Facilitatory effects of opioids on the discharges of visceral nociceptors

Abstract

Effects of opioids on the activity of visceral nociceptors were tested using the in vitro testis-spermatic nerve preparations excised from deeply anesthetized dogs. Morphine, DADLE and dynorphin (10 microM) elicited discharges of polymodal receptors in approximately 1/3 of the tested cases. The incidence of the excitatory response of morphine increased at higher concentrations. The excitatory responses were quite variable among preparations and showed a strong tendency for tachyphylaxis. Similar increases in discharges were elicited when morphine was applied during the steady state of the response evoked by bradykinin (BK) or BK mixed with prostaglandin E2. Pretreatment of morphine for 5 min significantly augmented the subsequent BK responses for 30 min or more. Naloxone per se induced neither excitation nor augmentation of the subsequent BK response, however it reversed the augmenting effect of morphine on BK response. In contrast with previous reports proposing peripheral analgesic effects of opioids, suppressive effects on nociceptors were never observed in the present experiment. Peripheral effects of opioids were discussed.