A comparison of the central gastrointestinal antitransit effects of morphine and bombesin in the mouse

Qi Jiang, Russell J. Sheldon, Frank Porreca

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

The gastrointestinal motor effects of centrally-given morphine and bombesin were compared in mice. Both compounds produced a dose-related decrease in the propulsion of a marker along the gut when given by the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) or intrathecal (i.th.) routes. Co-administration of the same compound by both routes was found to produce a marked increases in potency for morphine, but only a slight increase in potency for bombesin. Isobolographic analysis of the gut effects of these compounds revealed a multiplicative brain-spinal cord interaction for morphine, but an additive interaction for bombesin. These results are consistent with the interpretation that morphine can act at either the level of the brain or the spinal cord, activating independent pathways which ultimately converge to alter gut propulsion. In contrast, spinal bombesin requires communication to supraspinal sites in order for its gut effects to occur, suggesting activation of a common outflow pathway from the central nervous system.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2455-2461
Number of pages7
JournalLife Sciences
Volume41
Issue number22
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 30 1987

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
  • Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics(all)

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