The Interaction of Antinociceptive Effects of Morphine and GABA Receptor Agonists Within the Rat Spinal Cord

Abstract

Previous reports indicate that there may be an interaction between gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors and opioid receptors systems within the spinal cord, the antinociceptive effects of which have not been elucidated. We examined the effects of intrathecally coadministered morphine and muscimol or baclofen on somatic and visceral antinociception in rats. The tail flick (TF) test and colorectal distension (CD) test were used to assess somatic and visceral antinociceptive effects, respectively. Motor function was also assessed. The measurements were performed for 180 min after the intrathecal administration of morphine (0.1-10 [micro sign]g), muscimol (0.2-10 [micro sign]g), baclofen (0.03-1 [micro sign]g), combination of morphine and muscimol or baclofen, or saline. Morphine, muscimol, or baclofen increased both TF latency and CD threshold in a dose-dependent fashion. Although morphine 0.1 [micro sign]g, muscimol 0.2 [micro sign]g, or baclofen 0.03 [micro sign]g alone did not significantly increase TF latency and CD threshold, the combination of morphine 0.1 [micro sign]g and muscimol 0.2 [micro sign]g or baclofen 0.03 [micro sign]g significantly increased both TF latency and CD threshold. The coadministration of muscimol or baclofen increased the antinociceptive effects of morphine in intensity and duration. None of the rats showed motor dysfunction after the coadministration of morphine and muscimol 0.2 [micro sign]g, although muscimol produced motor paralysis of the lower limbs in a dose-dependent fashion. Those results suggest a clinical relevance of the coadministration of [micro sign]-opioids and GABA receptor agonists for pain control. Implications: We examined the antinociceptive interaction between morphine and muscimol or baclofen at the spinal level in rats. Intrathecal muscimol or baclofen potentiated both somatic and visceral antinociceptive effects of morphine. (Anesth Analg 1999;89:422-7)