Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 28, 2026

Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities
Published on: July 29, 2014
Cross-tolerance between the different mu-opioid receptor agonists endomorphin-1, endomorphin-2 and morphine at the
D Labuz1, R Przewlocki, B Przewlocka
1Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland.
Abstract:
In the present study we investigated the development of tolerance to an antinociceptive effect after intrathecal administration of endomorphin-1, endomorphin-2 and morphine in tail-flick and paw pressure tests. We also assessed cross-tolerance between the antinociceptive effects of the two endogenous mu-opioid receptor agonists - endomorphins and morphine. The tolerance developed on day 3 after i.th. injection of both endomorphins, endomorphin-2 (18, 36 nmol), endomorphin-1 (16 nmol). After morphine (30 nmol) the tolerance developed on day 6. Our study described the cross-tolerance between morphine and endomorphin-1, but not endomorphin-2. In comparison with naive rats, morphine had a weaker antinociceptive effect in rats tolerant to endomorphin-1. In contrast, no cross-tolerance was observed after administration of endomorphin-2 in rats tolerant to endomorphin-1. In rats tolerant to endomorphin-2, the antinociceptive effect of morphine and endomorphin-1 was attenuated in both the tests used. Our results suggest that the three ligands of mu-opioid receptors probably act via different subtypes of the mu-opioid receptor.
Related Concept Videos
Opioid Receptors: Overview
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Analgesia and Pain Management
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
Drug-Receptor Interaction: Agonist
Agonists can bind to receptors in different ways. Some agonists bind directly to the receptor's active site, mimicking the endogenous ligand's action.

