Abstract
Previous data indicate that intracerebroventricular administration of agonists for µ- and δ-opioid receptors induces limbic seizures in rats, but no data are reported in rabbits. We found that the µ- and δ-opioid peptides [D-Ala<sup>2</sup>-N,Me-Phe<sup>4</sup>-Gly<sup>5</sup>-ol]enkephalin (DAMGO), β-endorphin and deltorphin II, induced EEG non-convulsive hippocampal seizures, and changes in hippocampal background EEG, physical parameters and overt behaviour after central administration. Dexamethasone pre-treatment prevented DAMGO-, deltorphin II- and β-endorphin-induced seizures as well as changes in background EEG, physical parameters and overt behaviour induced by µ-opioid agonists. Dexamethasone antagonism on opioid action was blocked by pre-treatment with a protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide or by the ĸ-opioid antagonist nor-binaltorphimine. Our data suggest that dexamethasone influences opioid actions at µ- and δ-receptors via a protein synthesis mechanism involving ĸ-opioid receptors.
Published Version
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