Naloxone reversal and morphine exacerbation of neurologic deficits secondary to focal cerebral ischemia in baboons.

Abstract

The effects of an opiate agonist (morphine) and antagonist (naloxone) on neurologic function in conditions of acute and subacute focal cerebral ischemia were tested in a baboon model. Fourteen baboons (Papio papio) underwent unilateral transorbital microsurgical occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Blood pressure, heart rate and core temperature were monitored continuously; frequent arterial blood gas measurements were made. Cardiac output, cardiac filling pressures, and regional cerebral blood cross-flow were measured in selected baboons. Naloxone administered intravenously consistently reversed hemiparesis and hemiplegia in all baboons for as long as they lived (4 h to 8 days postocclusion). Morphine administered intravenously converted hemiparesis to hemiplegia; this effect was naloxone-reversible. There were no significant changes in any parameter measured after the administration of either drug. Phenylephrine (used to elevate mean arterial pressure to 20 mm higher than the highest pressure measured after naloxone administration) and isoproterenol (used to elevate cardiac output to 1 l/min higher than the highest value measured after naloxone administration) produced no change in neurologic function. It appears that naloxone can reverse, and morphine exacerbate, focal ischemic neurologic deficits produced in baboons by MCA occlusion. The observed changes in neurologic function are not associated with or mediated by alterations in core temperature or cardiopulmonary functions.

• Authors: D S Baskin, C F Kieck, Y Hosobuchi
• Journal: Brain research (Brain Res) Vol. 290 Issue 2 Pg. 289-96 (Jan 09 1984) ISSN: 0006-8993 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 6692145 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Naloxone
• Morphine

Topics

• Animals
• Blood Pressure (drug effects)
• Body Temperature (drug effects)
• Cardiac Output (drug effects)
• Cerebrovascular Circulation (drug effects)
• Female
• Heart (drug effects, physiopathology)
• Heart Rate (drug effects)
• Hemiplegia (chemically induced)
• Ischemic Attack, Transient (physiopathology)
• Male
• Morphine (toxicity)
• Naloxone (toxicity)
• Papio