Inhibition of Gβγ-subunit signaling potentiates morphine-induced antinociception but not respiratory depression, constipation, locomotion, and reward

Behav Pharmacol. 2013 Apr;24(2):144-52. doi: 10.1097/FBP.0b013e32835f3d2f.

Abstract

Inhibition of Gβγ-subunit signaling to phospholipase C β3 has been shown to potentiate morphine-mediated antinociception while attenuating the development of tolerance and dependence in mice. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of Gβγ-subunit inhibition on antinociception and other pharmacological effects, such as respiratory depression, constipation, and hyperlocomotion, mediated by the μ-opioid receptor. The Gβγ-subunit inhibitor, gallein, was administered to C57BL/6J mice by intraperitoneal injection before morphine, and data were compared with mice treated with vehicle, morphine, or gallein alone. Morphine-induced antinociception was measured using the 55°C warm-water tail-withdrawal test. Pretreatment with gallein produced a dose-dependent potentiation of morphine-mediated antinociception, producing up to a 10-fold leftward shift in the morphine dose-response curve and extending the duration of antinociception induced by a single dose of morphine. Gallein pretreatment also prevented acute antinociceptive tolerance induced by morphine. In contrast, the dose-dependent respiratory depression and hyperlocomotion induced by morphine were not potentiated by gallein pretreatment. Similarly, gallein pretreatment did not potentiate morphine-conditioned place preference responses or morphine-induced constipation, as measured as a reduction in excreta. These results suggest that selectively inhibiting Gβγ-mediated signaling may selectively increase μ-opioid receptor-mediated antinociception without matching increases in adverse physiological effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid / administration & dosage
  • Analgesics, Opioid / adverse effects
  • Analgesics, Opioid / agonists*
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Constipation / chemically induced
  • Constipation / prevention & control*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Drug Tolerance
  • GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • GTP-Binding Protein gamma Subunits / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Hyperkinesis / chemically induced
  • Hyperkinesis / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Morphine / administration & dosage
  • Morphine / adverse effects
  • Morphine / agonists*
  • Morphine / therapeutic use
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Pain Measurement
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / agonists
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / chemically induced
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / prevention & control*
  • Reward
  • Second Messenger Systems / drug effects
  • Xanthenes / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • G-protein Beta gamma
  • GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits
  • GTP-Binding Protein gamma Subunits
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu
  • Xanthenes
  • Morphine
  • gallein