Biomedical Research

The present study investigated the possible role of nitric oxide (NO) in the development of morphine- and Deltorphin II-induced elec-troencephalographic (EEG) seizures in rabbits. Central administration of morphine and Deltorphin II (100 μg/icv/toto) produces EEG seizure activity in rabbits, associated with wet-dog shakes, myoclonic twitches and convulsive activity. L-NG-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (300 μg/i.c.v./toto) did not induce significant EEG or behavioral changes whereas when injected 15 min before i.c.v. morphine or Deltorphin II (100 μg/icv/toto) dose dependently prevented the EEG ictal episodes, the spiking activity and the synchronized EEG pattern induced by morphine or Deltorphin II. The inhibitory effect of L-NAME on morphine or Deltorphin II seizures was dose-dependently reversed by L-arginine (300 μg/icv/toto) but not by D-arginine. Finally, glyceryl trinitrate on its own (300 μg/icv/toto) significantly increased morphine or Deltorphin II seizures in the rabbit and it was also able to reverse the inhibition on morphine or Deltorphin II seizures operated by L-NAME . These results provide evidence that NO may play a significant role in the development of opioids-EEG seizures

Author(s): Anna Capasso and Federica Cavallo
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