Dermorphin (D) is a potent opiate-like peptide isolated from the skin of some species of frogs. Experimental studies in animals indicate that D has a potent antinociceptive effect, while no investigation exists about its analgesic properties in humans. Our study shows that i.v. infusion of 0.16 mg/kg D induces a marked and long-lasting increase in the threshold of nociceptive flexion reflex in healthy volunteers. This effect is also evident in a complete chronic spinal subject, showing that D depresses the nociceptive transmission mainly acting at spinal level. Naloxone, while fully antagonizing the effects of morphine and enkephalin analogue, is able to reverse only partly (ca. 50%) the depressive effect of D on nociceptive spinal reflex. This fact may suggest that D interacts with different spinal opiate receptor populations in inducing analgesia.

Dermorphin inhibits spinal nociceptive flexion reflex in humans

DEGLI UBERTI, Ettore;SALVADORI, Severo;MARGUTTI, Angelo;TRASFORINI, Giorgio;TOMATIS, Roberto;NAPPI, GIULIA;PANSINI, Raffaele
1986

Abstract

Dermorphin (D) is a potent opiate-like peptide isolated from the skin of some species of frogs. Experimental studies in animals indicate that D has a potent antinociceptive effect, while no investigation exists about its analgesic properties in humans. Our study shows that i.v. infusion of 0.16 mg/kg D induces a marked and long-lasting increase in the threshold of nociceptive flexion reflex in healthy volunteers. This effect is also evident in a complete chronic spinal subject, showing that D depresses the nociceptive transmission mainly acting at spinal level. Naloxone, while fully antagonizing the effects of morphine and enkephalin analogue, is able to reverse only partly (ca. 50%) the depressive effect of D on nociceptive spinal reflex. This fact may suggest that D interacts with different spinal opiate receptor populations in inducing analgesia.
1986
Sandrini, G; DEGLI UBERTI, Ettore; Salvadori, Severo; Margutti, Angelo; Trasforini, Giorgio; Tomatis, Roberto; Nappi, Giulia; Pansini, Raffaele
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11392/1682825
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