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Adrenergic and serotonergic mechanisms in morphine-induced respiratory depression

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Abstract

The influence of drugs which modify brain amine concentration was studied on morphine-induced respiratory depression in decerebrate cats. Resting and CO2-stimulated respiration were evaluated. The respiratory depression was partially antagonized by pretreatment with reserpine and p-chlorophenylalanine; enhanced by two monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pargyline and tranylcypromine, and, to some extent, by α-methyl-tyrosine. It was not changed by intracerebral 6-hydroxydopamine. The results show that, as with the other central actions of morphine, the presence of 5-HT is necessary for morphine activity to be complete.

The change in the level of brain amines also modified the respiratory activity in a way that suggests that the respiratory center is stimulated by adrenergic and damped by serotonergic tone.

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Author notes

  1. J. Flórez

    Present address: Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain

    J. Flórez, G. Delgado & J. A. Armijo

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  1. J. Flórez
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  2. G. Delgado
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  3. J. A. Armijo
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Flórez, J., Delgado, G. & Armijo, J.A. Adrenergic and serotonergic mechanisms in morphine-induced respiratory depression. Psychopharmacologia 24, 258–274 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00403646

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