Opposing interplay between Neuropeptide FF and nitric oxide in antinociception and hypothermia.

Abstract

This study examined the ability of the anti-opioid Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) to modify the endogenous activity of nitric oxide (NO). Antinociceptive and hypothermic effects of 1DMe (D.Tyr-Leu-(n.Me)Phe-Gln-Pro-Gln-Arg-Phe-NH(2)), an NPFF agonist, and of L-NAME (N(omega)nitro-L-arginine methyl ester), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, were investigated in mice. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of L-NAME induced, in the hot plate test, a dose-dependent antinociception not reversed by naloxone, an opioid antagonist, but inhibited by L-Arg, the NO synthesis precursor. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of 1DMe inhibit the antinociceptive activity of L-NAME in a dose-dependent manner. On the contrary, L-NAME markedly potentiated hypothermia induced by 1DMe injected in the third ventricle. These data show that Neuropeptide FF receptors exert a dual effect on endogenous NO functions and could modulate pain transmission independently of opioids.

• Authors: J M Zajac, J P Latapie, B Francés
• Journal: Peptides (Peptides) Vol. 21 Issue 8 Pg. 1209-13 (Aug 2000) ISSN: 0196-9781 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11035207 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Opioid
• Enzyme Inhibitors
• Free Radical Scavengers
• Narcotic Antagonists
• Oligopeptides
• Nitric Oxide
• Naloxone
• Morphine
• Arginine
• phenylalanyl-leucyl-phenylalanyl-glutaminyl-prolyl-glutaminyl-arginyl-phenylalaninamide
• NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester

Topics

• Analgesics, Opioid (pharmacology)
• Animals
• Area Under Curve
• Arginine (pharmacology)
• Body Temperature
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Enzyme Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Free Radical Scavengers (metabolism)
• Hypothermia (metabolism)
• Male
• Mice
• Morphine (pharmacology)
• NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester (pharmacology)
• Naloxone (pharmacology)
• Narcotic Antagonists (metabolism, pharmacology)
• Nitric Oxide (metabolism)
• Oligopeptides (metabolism)
• Pain (drug therapy)
• Temperature