Myoelectric activity of the small intestine during morphine dependence and withdrawal in rats

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Am. J. Physiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5714708

Kuperman, D A; Sninsky, C A; Lynch, D F

The authors investigated (1) the effect of morphine dependence on the migrating myoelectric complex (MMC) of the small intestine, (2) whether bacterial overgrowth developed in morphine-dependent rats, and (3) the effect of naloxone and methylbromide naltrexone, a peripheral opioid antagonist, on the MMC in morphine-naive and morphine-dependent rats. They also evaluated intestinal motility during naloxone-induced withdrawal in animals pretreated with clonidine. Intestinal myoelectric activity was monitored by four indwelling electrodes in unanesthetized, fasted rats. D-(/sup 14/C)xylose breath tests were performed before and after morphine-pellet implantation to evaluate the presence of bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine. Naloxone had no effect on myoelectric activity of the small intestine in morphine-naive rats. Cycling activity fronts were present in morphine-dependent animals, but there was a significant prolongation of activity front periodicity and slowing of the propagation velocity. No significant increase in /sup 14/CO/sub 2/ excretion was noted in the morphine-dependent rats. They conclude from their studies that (1) myoelectric activity of the small intestine develops incomplete tolerance to morphine; (2) bacterial overgrowth is not a feature of morphine dependence in the rat; (3) alterations of intestinal myoelectric activity are a component of the opiate withdrawal syndrome, and they appear at least partially mediated by a peripheral mechanism that can be suppressed by an ..cap alpha../sub 2/-adrenergic agonist.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville
• OSTI ID: 5714708
• Journal Information: Am. J. Physiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Physiol.; (United States) Vol. 252:4; ISSN AJPHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALDEHYDES
ALKALOIDS
ANALGESICS
ANIMALS
ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS
ANTIBIOTICS
BACTERIA
BIOELECTRICITY
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CARBOHYDRATES
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CLEARANCE
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DRUGS
ELECTRICITY
EXCRETION
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
INTESTINES
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
MICROORGANISMS
MONOSACCHARIDES
MORPHINE
MUSCLES
NARCOTICS
OPIUM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PENTOSES
RATS
RODENTS
SACCHARIDES
SMALL INTESTINE
VERTEBRATES
XYLOSE