Nor-binaltorphimine: an ultra-long acting kappa-opioid antagonist in pigeons

This study assessed the ability of naltrexone and nor-binaltorphimine (NBNI) to antagonize the rate-decreasing effects of opioid agonists. Food-restricted pigeons were trained to peck a lit key under a fixed-ratio (FR) 20 schedule of food reinforcement. Bremazocine, a kappa-opioid agonist, decreased food-reinforced responding (ED(50) = 0.02mg/kg), and naltrexone (5.6mg/kg) reduced the potency of bremazocine six-fold. The effect of naltrexone lasted less than 24h. A single injection of NBNI (1mg/kg) was given to four pigeons, and the time course of antagonism of the rate-decreasing effects of bremazocine was measured. One hour after NBNI was given, it was ineffective. Eight days later, NBNI produced a five-fold reduction in the potency of bremazocine. Between 12 and 20 days after NBNI, it reduced the potency of bremazocine 14-fold. NBNI continued to antagonize bremazocine for 11 weeks. Smaller doses of NBNI (0.001-0.1mg/kg) were ineffective. The effect of NBNI was not due to tolerance to bremazocine, since tolerance failed to develop to bremazocine administered repeatedly. NBNI (1mg/kg) did not antagonize the response rate-decreasing effects of morphine, a mu-opioid agonist, or BW373U86, a delta-opioid agonist. NBNI was an effective and extremely long-lasting kappa-opioid antagonist in the pigeon. The duration of action of NBNI is among the longest yet described in any species.