A μ-opioid receptor agonist DAMGO induces rapid breathing in the arterially perfused in situ preparation of rat

Disinhibition does not play a role in endomorphin-2-induced changes in inspiratory motoneuron output produced by in vitro neonatal rat preparations

Low level activation of mu-opioid receptors (MORs) in neonatal rat brainstem-spinal cord preparations increases inspiratory burst amplitude recorded on cervical spinal roots. We tested whether: (1) MOR activation with an endogenous ligand, such as endomorphin-2, increases inspiratory burst amplitude, (2) disinhibition of GABAergic or glycinergic inhibitory synaptic transmission is involved, and (3) inflammation alters endomorphin-2 effects. Using neonatal rat (P0-P3) brainstem-spinal cord preparations, bath-applied endomorphin-2 (10-200 nM) increased inspiratory burst amplitude and decreased burst frequency. Blockade of GABAA receptors (picrotoxin), glycine receptors (strychnine), or both (picrotoxin and strychnine) did not abolish endomorphin-2-induced effects. In preparations isolated from neonatal rats injected 3 h previously with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.1 mg/kg), endomorphin-2 continued to decrease burst frequency but abolished the burst amplitude increase. Collectively, these data indicate that disinhibition of inhibitory synaptic transmission is unlikely to play a role in endomorphin-2-induced changes in inspiratory motor output, and that different mechanisms underlie the endomorphin-2-induced increases in inspiratory burst amplitude and decreases in burst frequency.

Mu-opioid receptor-dependent transformation of respiratory motor pattern in neonates in vitro

Endogenous opioid peptides activating mu-opioid receptors (MORs) are part of an intricate neuromodulatory system that coordinates and optimizes respiratory motor output to maintain blood-gas homeostasis. MOR activation is typically associated with respiratory depression but also has excitatory effects on breathing and respiratory neurons. We hypothesized that low level MOR activation induces excitatory effects on the respiratory motor pattern. Thus, low concentrations of an MOR agonist drug (DAMGO, 10–200 nM) were bath-applied to neonatal rat brainstem-spinal cord preparations while recording inspiratory-related motor output on cervical spinal roots (C4-C5). Bath-applied DAMGO (50–200 nM) increased inspiratory motor burst amplitude by 40–60% during (and shortly following) drug application with decreased burst frequency and minute activity. Reciprocal changes in inspiratory burst amplitude and frequency were balanced such that 20 min after DAMGO (50–200 nM) application, minute activity was unaltered compared to pre-DAMGO levels. The DAMGO-induced inspiratory burst amplitude increase did not require crossed cervical spinal pathways, was expressed on thoracic ventral spinal roots (T4-T8) and remained unaltered by riluzole pretreatment (blocks persistent sodium currents associated with gasping). Split-bath experiments showed that the inspiratory burst amplitude increase was induced only when DAMGO was bath-applied to the brainstem and not the spinal cord. Thus, MOR activation in neonates induces a respiratory burst amplitude increase via brainstem-specific mechanisms. The burst amplitude increase counteracts the expected MOR-dependent frequency depression and may represent a new mechanism by which MOR activation influences respiratory motor output.

Kölliker-Fuse/Parabrachial complex mu opioid receptors contribute to fentanyl-induced apnea and respiratory rate depression

Overdoses caused by the opioid agonist fentanyl have increased exponentially in recent years. Identifying mechanisms to counter progression to fatal respiratory apnea during opioid overdose is desirable, but difficult to study in vivo. The pontine Kölliker-Fuse/Parabrachial complex (KF/PB) provides respiratory drive and contains opioid-sensitive neurons. The contribution of the KF/PB complex to fentanyl-induced apnea was investigated using the in situ arterially perfused preparation of rat. Systemic application of fentanyl resulted in concentration-dependent respiratory disturbances. At low concentrations, respiratory rate slowed and subsequently transitioned to an apneustic-like, 2-phase pattern. Higher concentrations caused prolonged apnea, interrupted by occasional apneustic-like bursts. Application of CTAP, a selective mu opioid receptor antagonist, directly into the KF/PB complex reversed and prevented fentanyl-induced apnea by increasing the frequency of apneustic-like bursting. These results demonstrate that countering opioid effects in the KF/PB complex is sufficient to restore phasic respiratory output at a rate similar to pre-fentanyl conditions, which could be beneficial in opioid overdose.

Presynaptic Mechanisms and KCNQ Potassium Channels Modulate Opioid Depression of Respiratory Drive

Opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD) is the major cause of death associated with opioid analgesics and drugs of abuse, but the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. We investigated opioid action in vivo in unanesthetized mice and in in vitro medullary slices containing the preBötzinger Complex (preBötC), a locus critical for breathing and inspiratory rhythm generation. Although hypothesized as a primary mechanism, we found that mu-opioid receptor (MOR1)-mediated GIRK activation contributed only modestly to OIRD. Instead, mEPSC recordings from genetically identified Dbx1-derived interneurons, essential for rhythmogenesis, revealed a prevalent presynaptic mode of action for OIRD. Consistent with MOR1-mediated suppression of presynaptic release as a major component of OIRD, Cacna1a KO slices lacking P/Q-type Ca2+ channels enhanced OIRD. Furthermore, OIRD was mimicked and reversed by KCNQ potassium channel activators and blockers, respectively. In vivo whole-body plethysmography combined with systemic delivery of GIRK- and KCNQ-specific potassium channel drugs largely recapitulated these in vitro results, and revealed state-dependent modulation of OIRD. We propose that respiratory failure from OIRD results from a general reduction of synaptic efficacy, leading to a state-dependent collapse of rhythmic network activity.

Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2011

This paper is the thirty-fourth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2011 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior (Section 2), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (Section 3); stress and social status (Section 4); tolerance and dependence (Section 5); learning and memory (Section 6); eating and drinking (Section 7); alcohol and drugs of abuse (Section 8); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (Section 9); mental illness and mood (Section 10); seizures and neurologic disorders (Section 11); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (Section 12); general activity and locomotion (Section 13); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (Section 14); cardiovascular responses (Section 15); respiration (Section 16); and immunological responses (Section 17).

A detailed surgical method for mechanical decerebration of the rat

Surgical methods currently employed for the mechanical decerebration of a rat are only briefly described in the literature; hence, an information void exists for researchers wishing to adopt this technique successfully. Decerebration can lead to a high rate of mortality owing to cranial bleeding, particularly if the operator is inexperienced and uninformed. The illustrated methodology presented here describes, in detail, steps in the decerebration process and indicates effective approaches, such as reversible occlusion of a carotid artery, the combined use of tissue adhesive and haemostatic sponge, and perisurgical monitoring of blood pressure, by which to control blood loss and thus maintain mean postsurgical blood pressure within acceptable physiological parameters. By using this methodology, animal losses can be minimized, particularly in the early stages of adoption of the technique, ultimately reducing the numbers required for a study of this nature.