Distribution of /sup 3/H-morphine following lumbar subarachnoid injection in unanesthetized rabbits

Journal Article · Mon May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Anesthesiology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00000542-198905000-00019· OSTI ID:6080691

Wang, B C; Hiller, J M; Simon, E J; Hillman, D E; Rosenberg, C; Turndorf, H

Morphine sulfate (40-100 micrograms) and /sup 3/H-morphine (125-200 pmol) were injected into the lumbar subarachnoid space of 18 unanesthetized rabbits through a surgically implanted catheter. Radioactivity remaining in the spinal cord 2, 4, 6, and 12 h later revealed recovery (mean +/- SEM) of 45 +/- 5.6% (n = 3), 30.5 +/- 14.1% (n = 4), 11.23 +/- 4.4% (n = 3), and 3.7 +/- 1.1% (n = 3), respectively, of the injected radioactivity. Tritiated morphine was found to be predominantly centered around the injection site, with limited rostral and caudal spread in the cord. No significant radioactivity was detected in plasma or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from the cisterna magna taken at 5, 15, 30, min and 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h after receiving radioactive labeled drug (with the exception of that in one rabbit). Of the injected radioactivity, 75% was recovered in the urine in 12 h. These results suggest that the persistence of morphine in the spinal cord could account for its prolonged analgesic effect following intrathecal administration.

• Research Organization: New York Univ. School of Medicine, NY (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6080691
• Journal Information: Anesthesiology; (United States), Journal Name: Anesthesiology; (United States) Vol. 70:5; ISSN ANESA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550201* -- Biochemistry-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALKALOIDS
ANALGESICS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BODY FLUIDS
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANTS
CEREBROSPINAL FLUID
DISTRIBUTION
DRUGS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
MORPHINE
NARCOTICS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
OPIUM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RABBITS
SPINAL CORD
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
VERTEBRATES