Naltrexone attenuates plasma nitric oxide release following acute heat stress

Previous studies have shown that naltrexone attenuates morbidity and mortality in heat stress by inhibiting endogenous opioids. In this study, we hypothesized that naltrexone can decrease heat stress by attenuating nitric oxide release. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with naltrexone or normal saline, and exposed to 45 degrees C for 25 min; controls were exposed to 25 degrees C. Colonic temperatures were recorded and plasma samples from an in-dwelling i.v. cannula were analyzed for nitrate/nitrite levels. Following heat stress, peak colonic temperature was significantly diminished (P < 0.05) in naltrexone-treated rats compared to saline-treated rats. Plasma nitrate/nitrite levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in naltrexone-treated rats compared to saline-treated rats. These findings suggest that naltrexone is able to attenuate the rise in plasma nitric oxide levels commonly observed after heat stress.