by morphine and normorphine (10 nM to 1 micrometer). Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) (100 micrometer to 1 mM) also inhibited the firing of the majority of the neurones. Prostaglandin E2 usually caused a short-lasting excitation of myenteric neurones and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine was usually without effect on firing rate. 3. The inhibition of neuronal firing by normorphine was unaffected by prior and/or concurrent administration of cyclic AMP, dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate, prostaglandin E2 or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. As these four treatments might be expected to elevate intracellular levels of cyclic AMP, the results lend no support to the notion that a reduction in intracellular cyclic AMP is essential to the inhibition of firing produced by morphine.

MeSH terms

  • 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine / pharmacology
  • Acetylcholine / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Bucladesine / pharmacology
  • Cyclic AMP / physiology*
  • Guinea Pigs
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Naloxone / pharmacology
  • Narcotics / pharmacology*
  • Neurons / drug effects*
  • Prostaglandins E / pharmacology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Narcotics
  • Prostaglandins E
  • Naloxone
  • Bucladesine
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Acetylcholine
  • 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine