Intrathecal CART (55-102) enhances the spinal analgesic actions of morphine in mice.

Abstract

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptides are found in brain and spinal cord areas involved in pain transmission. In the present study, we investigated the role of rat CART (55-102) in the modulation of an acute pain model after intrathecal administration. The results show that CART (55-102) was without effect on the tail-flick test after i.t. injection in mice. Interestingly, i.t. administration of CART (55-102) significantly enhanced the antinociceptive effect of morphine in the tail-flick test. These results suggest that CART (55-102) potentiates the effects of opioids to inhibit the nociceptive information transmission.

• Authors: M Imad Damaj, Richard G Hunter, Billy R Martin, Michael J Kuhar
• Journal: Brain research (Brain Res) Vol. 1024 Issue 1-2 Pg. 146-9 (Oct 22 2004) ISSN: 0006-8993 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 15451376 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Nerve Tissue Proteins
• Peptide Fragments
• cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript protein (55-102)
• Morphine

Topics

• Animals
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Synergism
• Injections, Spinal
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred ICR
• Morphine (administration & dosage)
• Nerve Tissue Proteins
• Pain Measurement (drug effects, methods)
• Peptide Fragments (administration & dosage)
• Spinal Cord (drug effects, physiology)