Summary
The opioid agonists morphine (selective for μ-receptors) and ethylketocyclazocine (selective for kappa-receptors), at concentrations evoking strong effects in neuronal structures, did not significantly affect the configuration of the intracellularly recorded action potential and the force of contraction in ventricular heart muscle isolated from guinea pigs, rabbits and man. These results suggest that any changes of heart functions in vivo in response to opioid-like drugs are probably not mediated postsynaptically at the myocardial cell membrane but rather presynaptically, influencing the release of noradrenaline and/or acetylcholine from the nerve terminals.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alderman, E. L., Barry, W. H., Graham, A. F., and Harrison, D. C., New Engl. J. Med.287 (1972) 623.
Popio, K. A., Jackson, D. H., Ross, A. M., Schreiner, B. F., and Yu, P. N., Clin. Pharmac. Ther.23 (1978) 281.
Grundy, H. F., and Tritthart, H., Br. J. Pharmac.46 (1972) 13.
Süsskand, K., Siess, M., and Schultz, J., Biochem. Pharmac.25 (1976) 1959.
Saxon, M. E., Ivanitsky, G. R., Beloyartsev, F. F., Safronova, V. G., Kokoz, Yu. M., and Freydin, A. A., Gen. Physiol. Biophys.1 (1982) 447.
Paterson, S. J., Robson, L. E., and Kosterlitz, H. W., Br. med. Bull.39 (1983) 31.
Lang, R. E., Hermann, K., Dietz, R., Gaida, W., Ganten, D., Kraft, K., and Unger, Th., Life Sci.32 (1983) 399.
Mantelli, L., Corti, V., and Ledda, F., Gen. Pharmac.18 (1987) 309.
Starke, K., Schöffel, E., and Illes, P., Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Arch. Pharmak.329 (1985) 206.
Fuder, H., Buder, M., Riers, H.-D., and Rothacher, G., Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Arch. Pharmak.332 (1986) 148.
Eckel, L., Gristwood, R. W., Nawrath, H., Owen, D. A. A., and Satter, P., J. Physiol.330 (1982) 111.
Kosterlitz, H. W., and Taylor, D. W., Br. J. Pharmac.14 (1959) 209.
Kennedy, B. L., and West, T. C., J. Pharmac. exp. Ther.157 (1967) 149.
Weitzell, R., Illes, P., and Starke, K., Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Arch. Pharmak.328 (1984) 186.
Wong-Dusting, H. K., and Rand, M. J., Eur. J. Pharmac.111 (1985) 65.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nawrath, H., Rupp, J., Jakob, H. et al. Failure of opioids to affect excitation and contraction in isolated ventricular heart muscle. Experientia 45, 337–339 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01957469
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01957469