Further studies on the role of cholinergic mechanisms in the development of increased naloxone potency in mice

Abstract

Using the abdominal constriction response in mice, it was shown that pretreatment with either pilocarpine (5.0 mg/kg, s.c.) or oxotremorine (0.05–0.10 mg/kg s.c.) caused a small but significant potentiation of the antinociceptive effect of morphine and the antagonistic action of naloxone. The potentiation of naloxone was considerably augmented following pretreatment with morphine plus either pilocarpine (2.5–5.0 mg/kg) or oxotremorine (0.05–0.10 mg/kg) as compared with any of these drugs given alone. Pretreatment with atropine sulphate (2.0 mg/kg, s.c.) had no effect on naloxone potency nor on the antinociceptive activity of morphine, but somewhat reduced that of pilocarpine and oxotremorine. Atropine abolished the ability of morphine pretreatment to enhance naloxone potency, and greatly reduced the augmenting effect of morphine plus the muscarinic receptor agonist drugs. It was also shown that oxotremorine reduced the development of dependence on morphine as tested by naloxone-precipitated jumping. These results agreed well with those reported using anticholinesterase drugs and add further evidence that the cholinergic system does play a role in the development of increased naloxone potency caused by morphine pretreatment. The increased naloxone potency does not seem to be related to the development of “acute dependence” on morphine.