[Delta-opiate receptors and heart resistance to arrhythmogenic factors]

Stimulation of peripheral delta-opioid receptors exerted no effect on arrhythmias, whereas that central delta 1- and delta 2-receptor activation decrease the heart susceptibility to arrhythmogenic action of epinephrine. Pre-treatment with the delta-opioid receptor antagonist ICI 174 prevented the antiarrhythmic effect of the central delta-receptors stimulation. The findings suggest that the heart decreased vulnerability to epinephrine-induced arrhythmias following the central delta-receptors stimulation is mediated by an enhanced vagal activity.