Dermorphin (D) is a potent opiate-like peptide isolated from the skin of some species of frogs. Experimental studies in animals indicate that D has a potent antinociceptive effect, while no investigation exists about its analgesic properties in humans. Our study shows that i.v. infusion of 0.16 mg/kg D induces a marked and long-lasting increase in the threshold of nociceptive flexion reflex in healthy volunteers. This effect is also evident in a complete chronic spinal subject, showing that D depresses the nociceptive transmission mainly acting at spinal level. Naloxone, while fully antagonizing the effects of morphine and enkephalin analogue, is able to reverse only partly (ca. 50\%) the depressive effect of D on nociceptive spinal reflex. This fact may suggest that D interacts with different spinal opiate receptor populations in inducing analgesia.
Dermorphin inhibits spinal nociceptive flexion reflex in humans.
SANDRINI, GIORGIO;SALVADORI, STEFANO;NAPPI, GIUSEPPE;PANSINI, ROSARIA VEGA
1986-01-01
Abstract
Dermorphin (D) is a potent opiate-like peptide isolated from the skin of some species of frogs. Experimental studies in animals indicate that D has a potent antinociceptive effect, while no investigation exists about its analgesic properties in humans. Our study shows that i.v. infusion of 0.16 mg/kg D induces a marked and long-lasting increase in the threshold of nociceptive flexion reflex in healthy volunteers. This effect is also evident in a complete chronic spinal subject, showing that D depresses the nociceptive transmission mainly acting at spinal level. Naloxone, while fully antagonizing the effects of morphine and enkephalin analogue, is able to reverse only partly (ca. 50\%) the depressive effect of D on nociceptive spinal reflex. This fact may suggest that D interacts with different spinal opiate receptor populations in inducing analgesia.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
