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Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities
Published on: July 29, 2014
Emerging roles of microRNAs in morphine tolerance
Jiangju Huang1, Jian Wang1, Qulian Guo1
1Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Morphine is commonly used in clinical management to alleviate moderate-to-severe pain. However, prolonged and repeated use of morphine leads to tolerance. Morphine tolerance is a challenging clinical problem that limits its clinical application in pain treatment. The mechanisms underlying morphine tolerance are still not completely understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs containing 18~22 nucleotides that modulate gene expression in a post-transcriptional manner, and their dysregulation causes various diseases. miRNAs bind to the 3'-UTR (untranslated region) of target gene mRNA, inhibiting or destabilizing translation of the transcripts. Morphine causes differential miRNA upregulation or downregulation. This review will present evidence for the contribution of miRNAs to tolerance of the antinociception effect of opioids.
Insights
Morphine tolerance, a challenge in pain management, involves microRNAs (miRNAs). These small RNAs regulate gene expression and are implicated in the reduced effectiveness of morphine for pain relief.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Morphine is a key analgesic for moderate-to-severe pain.
- Prolonged morphine use induces tolerance, limiting its efficacy.
- Mechanisms of morphine tolerance are not fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in morphine tolerance.
- To explore how miRNAs affect the antinociceptive effects of opioids.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating miRNAs and opioid tolerance.
- Analysis of miRNA involvement in post-transcriptional gene regulation.
Main Results:
- Morphine administration alters the expression of specific miRNAs.
- miRNAs contribute to the development of tolerance to morphine's pain-relieving effects.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNAs are significant regulators in morphine tolerance.
- Targeting miRNAs may offer novel strategies for managing opioid tolerance and pain.
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