Does naloxone induce relaxation of guinea-pig airway smooth muscle? Journal Articles

abstract

• Abstract The effects of the opiate receptor antagonist naloxone were investigated on isolated preparations of guinea-pig trachealis contracted with either histamine, methacholine or KC1. The commercially available solution of naloxone (Narcan) induced concentration-dependent relaxation of the contracted airway preparations. In stark contrast, aqueous solutions of naloxone were without any significant relaxant effect. Aqueous solutions of the preservatives (methyl and propyl hydroxybenzoate) present in the vehicle used in the commercial formulation of naloxone mimicked exactly the relaxant effects induced by Narcan. Thus, naloxone does not directly induce relaxation of airway smooth muscle. The effects of Narcan can be solely attributed to the activity of the preservatives present in the vehicles. The mechanism underlying the bronchodilator activity of methyl and propyl hydroxybenzoate is unknown but is not related to receptor blockade or to alterations in the intracellular levels of cyclic AMP.

authors

• Soulioti, AMA
• Leonard, M
• Rodger, Ian

status

• published 

publication date

• April 12, 2011

has subject area

• 1115 Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (FoR)
• 1116 Medical Physiology (FoR)
• Animals (MeSH)
• Cyclic AMP (MeSH)
• Guinea Pigs (MeSH)
• In Vitro Techniques (MeSH)
• Male (MeSH)
• Muscle Relaxation (MeSH)
• Muscle, Smooth (MeSH)
• Naloxone (MeSH)
• Pharmacology & Pharmacy (Science Metrix)
• Potassium Chloride (MeSH)
• Time Factors (MeSH)
• Trachea (MeSH)

published in

• Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology  Journal

keywords

• Animals
• Cyclic AMP
• Guinea Pigs
• In Vitro Techniques
• Male
• Muscle Relaxation
• Muscle, Smooth
• Naloxone
• Potassium Chloride
• Time Factors
• Trachea

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1111/j.2042-7158.1986.tb03116.x

PubMed ID

• 2877075

start page

• 702

end page

• 705

volume

• 38

issue

• 9