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Effects of some GABA-mimetic drugs on the antinociceptive activity of morphine and β-endorphin in rats

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Summary

Intracerebroventricular administration of muscimol, a potent GABA-receptor agonist, counteracted the antinociceptive effect of morphine or β-endorphin in rats as measured by the “tail flick” method. Muscimol's activity was reversed by bicuculline. Isoguvacine, another GABA agonist, as well as nipecotic acid and guvacine, two inhibitors of neuronal and glial uptake of GABA, also antagonized morphine's antinociceptive effect. A role of the central GABA-ergic system in mediating opiate antinociception is proposed.

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This study was supported by C.N.R. grant no. CT 77.01401.04

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Zonta, N., Zambotti, F., Vicentini, L. et al. Effects of some GABA-mimetic drugs on the antinociceptive activity of morphine and β-endorphin in rats. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch. Pharmacol. 316, 231–234 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00505654

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00505654

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